2008 Chrysler Town & Country

Styles

Overview

The new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country is available in three different models-LX, Touring, and Limited-and each one corresponds to a specific powertrain in addition to a level of standard equipment. The LX is powered by a 170-horsepower, 3.3L V6 engine that can also run on E85, and it is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The Touring gets a 198-horsepower, 3.8L V6 and new six-speed automatic transmission, and the top Limited comes with a new 240-horsepower, 4.0L V6 and six-speed automatic.

Stow 'n Go seating, which allows both the second- and third-row seats to fold completely into the floor, are available as an option on the LX and included with the Touring and Limited. LX models get a second-row bench seat with fold-into-the-floor third row. Making its debut for 2008 is a new arrangement, the so-called Swivel 'n Go, which brings the capability to turn the second row seats 180 degrees, so they're facing the third-row occupants. There's also a removable table that installs between the two rows. The arrangement also brings additional storage.

The Town & Country continues to offer one of the most useful interiors for stowing and storing small items. All models get dual glove boxes, the front console slides rearward 21 inches to reach rear passengers, and there's a total of 13 cup and bottle holders.

The interior can be trimmed with satin finishes plus Elm Burl or Medrona Burl wood, and leather. Lighting has also been improved. There's a new ambient halo lighting system available, with movable LED pinpoint lights and a removable flashlight in the rear cargo area.

The new Town & Country has improved aerodynamics, according to Chrysler, which helps reduce wind noise. The vans not only have improved ride and handling but also noise, vibration, and harshness levels that have been reduced overall due to the use of more high-strength steel and a new suspension geometry.

Supplemental side curtain air bags, now with added rollover protection, covering all rows, are standard, along with the ESP stability control system, and anti-lock brakes with brake assist.

There are several innovative entertainment options on the Town & Country. The new Sirius Backseat TV brings streaming video, and the DVD system is capable of playing different media at the same time. There's also a new MyGig Multimedia Infotainment System that brings a navigation system with real-time traffic info and six gigabytes of music storage space good for about 1,200 MP3 songs.

Other standout features available on the T&C include second-row power windows, heated first- and second-row seats, a power third-row folding seat, the ambient lighting package, second- and third-row sunshades, HID headlamps, a rear backup camera, remote start, and an umbrella holder.

Value

Chrysler's minivans continue to have some of the most innovative features, and the all-new 2008 models especially stand out for their interior features and the new Swivel 'n Go arrangement. Chrysler claims that its minivans are still the only ones to offer a seating system like its Stow 'n Go, which allows both the second- and third-row seats to fold fully into the floor. The automaker also says that the DVD entertainment system, which can play different media at the same time, is a minivan first, and many of the other features now available on the Town & Country, including ambient lighting, heated second-row seats, and sunshades, are yet unavailable on much of the competition.