2005 Chrysler Town & Country Limited

Gathered with a group of 20- and 30-something women with children, the topic turned to cars. The first question?
“What’s new in minivans?”
This may not surprise you, but it did me. I had the upscale group pegged for 100 percent sport utility: Surburbans, Expeditions, Sequoias, maybe even a Lexus, Navigator or Escalade in the mix. It was nice to find the functional, economical minivan still on the radar. Chrysler would agree, since the minivan has been a mainstay of their lineup since 1983. Although Honda and Toyota have stolen some of that market in recent years, Chrysler unveils some new tricks for ’05 aimed at reclaiming the stake. After a week with an ‘05 Town & Country Limited, I must say the strategy is compelling.

The good news
Chrysler trumpets 15 new features in this ’05 minivan, but the most heralded is the “Stow’n Go” seating. Of the many flexible seating systems inside minivans and sport utilities I’ve tested, this one wins the prize for easiest manual operation. “Stow’n Go” allows you to drop the second and third row of seats into the floor in a matter of seconds. And you won’t have to renew your gym membership to do it. No headrests to ply off, no muscling heavy, awkward seats. Just flip and drop.

The second row buckets fold into their floor wells almost one-handed, and the 60/40 split rear bench stows in part or entirely with the same ease. It’s terrific not only for Moms needing quick transformations, but also for the 70-something lady who called looking for something with adjustable cargo room to drive to Florida for the winter. Furthermore, when not housing the seats, the floor storage creates an additional 12 cubic feet of covered storage. Chrysler says Stow’n Go produces 256 cargo/seating configurations, which should keep former Rubik’s Cube fanatics busy. For you more normal sorts, seating accommodates seven passengers.

Entry to the third is a cinch with the second row bucket seat flip-folding out of the way with one motion. The third seat reclines a touch for comfort and even flips over backwards where it becomes a couch for lazy tailgaters.

There are other things Chrysler is newly proud of in this minivan. Making it a quieter, more refined experience for driver and passengers is one of them. They list nine different applications aimed at reducing the transmission of noise and vibration inside. The result is a 16 percent quieter (their figure) and much more luxurious ride.

Safety also gets attention, a wise move in this family-oriented segment. Chrysler includes head protection curtain air bags for all three seat rows, an inflatable knee-blocker that helps position the driver in line with other airbags and increases upper leg protection, rear park assist with warning chime for approaching objects and signal lights indicating when sliding doors (power or manual) are moving to warn those getting in and out. BlueTooth wireless technology links the minivan’s audio system to your cellphone for hands-free use, which may be the best safety feature of all.

Although we could be thoroughly amused sitting in the driveway playing with Stow’n Go, snuggling down in high-density foam seats and admiring the luxury extras, the Town & Country Limited does have a powertrain. The capable 3.3-liter V6 produces 180 horses and 210 foot pounds of torque with a four-speed automatic transmission. It behaves more like a fine sedan than the bus many of these are destined to become. Considerate of Chrysler to offer the harried driver a slice of her own heaven.

The bad news
Chrysler’s minivans get mild restyling this year. Although the updates make them much prettier, the Toyota Sienna and especially Nissan Quest have raised the bar on looks in this category beyond this Chrysler’s reach.

Is it worth it?
This Town & Country Limited is the crème de la crème of Chrysler’s minivans. The price reflects that. But it hits the high notes in all the right places: safety, luxury, flexibility, ease, performance. I thoroughly enjoyed my week driving it. It has the grand feeling of the really high-end sport utilities without the pricetag.

The greater issue here, however, is not the package, but the quality. Chrysler’s minivans have not been traditionally among Consumer Reports’ picks for best reliability. I hope that, too, changes with this updated model. It would be a shame to see a minivan with so much going for it, well, not going.

Particulars
Front-engine, 7-passenger (2/2/3), 5-door minivan
Price
Manufacturer’s base, $35,070;
Price as tested, $37,015
Engine
Type: 3.3 liter SFI V6
Horsepower: 180 bhp @ 5200 rpm
Torque: 210 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
Drivetrain
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Front-wheel-drive
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 113.3
Overall length: 189.1
Curb weight: 3988 lbs.
Gas mileage
EPA rated at 19 mpg city/26 highway

Website: www.chrysler.com

During her 16 years reviewing new vehicles, Beth Stein has written for Nashville's dailies (circ. 185,000), national magazines and BestStuff.com. She appeared coast-to-coast on-air for Road Test Magazine, Car And Driver Television and Motor Trend Television.