SUV-intenders would do well to consider an AWD Town & Country as a sensible, comfortable alternative. Riding about as comfortably as a full-size car, a spacious Town & Country absorbs bumps better than any SUV, and beats most minivans (Voyager included). Bigger wheels and tires give the Town & Country an edge over Voyager in handling and roadholding, too, though both are carlike and friendly to drive. The Town & Country brakes with more authority than a Voyager, thanks to its standard antilock four-wheel discs. A Town & Country requires the muscle of the 3.8-liter V6 to get off the line smartly and hold its own in highway passing and merging. Fuel economy hasn't changed much from the prior generation. A test minivan with 3.8-liter engine averaged 15 mpg. Abundant sound insulation makes the Town & Country one of the quietest minivans, with fine suppression of wind, road, and engine noise. Playing its luxury role to the hilt, the Town & Country features comfortably supportive and generously sized seating at all positions, and may have been fitted with leather upholstery. Driver positioning is excellent, and entry/exit easy. Split third-row seats remove easily, but unlike stowable alternatives, you must decide whether to take them out before you begin a trip. The power side doors' manual-override function is convenient, while the power liftgate (shared with Grand Caravan) is a useful innovation. Both systems stop and reverse direction quickly when encountering an obstruction, the liftgate's sensors proving particularly sensitive. The available movable, lighted center console, if installed, enhances versatility. So does the multiposition rear parcel shelf, though we question the durability of its plastic pop-up dividers. The revamped dashboard moved controls closer to the driver, but front cupholders block access to the in-dash CD changer. With no provision for an integrated navigation system, the add-on screen mounts atop the dashboard. A unique "three-zone" climate-system option allows for independent control of driver, front-passenger, and rear-seating settings.

Value for the Money
DaimlerChrysler's lineup dominates the "shoulders" of the minivan market. By 2002, their minivans accounted for 62 percent of sales under $20,000 and 37 percent of those over $30,000. Such figures demonstrate the appeal of both the entry-level Voyager and the luxury Town & Country, which, bolstered by the 2001 redesign, are now stronger values than ever.