Chrysler Town & Country 2008

By Benjamin Cyr

A gamble

While, and maybe because, certain manufacturers threaten to delete the van from their catalogues, Chrysler decided to invest heavily in building a new generation of vans. The company created the van in the middle eighties therefore the concept is not foreign.

The competition

Since the advent of the crossover, sales of the van have diminished. The crossover market flourishes because buyers appreciate them for several reasons; the roomy cabin makes it more practical than a sedan. The driving experience, contrary to vans, is more pleasurable and safer with all-wheel drive. The crossover, also, has certainly a sexier image than does the van. Now, on top of facing competition from the Japanese and the Koreans, the Mazda CX-7/CX-9, the Ford Edge, the Acura RDX, the GMC Acadia and others. A hell of a challenge!

Road-test liked:

• the interior’s very practical roominess;
• the lighting of the cabin and the dashboard;
• full manufacturer installed option spackage with the Limited version;
• the innovative touches that make this van really multi-purpose;

Road-test disliked:

• the cumbersome size of  the vehicle;
• the lacklustre driving pleasure;
• the noticeable roll in turns;
• no all-wheel drive;
• the high fuel consumption.