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2009 Chrysler Town & Country: a family friendly hauler
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2009 Town & Country Limited
Chrysler adds new safety technologies to the Town & Country minivan. The biggest additions are two new safety systems for 2009. A new Blind Spot Monitoring system uses radar sensors to detect vehicles in the van's blind spots and warns the driver with lights in the side mirrors or a driver-selectable chime that sounds like the seat belt chime. The Chrysler system seems to work well, but like similar systems offered by other manufacturers it can sometimes give false readings and it’s important to look before you change lanes. The Rear Cross Path is another new safety system for 2009. It is activated when the van is in reverse. It uses radar sensors to detect vehicles crossing behind the Town & Country and warns the driver with lights in the side mirrors and that same chime. It detects vehicles up to 20 meters away, and is programmed to recognize the speed of oncoming vehicles and alert the driver only if they are traveling at a speed that could lead to an accident. The system won't detect small objects, like pedestrians, so it's still important to proceed slowly. The system works well and is especially useful in parking lots where these kinds of accidents happen often. In addition to the new safety options, Chrysler has updated the brake system for 2009 to reduce noise, vibration and harshness and new SmartBeam headlights that dim automatically are available.
The Limited model I tested ($36,780) comes with tri-zone automatic climate control with rear controls; interior air filter; leather upholstery; eight-way power passenger seat; heated first- and second-row seats; memory for the driver seat, mirrors, and pedals; 506-watt audio system with 10 speakers; Chrysler's UConnect Tunes 30-gigabyte hard-drive radio; removable, sliding front console; rear park assist; remote engine starting; auto-dimming driver's side and rearview mirrors; second- and third-row sunshades; mirror-mounted turn signals; rain-sensing wipers; rearview camera; xenon SmartBeam self-dimming headlights; and P225/65R17 tires on chromed aluminum wheels.
The Town & Country's best engine is found in the Limited model. The 4.0-liter V6 makes 251 horsepower, which puts it in the ballpark with the V6s offered by Nissan, Honda and Toyota. The 4.0 moves the Town & Country nicely from a stop and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission to provide good passing response. With the 4.0-liter V6, the Town & Country has EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg City and 25 Highway. Properly equipped ($600), the Town & Country with the 4.0 liter V6 is rated to tow up to 3600 pounds, enough for two snowmobiles or a small pop-up camper. On the highway, the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country offers a smooth ride and an SUV-like view from the driver’s seat. The Town & Country is a big vehicle, however, and not very agile. It is prone to body lean in turns and the ride can feel like you are on a boat at highway speeds.
Front-seat room and comfort are typical for a minivan. The front captain's chairs afford an upright driving position with an SUV-like view of the road. There is plenty of head room, and leg room for most drivers. A tilt steering wheel and available adjustable pedals should help most drivers find a comfortable seating position, but the steering wheel does not telescope. The optional Swivel 'n Go seating ($225) uses second-row buckets. These seats swivel 180 degrees allowing the passenger to face the third row. A removable table is also provided that can be installed between the second and third seating rows. The table is stored under the floor and is fairly easy to access. The Swivel 'n Go feature also has under floor storage bins, but the seats don't fold into the floor. The Swivel 'n Go option is great for family trips. It helps keep the kids entertained with games or a place to draw. And if that's not enough, the Town & Country offers single and dual screen rear DVD entertainment systems ($2,020), plus Sirius Backseat TV with three kid-friendly channels. The dual screens allow different viewing options for kids that can't agree on what to watch. And for the adults up front, Chrysler's UConnect ($1,300) comes with iPod, uconnect phone, and Sirius traffic.
The Chrysler Town & Country, is one of the most family friendly minivans on the market. Prices are up for 2009, and adding options can push the price well over $40,000. Overall, however, the 2009 Town & Country does what you expect a minivan to do. It is a great vehicle for families that need to haul kids and cargo on a regular basis. And the seating and entertainment options will prevent a lot of the fights on those long road trips.
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