The Chrysler Town & Country, and its sibling, the Dodge Grand Caravan, are the most family friendly minivans on the market, if not the best driving. The many unique and handy seating and storage options make them worth a look. Drivers hoping for a carlike ride, sporty handling, or state-of-the-art engines will be best served by the Japanese competitors.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Kirk Bell filed this report from Chicago.
(Source: New Cars Test Drive)
Model Line Overview
Model Lineup:
Chrysler Town & Country LX ($22,460); Touring ($27,700); Limited ($35,670)
Engines:
4.0-liter sohc 24-valve V6
Transmissions:
6-speed automatic
Saftey Equipment (standard):
dual-stage front airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, tire-pressure monitor; ABS with brake assist, traction control, electronic stability control
Saftey Equipment (optional):
rear park assist, rearview camera
Basic Warranty:
3 years/36,000 miles
Assembled In:
Windsor, Ontario, Canada; St. Louis, Missouri
Specifications As Tested
Model Tested (MSRP):
Chrysler Town & Country Limited ($35,670)
Standard Equipment:
leather upholstery; cruise control; tri-zone automatic climate control with rear controls; interior air filter; power adjustable pedals; memory for the driver seat, mirrors, and pedals; tilt, leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls; front bucket seats, eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment; eight-way power passenger seat; front center console; second-row stowable bucket seats; removable second-row center console; third-row stowable split folding bench seat; heated first- and second-row seats; power front and rear windows; power heated exterior mirrors; power door locks; remote keyless entry; power sliding rear doors; power rear liftgate; trip computer; removable sliding front console; overhead storage bins; universal garage door; automatic headlights; fog lights; roof rack; 10-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo, MyGIG Multimedia Entertainment System with 20-gigabyte hard drive; Sirius satellite radio; rear obstacle detection; remote engine starting; conversation mirror; auto-dimming driver's side and rearview mirrors; outside-temperature indicator; compass; second- and third-row sunshades; xenon headlights; P225/65R17 tires on chromed aluminum wheels
Options As Tested (MSRP):
Entertainment Group 3 ($2,020) with two rear DVD players, two screens and Sirius Backseat TV; MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System ($1,300) with navigation system, rearview camera, UConnect hands-free cell phone link; sunroof ($895); power-folding third-row seat ($595)
Destination Charge:
730
Gas Guzzler Tax:
Price As Tested (MSRP):
41210
Layout:
front-wheel drive
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):
251 @ 5500
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):
259 @ 4000
Transmission:
6-speed automatic
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy:
16/23
Wheelbase:
121.2
Length/width/height:
202.5/78.7/68.9
Track, f/r:
65.0/64.8
Turning circle:
39.1
Seating capacity:
7
Head/hip/leg room, f:
39.8/57.6/40.6
Head/hip/leg room, m:
39.7/64.8/36.3
Head/hip/leg room, r:
37.9/48.7/31.8
Cargo volume:
140.6
Payload:
Towing capacity:
3600
Suspension, f:
independent, MacPherson strut with coil springs over shocks and stabilizer bar
Suspension, r:
twist beam axle with coil springs, track bar, shocks
Ground clearance:
6.1
Curb weight:
4621
Tires:
Brakes, f/r:
disc/disc with ABS and Brake Assist
Fuel capacity:
20.0
2008 Chrysler Town & Country consumer reviews:
overall rating
value
comfort
reliability
The DVD player is nice. As are the wireless headphones. The rear parking camera is great. The stow and go gives a ton of interior space for storage. The second glovebox is also nice. I really enjoy this van. The stow and go is great. The equipment and pricing were outstanding also.
posted by Tim on Oct 18 2008
overall rating
value
comfort
reliability
With the Chrysler T&C I was very impressed, and am very pleased with it, and I must say that I don't regret it at all for this vehicle. They've done agreat job with this minivan!
posted by Obery on Apr 06 2008
overall rating
value
comfort
reliability
I am 6'3" and i have zero problems driving this car. DVD system. Navigation system is just amazing and we have used a lot of them, Bluetooth interface is world. class - think BMW quality or better, quiet cabin, good performance from the 4L. The remote start is so great!
posted by Toby on Apr 04 2008
overall rating
value
comfort
reliability
I've only had the vehicle a few weeks, but the interior layout is very good. The smaller engine definitely lacks power. The automatic transmission tries to compensate, which causes the gas mileage to be a little lower than I would like.
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