2003 Chrysler Town & Country LXi

The standard powerplant in the Town & Country is a 180-horsepower 3.3-liter V-6; for just $335 more, you can upgrade to a more-capable 215-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 that is much more responsive and delivers identical fuel economy figures as compared to the smaller engine. An electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission is standard with either engine. With the 3.8-liter upgrade, the T & C's powertrain is well suited to its typical mission. Good off-the-line torque and decisive throttle response make this Chrysler feel pleasantly powerful, even with a full house. The engine is serenely quiet at cruising speed, though it kicks up a minor commotion when the revs rise for a full-throttle downshift. The Chrysler's powerband has great flexibility and strong mid-range (real-world) response making it comparatively favorable with the Honda Odyssey's 240-horsepower V-6.


Good road isolation and supple bump compliance make the T & C a comfortable cruiser. The well-tuned suspension isn't excessively soft or floaty, so your confidence and sense of control remain intact when the road turns twisty. Features like standard four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock further bolster your confidence. On the safety front, the Town & Country has a solid complement of equipment, including seatbelt pretensioners and optional front-seat side-impact airbags.

New features for 2003 include a power sunroof, a factory-installed DVD entertainment system and power adjustable pedals.

Our well-optioned test car was a rolling candy store of goodies, albeit not the new DVD system or sunroof. Leather seating, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, reading lamps, vehicle information center, and tire-pressure monitoring system were just the tip of the feature-berg. A clever rear cargo area organizer makes the most of the rear compartment storage space and keeps items from rolling around. Not only are the left and right sliding doors power-operated like the new sunroof, but even the rear liftgate opens and closes with the touch of a button. The elaborate automatic climate-control system has three zones (driver, passenger and rear area) to minimize temperature squabbles on the road. Another aid to family harmony is the upgraded Infinity AM/FM/CD audio system (now with a 6-disc changer) with rear controls and two sets of wireless headphones. If that's not enough to occupy the kids (or clients), you can also opt for the new DVD entertainment system with a 7-inch LCD display (which is unaffected by the new sunroof), or wow them with an on-board navigation system. For the Chrysler Town & Country, the list of features just rolls on and on.


The Chrysler Town & Country LXi offers plenty of practical virtues to be sure, but most of these characteristics are essentially a given among modern minivans. And there are certainly more affordable choices. Should your tastes run a bit more upscale, you may very well be Town & Country material. If you appreciate convenience items and clever features, the Chrysler Town & Country LXi needs to feature prominently on your minivan shopping list. (www.chrysler.com)