Dad or mom will perch on a comfortable driver’s chair, with a good view of the surrounding road. The switchgear is cluttered and dated; the new style switchgear from the 300C and Commander is sorely needed.

Under the stubby hood is a 3.8 liter overhead-valve V6. The pushrod engine delivers 215 hp and 332 Nm to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. The gearshift is mounted on the steering column to free up floor space. The engine may be gruff, but there’s ample torque for highway driving. Progress is subdued and sufficient in a straight line. The Town & Country’s double-wishbone front / solid-axle rear suspension is set for maximum comfort, absorbing bumps and ruts without disturbing the cabin. The flipside is that the minivan doesn’t enjoy a winding road or sudden steering inputs. Despite its onscreen role as Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s impromptu battle vehicle, the Town & Country is happiest when trundling along peacefully to the vacation house in Tagaytay.

New vehicles such as seven-seat SUVs, MPVs, and even compact vans are all vying for piece of the family-transport market. For ultimate comfort, though, the “traditional” minivan still has the edge. With that, the message of the Town & Country is two-fold: with an innovative update, the original minivan is still one of the best on the market. The second message is: don’t be in such a rush; the voyage can be just as enjoyable as the destination. The Town & Country makes sure that the miles roll by in business-class comfort.

 

One major advantage of the Chrysler Town & Country is its Stow-N-Go seats which provide for a fully flat loading bay. This is something that all other MPVs don't have.

It's certainly no 300C, but the Town & Country still makes for a sensible family buy, if you're in the market for an ultra-comfy MPV.