The 2011 Chrysler Town & Country now introduces newly styled exterior, a slightly enhanced interior, and the new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engineAt the heart of America, the minivan somehow still manages to find its way into many homes along side of the gas-guzzling SUV alternatives. With gas prices steadily rising, the minivan has become an attractive choice with families needing the extra seating. The new Chrysler Town & Country beckons to fill that void.
Changes under the sheetmetal are larger. For 2011, the Town & Country’s outdated 3.3-, 3.8-, and 4.0-liter V-6 engines have been replaced by Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine. It makes 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and comes only with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive—quite an upgrade from 2010’s base powertrain combo of a 175-hp V-6 and a four-speed auto. Chrysler predicts fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. Those are the same mileage ratings as the outgoing 4.0-liter unit, yet the Pentastar offers appreciable increases over the old engine’s 251 hp and 259 lb-ft. Based on experience with our long-term Caravan, the van didn’t necessarily need more power, although more without additional consumption is fine by us.
The new V-6 is a modern powerplant with dual overhead cams, variable valve timing, and aluminum construction. We’ve already sampled it and found it smooth and satisfying in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Inside of the new Town & Country you will find ample seating for either 7 or 8 passengers depending on the configuration. My 7-passenger Town & Country surprisingly had comfortable 3rd row power-folding seats. The 3rd row is by far the easiest to fold out of the way via the power controls. The power folding 3rd row (Stow n’ Go) offers the ability to fold them fully down or in a reclined configuration all with a push of a button. This is a major selling point for those looking for a minivan that offers easily obtainable flavors of rear seating and storage options. The three-zone climate controls add to the comfort for rear passengers with a full-set of controls to isolate them from the two front zones. Adjustable LED ambient lighting through the rear seating areas and roof put the icing on the cake for this ‘luxury’ minivan.
Chrysler has bundled all its safety technology into the descriptively titled SafetyTec package. Standard on all 2011 T&Cs, it includes a blind-spot warning system, stability control, parking sensors, and more. Other options like Sirius and FLO satellite TV services for rear-seat passengers, as well as the Stow ’n Go folding seats, carry over.
Pricing has yet to be released, but Chrysler says the T&C will be “competitive for its class.” The 2010 model stickered from $26,010 to $36,710 before options, and we expect the 2011 model’s sticker to remain close to those levels. The new van will hit showrooms by the end of 2010. Chrysler says we’ll see it at an auto show before the end of the year, pointing to a Los Angeles show debut in November.
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