2011 Chrysler Town & Country: Luxury Minivan, Yes I Said It. Luxury.

Competition in its class: Toyota Sienna • Honda Odyssey • Nissan Quest 

MSRP for the model tested: $52, 870.00 (Base model valued at $33,995.00)

Well, it happened. I drove a mini van. 

This time it was a Chrysler Town & Country, and despite how well equipped it is, trucking the kids back and forth from daycare and soccer, drive-in movies and grocery shopping all just feels so much more domesticated in a van. I can’t help it. Vans are just uncool. We know it, automakers admit it, and yet the functionality of a minivan really cannot be disputed. 

Once I got over the initial cringe-factor, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of room. I know, I know! That’s exactly why so many people love to drive minvans. Me? I’m all about the crossovers, as many 30-something’s are. I love something that has a similar amount of space but doesn’t scream Parent! I’m a parent! I have two kids, a dog and I am DOMESTICATED! 

Firstly, I was thrown off by the position of the gearshift. It took a little while to get comfortable with reaching up beside the steering wheel each time since I’m so used to it being in a middle console. After a few times days I eventually remembered, but it still felt unnatural. Funny because yes, I did learn to drive when the gearshift was still in the steering column. 

The refined interior continues to set the bar for luxury minivans. 

Yes. I said luxury minivans. 

WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME? 

I’m just not in love with the wood paneling; be it real wood or not, it should have died with the 70’s. Not a fan. The model test drove had paneling, but it was black and seemed more marble-like than wood-like making it minutely more tolerable. 

The classic designed leather-wrapped heated! steering wheel features well-placed audio and cruise controls and highlights the Chrysler winged logo. Audio controls also include a button for the UConnect handsfree voice command system allowing the driver to always have two hands on the wheel (or at least one free for coffee). 

With fourteen – count ’em 14 – cup holders placed throughout and numerous stowing compartments, the Town & Country provides enough storage to keep even the busiest minivan’s floor clear of toys and empty yet-to-be-discarded cups and bottles. 

With the bright clear LED interior lighting, maneuvering the seats and any rogue cups can be done with ease. The lights are so bright, in fact, you need to remember that even though you can’t see out, people can see in; especially when you’re at the drive-in and your pants are falling down while you’re searching for a rogue soother in the back. Ha! Ha Ha! 

Equipped with all the bells and whistles, the Town & Country Limited includes a sunroof and dual 9-inch screen DVD Entertainment Systems for the second and third row seating, navigation, satellite radio, Keyless Enter-N-Go, power lift gate and Stow-N-Go seating, and Chrysler’s UConnect voice command system with Bluetooth® making this mini van a top contender with some of the import models, like the Honda Odyssey, the Toyota Sienna and the Nissan Quest. 

The 6.5-inch touch screen display, is great for navigating the Town & Country’s Media Centre 430, which includes a Garmin-powered GPS Navigation, hands free phone via Bluetooth and voice commands for such tasks as changing the radio / satellite stations, but it pales in comparison to the responsiveness and accuracy of the Ford Microsoft SYNC system in the 2011 Edge and Explorer, in my opinion. I found Ford’s MyTouch system a lot more user friendly and easier to navigate. My only gripe about the display is its matte finish that makes fingerprints unmistakable and limits visibility when the sun reflects off the screen. 

The Town & Country is very comfortable and smooth ride thanks to its redesigned and retuned driving dynamics. Small details, which may not mean much to a typical shopper, like modified spring rates, lowered ground clearance and a quicker steering ratio, have significantly refined this ride. Its tighter turning radius certainly makes the Town and Country a little more agile than its competitors, which is great for navigating city streets and tight parking spaces. 

The exterior of the 2011 Town & Country is distinguished and classy with noticeable attention to detail; Chrysler has updated the chrome grille with the new Chrysler winged badge and new chrome trim which accents the curved exterior. The Limited model also includes chrome (heated!) side-view power mirrors, which can be turned into the bodyside for conveniently clearing ice and snow, not to mention navigating those small aforementioned underground parking spaces that typically only allow for millimeter accuracy when parking. Ahem. 

Seriously, I know every millimeter counts when you’re trying to cram as many cars as you can into an underground parking garage, but seriously? Don’t they know the vehicles of many shapes and sizes need to be able to navigate those columns and still fit into those small ridiculously designed spaces?? 

Okay, I digress. 

Every 2011 Town & Country is equipped with the all-new Stow-N-Place™ Roof Rack System which allows for the cross members to be stored within the rails to be snapped into place when needed, reducing aerodynamic drag, improving fuel efficiency and reducing cabin noise.
The Stow-N-Place Roof Rack System is a pretty awesome feature, I think. Not only do you not have to worry about forgetting the cross members at home or having them clutter up the cabin space, but they also aren’t that pretty to look at, so having them stowed is plus in my books. 

The Town & Country’s all-new standard Pentastar™ 3.6L VVT V6 engine delivers best-in-class performance with a whopping 283 horsepower allowing passing with ease but doesn’t compromise the fuel efficiency with 7.6L/100km (33MPG) highway driving. Unlike any other minivan, the Town & Country offers a Fuel Economizer Mode, which, with a push of a button increases its fuel efficiency up to 2 miles per gallon (when I do the math, I get 33MPG – 2MPG = 31MPG = 7.6L/100km… Math makes my head hurt). Based on my limited math skills I don’t see that there is a significant change in its fuel economy, but the little green leaf makes me feel better about my impact on the environment. Winning! 

So, the minivan. Am I sold? Meh. Did I enjoy it? Yes. The spacious comfortable ride gave the kids room to maneuver the backseats, but we ran into same seatbelt obstacles we’ve been facing on a regular basis with auto reviews. Buckles that are recessed in the seats are not kid-friendly which makes them even less mom-friendly. Please take note, manufacturers. 

The significant amount of storage and power seats are awesome. The keyless-entry and push-button start are two of my favourite features. Test driving the Town & Country is a definite must, you know, if you’re a minivan person.

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