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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 2014 Chrysler Town & Country

Overview

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2008 Chrysler Town & Country Review

By KBB.com Editors

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

7.1

Out of 10

Based on 296 Ratings for the 2008 - 2014 models.

Review this car

Value

7.5/10

Quality

7.2/10
Reliability

7.4/10

Performance

7.6/10
Comfort

8.1/10

Styling

8.0/10

Excellent quality - no problems at all!

By Go Pack Go (WI) on Saturday, July 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 16,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Excellent mileage, awesome features throughout!"

Cons: "Tire pressure alert glitch"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I am really impressed with the engine power and 28 mpg on the hwy. Navigation could be a little easier to use. Satellite radio rocks. Dual dvd system is a dream with kids. Excellent storage space throughout the van. 11 cup holders are you kidding me. Very nice space behind back seats for storage. Well worth the price compared to Honda and Toyota, which are way more expensive."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Very disappointed in quality

By tc on Saturday, July 20, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 31,000

10 5.0

overall rating 5 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 5/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 5/10

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

"Have had numerous issues for years with the ill-fitted noisy sliding doors, air leaks with windows, power locks not working. Too many dealership repair visits."

2 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Excellent van. Would most likely buy another one.

By Danh (NC) on Wednesday, July 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 58,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"This vehicle is great for long trips and holds a lot of people and cargo. Fuel mileage is OK. Grandkids love the DVD player."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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great experience so far

By bob (TN) on Saturday, June 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 8,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "stow and go, high mpg, quiet, unlimited mile warra"

Cons: "does not handle like a Boxster, its a minivan!"

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

"I rented the Toyota and drove a Honda first. They all drive the same: they are minivans. "Stow & Go" utility sealed the deal. I plan to keep the T&C for a long time and have the unlimited miles warranty; not available on the H or T. My past experience with three Chryslers has been very good reliability-wise. I did own a Toyota for seven years (and a Maxima too). They were it my humble opinion uninspired average cars and had problems. I'm an objective mechanical engineer and not brainwashed on Japanese quality. The T&C gets 30-31 mpg on the highway when driven 5 over. It's rattle-free and quiet. The NAV and sound system are great. Fit and finish good. Zero issues so far but also only 8K miles."

12 people out of 12 found this review helpful

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I always swore that I would never drive a van.....

By Van Mama (MO) on Friday, April 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 76,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

Pros: "Great features, automatic sliding doors and hatch"

Cons: "none"

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

"This vehicle is everything I could have hoped for. I have 2 small kiddos and the sliding doors are a dream come true. With the remote, I can slide open doors or the back hatch. The seats fold down easily for extra space as well. If and when this van quits me, I will purchase another one just like it! I have had no issues with the motor and it is a smooth ride."

10 people out of 10 found this review helpful

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Love It and GREAT GAS Mileage

By Cool Mom (MS) on Monday, April 15, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 67,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

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

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

"I have owned my Chrysler Town and Country for 4+years and absolutely love it and so do my kids. All their friends can pile in from baseball and football games and etc.. and go get pizza without any problems. It is great on gas mileage and doesn't take as much to fill it up as the SUVs. It is such a win win situation with this van. I can't say enough about it, and no Im not a granmother I am 28yo and I am considered the cool mom! Thanks."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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See all 296 reviews