The Town & Country feels firmly planted in corners and stable at high speeds. Chrysler tuned the suspension to ride like a sedan. Its rigid chassis makes it feel solid, an important benefit in a taller vehicle, whether it's a minivan or a sport-utility.The Town & Country's rack & pinion power steering impressed us with its responsiveness in quick lane-change maneuvers. The road-noise issue--long a problem with all minivans--was abated when Chrysler redesigned the Town & Country in 1996. So the Town & Country delivers a ride that's more serene than most minivans. And it rivals many sedans when it comes to interior quietude. Our Limited test model was powered by the 3.8-liter V6, which produces180 horsepower at 4400 rpm and 240 foot-pounds of torque at 3200 rpm. The 3.8-liter engine, the brawniest one offered in Chrysler's minivan stable, is absolutely our favorite. The smaller 3.3-liter engine, which puts out 158 horsepower and 203 foot pounds of torque, certainly provides enough boost for the short-wheelbase Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Voyager, but we recommend the 3.8-liter engine for the longer, heavier Town & Country models. The 3.8-liter engine packs more than enough thrust when accelerating from a dead stop. The extra horses were definitely appreciated in freeway merging and passing situations. Brakes are a special concern on larger vehicles because you may be carrying a heavier load and some very important passengers. The Town & Country addresses those concerns by coming to an assured, firm stop, with no grabbing or fading.
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