If ever a vehicle deserved the often overused 'game-changing' designate, it's the Chrysler minivan. This concept swung doors to an entire new market segment wide open in the mid 1980's while simultaneously helping save its parent company from the perils of bankruptcy (it's first fling anyway). Chrysler charted a new course for suburban families by recasting Vista Cruiser versatility with sliding side doors, front-wheel drive and garage-friendly dimensions.
While domestic rivals General Motors and Ford Motor Co. have bowed out of this segment after several attempts, Chrysler remains entrenched and obsessed, investing time, talent and capital to introduce new ideas and concepts along its long and winding road as a consistent top-segment seller.
Asian automakers began their own assault into the front-wheel-drive minivan market in the late 1980s with mixed results. After sitting out the 2013 model year, South Korean automaker Kia returns the Sorrento minivan to the 2014 lineup with minimal updates. Its parent company Hyundai marketed the similar underpinned Entourage minivan (debuting at the2006 Chicago Auto Show) for only one model generation (from 2007-2009) and has not been seen since.
Japanese firms Nissan, Honda and Toyota have experienced stronger longevity with the Quest, Odyssey and Sienna respectively. The only German automaker with skin in the game is Volkswagen whose Routan minivan shares a platform and underpinnings with Chrysler/Dodge duo.
While little changes mechanically from 2013 versions, Town & Country debuts a celebratory 2014 edition marking Chrysler Group's 30th anniversary of magnificent minivan motives complete with 17-inch polished aluminum wheels, 30th-anniversary badging and a Crystal Pearl Coat paint option.
Technically, Chrysler Corp. introduced the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager minivans in late 1983 while the Chrysler division waited until 1989 to debut Town & Country. Still, T&C is more than welcome to crash the party early.
Chrysler and its sibling Dodge division target two different clientele with their respective 2014 minivans. While Dodge targets entry-level, budget-minded families with the Grand Caravan ($20,990 starting price Chrysler focuses on up-market buyers with Town & Country ($31,760 starting price, up slightly from 2013's $30,395 entry point). Four returning trims include: Touring, S, Touring L and top-shelf Limited.
With a $31,760 starting price for the entry Touring trim, the opulent T&C resides at the top-tier of minivan pricing. Honda's Odyssey starts at $29,655 while the 2014 Nissan Quest checks in at $26,850 while the returning 2014 Kia Sedona lists at $26,750.
Our tester, a top-level Limited, included a $41,295 starting price. The only option package available in Limited, aside from a towing group, is a Premium Preferred package ($1,995) sporting a power moon roof and power-folding third-row seat. After factoring stand-along options including a compact spare ($295), Uconnect wireless web capability and a $995 destination charge, the bottom line added to a rather bulky $45,230.
All trims include a 6.5-inch touch screen atop the center column with rear backup camera feed. A GPS navigation feed is optional in all trims except Limited where it's standard. A one-year subscription (one of the longest trial periods offered) to Sirius XM satellite radio comes standard in all trims as is a fold-down, second-row nine-inch video screen. A third-row ceiling screen comes standard in Touring and optional everywhere else. A Blu-ray console and high-resolution screen are newly standard in Limited and S trims for 2014.
Since 2008, one extended wheelbase length has been offered by both Chrysler and Dodge. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, two wheelbases (short and extended) were marketed.
Town & Country offers one returning powertrain, Chrysler's workhorse, port-injected V-6 Pentastar 3.6-liter pumping out a class-leading 283 horsepower. Almost half of all Chrysler Group vehicles sold in the first 10 months of 2013 were equipped with a versatile Pentastar Family Engine, which now includes a 3.2-liter V-6 version and a 3.0-liter V-6 variant. The Pentastar's versatility allows usage beyond minivans including the full-size Ram pickup truck, Dodge Durango full-size SUV and Dodge Avenger mid-size sports sedan. It's connected to a smooth-shifting standard six-speed automatic transmission and utilized in all four T&C trim level selections.
The 283 horses motivate this rather heavy 4,652-pound hauler nicely as demonstrated during a merge westerly onto the Kennedy expressway from the Foster Avenue exit. The T/C's length must factor into merges, but maze-colored alerts in side-view mirrors are highly recommended if trips into Chicago are a regular part of daily commutes. Average-for-the-segment mileage estimates of 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway are a couple ticks below the segment leading Honda Odyssey's (248 horsepower) 19 city and 28 highway numbers. Town & Country's 20-gallon tank utilizes regular, 87-octate fuel while also accepting an E-85 blend of 85 percent ethanol.
Town & Country seats up to seven passengers. Some rivals include up to eight riders with a second-row bench option, but T/C opts for a second row equipped with two innovative Stow-N-Go seats or optional (and plushier) Captain's Chairs in up-level Limited editions.
The art of Stow-N-Go folding is relatively easy. Front Captain's Chairs need to be maneuvered forward, after which a tri-folding floor plate lifts forward. After folding the seat back down, the entire unit pushes relatively effortlessly into the floor, after which the tri-fold plate returns as a covering. With second and third-rows folded, cavernous, 140 cubic-feet plus region is born. When above ground, second row Stow-N-Go seats provide additional below-floor storage in the freed-up bunker.
A nice interior nuance not brand-specific to Chrysler is the beveled mirror folding down from the ceiling caddy allowing drivers to visually monitor, in old-school fashion, goings on in the back two rows. Just call it the 'eyes in the back of the head' syndrome. Sliding second-row doors include power down windows while third-row versions power out slightly from the sides.
During the next-generation makeover, a power tilt-and-telescope steering column in all trims is called for, since the T&C aims for an upscale ambiance. Both sliding side doors and rear hatch (with standard wiper) benefit from standard power glide and that thinking should continue to the steering column. Returning and distinctive in 2014 is the center column's be-jeweled, old-school analog clock. Nice touch. Push button start comes standard. Ventilation controls under the bejeweled clock include a circular dial monitoring the fan speed and push buttons guiding fan direction and temperature for all three zones.
The elevated transmission shifter jets out from the dashboard, right of the instrument panel, allowing the center area between front (also nicely elevated) eight-way power captain's chairs (leather seating standard in all trims) to open wide for storage and beverage-placement wizardry. The elevated, sliding platform includes four cup holders, two of which become accessible by row two occupants when slid rearward. While in this position, front riders can grab or stow items as the slide opens a large storage area below. Storage opportunities abound, including lower center column pull-out drawers and upper and lower, dual glove boxes.
With the standard, power lift gate raised, a push-button located high on the inside left frame is one way to lower the door down, a more convenient local that the door's underside, where many times the button is found. Also commanding power sliding side doors and lift gate are the key fob and ceiling caddy buttons near the rear-view mirror.
Our Limited tester included the optional third row power folding seats. Just a touch of side buttons sends each side of the 60/40 split traveling back into a recessed floor hub. Rear cushions also power outward so serious tailgating remains in the game. Also built into the side wall is a self-charging, removable flashlight.
Chrysler Group LLC's namesake Chrysler Division markets a scant three models in the 2014 model year. In addition to the Town & Country minivan, Chrysler dealers showcase the mid-sized 200 sedan (also offered as a two-door convertible version) along with the slightly larger 300 sedan (and its high-voltage, high-performance SRT-8 variant).
2014 Town & Country Minivan
Price as tested: $45,230
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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