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13th
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Way back in 1984, the Chrysler minivan was born as an efficient and family-friendly box on wheels. Five generations later it has evolved into... Well, consider this picture of our family (and one cousin) on a recent vacation, travelling in a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Limited:
Two kids are in captain chairs in the second row watching a movie on the second-row screen. A third kid is sprawled in the third row watching the same movie on the third-row screen. The rear cargo area is packed to the hilt. Two parental units are up front listening to satellite radio and oblivious to the younger passengers. The driver is utilizing cruise control, on-screen navigation, and one of the many cupholders to hold his extra-large, double-double.
In other words, what family life has become in 2012.
Price As Tested: $48,395
The base price of our 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Limited is $45,995. It came standard with the 283 hp 3.6L V6 VVT Pentastar engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive, and four leather-trimmed and heated captain seats with armrests, as well as a 60/40 split third-row bench seat.
Other standard equipment highlights include: Blind Spot and Cross Path Detection; back-up camera; power side doors and liftgate; Stow N' Go rear seats; heated steering wheel; Uconnect voice command; and Bluetooth enabled streaming audio.
The extra cha-ching over the base price was the result of a $700 tow prep group, the $1,750 dual screen entertainment system, $650 power-folding third row seat, and a $950 “hard drive” media centre.
What We Like
Light Graystone coloured seats combined with grey/black faux wood trim created a very classy looking interior. We also liked the understated old-school dash, with chrome and round gauges.
The front captain chair in the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country actually makes the driver feel like they're the captain of a ship, especially with access to all the power doors and liftgate switches.
Captain chairs in the second row are one of the absolute best things about the minivan genre -- no sibling seat border disputes and great comfort. These chairs are also easy to flip forward for third-row access.
The new Pentastar V6 in the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country is refined and quiet. The engine revs quickly and willingly for effortless passing manoeuvres, yet also offers predictable, comfortable handling.
Even with three rows of seating up, the rear cargo area is still huge. The ability to move the third row out of the way with the push of a button is an effortless way to open up even more space. And the DVD system and 500-Watt audio system are definite crowd pleasers on long trips.
The styling of the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country is really growing on me. It doesn't pretend to be anything but a minivan. That squared-off look tells me the inside is going to be huge, and it is. Town & Country also benefits from Chrysler's glossier and upscale styling language, which I prefer over the plainer Dodge Grand Caravan. The Town & Country also features nice looking wheels.
What We Like Not As Much
Chrysler's current touchscreen is smaller and more difficult to use than newer designs currently on the market.
While our test vehicle seemed sturdy enough, the interior didn't exactly exude a feeling of continued durability. Every inch of the interior features something -- a cubbyhole, a Stow N' Go flap, a seat mechanism, switchgear, trim pieces, electronic paraphernalia, etc. So, will everything hold up?
The power side doors and tailgate on the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country are way too slow. We spent many a time in parking lots, waiting for various family members to get in and out, and back in and out again when they forgot something. And when you're in a hurry and just want to throw something in the back, it seems like it takes forever for the power tailgate to do its thing.
When fully loaded and cruising on the highway, the powertrain shifts down whenever you squeeze the throttle a bit. I would prefer to surf a bit more on torque, and not get into downshifts that often.
This generation of Town & Country has been around since model year 2008, so it's not going to send a “Hey I just got a new ride” signal like a Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey, both of which were reborn for the 2011 model year.
Final Verdict
The new Pentastar drivetrain and new Bluetooth technologies keep the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country relevant. And at its core, it still remains a classy, noble beast, even in the face of more current rivals. It continues to offer a lot of family values and stature for the money.
However, its stiffest competition right now might be from its platform cousin, the Dodge Grand Caravan. Currently, the Dodge Grand Caravan SE with the Canada Value Package and the Pentastar V6 can be had for under $20,000!
