How many people can fit in a Dodge Caravan?
The Dodge Caravan typically seats seven people. An eight-passenger configuration was available on some older Grand Caravan models that used a three-seat middle row, giving 2 in the front, 3 in the middle, and 3 in the back.
Two common seating configurations
Seating options at a glance
Seat counts in a Caravan depend on year and trim. Here are the main possibilities you’ll encounter in the lineup historically known as the Caravan/Grand Caravan:
- 7-passenger configuration: 2 front seats + 2 seats in the middle row + 3 seats in the rear row.
- 8-passenger configuration: 2 front seats + 3 seats in the middle row + 3 seats in the rear row.
In most later years, the seven-seat layout was more common, while eight-seat configurations appeared on older generations that offered a three-seat middle row.
Historical context and current status
Production status and lineup
The Dodge Grand Caravan, the flagship model behind the Caravan name, was discontinued in North America after the 2016 model year. Dodge has since shifted its minivan emphasis to the Chrysler Pacifica lineup. As a result, there are no new Caravans; seating capacity today is relevant only for used vehicles.
Overview by generation:
- Older generations (late 1990s to early 2000s) offered eight-passenger capacity when the second row was a three-seat bench (2 front + 3 middle + 3 rear).
- Most later Grand Caravan models commonly used seven-passenger layouts (2 front + 2 middle + 3 rear) with captain’s chairs in the middle row being a frequent option.
- Production ended in 2016; no new Dodge Caravans are sold; current Dodge minivans are branded Pacifica, which can seat seven or eight depending on configuration.
Conclusion: For any given used Caravan, verify the exact seating arrangement shown in the listing or on the vehicle’s documentation, as capacity varies by year, trim, and whether the middle row is a bench or captain’s chairs.
Practical checks for buyers
How to confirm seating before purchase
When shopping for a used Dodge Caravan, use these checks to confirm how many people the vehicle can carry:
- Check the listing for the exact middle-row configuration (bench vs. captain’s chairs) and the rear bench’s seating capacity.
- Count the visible seating positions from interior photos and compare to the vehicle’s window sticker or build sheet (VIN data can help).
- Ask the seller or dealer to confirm the total seat count and whether the second row is a 3-seat bench (for 8-passenger capacity) or a 2-seat setup (for 7 passengers).
Verifying these details helps ensure the vehicle meets your needs, especially if you require eight seating positions for tall families or carpooling.
Summary
In short, a Dodge Caravan can carry seven or eight passengers depending on the seating arrangement and model year. Eight-seat configurations exist on older Grand Caravan generations with a three-seat middle row, but seven-seat layouts are more common in later models. With the Caravan nameplate discontinued after 2016, any current minivan seating details pertain to used Caravans or to Dodge’s neighboring Pacifica lineup, which offers similar capacity options. Always verify the exact seating setup for the specific vehicle you’re considering.
