25th anniversary of the minivan
Consumer Guide spent a year and over 16,000 miles behind the wheel of the ultimate road trip machine: A Chrysler Town & Country Limited.

Among the many vehicles that Consumer Guide tests throughout the year, there are a few that stay with us from 6 months to a year, which is much longer than the usual one-to-two-week testing period. This allows us to evaluate vehicles during day-to-day living, long road trips, and four-season weather conditions.

Consumer Guide recently finished a yearlong test of a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country Limited. For 2008, the Town & Country received a major redesign and lost its short-wheelbase model. It gained 2 inches in wheelbase, overall length, and width. It lost 4 cubic feet of cargo volume in the process, but new storage options and seat configurations are available. The Town & Country is Chrysler's version of its corporate cousin, the Dodge Grand Caravan, and is offered in LX, Touring, and Limited trim levels.

Test-Car Specifications
Model: Touring

Engine: 253-horsepower 4.0-liter V6

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Total Miles Driven: 16,149

CG Observed Fuel Economy: 20.2 mpg

Base Price: $35,985

Major Options: Removable swiveling 2nd-row seating, removable table, dual-screen DVD-entertainment system with satellite TV, wireless headphones, remote control, power-folding 3rd-row seat, multimedia system with navigation and rearview camera, and a wireless cell-phone link.

Price as Tested: $41,165

Problems During Test: A CD got stuck in the dashboard player and would not eject. A faulty eject mechanism required the replacement of the entire MyGig Multimedia system. It took a week to get the van repaired, inclusive of waiting for parts, and the work was completed under warranty.
Our test minivan was a Limited model with the Swivel 'n Go package; it includes swiveling 2nd-row seats and a removable table that installs in between the 2nd- and 3rd-row seats when the 2nd row is facing rearward. It also had a rear-seat DVD-entertainment system with flip-down screens, one for each of the 2nd- and 3rd-rows, and wireless headphones. An optional satellite TV system broadcasts kid-friendly programming on the entertainment system's screens. It also featured a rearview camera, a rear-obstacle-detection system, a power-folding 3rd-row seat, MyGig multimedia entertainment system with navigation, and a wireless cell-phone link. ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, and curtain side airbags are standard safety features on all Town & Country models. Altogether, our test vehicle had a sticker price of $41,165.

The 253-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine in our test van provided sufficient power for around-town driving, and good passing and merging power on the highway. The transmission shifted quickly, but sometimes exhibited harsh shifts at low speeds. Our test van returned a respectable average fuel economy of 20.2 mpg on midgrade gas over 16,149 miles.

The Town & Country's suspension absorbed bumps fairly well and only large bumps felt jarring. Handling was described by the editors as composed and predictable, although a large turning radius caused some complaints. The engine noise intrudes during acceleration, but wind rush is effectively muted, making this van one of the quietest among its competitors.

When Chrysler redesigned these minivans for 2008, they gave the cabin a more open, airy feel with wide, comfortable 1st-row seats. Rearward and rear-side visibility were great, but the view aft suffered when the dual screens for the DVD-entertainment system were in use. Editors were impressed by the assembly quality of the cabin, but not by the materials used. Hard plastic surfaces and cheap-feeling materials disappointed, especially at this price level. Most controls worked well and gauges were easy to see and read, though the multimedia system somewhat complicated the audio controls.

Editors liked the second-row seats in the Swivel 'n Go package (which swivel to face the 3rd row), and said they were more comfortable than the Stow 'n Go seats (which fold into the floor). The swiveling seats offer greater passenger versatility, but they are harder to remove and are very heavy. Chrysler offers heated 2nd-row seats on the Town & Country's Limited trim level--a new feature for the minivan class. The 3rd row bench fits two passengers comfortably, but three adults is tight. It power-folds into the floor and can roll rearward to be used as tailgate seating when the vehicle is stopped. The removable table is a good idea, but 3rd-row occupants can have a hard time reaching it with seatbelts fastened.

Over the course of a year with the Town & Country, we encountered one problem: A CD got stuck in its player and would not eject. This required replacement of the entire MyGig multimedia system and took a full week to fix, including waiting for parts. The repair was covered under warranty. Other than this technical gaffe, we experienced no other problems over 16,149 miles.

During its time with us, the Town & Country was well liked for auto department outings, and proved to be comfortable for long trips. This minivan's seating and cargo configuration options are best in class, and it offers class-competitive technology and entertainment options. Among its rivals in this class, the Town & Country offers the best blend of functionality and dollar value, which makes this minivan a Consumer Guide Best Buy.

04.14.2009