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2009 Chrysler Town & Country Full Review
Date Published: 4/30/08
Also in the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country Review:
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Chrysler Town & Country Full Review
7.
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2009 Chrysler Town & Country
Sneak Peek
The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country should see no major changes following its 2008 redesign. Town & Country is built from the same design as the Dodge Grand Caravan but differs in trim and pricing. LX, Touring, and topline Limited models should carry over from 2008. LX models would have a 3.3-liter V6 and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Touring a 3.8-liter V6, and Limiteds a 4.0. Touring and Limited models would have a 6-speed automatic. Safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags that cover all seating rows.
Three seating configurations should still be offered; all accommodate seven passengers. The standard seating arrangement includes a 3rd-row bench that folds flush into the floor. Optional Stow 'n Go seating has 2nd- and 3rd-row seating that folds flush into the floor. The available Swivel 'n Go seating includes 2nd-row seats that rotate to face rearward, a removable table that fits between the 2nd and 3rd rows, and a flush-folding 3rd row. Options include a navigation system, DVD entertainment, and heated 1st- and 2nd-row seats. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country.
Three seating configurations should still be offered; all accommodate seven passengers. The standard seating arrangement includes a 3rd-row bench that folds flush into the floor. Optional Stow 'n Go seating has 2nd- and 3rd-row seating that folds flush into the floor. The available Swivel 'n Go seating includes 2nd-row seats that rotate to face rearward, a removable table that fits between the 2nd and 3rd rows, and a flush-folding 3rd row. Options include a navigation system, DVD entertainment, and heated 1st- and 2nd-row seats. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country.
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2009 Chrysler Town & Country Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration (4.0-liter V6) | Fuel economy |
| Cargo room/flexibility | Interior materials |
| Ride | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Both the Touring's 3.8 V6 and the Limited's 4.0-liter engines offer sufficient power for around town driving, with the 4.0 providing much needed extra boost for merging and highway passing. With both these V6s the transmission is quick to shift as needed but can change gears harshly at low speed. Consumer Guide has not yet tested an LX with its 3.3-liter V6, but we predict that it will be overwhelmed by the Caravan's approximately 4500-pound curb weight.
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 5 | 6 | 5.5 |
Both the Touring's 3.8 V6 and the Limited's 4.0-liter engines offer sufficient power for around town driving, with the 4.0 providing much needed extra boost for merging and highway passing. With both these V6s the transmission is quick to shift as needed but can change gears harshly at low speed. Consumer Guide has not yet tested an LX with its 3.3-liter V6, but we predict that it will be overwhelmed by the Caravan's approximately 4500-pound curb weight.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, Town & Country and Grand Caravan models with the 3.8-liter V6 averaged 16.1-17.1 mpg in city/highway driving. The 3.3- and 3.8-liter V6 engines use regular-grade gas. Chrysler recommends mid-grade 89-octane gas for the 4.0-liter V6.
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 4 |
In Consumer Guide testing, Town & Country and Grand Caravan models with the 3.8-liter V6 averaged 16.1-17.1 mpg in city/highway driving. The 3.3- and 3.8-liter V6 engines use regular-grade gas. Chrysler recommends mid-grade 89-octane gas for the 4.0-liter V6.
Ride Quality
Impressive road isolation, with even larger bumps taken with poise. Note that similar Grand Caravans equipped with the 4.0-liter V6 include a sport suspension that is not available on other Caravan or Town & Country models. With the sport suspension, impacts are more readily felt and some body quiver is evidenced over broken surfaces.
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6.8 |
Impressive road isolation, with even larger bumps taken with poise. Note that similar Grand Caravans equipped with the 4.0-liter V6 include a sport suspension that is not available on other Caravan or Town & Country models. With the sport suspension, impacts are more readily felt and some body quiver is evidenced over broken surfaces.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Despite their overall size, these big vans are little more difficult to drive than a midsize sedan, though lean in corners is fairly pronounced.
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5.3 |
Despite their overall size, these big vans are little more difficult to drive than a midsize sedan, though lean in corners is fairly pronounced.
Quietness
Along with the similar Grand Caravan, these are possibly the quietest minivans. Wind noise is impressively muted. Road noise is only an issue on Caravan 4.0-liter models--due in part to their standard sport suspension. The engines are generally quiet, though noise can intrude during acceleration, with the 4.0-liter V6 sounding especially coarse when pushed.
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 |
Along with the similar Grand Caravan, these are possibly the quietest minivans. Wind noise is impressively muted. Road noise is only an issue on Caravan 4.0-liter models--due in part to their standard sport suspension. The engines are generally quiet, though noise can intrude during acceleration, with the 4.0-liter V6 sounding especially coarse when pushed.
Controls
Large dials and gauges are simple to locate and easy to read. Most controls are plainly marked and work as expected, though audio controls suffer undue complication on models with navigation system or Chrysler's MyGIG media management system. The shifter is on the dashboard, an apparent novelty that quickly becomes second nature to use.
