Throughout all the turmoil the Chrysler Group has experienced during the last decade, from private equity takeovers to government-backed bankruptcy assistance to a new strategic alliance with Italian business partner Fiat, the one consistent shining star of the Pentastar company has been the long running and very successful family-friendly minivan.
The Chrysler Group practically invented the sliding-side-door, three row, front-wheel-drive minivan segment with the debut of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager in 1983 as a 1984-model-year product. Chrysler Division introduced its own version, the Town & Country, in 1989. Nearly half of all minivans sold in 2012 were badged from Chrysler Group. Town & Country sales ended 2012 at 111,744, an 18 percent increase over the previous year.
While its two larger domestic rivals General Motors and Ford have been noticeably absent in the family-friendly minivan market during the last half-decade, Chrysler remains entrenched, continuing to lead the segment with innovations and well-executed thinking. Change is on the horizon, however. Later this year, Ford has plans to debut an elongated, three-row version of its versatile Transit Connect all-purpose vehicle, looking suspiciously like a minivan.
While Asian automakers started offering their own take on the minivan in the late 1980s, the number of entries gets reduced by one in 2013 as the Kia Sedona minivan goes on hiatus. That leaves the Nissan Quest, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna as prime rivals. Volkswagen's Routan minivan shares a platform and underpinnings with the Chrysler efforts.
Chrysler and its sibling Dodge division stake their own 2013 marketing territories. Dodge targets entry-level families with Grand Caravan while Chrysler concentrates on up-market clientele with Town & Country.
Since 2008, one extended wheelbase length has been offered by Chrysler and Dodge. Throughout most of the 1990s and early 2000s, two wheelbases (short and extended) were available.
In 2013 four Chrysler Town & Country trims (Touring, Touring L, Limited and S) are available all sporting a 3.6-liter, naturally-aspirated V-6 providing a class-leading 283 horsepower and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine averages 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway; decent, but a mile or two less than the Honda Odyssey minivan's numbers. The fuel tank holds 20 gallons of regular, 87-octane fuel. The new-for-2013 S trim includes a black chrome grille and piano black appliques on the instrument panel.
Other new 2013 updates include an industry-exclusive Blue-Ray capable DVD player with sharper screen resolution. A second-row, fold-down, nine-inch ceiling screen in standard in Touring and Touring L while second and third-row screens are Limited and S staples. Leather trimmed seats are now standard in all trims as are two rear-seat-positioned USB ports for portable electronics.
Our top-level Limited started at $39,995. A Luxury option group ($1,795) included a power sunroof, power folding third-row seat and $650 Uconnect WiFi/connectivity set up. The bottom line after $995 destination charge was $43,435. A Touring starts at $30,395, one of the segment's priciest base models.
Our posh Limited included polished wood accents on the dash, side doors and steering wheel. All trims include a handsome, Roman-numeral analog clock front and center. The automatic transmission shifter is high on the dashboard, left of the steering column, freeing the area between girthy captain's chairs. This region holds a forward-and-rearward sliding storage bin/cup-holder tray accessible by rows one and two depending on where bin is positioned on the floor track. A plentiful eight beverage holders are available to front seat riders, pleasing even the most fickle Octomom. In fact, discovering hiding and storage spaces could be a game in and of itself starting with the dual glove box and in-floor storage.
The instrument panel has two circular analog gauges with smaller round inserts (one being the fuel gauge) along the bottom. An informative digital window resides in between. The power ' push start' button brings Town & Country engine to life along with a brake pedal engagement. A concaved mirror folds down from the ceiling for driver's to better eye-spy on rowdy rear occupants.
The rectangular-shaped ventilation area includes a dial for fan speed and buttons controlling direction and temperature. Above the ventilation system is a 6.5-inch media center touch screen with GPS navigation (GPS comes standard in Limited and S, while optional in Touring and Touring L). A one-year subscription of Sirius Satellite radio comes standard. Like most Chrysler products, secondary audio volume and pre-set radio controls are finger-tip operated in back side of the manually tilt-and-telescoping three-spoke steering wheel. Cruise control functions are found on the face.
Dual power sliding side doors open via the key fob or ceiling buttons near the rear-view and concaved mirrors. The doors also slide back automatically with a gentle engagement of the strap-like door handles when stationed outside. Windows in the sliding doors power down when needed, and third-row windows power out two inches or so, allowing for increased ventilation. Second and third rows include ceiling vents to optimize air flow inside.
Standard in all trims and a Chrysler innovation is the versatile, second-row stow 'n go seating. The jack-in-the-box type design allows for the two buckets to fold completely into the floor creating a cavernous region when the third-row 60/40 bench is flattened as well. When prone, the second row has extra below-floor storage in the region where the seats compact down into. The art of folding is relatively easy. The front captain's chairs need to be maneuvered far forward, after which a tri-folding floor plate must be lifted forward. After folding down the seat back, the entire unit pushes relatively effortlessly down into the floor, after which the fold plate manually sections back into its home position.
One caveat: these second-row buckets are not as spine-and-tush-friendly as other seats. Kids may not mind but adults sitting for a long time may get antsy. Chrysler has addressed this issue with updates but the contorting needs to undergo a stow has this side issue. If you're past the rug rat life-stage, sturdier non-stowing captain's chairs are optional.
Town & Country is a seven-passenger vehicle, no second-row three-seat bench is offered, although three adults can situate in row three for sort jaunts. The flexibility of second-row stow 'n go seats helps ease entry into row three by easily flipping forward and creating a passible aisle.
Our tester included optional third row power folding seats. Just a touch of a side button sends each side of the 60/40 split traveling back into the recessed floor hub. Rear cushions also maneuver outward so tailgating is possible for the upcoming Marc Trestman era at Solder Field.
The rear, power-operated hatch smartly includes a standard wiper. Built into the right-side side panel behind the third row is a small portable, chargeable, hand-held pen-light retracting out when needed. The outside track guiding the sliding rear doors is cloaked under the windows for a clean smooth appearance. Side mirrors include blinker bands for added safety on the Interstate.
Town & Country's long, large dimensions create a ride experience hardly that of a two-door coupe. Don't expect a tight turning radius any time soon. While many Asian counterparts possess enhanced handling characteristics, Chrysler's class-leading V-6 power is welcome during entry expressway entries. Its 202.8-inch length is one of the segments longest, so take caution during lane changes.
2013 Town & Country Minivan
Price as tested: $43,435
Length: 202.8 inches
Width: 78.7 inches
Wheelbase: 121.2 inches
Engine: 3.7-liter V-6
Horsepower: 283
Curb weight: 4,652 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five years/100,000 miles
City/Highway economy: 17/25
Assembly: Windsor Ontario, Canada
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