2008 Town and Country -- LONG Review

[jfnz24]

Great review. I personally would not have even looked at a Chrysler van in the past, due to various things, but this new one seems to be breaking the mold again and has tons of features that CUV/SUVs can do.

[goblue]

Originally Posted by kodos78

I am one of those people who firmly believes in, "drive what you want". I'm not going to start an argument of "there's no need for the average person to drive so and so". Going down that path leads to misery in general.

That said, it is a little unfair to say that minivans are all about utility, and to the detriment of everything else.

• They drive better than most SUVs, handle better than most of them too.
• They are more comfortable inside than almost any other car.
• They get pretty good mpg, more like a large FWD car.
• And to be honest, one element of utility -- towing, they are not as good as even a small sized BOF SUV like the Explorer.

And of course, a choice could be right or wrong. If I got a Corvette, I'd have made the wrong choice for my family. But perhaps the right choice for myself

Basically I disagree with most of this. Crossovers handle better, ride more comfortably, in some cases get better mileage. For many people, the lambdas are minivan killers. Most SUVs in my experience handle better than the average van. Also, SUVs and crossovers are available as luxury or near luxury vehicles from the factory that are more comfortable.

Now granted, all this is more expensive. So - I maintain. If utility (except towing) is what one is looking for over all else, then a van is the best choice. For me, the ability to occasionally load a 4x8, or occasionally carry 7 people is best served by a large crossover. To each his own.

Thats an interesting question though? Why are there no luxury minivans? I can't think of another class of vehicle that doesn't have a luxury version.

[kodos78]

The lower Center of Gravity of a minivan tend to give it more stable cornering than most SUVs. It certainly handles better than my Explorer. I don't recall there being major roll over warnings for minivans like there were with SUVs.

The Town and Country is a near luxury vehicle. I'm not sure what you think it's missing. It is more comfortable than most SUVs I've ever ridden in. And with the Swivel 'n Go seats in the 2nd row, it is quite plush in Limited Trim.

I suggest you give one a test drive. Certainly not everyone needs the utility that a minivan provides. And a Lambda is certainly going to be more stylish.

But if you have a family, especially with toddlers or infants, a minivan is probably the most practical choice.

Originally Posted by goblue

Basically I disagree with most of this. Crossovers handle better, ride more comfortably, in some cases get better mileage. For many people, the lambdas are minivan killers. Most SUVs in my experience handle better than the average van. Also, SUVs and crossovers are available as luxury or near luxury vehicles from the factory that are more comfortable.

Now granted, all this is more expensive. So - I maintain. If utility (except towing) is what one is looking for over all else, then a van is the best choice. For me, the ability to occasionally load a 4x8, or occasionally carry 7 people is best served by a large crossover. To each his own.

Thats an interesting question though? Why are there no luxury minivans? I can't think of another class of vehicle that doesn't have a luxury version.

[goblue]

Originally Posted by kodos78

The lower Center of Gravity of a minivan tend to give it more stable cornering than most SUVs. It certainly handles better than my Explorer. I don't recall there being major roll over warnings for minivans like there were with SUVs.

The Town and Country is a near luxury vehicle. I'm not sure what you think it's missing. It is more comfortable than most SUVs I've ever ridden in. And with the Swivel 'n Go seats in the 2nd row, it is quite plush in Limited Trim.

I suggest you give one a test drive. Certainly not everyone needs the utility that a minivan provides. And a Lambda is certainly going to be more stylish.

But if you have a family, especially with toddlers or infants, a minivan is probably the most practical choice.

Most SUVs handle better than the Explorer, or TB for that matter.

I've spent time in the new minivan. Its slick packaging. It had the swivel seats, neat idea, but not enough van width to really shine. It was very comfortable, but the unibody flexes around corners - a common minivan problem, engine (also 4.0L) was no 3.6 HF in the NVH department. I thought the new Suburban I was in earlier rode as well and flexed less.

As far as luxury, its as luxury as a Chevy, or Toyota - even in Limited trim - what I was in. Its no Enclave, or Acura - let alone the top tier luxury marquees.

Like you said, 2 kids, an active home depot charge card, and a need for MSRP under 35K - a fantastic choice. Even good for the environment and at the pump given what it gives you. But lets not take it too far. Its still a choice of utility over luxury, refinement, and style.

[Bravada]

Basically I disagree with most of this. Crossovers handle better, ride more comfortably, in some cases get better mileage

Umm, do they? Even if, it might pertain to American crossovers vs. American minivans - with the Chrysler minivan being the only one left, and being developed by a company fighting for their life, you can't expect much vs. GM's "flagship" vehicles. I'd dare the Lambdas to take on the Renault Espace or Ford Galaxy, though.