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7 |
Large dials and gauges are simple to locate and easy to read. Most controls are plainly marked and work as expected, though audio controls suffer undue complication on models with navigation system or Chrysler's MyGIG media management system. The shifter is on the dashboard, an apparent novelty that quickly becomes second nature to use.
Details
Interior assembly is mostly top notch, but hard plastic surfaces and low-grade materials dominate the cabin and disappoint at these prices.
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5.5 |
Interior assembly is mostly top notch, but hard plastic surfaces and low-grade materials dominate the cabin and disappoint at these prices.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Wide, comfortable chairs contribute to long-haul comfort. The interior has a roomy, airy feel. Visibility is very good in all directions, though the rear view is seriously compromised when both screens of the Dual DVD entertainment system are in use.
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 8.5 |
Wide, comfortable chairs contribute to long-haul comfort. The interior has a roomy, airy feel. Visibility is very good in all directions, though the rear view is seriously compromised when both screens of the Dual DVD entertainment system are in use.
Room/Comfort (rear)
No opportunity to test model without Stow 'n Go or Swivel 'n Go seating. On models with optional seating, 2nd-row passengers enjoy roomy, supportive buckets, though larger Swivel 'n Go seats offer more comfort and back support than Stow 'n Go units. The 3rd-row bench is plenty roomy for two passengers, a squeeze for anything but three preteens. Novel Swivel 'n Go seats work as advertised, allowing easy interaction between 2nd and 3rd-row riders. Available table a great idea but it is fairly small and difficult for 3rd-row passengers to reach once buckled.
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 9 |
No opportunity to test model without Stow 'n Go or Swivel 'n Go seating. On models with optional seating, 2nd-row passengers enjoy roomy, supportive buckets, though larger Swivel 'n Go seats offer more comfort and back support than Stow 'n Go units. The 3rd-row bench is plenty roomy for two passengers, a squeeze for anything but three preteens. Novel Swivel 'n Go seats work as advertised, allowing easy interaction between 2nd and 3rd-row riders. Available table a great idea but it is fairly small and difficult for 3rd-row passengers to reach once buckled.
Cargo Room
Vast space available, though different seating configurations offer varying challenges to accessing that volume. Stow 'n Go second-row seating disappears into van floor as advertised, but process of folding the seat into the floor is more complicated and clumsy than it should be--though it is a welcome convenience not offered on rival minivans. Ditto Swivel 'n Go seats, which rotate easily enough but are complicated to remove and extremely heavy. Available power-folding 3rd-row is a marvel of convenience, however. Seat folds flat into floor or rolls to face rearward providing comfortable tailgate seating. Note the rear-facing seating position is not intended for use while van is in motion.
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 10 | 10 | 10 |
Vast space available, though different seating configurations offer varying challenges to accessing that volume. Stow 'n Go second-row seating disappears into van floor as advertised, but process of folding the seat into the floor is more complicated and clumsy than it should be--though it is a welcome convenience not offered on rival minivans. Ditto Swivel 'n Go seats, which rotate easily enough but are complicated to remove and extremely heavy. Available power-folding 3rd-row is a marvel of convenience, however. Seat folds flat into floor or rolls to face rearward providing comfortable tailgate seating. Note the rear-facing seating position is not intended for use while van is in motion.
Value within Class
The Town & Country boasts all the space, functionality, and available power a minivan shopper could want. Along with the Grand Caravan from sister division Dodge, these vans may not be as sporty as the Honda Odyssey or as well-appointed as the Toyota Sienna, but neither of those matches the T&C's and Caravan's 2008 Best Buy blend of family-friendly attributes and dollar value.
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 9 | 8 | 8.5 |
The Town & Country boasts all the space, functionality, and available power a minivan shopper could want. Along with the Grand Caravan from sister division Dodge, these vans may not be as sporty as the Honda Odyssey or as well-appointed as the Toyota Sienna, but neither of those matches the T&C's and Caravan's 2008 Best Buy blend of family-friendly attributes and dollar value.
Total Score
| Touring | Limited | Class Average |
| 78 | 78 | 77.1 |
Scores for all Minivans
| Low Score | 75 | |
| Average Score | 77 | |
| High Score | 78 |
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2009 Chrysler Town & Country Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 04/29/2008
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2009 Chrysler Town & Country Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Chrysler Town & Country 4-door van |
| Wheelbase, in. | 121.2 |
| Overall Length, in. | 202.5 |
| Overall Width, in. | 76.9 |
| Overall Height, in. | 68.8 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | -- |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 140.6 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 20.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 7 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.8 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 40.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.2 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.3 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| ohv V6 | ohv V6 | sohc V6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 3.3 /202 | 3.8 /231 | 4.0 /241 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 175 @ 5000 | 197 @ 5200 | 253 @ 5500 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 205 @ 4000 | 230 @ 4000 | 259 @ 4000 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|||
| 4-speed automatic | 17/24 | --/-- | --/-- |
| 6-speed automatic | --/-- | 16/23 | 16/23 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Chrysler Town & Country 4-door van |
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Built in:
USA
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive
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Also in the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Chrysler Town & Country Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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