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No matter what happens with the possible sale or breakup of Chrysler, there is no doubt that the company’s marvelous minivans will live on.

That’s because whoever buys Chrysler, if indeed it is sold, will want to keep the company’s highly profitable minivan business.

Chrysler invented the modern minivan with its 1983 introduction of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, and ever since, the company has dominated this segment in much the same way the Ford F-150 has dominated the full-size pickup class.

Last year, the Chrysler minivans, now called the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, taking them to an even higher level that competitors will find hard to match.

In fact, General Motors and Ford have given up on the minivan segment for lack of a product that can come close to the current models in the Chrysler LLC minivan lineup.

Sales of minivans have cooled somewhat since the arrival of SUVs and now crossover utility vehicles, but the segment is still strong, accounting for nearly a million units sold annually.

The only minivan competition Dodge and Chrysler face now is from the import-brand models, the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona. GM says that its new family of large crossovers, which includes the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave, are intended to compete against the minivan segment, but they lack the sliding passenger doors that most minivan consumers love.

While they are still minivans, the revised exterior styling of the Chrysler and Dodge models gives them more of a crossover look, while retaining the sliding passenger doors on each side that allow for quick and convenient access to the second and third rows. Power doors are available on both sides, and can be operated from the key fob or using switches up front or on the door pillars on each side.

For 2009, the Chrysler and Dodge minivans come in five different models, with three different seating and storage systems and great new entertainment options, including live satellite TV.

The Chrysler Town & Country models are the base LX, midlevel Touring, and top-of-the-line Limited, with prices ranging from $25,730-$36,530 (plus $770 freight and options). 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.

Dodge versions come in base SE and uplevel SXT models, with base prices of $23,530 and $27,825, respectively.

For this report, we tested the 2009 Grand Caravan SE, which comes with the base 3.3-liter V-6 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.

Standard on the SE model are 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.

But our tester came with the new Swivel ‘n’ Go seats, a $495 option. With this feature, the middle-row seats swivel to face the third row, and there is a stowable table that can be set up between the seats so the people in the back can play games or eat their snacks on it.

Another great option is the new Sirius live satellite TV system, which delivers favorite children’s shows from the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and the Cartoon Network. It was not included on our test vehicle, but I have seen it on other models.

Three powertrain options are available, beginning with the SE’s 3.3-liter V-6, rated at 175 horsepower and 205 foot-pounds of torque. This engine can operate on E85 fuel, which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. This engine comes only with the four-speed automatic.

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

Optional is a 4.0-liter V-6, which puts out 251 horsepower and 259 foot-pounds of torque. It’s also connected to a six-speed automatic.

Oddly, the biggest engine has the best EPA ratings – 17 miles per gallon city/25 highway, while our SE model with the base engine was rated at 17 city/24 highway. The midlevel 3.8-liter engine is rated at 16 city/23 highway. Chrysler made some improvements to the 4.0-liter engine for 2009 that boosted its fuel economy from last year’s 16 city/23 highway.

Chrysler should offer the six-speed automatic as at least an option on the SE, as it would boost highway fuel economy to above that of the SXT with the 4.0-liter engine.

The biggest advantage of the small V-6 is the price rather than the mileage. Although it gets just one mpg less on the highway, the 3.3-liter comes in a vehicle whose overall price is several thousand dollars less than the SXT with the optional 4.0-liter V-6. To add that engine to the SXT costs $630.

I’m no speed demon, though, and I found the 3.3-liter engine to be adequate for my needs, although I didn’t have the opportunity to load the Grand Caravan SE full of people and cargo during my weeklong test. With a full load, one of the larger engines would offer better acceleration and more hill-climbing power.

The ride and handling of the SE model are more carlike than you would expect for a boxy people-hauler such as this, a credit to the engineering changes that went into the new model. It’s a smooth and comfortable ride, but the handling is surprisingly crisp.

The van also is very quiet inside, the better to listen to the kids’ quarrelling or the great optional audio system.

Models with the swivel middle-row seats also feature an optional integrated child booster seat. Also available is a one-touch power-folding third-row bench seat ($595).

Among standard safety features are roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for all three rows, along with electronic stability control and antilock brakes.

Included on our tester was the “Popular Equipment Group” ($1,495), which added power sliding doors and liftgate. Also on our vehicle was the “Climate Group” ($995), which brought three-zone manual air conditioning. We also had the upgraded MyGIG audio system ($725) with a 30-gb hard drive and the rear back-up camera.

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.

Our vehicle came with cloth seats, but 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. Also optional are leather-trimmed bucket seats in the first and second rows.

The blue pearl-coat paint was a $225 addition to our vehicle.

Other features include power windows for the second-row passengers; second- and third-row retractable sunshades; and a variety of reading and map lights.

Total sticker price of our test vehicle was $28,235, including freight and options.

2009 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 Voyager model has 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 (base model), six-speed automatic (uplevel models).

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 city/24 highway (3.3 engine); 16/23 (3.8 engine); 17/25 (4.0 engine).

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

Base price range: $23,530-$27,825 (plus $770 freight).

Price as tested: $28,235 with freight and options (SE model).

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

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