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2005 Chrysler Town & Country Luxury Minivan
…Continued
Refinement, disappearing seats make Town & Country better
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And, while nobody buys a minivan for performance, the Town & Country's acceleration doesn't disappoint. Whether you choose the 3.3-liter V6 or the bigger 3.8-liter version, both provide adequate power for pulling the loaded van around town. They make 180 and 215 horsepower respectively.
Interior quality doesn't feel quite as high as that of its Japanese competition, most notably the aging Odyssey and Toyota's redesigned Sienna. Both the Honda and Toyota seem to have interiors that are screwed together slightly better, but it's not a huge difference. The Town & Country more closely matches the quality of the new Ford Freestar minivan, but the Chrysler's more versatile cabin makes it a winner over the Ford.
The Cargazing test vehicle was a loaded Limited version with enough gadgets to make it seem more like a luxury car than a minivan. It had dual power sliding doors, power rear liftgate, DVD player, a fancy stereo system, and a navigation system.
All those features seemed well-designed and convenient, except for the navigation system. It's one of the worst on the market, with a small screen that's mounted too low on the dash and tiny buttons that make it a pain to operate. It was totally disappointing.
In terms of styling, the Chrysler is classy but still pretty dull. It's better looking than the ugly Freestar and boxy Odyssey, but it's not as expressive and interesting as the Nissan Quest. Then again, who buys a minivan for style?
People do buy a minivan for the price, though, and this Chrysler doesn't disappoint. The Town & Country and its Dodge Caravan sibling have sticker prices that average $3,000 less than the models they replace. Considering how many new features they have, that's no small feat.
In fact, with all the great new minivans on the market -- not only from Chrysler, but also Ford, Toyota, Nissan and others -- don't be surprised to see a resurgence in minivan popularity as America's long-lasting SUV craze drops from a boil to a simmer.
That won't be good for automotive style, but it sure will make some happy families.
Pros: This is the best seating system on the market. It's brilliant! Plus it has a quiet cabin and ample upscale features to make it the ultimate family hauler.
Cons: The ride feels less controlled than the Honda Odyssey, and the optional navigation system is among the worst available.
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 4
- Performance:6
- Price: 9
- Handling: 5
- Ride: 8
- Comfort: 9
- Quality: 8
- Overall: 7
More Data
Where Built: USA, Canada
Major Options: Equipment package I, Equipment package II, Entertainment package, Leather package, Luxury package, Trailer Tow package. Antilock brakes, Alloy wheels, Curtain side airbags, Navigation system, Satellite radio, Power sunroof, Power-adjustable pedals, Driver-seat lumbar adjustment, Passenger-side power sliding rear door, Removable center console, Engine-block heater.
Seating: 7.
Number of Rows: 3.
Length in Inches: 189.3 & 200.5
Warrantees: 3 years/36,000 miles Bumper to bumper, 7 years / 70,000 miles Extended powertrain, 5 years / 100,000 miles Corrosion, 3 years / 36,000 miles Free roadside assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 3,899 lbs. â€' 4239 lbs.
Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not Available.
Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not Available.
Towing Capacity in Pounds: 2000 lbs.
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 20.0
Destination Charge: $680
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