Topic: Test Drive: 2014 Chrysler Town & Country Touring 30th Anniversary

[Autos_Editor]

Reluctant Jeff embraces his week in Chrysler's top-spec 'daddy bus' and sets a minivan revolution movement in motion.

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[vasyapirh]

$50K is way too much, especially considering that my local dealer is offering GrandCaravans (granted without all the trims) for $18500 cash.
Also this reviewed T&C has one feature that totally ruins it for me. that raised storage bin that takes up space between 2 front seats. One of the best appeals of a minivan for me is that wife, sitting in the passenger seat,  can at any moment simply walk back to see what juniors are fighting about. (i know it is not entirely safe, but hugely practical). i hope that bin is removable.

Bottom line: 50K T&C is a "bad" deal, while $19K GC is a "steal" IMHO.

[dkaz]

Nice review.

Bottom line: 50K T&C is a "bad" deal, while $19K GC is a "steal" IMHO.

You do realize you're comparing apples to oranges? That $19k doesn't include freight PDI and A/C tax and the T&C is optioned with overpriced packages. You can get a standard 30th anniversary edition for $37k.

And that Canada Value Package is way too bare bones. If I couldn't afford a Crew Plus minimum, I'd rather buy a used nicely optioned minivan.

[Rupert]

   I agree with the previous Dkaz comment and sometimes when crowded by a wall on the drivers side, it's easy to shimmy across and get out of the passenger door. I suppose with the tow package, this vehicle gets the load levelling rear suspension with the class III (by the look of it) hitch included which was not the case before. It came sans hitch. Not sure what is happening here. Are we loosing the Dodge version. Personally I think that it would be better and cheaper to include the load levelling suspension on all units and leave the actual hitch as an addition at dealerships. It's too hard to find one (Dodge anyway) in tow format at dealerships. The tow suspension does not make the ride hard; in fact the springs are softer. It has however gas, load levelling damper struts which might well give better handling at the rear. Don't know...never tried one without it.
   Since 08 now but still a class leading affordable package in Dodge label and 'stow and go' trim. Prime attributes that seem not to be relevant in the text.

[BradT]

Nice review.

Bottom line: 50K T&C is a "bad" deal, while $19K GC is a "steal" IMHO.

You do realize you're comparing apples to oranges? That $19k doesn't include freight PDI and A/C tax and the T&C is optioned with overpriced packages. You can get a standard 30th anniversary edition for $37k.

And that Canada Value Package is way too bare bones. If I couldn't afford a Crew Plus minimum, I'd rather buy a used nicely optioned minivan.

One person posted what was on his bill of sale from a Dodge dealer in another forum for a Caravan.  Freight, air tax, extended warranty, admin fee, Globali, tire surcharge, OMVIC, license fee and tank of gas amounted to just over $3,900 additional to the bill of sale prior to tax.

[OliverD]

Not to mention there are likely hefty incentives on a loaded T&C, likely in the $10k range.

[mixmanmash]

Not to mention there are likely hefty incentives on a loaded T&C, likely in the $10k range.

True, but at over $40k with incentives for a higher trimmed T&C I would be giving the Odyssey and Sienna a serious look.

I agree with just about everything in the article in regards to the T&C.  Even at a higher trim, the budget limitations show through, which is a shame at this price level.

[vasyapirh]

You do realize you're comparing apples to oranges? That $19k doesn't include freight PDI and A/C tax and the T&C is optioned with overpriced packages. You can get a standard 30th anniversary edition for $37k.

- surely freight PDI and A/C tax cannot push price more than $1500... All I am saying for $37K I'd rather be buying a Honda than a Chrysler...

[Whofan]

I have a 2013 Crew Plus, very happy /w it.  Other brands /w the options that mine has would be way out of my budget.

as the Town & Country, drove a 2012 and had some chrome trimming on the outside mirrors, it reflected on the glass and it was very annoying, at least for me.

I truly love that Pentastar engine, one of the best V6's out there. 

I drive a 2009 Malibu with the GM 3.6, and I like the dodge better.

My 2¢'s anyway

[JRM]

A score of 2.5 for exterior styling is rather generous.  Our new neighbours have one in red.  It looks like a brick to me.  Fortunately they also have a top line white Ford Escape, which is actually not bad to look at.  Beats the heck out of the Foresters and Journey at houses accross the street.  Fortunately two also have attractive sedans and one has a 370Z that makes it all bearable.

