What is it? The 2008 Town & Country is a complete redesign of Chrysler's upscale minivan, with a thorough exterior and interior restyling. Among the notable new features, family members can watch two different movies on separate DVD systems. They will also enjoy sliding-door windows that finally power up/down. A DVD navigation screen includes a rear back-up camera, real-time traffic data (with a Sirius satellite radio subscription), and a 20-gigabyte hard drive. New interior lighting is designed to allow rear passengers to use overhead or focused reading lamps without disturbing the driver at night. Three V6 engines are available. The 170-hp, 3.3-liter can run on E85 ethanol and comes with a four-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed automatic comes standard with either the 190-hp, 3.8-liter V6 or a new 240-hp, 4.0-liter. Electronic stability control and side-curtain air bags are standard.
CR's take: This redesign brings some welcome changes. Safety features have finally been brought up to date. And the rear leaf-springs have finally been retired in favor of coil-springs. The new Swivel 'n Go seating brings a corporate jet flair, but probably looks better than it will be, since there isn't much legroom and it eliminates the fold-flat seat storage feature. We wonder why three engines options are better than one modern, powerful, smooth overhead-cam engine as in most of the competition.
What is new or notable: The Stow 'N Go third-row seat folds into any of three positions with a single touch of a button. Optional Swivel 'N Go second row seats spin around to create a lounge area with the rear seats. A portable card or drink table can be erected in the center of the facing seats. Swivel 'N Go eliminates an unique benefit of Stow 'N Go seating; the swiveling second row seats don't fold into the second row seat bin. They must be removed for cargo space.
