When Chrysler overhauled its minivans in 1996, it took great care to retune the suspension to ensure a sedan-like ride. At the same time, they increased the torsional rigidity by 50 percent. That translates into greater stability, which is always a plus in a tall vehicle. Driving our Town & Country hard around an on-ramp, we discovered that the more rigid suspension ensured that the vehicle felt firmly planted. The same was true during sharper, low-speed cornering maneuvers.Our confidence was bolstered by the Town & Country's rack & pinion power steering, which was responsive in quick lane-change maneuvers. Last year, Chrysler's engineers addressed the road-noise issue that was once a problem with many minivans, and their noise-abatement efforts produced a ride that is not only quieter than most minivans-it's also as quiet as many family sedans. Our LXi test model was powered by the 3.8-liter V6, which produces 180 horsepower at 4400 rpm and 240 foot-pounds of torque at 3200 rpm. The 3.8-liter engine is the biggest offered in Chrylser's minivan line and it's definitely our favorite. The smaller 3.3-liter engine, which puts out 158 horses at 4850 rpm and 203 foot pounds of torque @ 3250 rpm, delivers sufficient power for the smaller and lighter SX, but we recommend the 3.8-liter engine for the longer, heavier LX, LXi and Limited models. We found the 3.8-liter engine packed more than enough thrust when accelerating off the line. The extra power was appreciated in freeway-merging situations. Once on the freeway, the 3.8-liter plant definitely filled the bill when we wanted punch to pass a semi-trailer. Brakes are a special concern in larger vehicles that may be carrying a heavy load-or a half-dozen kids. The Town & Country's brakes quiet such concerns by bringing the vehicle to a confident, controlled stop, with no grabbing or fading.
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