Impressive, really
In a segment that's constantly shrinking, Chrysler aims to reinvent the minivan one more time. After all, it's this same company that created this type of vehicle in the '80s, so giving up is out of the question.
But can a minivan, which is basically a vehicle made for transporting lots of people or lots of stuff, carry a sticker price of over $40,000? Because with such a budget, we might prefer buying a vehicle that will upgrade our image.
Elegant, but...
I don't know anybody that would shop for a minivan for its look or its horsepower rating; the need for space for the family and pooch remains above all else the main purchase factor. However, just because we have kids doesn't mean that we have to settle for a boring vehicle.
So, the Town & Country proposes a silhouette that's visually pleasing, even--can I dare say it?--sexy. Its proportions are just right, and several styling elements add to its elegance: the projection-beam headlights (xenon on the Limited), the roofline that curves down through the liftgate and the tasteful chrome trim.
Compared to the old model, the Town & Country seems to have worked out at the gym, because it seems more svelte and muscular; the upright flanks and flared fenders add to the visual effect. In short, Chrysler did good with the exterior redesign of the Town & Country.
However, it remains a minivan, an uncool vehicle compared to the gazillion SUVs on the market that cost about the same of this Limited model. The problem with SUVs is that they're not as practical or as spacious.
Powerful, but thirsty
Although the Touring version gets the old 197-hp, 3.8-liter pushrod V6, the Limited benefits from the newer 24-valve 4.0-liter engine. The latter is taken straight out of the Nitro and the Pacifica, develops 253 horsepower and is more rev-happy.
Coupled to a rapid-fire 6-speed automatic with manual mode, the T&C rushes to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, which is pretty good. In fact, it's a lot better than the old model with its modest 205-hp output.
In a segment that's constantly shrinking, Chrysler aims to reinvent the minivan one more time. After all, it's this same company that created this type of vehicle in the '80s, so giving up is out of the question.
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| The minivan for the family with luxurious tastes. |
But can a minivan, which is basically a vehicle made for transporting lots of people or lots of stuff, carry a sticker price of over $40,000? Because with such a budget, we might prefer buying a vehicle that will upgrade our image.
Elegant, but...
I don't know anybody that would shop for a minivan for its look or its horsepower rating; the need for space for the family and pooch remains above all else the main purchase factor. However, just because we have kids doesn't mean that we have to settle for a boring vehicle.
So, the Town & Country proposes a silhouette that's visually pleasing, even--can I dare say it?--sexy. Its proportions are just right, and several styling elements add to its elegance: the projection-beam headlights (xenon on the Limited), the roofline that curves down through the liftgate and the tasteful chrome trim.
Compared to the old model, the Town & Country seems to have worked out at the gym, because it seems more svelte and muscular; the upright flanks and flared fenders add to the visual effect. In short, Chrysler did good with the exterior redesign of the Town & Country.
However, it remains a minivan, an uncool vehicle compared to the gazillion SUVs on the market that cost about the same of this Limited model. The problem with SUVs is that they're not as practical or as spacious.
Powerful, but thirsty
Although the Touring version gets the old 197-hp, 3.8-liter pushrod V6, the Limited benefits from the newer 24-valve 4.0-liter engine. The latter is taken straight out of the Nitro and the Pacifica, develops 253 horsepower and is more rev-happy.
Coupled to a rapid-fire 6-speed automatic with manual mode, the T&C rushes to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, which is pretty good. In fact, it's a lot better than the old model with its modest 205-hp output.
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| The 4-liter V6 is more suitable than the 3.8-liter offered in the Touring version. |