Chrysler Corp. virtually invented the minivan segment when production first started at the company's Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada in early November of 1983. The 1984-model year Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager differed from the Ford Aerostar and Chevrolet Astro of the day because of front-wheel-drive. While rear-wheel-drive Aerostar and Astro primarily hauled primarily freight, Caravan and Voyager hauled people. At the time, these family-friendly minivans helped save Chrysler Corp. from financial oblivion. Chrysler has sold more than 12 million minivans since 1983, more than any other manufacturer.
Chrysler Corp. added the luxury-appointed Chrysler Town & Country minivan in the 1990 model year. The Plymouth Voyager ended production in 2000 when DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group eliminated the Plymouth Division, but the Voyager name lived on a few more years as the Chrysler Voyager, until its final exit in 2003.
Now, with the sale of DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group to private equity firm Cerberus, one of the first new vehicles to hit showrooms from the newly formed Chrysler LLC is the
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans.
While many manufacturers have tried to copy Chrysler's blue print, none has been able to steel its leadership thunder. In fact, domestic rivals Ford and General Motors are stepping out of the front-wheel-drive minivan business in the next year, creating more potential customers for Chrysler. Last year, Chrysler and Dodge minivans held 35 percent of the U.S. market, but overall numbers are shrinking. In the late 1990s, Chrysler had more than 45 percent of the minivan market. In 2006, 990,596 minivans were sold in the U.S., the first time in 15 years sales fell below one million. One reason - the growing popularity of crossover vehicles with the platform of a car, the looks of an SUV and up to three rows of seating.
"We've have 23 years of minivan leadership thanks to practical innovation," according to Steve Bartoli, Vice President of global product marketing. "This is how families get around and we've got big shoes to fill."
The 2008 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan have 35 new or improved features. All boast six-cylinder engines and front-wheel drive. No all-wheel drive editions are available as that option was dropped in 2004 due to a take rate that was only about 3 percent.
Another notable update is found with the Dodge model. The short wheel-base "Caravan" is no longer offered in 2008, just the long wheelbase Grand Caravan. Chrysler's luxury-appointed Town & Country has always been sold in long wheelbase editions. Also dropped in 2008 is a four-cylinder engine that was available in the short-wheelbased Caravan.
Grand Caravan offers two trim levels (SE, SXT) while Town & Country has three (LX, Touring and Limited). Both Grand Caravan and Town & Country have three six-cylinder engine selections. A 3.3-liter, overhead valve V-6 delivers 175 horsepower and is capable of running on E85 ethanol fuel. It's standard in the Grand Caravan SE and Town & Country LX. A 3.8-liter overhead valve engine delivering 197 horsepower and is standard in the Grand Caravan SXT and Town & Country Touring. The most potent 4.0-liter single overhead cam V-6 with 251 horsepower is optional in the Dodge SE and Standard in the Chrysler Limited. Regular 87-octane fuel powers all three engines.
An all-new, six-speed transmission comes standard on the 3.8-liter V-6 and 4.0-liter V-6 delivering better acceleration in first gear for quicker starts from a standing stop. The 3.3-liter engine continues with a four-speed transmission.
Chrysler has done a good job of keeping one step ahead of the competition with practical ideas. In January of 2004 during its last model update, second-row Stow 'n Go seats were introduced in select models. These two second-row bucket seats fold completely down and into the floor, creating a flat surface behind the front captain's chairs when third-row seating is also folded flat. Stow 'n Go is once again available this model year, but with better seat padding. One criticism of the first-generation Stow 'n Go was while the concept was great, seats were not butt-friendly. In-floor storage is available in all 2008 Chrysler minivans.
Adding to the selection this year are available Swivel 'n Go second row seats that twirl 180 degrees to face the third row. Included is a removable, single-leg table that installs between the two rows that can be stowed away in storage bins when not in use. Both the manually-operated Stow n' Go and Swivel 'n Go seats need some practice to master. Swivel 'n Go seats do not fold in the floor....at least not yet, but they can be removed; if you're ready to tackle their 90-pound weight. Also, be aware of limited leg room when the table is up between the Swivel 'n Go seat and the third-row seat. It's enough for small kids; big grown ups will find it a tight fit.
Third-row seats are bench style with a 60/40 split which stow flat into the floor. Most models have a manual design with an easy-to-follow pull-strap system accessible from the hatch area. Chrysler Town & Country Touring and Limited models have optional power folding third-row seats along with standard power lift gates. All seats whether manual or power also fold backwards to create a tailgate configuration. With the third row in use, packages and groceries can be stored in a scooped out ravine behind the seat.
Chrysler designer Ralph Giles, who made his mark with the classic design of the Chrysler 300 sedan, also worked his craft on this fifth-generation minivan. The restyled minivans has increased headroom inside and a roof that's widened by six inches. The Chrysler Town & Country sports more exterior chrome and interior synthetic wood then the Dodge Grand Caravan. The Town & Country also features an analog clock in the center dashboard and a thicker steering wheel. Grand Caravan's instrument panel features white-faced gauges.
Folding down from the ceiling caddy in both Dodge and Chrysler vans is a narrow concaved mirror allowing drivers to view what's going on in the back rows. Gently pull this mirror down, and a storage area for sunglasses is revealed. Several models are available with a new dual DVD system. Riders can play a video system with the second-row eight-inch ceiling screen and watch a DVD movie on the third-row eight-inch ceiling screen; or the same movie can be viewed from both screens. Also available is a Sirius backseat TV. Three channels of Sirius family channels are offered: the Disney Channel, Network Mobile and Nickelodeon Mobile. The first year of this subscription-based satellite service is paid by Sirius.
Second row windows power down on most models with the exception of entry-level Grand Caravan SE and Town & Country LX models with fixed second-row windows standard. All models have second-row sliding doors on both sides which move easier this year. All are power operated with the exception of Grand Caravan SE which has a standard manual sliding right-side door. Also new this year is the standard automatic transmission shifter, which now is on the dashboard right of the steering wheel instead of on the steering column.
On the road, a load-leveling rear suspension - a first in the minivan market - helps smooth out the ride. Side view mirrors are more aerodynamic cutting down the wind noise inside.
A Dodge Grand Caravan SE starts at $22,470 with standard second-row removable bench seat. A Grand Caravan SXT lists at $27,535 with standard second row Stow 'n Go seats. A Chrysler Town & Country LX starts at $23,190 with removable second-row bench seat. A Touring model lists at $28,430 with Stow 'n Go second-row seating. The ultimate Limited edition starts at $36,400 with Stow 'n Go seating. All pricing includes a $730 destination charge. Swivel 'n Go second row seats are optional in all editions.
Standard safety equipment includes side curtain air bags for all three rows, traction control, anti-lock brakes, driver and front-passenger knee bolsters, brake assist and energy-absorbing steering column.
Both minivans qualify for Chrysler's new original owner lifetime power train warranty that went into effect July 30, 2007 covering engine, transmission and drive system components in most Chrysler vehicles. Chrysler LLC now builds minivans in Windsor, Ontario, Canada as well as Fenton, Mo. near St. Louis.