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A road trip is all it takes to reinforce the fact that minivans, in spite of their shrinking popularity, are still terrific vehicles for traveling.

Last week my wife and I, along with our dog, piled suitcases, dog kennel and camera gear into a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT for a cross-state excursion. It was great to have tons of room for luggage, and the power doors and power tailgate were perfect for loading and unloading our stuff, especially when it was raining and we had our hands full. A click of the keyless remote was all it took.

Pushing a boxy shape through the wind at highway speeds is usually a recipe for bad fuel economy, but much to my surprise, the Dodge was exceptional. I often recorded more than 26 miles per gallon when driving 70 miles per hour. On one stretch, I averaged more than 27 mpg by setting the cruise control to 68 mph. That’s impressive.

The test van’s 4.0-liter V-6 was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and that’s a key reason for the exceptional mileage. In town, I often exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s rating of 17 mpg.

Our van was equipped with the Swivel ‘n Go second-row seats that can turn 180 degrees to face the third-row seat. A table can be installed between the seats, which is great for families that need to grab a bite while driving between their kids’ soccer practice and dance rehearsal.

The Caravan can be equipped with the Sirius backseat TV that has three channels. Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network Mobile are delivered through the satellite radio service. When the vehicle is parked, the LCD screen in the dash can also display videos.

A 30-gigabyte hard disc can store music, photos and videos, and there’s an iPod interface as well.

The test vehicle from Chrysler’s press fleet was a Grand Caravan SXT. The base price was $26,730 and the sticker price was $33,695.

The SXT’s optional leather-trimmed seats were quite comfortable, and those in the second row had folding armrests. The three-zone climate control system makes it easy to regulate the temperature throughout the van. The windows in the sliding doors had shades that could be pulled up to keep out the sun.

The gearshift lever felt a bit clunky compared to other minivans. The transmission could be shifted manually.

Backing a minivan can be a challenge, and a rearview camera is almost a must. Our van did not have one, but it is an option that every driver should select. Dodge also has a blind-spot monitor that helps when changing lanes, and a rear path monitor that alerts the driver if any traffic is moving across the back of the vehicle.

I’ve always thought a minivan was the single most utilitarian family vehicle on the planet because it can haul more people, and more stuff, in a reasonably sized footprint, with decent gas mileage.

Stow ‘n Go seats that fold into the floor are tremendously handy when you need a flat cargo space for hauling large items. The second- and third-row seats tumble into bins in the floor. These bins are also great places for hidden storage when the seats are upright.

The third seat folds into the floor to create a large luggage area, and the one in the test vehicle was power-operated. That was slick. The third seat can also be used for tailgating, and the small inside table can be mounted on the trailer hitch for outdoor picnicking.

In spite of the fact that the Dodge is fairly large, it didn’t feel big on the road. Wind and road noise are nicely muted.

Safety items included vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes, traction control and side-curtain airbags.

Price

The test vehicle’s base price was $26,730. Options included leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, power liftgate, sport suspension, 4.0-liter engine, swiveling second-row seats with integrated child boosters, remote start and an upgraded audio system. The sticker price was $33,695.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles with a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

2010 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

Engine: 4.0-liter, 251-hp V-6

Transmission: Automatic

Front-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 121.2 inches

Curb weight: 4,514 lbs.

Base price: $26,730

As driven: $33,695

MPG rating: 17 city, 25 hwy.

Tom Strongman’s e-mail address is tom@tomstrongman.com.