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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Chrysler Town & Country

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Chrysler Town & Country

Overview

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2008 Chrysler Town & Country Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

Although it's been overshadowed by the SUV as the symbol for family transport in third-millennium America, as recently as 2006 almost a million families opted for the arguably more functional minivan. Chrysler is widely credited with inventing the modern minivan and will soon be the only domestic manufacturer left in the game, as GM and Ford effectively replace their slow-selling minivans with three-row crossover SUVs. For the 2008 model year, the all-new Chrysler Town & Country and its less chromed and woodgrained Dodge Grand Caravan sibling arrive with attractive seating and entertainment options to compete with the remaining minivans from Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia.

You'll Like This Car If...

With features like an available Swivel 'n Go setup that configures into a table for four people and dual, independent video monitors that can display DVD movies, video games or satellite-based SIRIUS Backseat TV, Chrysler's fifth-generation minivan is the obvious choice for satisfying rear-seat riders.

You May Not Like This Car If...

While the Town & Country's ride and handling are well-balanced, you may prefer the softer Toyota Sienna or the more eager Honda Odyssey. Also, while the Town & Country's interior has been greatly improved versus its predecessor and feels more sophisticated than the Grand Caravan's, we expected the category's newest entry to feel somewhat richer.

What's New for 2008

Beneath the surface of its boxier, more masculine styling, the fifth-generation Town & Country offers improved powertrains, more contemporary interior styling and class-exclusive options like satellite TV (offering three family channels) and clever second-row seating options. The shorter-wheelbase Town & Country model is no longer.

Driving the Town & Country

Driving Impressions If you've found the ride and handling of other minivans too soft or too firm, you might appreciate the Chrysler minivans' balance between highway comfort and around-town responsiveness. We also...

appreciated the new model's much-improved steering and braking response, and found the 4.0-liter V6 and six-speed automatic transmission combination that's exclusive to the Town & Country Limited model especially responsive and plenty powerful. The 3.8-liter V6 engine that we tested in the Grand Caravan is also satisfying, but the more powerful 4.0-liter version delivers identical EPA fuel economy. We'd look elsewhere in the segment before settling for the 175-horsepower base V6. The Chrysler minivans aren't as nimble in parking lots as the exceptionally tight-turning Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. Overall, we've found Chrysler's newest minivans much more satisfying from behind the wheel than their predecessors and to be commendable people-movers and family-haulers.

Favorite Features

Audio/Video Options
In addition to the comprehensive MyGIG infotainment system up front, Chrysler's newest minivan offers dual, independent rear video screens that allow second- and third-row passengers to watch two different DVD movies, play video games or even watch the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network Mobile via SIRIUS Backseat TV.

Swivel 'n Go Seats
Although not without legroom challenges, the Swivel 'n Go seating option that comprises swiveling second-row captain's chairs and a hideaway, removable table takes the concept of the rolling family room to a new level. The fold-flat Stow 'N Go seating system introduced on the previous generation is also available.

2008 Chrysler Town & Country Details

Interior

Sharing sheetmetal, powertrains and all but a few features, the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan are most differentiated by unique interior styling. Whereas the Grand Caravan's sportier gauge cluster and heavier use of black suggest a more athletic nature, the Town & Country combines wood-like and bright trim in conveying a more sophisticated persona. Available conveniences include Stow 'N Go and Swivel 'n Go second-row seating, integrated child booster seats and a class-exclusive power-folding third-row seat. Loading and unloading is predictably easy and the accommodations are comfortable.

Exterior

After more ovoid third- and fourth-generation models, the Chrysler Town & Country returns to the boxier roots of the first couple of iterations. The new sheetmetal and more available chrome give the new model a look that's bolder and more sophisticated at once. Black trim and steel wheel covers on the LX are substituted with body-color trim and aluminum wheels on the Touring, which give way to chrome wheels and chrome trim on the range-topping Limited.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

A base 2008 Chrysler Town & Country LX includes air conditioning, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, a four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system, stain-resistant YES Essentials cloth seating, woodgrain trim, second-row bench seat, 60/40-split fold-flat third-row seat and 16-inch covered steel wheels. Standard safety equipment includes electronic stability and traction controls plus front-impact and three-row side-curtain airbags.

Optional Equipment

The Town & Country's most sophisticated option is a hard-drive-based MyGIG system that offers navigation with real-time traffic information and features MP3/WMA music and JPEG image uploading, auxiliary audio input, voice-recognition, Bluetooth hands-free cell phone connectivity and more. Other notable options include back-up sensors and a rear-view camera, power liftgate, power sliding doors, power-folding third-row seat and high-intensity-discharge headlamps. Second-row seating options include fold-flat Stow 'N Go or rearward-pivoting Swivel 'n Go seats, integrated child booster seats, power windows and manual sunshades. A comprehensive entertainment system offers two independent video displays.

Under the Hood

The all-new Chrysler minivans lose the previously-available four-cylinder engine and gain the category's first six-speed transmission. We wouldn't want to regularly haul around full loads with the base powertrain, comprised of a 3.3-liter V6 and four-speed automatic transmission, especially for very little improvement in fuel economy.

3.3-liter V6
175 horsepower @ 5000 rpm
205 lb.-ft of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24

3.8-liter V6
197 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
230 lb.-ft of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23

4.0-liter V6
253 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
262 lb.-ft of torque @ 4100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23

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2008 Chrysler Town & Country Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.0

Out of 10

Based on 282 Ratings for the 2008 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

7.4/10

Quality

7.1/10
Reliability

7.4/10

Performance

7.6/10
Comfort

8.1/10

Styling

8.0/10

3.8 engine

By rm (MI) on Saturday, February 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 65,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "great ride."

Cons: "check your oil!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

"I have the 3.8 that has the mysterious oil loss. Not burning it, not leaking it. Just losing it somewhere. Not happy with the forums I have read on this engine. Would not recommend this engine to anyone that doesn't maintain their own vehicle. The first time I knew there was a problem, the oil light came on when we pulled into the driveway. Oil was not even on the dipstick. 3 1/2 quarts later, I had the oil registering on the dipstick. Otherwise I love the van. Perfect for my family of 5 and a small dog."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Nothing but a headache

By biglhot (IA) on Saturday, February 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 29,000

10 2.0

overall rating 2 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 2/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: Not Rated
Styling: Not Rated
Comfort: Not Rated

Pros: "decent ride and relatively comfortable"

Cons: "always at the dealer and not reliable"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"This van has been to the dealer constantly because the blind spot monitoring system is always malfunctioning. They cannot find the problem and it's been almost 3 years! The transmission fluid is dirty already despite only light highway use (29k miles). When you turn on the heater or a/c there is a chirping sound in the fan motor. Brake pads need replaced already. The little things like this will drive you crazy! We wonder what's going to go wrong next. This thing will be GONE before the warranty is up. Buying this vehicle is only inviting a headache. Keep looking."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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