2007 Chrysler Town & Country [ 2008 ]
Chrysler Town & Country
Overall Score - 8.0 (Very Good)
The Town & Country delivers a good-looking, smooth-driving but somewhat underpowered minivan with class-leading versatility for people and cargo. The interior suffers from smallish controls and somewhat uncomfortable rear seating, and long-term reliability has been spotty.
Reviewers praise the 2007 Chrysler Town & Country for its versatile interior. Automotive.com says it best, stating, "When it comes to moving combinations of people and stuff, the Chrysler Town & Country has no peers." This is still true today, as the Town & Country's size and the convenience of its unique seven-passenger 'Stow-N-Go' seating make it what Consumer Guide calls a "blend of seating and cargo-carrying versatility," that is "outstanding." They add that the "available safety features, and abundant comfort and luxury touches qualify the Town & Country as a Recommended pick."
Still, the Town & Country has its weak spots, despite being one of the first and best-loved minivans produced. Looking back, Edmunds observes, "The Chrysler Town & Country minivan began life with keys to the kingdom. It was immediately a class leader when it was first introduced in 1990, offering numerous features that were ahead of the curve. Seventeen years later, the picture is a lot less rosy."
The 2007 Chrysler Town & Country shares its platform with the Dodge Caravan, and this version was introduced in 2001and freshened in 2005. However, while it is a competent vehicle, competition from the Asian manufacturers has come on strong, and offerings from Honda, Toyota and even Hyundai have raised the stakes. The Town & Country is slated for a major revision for the 2008 model year.
Many test drivers note the aging design of the T&C engines and the dated four-speed automatic transmission in a class where five-speed transmissions are the norm. The base engine in particular is seen by many as under-powered for the large vehicle. The age is also apparent in the interior, where radio, climate control and navigation system controls are small and dated. Nonetheless, the T&C has a supple ride and acceptable handling for a 4,000-odd-pound vehicle -- Automobile Magazine calls it "as serene as a clubroom."
Kelley Blue Book notes that the minivan "is projected to retain a lower-than-average residual value, lagging far behind its import rivals from Honda, Nissan and Toyota." However, this is the last year of production of the T&C before a new model is launched for the 2008 model year, meaning good deals are likely to be had on dealer lots as the old models are cleared out to make way for the new.
Town-&-Country Performance - 6.8 (Mediocre)
The aging base 3.3L engine in the Town & Country receives very mixed reviews from test drivers, with many noting it to be inadequate for a vehicle of this size. At the same time, most find that the upscale 3.8L engine performs adequately. Almost universally, the ride of the T&C is seen as one of its best features; Automobile Magazine claims that "the Town & Country is as serene as a clubroom, yet it corners with aplomb and never makes driving a chore." continue
Town-&-Country Exterior - NA
Despite the fact that the Town and Country's exterior styling is getting along in years, most critics still think it looks good. Kelley Blue Book says, "We think the Town & Country is among the most attractive on the market." continue
Town-&-Country Interior - 7.8 (Good)
Reviewers praise the T&C for its versatile 'Stow-N-Go' seating system and quiet interior cabin. Still, many critics find the rear seats to be too hard, and some find the interior controls hard to see and use. continue
Town-&-Country Safety - 7.3 (Good)
The 2007 Chrysler Town & Country performs well in government crash tests and is equipped with a relatively competitive list of safety features. However, it lacks stability control, an option available on Toyota and Honda minivans. continue
Town-&-Country Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)
The 2007 Chrysler Town & Country reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Chrysler offers competitive warranty coverage on all of its cars, including a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. continue