I'm too sexy for my car, so sexy by far...Once again setting the bar high for minivans, Motor Trend's Car of the Year, the 1996 Grand Caravan, revealed a new sleeker, rounder design in place of the boxed-off previous minivan of yore. A larger windshield, sloping roof lines, and wrapound headlights gave owners something to show off as they transported screaming kids to various sporting events.

In 1996, the chassis was redesigned to provide better stability with less noise and shuddering, and it seems to have worked. Inside, the biggest innovation was the introduction of rear seat rollers, to make them easier to remove, a common complaint among previous Grand Caravan owners. As in previous years, the 1996 Grand Caravan offered a first for minivans, by offering the optional second sliding door on the driver's side. That, combined with the low step-in height, made for easier entry and exit. There were probably more cupholders added this year as well, but it's easy to lose count.

Owners responded well to the changes, praising the better interior functionality along with the smoother ride and the responsive driving experience. One thing Dodge didn't seem to address in its 1996 Grand Caravan was the repair record, most notably the transmission headaches that have plagued the number one minivan in America.