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Since minivans are already one of the automotive kingdom’s most versatile vehicles, what could make them even better? Try adding all-wheel-drive (AWD), which Chrysler offers as a $2,275 option on the Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan equipped with the 3.8-liter engine.

Don’t look for these vans to be poking around off-road like mountain goats. They’re not four-wheel-drive in the sense of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, which has a transfer case and an extra low range; rather, their all-wheel-drive system that sends 90 percent of the power to the front wheels under normal driving conditions. When the front wheels begin to slip, however, a viscous coupling between the front and rear axles automatically transfers up to 100 percent of the power to the back wheels to restore traction.

Besides the inherent peace of mind that all-wheel-drive brings, the Chrysler Town & Country LX has better road manners than the standard van. It tracks better in turns and feels firmer and more stable at highway speeds, due, I’m sure, to the benefits of the load-leveling suspension that is part of the AWD package. Four-wheel-disc, anti-lock brakes are also included. The only time I could detect all-wheel-drive was a slight binding in tight parking maneuvers.

Chrysler is the only company to offer an all-wheel-drive option on a front-wheel-drive van. It had a similar system back in 1994, but it was discontinued during the first years of the current model.

Chrysler’s minivan family is both stylish and practical. While some may never think of these quintessential family haulers as attractive, I think their muscular stance and curvaceous shape are most handsome. After spending a few months with a Plymouth Voyager last year I concluded that if I could only have one vehicle to do all things, one of these minivans would be it.

The key reason for its appeal is versatility. It drives and handles pretty much like a car, which is especially true of the AWD model, yet it has seats for seven and can hold a 4′-by-8′ sheet of plywood with the seats out. The rear seat has retractable wheels that not only facilitate its removal (a two-person job) but enable it to be rolled around in the garage.

Visibility out front is positively panoramic, with a low dash and high seating position. This van has 32 percent more glass area than its predecessor, which helps it feel bright and airy. The dash is clearly thought out, with logical control placement and large, legible instruments. There are airbags for both driver and passenger.

Clever touches include integrating the track for the sliding door into the side window, putting a small, heated grid under the windshield wipers to keep them from freezing and designing a lip on the cowl to deflect air over the wipers in order to cut noise.

Of course, there are cupholders galore, including two in the dash that adjust to fit all sizes. The passenger seat has a storage box underneath.

The left-hand sliding door is a Chrysler first, and it has forever changed minivans to the extent that GM’s new vans have a left-side door optional. Ford is working feverishly to build one into the Windstar. The extra door is one of those ideas that seems so logical and effective that you wonder why it wasn’t done years ago. It not only enhances the vehicle’s flexibility but it makes the driver’s life considerably easier.

The only engine offered with all-wheel-drive is the 3.8-liter V-6 that has 166 horsepower. It accelerated well, but there were times when our test vehicle’s 4,257 pounds made it a tad slow in responding to the throttle.

Price

The base price of our test vehicle was $29,685. It was equipped with options of luggage rack, aluminum wheels, full-size spare tire, eight-way driver’s seat and AM/FM cassette with compact disc player and 10 speakers.

The sticker price was $31,495.

Warranty

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

Point: b> Adding all-wheel-drive to the Town & Country only makes a good thing better, like putting whipped cream on pumpkin pie. Plus, the load-leveling suspension gives it a firmer, tighter ride.

Counterpoint: The extra weight of the all-wheel-drive system made the throttle response sluggish in certain conditions and hurt city gas mileage.

SPECIFICATIONS:

ENGINE: 3.8-liter, V-6

TRANSMISSION: Automatic

WHEELBASE: 119.3 inches

CURB WEIGHT: 4,257 lbs.

BASE PRICE: $29,685

PRICE AS DRIVEN: $31,495

MPG RATING: 15 city, 22 hwy.