Star-Telegram.com's view

Despite the growing popularity of crossover utility vehicles, which in many cases are nothing but minivans without the sliding doors, there are some consumers for whom only minivans will do.

Even though sales of these once quite popular family haulers have receded somewhat in the past couple of years, they still make up a key segment of the U.S. auto market, and can be a profitable item for an automaker if they’re done right.

Doing minivans right is what Chrysler is all about, and the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country is no exception. Along with its Dodge Grand Caravan sibling, this is the best minivan to come along since Chrysler created the era of the modern minivan in the mid-80s.

And even if Chrysler eventually is broken up or merged with Fiat, it’s clear that the company’s line of minivans will continue. Along with the Jeep brand, minivans are part of what’s still quite valuable and viable about Chrysler.

Our test vehicle, the Town & Country Limited (base price $36,780 plus $820 freight), is arguably the perfect family vehicle, geared toward transporting kids to school and after-school activities, taking the whole brood on extended road trips, and providing a great platform for hauling groceries, sports equipment or even purchases from Home Depot or favorites antiques stores.

I’ve been a minivan fan for years, and there’s really no vehicle available that’s quite as versatile. I learned to drive on my parents’ 1962 Corvair Greenbrier, the first American minivan (although the term “minivan” wasn’t used then), and I’ve owned a variety of these family haulers from such automakers as Chevrolet, Dodge, Volkswagen and Toyota.

Today’s minivans are the most-refined ever, and are great for couples with kids as well as empty-nest baby boomers. They appreciate the roominess of the vans, which allows them to take friends and grandkids along, or to use the cargo-carrying capacity for weekend or cross-country trips.

Minivans are comfortable and more fuel-efficient than most SUVs, and more economical and easier to drive than even the smallest motor homes.

The Town & Country entered its fifth generation for 2008, once again raising the bar in the modern minivan market created by Chrysler with the introduction of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager 25 years ago. The Town & Country and Grand Caravan are the only American-brand minivans left.

The only others remaining in the minivan segment are the best-selling import, the Honda Odyssey, along with the Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest, Hyundai Entourage and Kia Sedona. But all of those are at a disadvantage when compared with the Town & Country Limited.

This minivan has it all, from middle-row seats that swivel to face the third row, to the new Sirius live satellite TV system, which plays the favorite kids’ channels.

Chrysler spent more than $500 million to upgrade its Canadian plant for the new vans, which include many upgrades and innovative features that the imports don’t have.

The optional swiveling middle-row seats 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 backseat riders can play games or have a meal.

If you don’t care for the swivel seats, you can opt for 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.

At least 35 new or improved features were included in the new vans, making them “family rooms on wheels,” Chrysler said. Revised exterior styling gave 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, there are three versions of the Town & Country. The base model is the LX ($26,340 plus freight), and the midlevel version is the Touring ($29,645). They include three different seating and storage systems, great new entertainment systems (including the aforementioned satellite TV featuring The Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, and state-of-the-art safety features.

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.

Three powertrain options are available, beginning with the base 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. The 3.3-liter engine is connected to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Next 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.

Standard on the Limited model is a 4.0-liter V-6, which puts out 251 horsepower and 259 foot-pounds of torque. It’s connected to a six-speed automatic transmission.

EPA ratings are 17 miles per gallon city/24 highway for the base engine. For the other two engines, including our 4.0-liter, the ratings are 16 city/23 highway.

Chrysler was the first manufacturer to offer a premium minivan, with the 1990 introduction of the Town & Country. With the redesign, these models are more elegant than ever, especially the Limited.

For the extra money of the Limited, standard are such features as the stow-and-go seats, a rear back-up camera, a rearview interior conversation mirror, Chrysler’s back-up warning system, and the MyGIG audio system with a built-in hard drive that stores thousands of songs so you don’t have to bring your CDs along.

Leather-trimmed bucket seats are standard in the first and second rows on the Limited, along with power sliding doors on both sides, and power-adjustable pedals.

Among the extras on our tester were the Swivel ‘n’ Go seats, a $495 option. Also included on our vehicle was the great rear DVD-satellite TV system ($2,020). The 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, live 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.

Those swivel middle-row seats also feature an optional integrated child booster seat ($225), not included on our vehicle. Also available is a one-touch power-folding third-row bench seat ($595), which was included.

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

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.

Available on the base and midlevel models 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 standard features include power windows for the second-row passengers; second- and third-row retractable sun shades; a power tailgate; reading and map lights; and three-zone climate control.

Total sticker price of our test vehicle was $40,710, including freight and options.

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.

2009 Chrysler Town & Country

The package: Extended-length, front-drive, six-cylinder, seven- or 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 and 4.0 engines).

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

Base price range: $26,340-$36,780 (plus $820 freight).

Price as tested: $40,710 with freight and options (Limited model).

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

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested list; actual selling price may vary.