the years. Heating and air conditioning controls on the base and LX models are functional but rudimentary.
The instruments have been redesigned for 2005 and are attractive and highly legible. An electronic odometer doubles as the trip meter when a button is pressed. Cruise control buttons are conveniently located on the steering wheel.
Lots of glass means good visibility all around, though the thick A-pillars hamper front three-quarter vision. Rearward visibility is greatly enhanced by the big side mirrors. The high beams didn't seem effective on our 2005 model, however, lacking fill at closer ranges.
The base, short-wheelbase model still has the traditional seating setup, so the seats must be removed to turn it into an effective cargo hauler. We found the second-row bucket seats and third-row split bench easy to remove. All or any one of the four seats can be popped out and rolled away in three quick steps, providing a wide variety of seating and cargo configurations. Reinstalling them takes a little more practice, as you need to learn how to line them up before snapping them into place. Each seat is heavy enough that care should be exercised when lifting it off the garage floor. The seats can also be folded down to form a continuous load floor for large items.
The 2005 Town & Country Limited model we drove delivered enough performance to exercise domination on busy freeways in Los Angeles. Response from its 3.8-liter V6 allowed us to work through high-speed traffic with five adults aboard, while its handling permitted easy passing on the winding sections in the hilly country outside Pasadena. Yet the ride was smooth and comfortable, even on rough city streets and bumpy big-city freeways. Drinking a hot cappuccino while driving can be done without fear.
All in all, driving the Chrysler Town & Country is pleasant and enjoyable. It rides smoothly and feels very stable at highway speeds. It handles competently and is surprisingly nimble for its size. Its power-assisted steering is light, making it easy to maneuver and park in crowded lots, and the front air dam isn't so low to the ground that it scrapes on curbs. Careful suspension tuning, a recently redesigned steering system and a rigid structure have raised the Town & Country's handling prowess to that of the leading minivans.
We found our Limited model quiet at high speeds. Chrysler says the 2005 model is more than 16 percent quieter than previous models. Wind noise has been reduced on 2005 models by incorporating triple door seals, molded gaskets, a more aerodynamic roof rack, and a spiraled antenna. Carrying on a conversation inside the Town & Country is easy and pleasant.
Four-wheel disc brakes stop the Town & Country quickly and without drama. Heavy-duty brake rotors and calipers ensure strong braking performance, durability. We like the pedal feel and found the brakes easy to modulate in stop-and-go traffic. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) help the driver maintain steering control in an emergency or panic stop. Traction control reduces front wheelspin on slippery surfaces.
The 3.8-liter V6 that comes on Touring and Limited models is rated at 215 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. It's considerably more powerful than the 3.3-liter V6 that comes on base and LX models, which is rated at 180 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Both are overhead-valve, push-rod V6s with two valves per cylinder rather than newer, overhead-cam, multi-valve designs. The 3.8-liter engine is rated 18/25 mpg City/Highway by the EPA, while the 3.3-liter is rated 19/26. Both are rated as low-emissions vehicles in all 50 states. The 3.3-liter V6 is a flexible-fuel engine, so it can use E85 ethanol.
The 3.3-liter V6 that comes on base and LX models delivers lively acceleration; we felt like we had plenty of motor to jackrabbit away from standstills or pull off that big pass. The engine is smooth and quiet when cruising, although it makes itself known under full-throttle acceleration.
The 2005 Chrysler Town & Country lineup includes several trim levels: base, LX, Touring, and Limited. Two V6 engines are available: A 3.3-liter V6 comes on base and LX models and produces 180 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. A 3.8-liter V6 comes standard on Touring and Limited models and develops 215 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. All models come with a four-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is not available.
The base Town & Country ($20,330) is a short-wheelbase model, an apparent replacement for the discontinued Voyager. It comes equipped with air conditioning, power windows, tilt steering column, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette, and dual sliding doors. Standard upholstery is cloth. The new Stow 'n Go seats are not included, however, and the second row is a bench seat. Anti-lock brakes are optional; rear drum brakes are standard.
The LX ($24,770) is a base model built on the same long wheelbase used by the rest of the models. It's equipped similarly to the base model, but gets the Stow 'n Go seating system, a CD changer, heated power mirrors, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, and upgraded interior and exterior trim.
The Touring model ($27,070) steps you up to traditional Town & Country convenience features with dual power sliding doors, power liftgate, three-zone temperature control, upgraded audio, upgraded interior trim, eight-way power driver's seat, improved interior lighting, overhead console with trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and speed control, tire-pressure warning system, universal garage door opener, roof rack, 16-inch wheels and tires, and traction control.
The Limited ($35,070) is a luxury model that comes standard with leather-trimmed upholstery, upgraded interior trim, heated seats, GPS navigation, air filtering, removable center console, power door locks, upgraded exterior trim, fog lights, automatic headlamps, Park Assist, power adjustable pedals, 16-inch wheels and tires, and a memory function for the radio, driver's seat and mirrors. It also comes standard with curtain airbags.
Loads of options and packages should ensure buyers will be able to come up with the perfect combination of features on the model they want. Leather upholstery is optional for the Touring model and is packaged with three-zone temperature control, the deluxe overhead console, and power seats ($2,100).
Side-impact airbags, curtain airbags, and ABS are optional on several models.