The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine.
Engine overview
For the 2012 model year, Chrysler employed the 3.6L Pentastar V6 across its minivan lineup, including the Grand Caravan. This engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and is the standard (and typically only) engine option for that year’s Grand Caravan trims, delivering a balance of power and efficiency for daily family driving.
Engine specifications
Key technical specifications for the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 as installed in the 2012 Grand Caravan are:
- Displacement: 3.6 L
- Engine family: Pentastar V6
- Configuration: 60-degree V6 with dual overhead cams (DOHC), 24 valves
- Horsepower: 283 hp at 6,400 rpm
- Torque: 260 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic (62TE)
- Valvetrain: Variable Valve Timing on both intake and exhaust cams
These specifications define the primary powerplant used in the 2012 Grand Caravan, offering strong mid-range torque for highway merging and everyday driving while maintaining practical efficiency for a family minivan.
Performance and efficiency notes
With the 3.6L Pentastar V6 and six-speed automatic, the 2012 Grand Caravan typically delivered competitive acceleration for a minivan and respectable highway fuel economy for its class. Actual mileage varied by trim, drivetrain configuration, and driving conditions, but values generally sat in the mid-teens in city driving and the mid-20s on the highway.
Summary
The 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan relies on a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 as its engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This powerplant produces 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, providing the performance and efficiency expected in a family-oriented minivan of that era.