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Just as the minivan market has fallen into a state of stagnation, Chrysler is coming to the rescue.

Minivan sales dropped almost 20 percent during 2007 from totals a year earlier, much of that the result of consumers switching to crossover utility vehicles – many of which are nothing more than minivans without the sliding doors.

But Chrysler is betting that the minivan segment is far from dead, rolling out completely redesigned Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country models for 2008 that cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars to update.

It’s a gamble Chrysler needs to have pay off. The automaker that single-handedly created the modern minivan segment in the early 1980s continues to be the company that sells the most of these vehicles, and they are the company’s most-important product.

With the restyling, these minivans enter their fifth generation. But the changes are so significant that Chrysler has once again seriously distanced itself from the competition. The company and its workers are saying, in effect, that “We created the minivan market, we own the market, and we’ll set the standard by which all minivans are judged.”

Chrysler didn’t invent the minivan – Volkswagen did that in the late 1950s – but the company did create the format that took the concept into the mainstream with the introduction of the 1984 Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager.

And even though Honda’s Odyssey is a strong challenger, Chrysler remains the minivan market leader. More than 12 million have been sold.

Even though the minivan market is down, it is expected to hold steady at about 1 million units annually.

There is less competition to deal with, too. Ford and General Motors are abandoning the minivan segment in favor of crossover utility vehicles, so Chrysler will no longer have domestic competitors. Ford discontinued its Freestar van last year, and GM has quietly dropped its Buick, Pontiac and Saturn vans, leaving only the Chevrolet Uplander, whose own days are numbered.

The remaining major competitors are the best-selling import van, the Odyssey, along with the Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona.

But those vans will have to play catch-up to keep up with the redesigned 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, both of which come down the same assembly line in Windsor, Ontario. The automaker spent more than $500 million to upgrade the plant for the new vans.

These are the best minivans yet created — by any manufacturer. And they have many upgrades and innovative features that the imports don’t even offer.

Among those are the optional swiveling middle-row seats, which can be turned around quickly to face the third row. A table stowed in the floor can be positioned between the two rows so the kids – or even adults – in the back can play games or eat their snacks.

These vans also offer the latest in Chrysler’s stow-and-go seats, which can be folded completely into the floor to create a flat cargo surface from the back of the front seats all the way to the tailgate.

Chrysler says there are 35 new or improved features in the new vans, making them “family rooms on wheels.”

Our test vehicle was the Grand Caravan SE, which carries a base price of $21,740 (plus $730 freight). With $8,850 worth of options, our tester’s sticker totaled $31,320 (with freight).

But of course, you don’t have to spend that much to get a great van.

The Grand Caravan and Town & Country have revised exterior styling that gives them more of a crossover SUV look, while retaining the key feature that differentiates the minivan from the crossover: sliding passenger doors.

For 2008, there are five different models, three different seating and storage systems, great new entertainment systems (including live satellite TV featuring kid favorites such as The Disney Channel and Cartoon Network), and state-of-the-art safety features.

Model choices include the Grand Caravan SE and SXT, and the Town & Country LX, Touring and Limited.

The short-wheelbase models previously known as the Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Voyager have been dropped; all of the new vans are of the extended length.

There are three powertrain options as well, beginning with the base 3.3-liter V-6, rated at 175 horsepower and 205 foot-pounds of torque, which came in our test vehicle.

This engine can operate on E85 fuel, which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The 3.3-liter engine is connected to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Next in line is the 3.8-liter V-6, which offers 197 horsepower and 230 foot-pounds of torque. It comes with a new six-speed automatic transmission.

The third engine is a 4.0-liter V-6, which puts out 251 horsepower and 259 foot-pounds of torque. Also connected to a six-speed automatic, this powertrain is standard in the top models of both the Dodge and Chrysler brands.

EPA ratings are 17 miles per gallon city/24 highway for the base engine. For the other two engines, the ratings are 16 city/23 highway.

The Grand Caravan SXT model starts at $27,535, and comes with the 3.8-liter engine. The 4.0-liter V-6 is included in an options package for the SXT. Stow-and-go seats also are standard on this model, but were among the options on our tester.

While the original Caravan and Voyager were quite innovative at the time, their features pale in comparison with these newest models. For instance, the original minivans came with a 96-horsepower four-cylinder engine and three-speed automatic transmission. Their exteriors were quite boxy, and they were considerably smaller than today’s minivans.

They had a 112-inch wheelbase vs. 121.2 inches for the 2008 model, and the base Caravan weighed 3,100 pounds. The new base Grand Caravan weights 4,483 pounds.

The newest models have sleek, aerodynamic exteriors and are quite stylish.

Those swivel middle-row seats also feature an optional integrated child booster seat. Available will be a one-touch power-folding third-row bench seat.

Safety features include roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for all three rows, along with electronic stability control and antilock brakes.

Among options are a rear back-up camera, a rearview interior conversation mirror, Chrysler’s back-up warning system, and the best rear entertainment system yet devised for an automobile.

The entertainment system includes separate LCD screens that drop down from the ceiling for the middle and third rows, and they can display different programming at the same time, including DVD movies, Sirius satellite TV, or the signal from a video-game console. There is even a 115-volt power outlet in the third row for a game console.

There are many interior storage compartments; a multi-function, front-row sliding console that moves up to 21 inches rearward; two glove boxes; and more cup and bottle holders than there are seating positions.

Also available are Chrysler’s new YES Essentials stain-resistant fabric seats and floor mats, which can withstand the most stubborn of stains, including those from red wine and permanent markers.

Other features of the new vans include power windows for the second-row passengers; second- and third-row retractable sun shades; a power tailgate; power sliding doors for both sides; reading and map lights; and either single- or three-zone heating and cooling systems.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at (210) 250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.

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At a Glance:

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan

The package: Extended-length, front-drive, six-cylinder, seven- to eight-passenger minivan.

Highlights: Completely redesigned for 2008, these are the best minivans yet – from any automaker – and include lots of innovative new features.

Negatives: Less-expensive short-wheelbase models have been discontinued, as has the four-cylinder engine, which offered the best fuel economy.

Engines: 3.3-liter V-6, 3.8-liter V-6, 4.0-liter V-6.

Transmission: Four-speed automatic (six-speed automatic optional).

Power/torque: 175 HP/205 foot pounds; 197 HP./230 foot-pounds; 251 HP./259 foot-pounds.

Length: 202.5 inches.

Curb weight:4,431-4,499 pounds.

Cargo capacity: 32.7 cubic feet (3rd seat in place).

EPA fuel economy: 17/24 (3.3 engine); 16/23 (3.8 and 4.0 engines).

Major competitors: Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Hyundai Entourage, Kia Sedona, Chevrolet Uplander.

Base price range: $21,740-$26,805 (plus $730 freight).

Price as tested: $31,320 with freight and options (SE model).

On the Road rating: 9.2 (of a possible 10).