treated like royalty in the Chrysler minis, and a seventh can be accommodated with

minimal discomfort. Even better, the wide portals make getting in and out a snap.

Style doesn't stop with the exterior. Every surface has been sculpted to give the

interior a fresh, modern look. And it's efficient; control placement is superb, with

every button and switch set exactly where it should be. In the large center console,

climate controls are simple and easy to use, radio buttons are slightly more complex

and fiddly, but good nonetheless.

Our Town & Country tester was also leather-lined and had the top sound system the

company offers, including a CD player.

In addition to comfort, these vans are well conceived to keep their drivers happy,

too. A high seating position and low cowl set up a near-perfect driving position, and

instruments are clearly marked.

There's storage space everywhere, with little bins, map pockets, cubbies and

cupholders all strategically placed. In a word, the Chrysler minivan cabins are

friendly.

Seat options give owners plenty of latitude to configure the T&C for optimum use. The

front seats are always buckets, but the center position can be filled with either a

pair of captain's chairs or a wide bench. The rear seat is always a bench-type. When

the center bench is installed, its back folds rearward to make a bed-like surface;

when either center bench or buckets are folded forward, their backs form a table top,

complete with cupholders.

Center and rear seats are easily removable, the center(s) by unlatching and sliding

out the side door, rear by unlatching and rolling--on built-in rollers--out the

tailgate. When they're gone, there's 167 cu. ft. of carrying space available.

All three Chrysler minivan brands also offer the option of a pair of integrated child

safety seats.

Between them, the three Chrysler minis run the gamut from basic to lavish, which is

where the Town & Country fits in. The T&C carries a full load of standard equipment,

almost all of which can be applied to Caravan or Voyager. You'll pay extra for air

conditioning, an uplevel sound system (three are available), child seats

(short-wheelbase models only) or the various power assists, upholstery upgrades and

other T&C niceties when choosing Caravan or Voyager, but they are available, as is a

handy roof rack that adds even more storage capacity.