The minivan is alive and well, and still a star in the Chrysler lineup.
And for 2008, the Chrysler Town & Country is the best vehicle in this class to appear since Chrysler created the modern minivan in 1984.
Our test vehicle, the Town & Country Limited, could well be considered the perfect family vehicle, despite some people’s perception that minivans are quintessential mom-mobiles with the same kind of stigma that station wagons developed in the 1980s.
But minivans such as this one have their place in modern American life, and they’re still being embraced heartily by those who need versatile family haulers.
Besides Generation X couples with kids, minivans are popular with empty-nest baby boomers.
They appreciate the roominess of the vans, which allows them to take friends and grandkids along, or to use the cargo-carrying capacity for weekend antiquing or visits to Home Depot or home-décor stores.
Boomers also find these vans quite comfortable for road trips. They’re more fuel-efficient than most SUVs, and more economical and easier to drive than even the smallest motor homes.
The Town & Country entered its fifth generation last fall, once again raising the bar in the market segment created by Chrysler with the introduction of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager 24 years ago.
The Town & Country and its sibling, the Dodge Grand Caravan, are the only American-brand minivans left other than the Chevrolet Uplander.
Ford discontinued its Freestar van last year, and GM dropped its Buick, Pontiac and Saturn vans as well.
The entire minivan segment is being severely challenged by the rise of crossover utility vehicles, most of which are nothing more than minivans without the sliding doors.
The only others remaining in the minivan segment are the best-selling import, the Honda Odyssey, along with the Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona.
But all of those are at a disadvantage when compared with the Town & Country Limited.
This minivan has it all, from middle-row seats that swivel to face the third row, to the new Sirius live satellite TV system, which plays the favorite kids’ channels.
Chrysler spent more than $500 million to upgrade its Canadian plant for the new vans, which include many upgrades and innovative features that the imports don’t have.
The optional swiveling middle-row seats can be turned around quickly to face the third row. A table stowed in the floor can be positioned between the two rows so the backseat riders can play games or have a meal.
If you don’t care for the swivel seats, you can opt for the latest in Chrysler’s stow-and-go seats, which can be folded completely into the floor to create a flat cargo surface from the back of the front seats all the way to the tailgate.
There are 35 new or improved features in the new vans, making them “family rooms on wheels,” Chrysler says.
Revised exterior styling that gives them more of a crossover look, while retaining the sliding passenger doors on each side that allow for quick and convenient access to the second and third rows. Power doors are available on both sides, and can be operated from the key fob or using switches up front or on the door pillars on each side.
For 2008, the Chrysler and Dodge minivans include five different models, three different seating and storage systems, great new entertainment systems (including the aforementioned satellite TV featuring The Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, and state-of-the-art safety features.
Town & Country models are the base LX, midlevel Touring, and top-of-the-line Limited (base price $35,670 plus $730 freight), which we tested for this report.
Short-wheelbase models previously known as the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Voyager have been dropped; all of the new vans are of the extended length.
Three powertrain options are available, beginning with the base 3.3-liter V-6, rated at 175 horsepower and 205 foot-pounds of torque. This engine can operate on E85 fuel, which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The 3.3-liter engine is connected to a four-speed automatic transmission.
Next is the 3.8-liter V-6, which offers 197 horsepower and 230 foot-pounds of torque. It comes with a new six-speed automatic transmission.
Standard on the Limited model is a 4.0-liter V-6, which puts out 251 horsepower and 259 foot-pounds of torque. It’s connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.
EPA ratings are 17 miles per gallon city/24 highway for the base engine. For the other two engines, including our 4.0-liter, the ratings are 16 city/23 highway.
Chrysler was the first manufacturer to offer a premium minivan, with the 1990 introduction of the Town & Country. With the redesign, these models are more elegant than ever, especially the Limited.
The base model, though, is priced within the range of buyers not ready for premium vehicles. The LX begins at $23,190 (including freight), which is $3,400 less than the price of the corresponding 2007 model. This model has $400 more content than the previous year’s. It comes with the 3.3-liter engine.
Touring and Limited versions are $2,400 less than their corresponding 2007 models, and each has $850 more content, Chrysler says.
Starting price for the Touring model is $28,430, which includes the 3.8-liter engine.
For the extra money of the Limited, there is a long list of standard features including the stow-and-go seats.
Our tester came with the Swivel ‘n’ Go seats, a $495 option.
Also included on our vehicle was the great rear DVD-satellite TV system ($2,020). The system includes separate LCD screens that drop down from the ceiling for the middle and third rows, and they can display different programming at the same time, including DVD movies, live TV, or the signal from a video-game console. There is even a 115-volt power outlet in the third row for a game console.
Those swivel middle-row seats also feature an optional integrated child booster seat. Also available is a one-touch power-folding third-row bench seat ($595), which also was included on our tester.
Among standard safety features are roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for all three rows, along with electronic stability control and antilock brakes.
Included on the Limited model are such standard features as a rear back-up camera, a rearview interior conversation mirror, Chrysler’s back-up warning system, and the MyGIG audio system with a built-in hard drive that stores thousands of songs so you don’t have to bring your CDs along.
Leather-trimmed bucket seats are standard in the first and second rows on the Limited model, along with power sliding doors on both sides, and power-adjustable pedals.
There are many interior storage compartments; a multi-function, front-row sliding console that moves up to 21 inches rearward; two glove boxes; and more cup and bottle holders than there are seating positions.
Available on the base and midlevel models are Chrysler’s new YES Essentials stain-resistant fabric seats and floor mats, which can withstand the most stubborn of stains, including those from red wine and permanent markers.
Other standard features include power windows for the second-row passengers; second- and third-row retractable sun shades; a power tailgate; reading and map lights; and three-zone climate control.
Total sticker price of our test vehicle was $39,785, including freight and options.
2008 Chrysler Town & Country
The package: Extended-length, front-drive, six-cylinder, seven- to eight-passenger minivan.
Highlights: Completely redesigned for 2008, these are the best minivans yet – from any automaker – and include lots of innovative new features.
Negatives: Less-expensive short-wheelbase Voyager model has been discontinued, as has the four-cylinder engine, which offered the best fuel economy.
Engines: 3.3-liter V-6, 3.8-liter V-6, 4.0-liter V-6.
Transmission: Four-speed automatic (base model), six-speed automatic (uplevel models).
Power/torque: 175 HP./205 foot pounds; 197 HP./230 foot-pounds; 251 HP./259 foot-pounds.
Length: 202.5 inches.
Curb weight: 4,431-4,499 pounds.
Cargo capacity: 32.7 cubic feet (3rd seat in place).
EPA fuel economy: 17 city/24 highway (3.3 engine); 16/23 (3.8 and 4.0 engines).
Major competitors: Honda Odyssey, Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Hyundai Entourage, Kia Sedona, Chevrolet Uplander.
Base price range: $22,460-$35,670 (plus $730 freight).
Price as tested: $39,785 with freight and options (Limited model).
On the Road rating: 9.2 (of a possible 10).
The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at chambers@star-telegram.com.
