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When it comes to minivans and sport-utility vehicles, it seems the more luxurious the better, and automakers are scurrying to build as many upscale models as they can.

What this confirms is that luxury buyers, many of whom may be well-healed empty-nesters, are increasingly shunning traditional cars in favor of vehicles that are way more versatile but just as comfortable.

Chrysler’s 1999 Town & Country Limited, a step above the LXi, is a case in point. It starts at $33,535 and has heated leather seats, 16-inch chrome wheels, dual-zone air conditioning, traction control, anti-lock brakes, 18-ounce carpeting, radio controls on the back of the steering wheel and a compact disc player. An all-wheel-drive version that offers foul-weather traction nearly equal to an SUV, is also offered for $35,910. That is the one I drove.

The major differences between the Limited and LXi are found inside, where Taupe is the only interior color. Front seats are captain’s chairs upholstered in perforated leather. The passenger-side seat has a lockable fold-out compartment on the side that is an ideal place for storing papers, glasses or cameras. The gauges have light-cream faces with dark numbers, and I found them to be most handsome, although a friend didn’t like them at all. I found that the “eyebrow” window for warning lights on top of the gauge cluster was always blocked by the top of the steering wheel when adjusted to fit me.

Imitation suede and pieces of woodgrain trim line the door panels, and another large section of woodgrain trim surrounds the stereo and climate controls in the center of the dash.

Limiteds come in Candy Apple Red Metallic, Taupe Frost, Golden White Pearl and Deep Slate. The roof rack and all body cladding are painted to match the body, while chrome door handles provide a glittery accent.

A high-output, 180-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 introduced last year on the LXi drives the front wheels through an automatic transmission. This engine, stronger than previous versions, has 240-lb. ft. torque, all of which comes in handy when you fill all of the seats with people.

Limiteds have sliding doors on both sides. Second-row seats are high-back buckets that tip and slide forward for access to the third seat. Third-seat passengers may find legroom a bit tight.

Grocery-sack hangers, built into the back of the third seat, will keep you from spilling the canned goods on your way home from the store.

One reason minivans are so appealing is their ability to haul things, not just people. Making room requires taking out the third seat, however, and while it does have roller wheels to facilitate its removal, when I had to take it out by myself to haul a lawnmower it was quite a struggle. Clearly, I’m not a weightlifter like my wife, who pumps iron at the gym a couple of times each week, but even if I were, removing the seat is basically a two-person job. A third seat that folds into the floor, like the Honda Odyssey, is superior.

In basic around-town driving the suspension is soft and compliant for a plush ride, but I found myself wanting tighter, more controlled handling. The thought occurred to me that since Limiteds are aimed at luxury-car intenders, why not slip in the 300M’s handling suspension and 253-horse engine? Then you would have the minivan equivalent of a luxury performance sedan, which would differentiate it even further from the garden variety people hauler.

Price

The base price of our all-wheel-drive test car was $35,910. The only options were Candy Apple paint and the trailer towing group. That brought the sticker price to $36,980.

Warranty

The standard warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles.

Vehicles for The Star’s week-long test drives are supplied by the auto manufacturers.

Point: Why not a luxury minivan? Just because they are practical, functional vehicles doesn’t excuse luscious interiors and all e bells and whistles. With all-wheel drive it offers nearly as much bad-weather traction as an SUV yet it has a much bigger interior.

Counterpoint: I would like a third seat that folds into the floor so you can haul things without having to take the seat out.

SPECIFICATIONS:

ENGINE: 3.8-liter, V6

TRANSMISSION: Automatic

WHEELBASE: 119.3

CURB WEIGHT: 4,488 lbs.

BASE PRICE: $35,910

PRICE AS DRIVEN: $36,980

MPG RATING: 16 city, 23 hwy.