[goblue]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Umm, do they? Even if, it might pertain to American crossovers vs. American minivans - with the Chrysler minivan being the only one left, and being developed by a company fighting for their life, you can't expect much vs. GM's "flagship" vehicles. I'd dare the Lambdas to take on the Renault Espace or Ford Galaxy, though.

Drive a Sienna back to back with a Lambda.

[Bravada]

It is a Toyota Sienna, not a Renault Espace.

For a fair comparison: is a Honda Pilot a better driver than the Odyssey?

[Michael_S]

We have a 2007 Odyssey, and I test drove two different Saturn Outlooks against it.

Saturn Outlook: looked a lot better, more front seat leg room, slightly easier access to the third row seats, a 1000 pound higher max tow rating, much quieter on the highway, and was available with all wheel drive.

Odyssey: handled better around curves, shorter turning radius, cheaper, better second row seat comfort and more second row seat leg room, better third row seat comfort and more third row seat leg room, lower step in height for kids, and noticeably more room behind the third row seats.

Road noise on the Odyssey is surprisingly bad, though.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by goblue

Why are there no luxury minivans? I can't think of another class of vehicle that doesn't have a luxury version.

Back when Plymouth was still around (RIP), that & Dodge served the entry/mid-level van segment well & Chrysler's rebadged version served the luxo market well.....

Hell, even today, top out the T&C and if that doesn't get you luxury, it sure gets you close. I know the Odyssey & Sienna have top trim levels that approximate luxury too.

If you're talking about true-blue luxo vans (and not just trims).......the stigma associated with minivans + the popularity of SUVs/CUVs pretty much sums it up (although some might call the MB R-Class a minivan.....much to MB's annoyance )

[Bravada]

Luxury minivans? How about a Lancia Phedra?

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Luxury minivans? How about a Lancia Phedra?

Mercedes called the short-lived R Class a 'Sport Activity Vehicle', but for all practical purposes it was a minivan.

I wasn't too thrilled with the exterior styling, but the interior looked classy and I'm sure the 507 horsepower R63 would be a lot of fun.

[kodos78]

To me, the R-Class is not as useful as a minivan (like those Euro vans that Bravada linked to). Not in storage ability, nor sliding doors.

If the R-Class had sliding doors and easier access to the third row when you have child seats in the 2nd, then it could become closer to a minivan replacement.

Otherwise, it (like the Pacifica) is in the useless in-between category between a minivan and a crossover like the Enclave.

My theory is this: If you are going to buy an ugly vehicle, you may as well make it a minivan and get all the utility. Otherwise, buy a stylish crossover! And in the case of both the Pacifica, Freestyle/Taurus X and R-Class, it appears that's exactly what the thought process most buyers have is.

Originally Posted by Michael_S

Mercedes called the short-lived R Class a 'Sport Activity Vehicle', but for all practical purposes it was a minivan.

I wasn't too thrilled with the exterior styling, but the interior looked classy and I'm sure the 507 horsepower R63 would be a lot of fun.

[caddycruiser]

REALLY great, realistic review.

Many years ago, we had a stripped down base '97 Grand Voyager, but I've been a sucker for the Chrysler vans ever since. I like the powertrains & features of the '08s, but still prefer the overall aura of the '01-07 vans a touch more...but am coming around.

Every point you made, I agree with from what I've seen...but clearly, especially now with as many of these as I already see being well used, they're doing well in the market.

[Michael_S]

Remember also that the 2008+ Chrysler vans have full length side curtain airbags and electronic stability control. Stability control dramatically reduces the risk of single car accidents and rollovers, even for stable vehicles like sedans. Side curtain airbags make a tremendous impact in side crashes.

The only reason we didn't cross shop our Odyssey against the Chryslers was that the 2007 and previous vans lacked those two safety features, and if I'm not going to cart my family around in a 4 ton SUV I want every safety doodad I can get.

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

Remember also that the 2008+ Chrysler vans have full length side curtain airbags and electronic stability control. Stability control dramatically reduces the risk of single car accidents and rollovers, even for stable vehicles like sedans. Side curtain airbags make a tremendous impact in side crashes.

The only reason we didn't cross shop our Odyssey against the Chryslers was that the 2007 and previous vans lacked those two safety features, and if I'm not going to cart my family around in a 4 ton SUV I want every safety doodad I can get.

Not to mention that stability control/ESP/etc. makes for a much more difficult PIT maneuver should you be in LA trying to escape from the cops.

BTW, great review. Minivans are without doubt the most useful and versatile of vehicles filling their particular market need.

I think I'd prefer the 3.8 to the 4.0. The 3.8 looked like a superior mill to the 3.5 in the Pacificas I drove, better MPGs with a bit less power but plenty of torque. Butt dyno indicated little difference in acceleration.
With a 6-speed it should be fine.