Driving Impressions

Our Town & Country responded powerfully, thanks to the new 3.8-liter V6 with sequential multi-point injection. Start-up acceleration was noteworthy, and we zipped around cars on the freeway as though we were in a high-performance sports car. This was definitely the best engine we've tested in a minivan. And it was quiet, too, due in part to some fine-tuning Chrysler has done to the vehicle's stainless-steel exhaust system. Noise in general was not a problem; wind and other vehicles caused little disturbance. However, we did notice some annoying road noise under the floor boards up front. Overall, though, the marks were high on our Town & Country's ride. The four-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly, and we had the option to lock out the over-drive. The vehicle exhibited a surprisingly tight steering ratio, handling our 20-mph turns adeptly. Front gas-charged struts helped solidify our vehicle while traveling over roads riddled with potholes. It rained and snowed during much of our test drive, but that gave us a chance to test the Town & Country's four-wheel ABS. It met the challenge each time a slick surface came calling, and we were never even close to spinning out. The vehicle's front-wheel drive and 15-inch steel-belted radials also kept us steady through the rain and snow.

Final Word

Whether you're Bill Clinton, Michael Jordan or the Chrysler Town & Country, one thing applies: When you're at the top of your field, you undergo more scrutiny than the average bear. Certainly our expectations were extremely high when we tested the '94 Town & Country. And for the most part, it delivered with a sleek (for a minivan) look, luxurious appointments and strong road performance. However, there were several areas in fit that were not up to the high standards set by previous versions of the Town & Country. Expecting perfection might be unreasonable, but when a vehicle offers so much, you like to see the little things taken care of.