[OliverD]

A score of 2.5 for exterior styling is rather generous.  Our new neighbours have one in red.  It looks like a brick to me.  Fortunately they also have a top line white Ford Escape, which is actually not bad to look at.  Beats the heck out of the Foresters and Journey at houses accross the street.  Fortunately two also have attractive sedans and one has a 370Z that makes it all bearable.

A minivan that looks like a brick? How dare they!

[DriverJeff]

A score of 2.5 for exterior styling is rather generous.  Our new neighbours have one in red.  It looks like a brick to me.  Fortunately they also have a top line white Ford Escape, which is actually not bad to look at.  Beats the heck out of the Foresters and Journey at houses accross the street.  Fortunately two also have attractive sedans and one has a 370Z that makes it all bearable.

A minivan that looks like a brick? How dare they!

   I gave it a 2.5 relative to the styling of other minivans.  The Honda would get a 4, the Toyota a 3 and the freaky-looking Nissan a 1 for what it's worth.  Does that help put it into perspective?   

[SaskSpecV]

  I gave it a 2.5 relative to the styling of other minivans.  The Honda would get a 4, the Toyota a 3 and the freaky-looking Nissan a 1 for what it's worth.  Does that help put it into perspective?   

If we're grading on a curve, then the Mazda5 would have to get a 4.5 - even with the swoopy shape.  The previous gen Mazda5 would undoubtedly get a full 5 out of 5!  I'll give the new Sedona a 3, cuz I can't remember much about how it looks...

The extended family rented a T&C in T.O. over Christmas this year.  My feelings are similar to the other posters - lots of stuff/gadgets, but not really a luxurious environment.  I'm sure the Pentastar has decent power, but it was hard to tell when loaded with 5 adults + 2 babies, 6 suitcases & assorted bags, and a double frame stroller (still can't believe we got that much crap into one vehicle!)  And the thing drove like a boat, but really, spirited driving isn't its raison d'etre...

After a week's travels, I came away with a lot of respect for the vehicle...but like most other minivan shoppers, if it's my own money I'd get all the practicality in a Caravan wrapper for much, much less, and leave the expensive "fluff" in the T&C. 

[Rupert]

   None of the other vans can be compared to the Caravan or TC with 'Stow and Go'. That is the 'apples to oranges' comparo. They don't have it. There are luxury and not so comparisons to be made, but basicly that is the divider at this point I would opine.
I don't know where the brick description comes in...they simply locked the spatula experts out. All to the good IMO. A pretty nice brick though, if you have to. Elegant.

[dirtyjeffer]

And that Canada Value Package is way too bare bones. If I couldn't afford a Crew Plus minimum, I'd rather buy a used nicely optioned minivan.

had a flyer in our mail yesterday from our local Chrysler dealer...that CVP package is far from bare bones, and in fact, likely bang on to what most buyers would want...for $20k (well, $19,888 or something silly like that), you got the Pentastar 3.6 V6, AC, automatic, power everything and stow & go 3rd row seats...i'm in no need of a minivan, but all that for $20k is pretty tough to beat, and its no wonder few brands still offer a minivan...Hyundai dropped theirs, as did Nissan and VW (which was really just a rebadged Caravan anyway).

[Fobroader]

$53K....nope...this is one of those vehicles that makes sense under $25k. At $53K, CPO MDX or AWD Sienna thanks.

[OliverD]

   None of the other vans can be compared to the Caravan or TC with 'Stow and Go'. That is the 'apples to oranges' comparo. They don't have it. There are luxury and not so comparisons to be made, but basicly that is the divider at this point I would opine.

I wouldn't want Stow and Go. Those seats are awful.

[tooscoops]

i'll sort out the prices when i can! we'll see what i have time for in this post...

at my dealership, the canada value vans are 18995 and that includes admin, freight, ac tax, etc... just HST and plates on that.

[OliverD]

i'll sort out the prices when i can! we'll see what i have time for in this post...

at my dealership, the canada value vans are 18995 and that includes admin, freight, ac tax, etc... just HST and plates on that.

That's insanely cheap.

[mrthompson]

   None of the other vans can be compared to the Caravan or TC with 'Stow and Go'. That is the 'apples to oranges' comparo. They don't have it. There are luxury and not so comparisons to be made, but basicly that is the divider at this point I would opine.

I wouldn't want Stow and Go. Those seats are awful.

As a passenger sitting in them, yes.  As the driver or riding shotgun, no worries.