Two kids are in captain chairs in the second row watching a movie on the second-row screen. A third kid is sprawled in the third row watching the same movie on the third-row screen. The rear cargo area is packed to the hilt. Two parental units are up front listening to satellite radio and oblivious to the younger passengers. The driver is utilizing cruise control, on-screen navigation, and one of the many cupholders to hold his extra-large, double-double.
In other words, what family life has become in 2012.
 |
Price As Tested: $48,395
The base price of our 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Limited is $45,995. It came standard with the 283 hp 3.6L V6 VVT Pentastar engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive, and four leather-trimmed and heated captain seats with armrests, as well as a 60/40 split third-row bench seat.
Other standard equipment highlights include: Blind Spot and Cross Path Detection; back-up camera; power side doors and liftgate; Stow N' Go rear seats; heated steering wheel; Uconnect voice command; and Bluetooth enabled streaming audio.
The extra cha-ching over the base price was the result of a $700 tow prep group, the $1,750 dual screen entertainment system, $650 power-folding third row seat, and a $950 “hard drive” media centre.
 |
| The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Limited came standard with the 283 hp 3.6L V6 VVT Pentastar engine. (Photo: Mike Goetz) |
What We Like
Light Graystone coloured seats combined with grey/black faux wood trim created a very classy looking interior. We also liked the understated old-school dash, with chrome and round gauges.
The front captain chair in the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country actually makes the driver feel like they're the captain of a ship, especially with access to all the power doors and liftgate switches.
Captain chairs in the second row are one of the absolute best things about the minivan genre -- no sibling seat border disputes and great comfort. These chairs are also easy to flip forward for third-row access.
The new Pentastar V6 in the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country is refined and quiet. The engine revs quickly and willingly for effortless passing manoeuvres, yet also offers predictable, comfortable handling.
Even with three rows of seating up, the rear cargo area is still huge. The ability to move the third row out of the way with the push of a button is an effortless way to open up even more space. And the DVD system and 500-Watt audio system are definite crowd pleasers on long trips.
The styling of the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country is really growing on me. It doesn't pretend to be anything but a minivan. That squared-off look tells me the inside is going to be huge, and it is. Town & Country also benefits from Chrysler's glossier and upscale styling language, which I prefer over the plainer Dodge Grand Caravan. The Town & Country also features nice looking wheels.
 |
| Even with three rows of seating up, the rear cargo area is still huge. (Photo: Mike Goetz) |
What We Like Not As Much
Chrysler's current touchscreen is smaller and more difficult to use than newer designs currently on the market.
While our test vehicle seemed sturdy enough, the interior didn't exactly exude a feeling of continued durability. Every inch of the interior features something -- a cubbyhole, a Stow N' Go flap, a seat mechanism, switchgear, trim pieces, electronic paraphernalia, etc. So, will everything hold up?
The power side doors and tailgate on the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country are way too slow. We spent many a time in parking lots, waiting for various family members to get in and out, and back in and out again when they forgot something. And when you're in a hurry and just want to throw something in the back, it seems like it takes forever for the power tailgate to do its thing.
When fully loaded and cruising on the highway, the powertrain shifts down whenever you squeeze the throttle a bit. I would prefer to surf a bit more on torque, and not get into downshifts that often.
This generation of Town & Country has been around since model year 2008, so it's not going to send a “Hey I just got a new ride” signal like a Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey, both of which were reborn for the 2011 model year.
 |
| Chrysler's current touchscreen is smaller and more difficult to use than newer designs currently on the market. (Photo: Mike Goetz) |
Final Verdict
The new Pentastar drivetrain and new Bluetooth technologies keep the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country relevant. And at its core, it still remains a classy, noble beast, even in the face of more current rivals. It continues to offer a lot of family values and stature for the money.
However, its stiffest competition right now might be from its platform cousin, the Dodge Grand Caravan. Currently, the Dodge Grand Caravan SE with the Canada Value Package and the Pentastar V6 can be had for under $20,000!