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2012 Chrysler Town & Country

The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country minivan received high reviews from drivers and reviewers. It is family friendly, even though most reviewers thought it isn’t as sophisticated as other minivans.

The Town & Country does have a wealth of features such as built in DVD and Wi-Fi. Many people appreciated the new engine and improved suspension.

Specifications

General Info
Vehicle Type: Minivan Base Price: $29,995.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 20 gallons (75.7l) MPG: 17 city / 25 hwy
Dimensions
Length: 202.8 in. (515.1 cm) Wheel Base: 121.2 in. (307.8 cm)
Height: 67.9 in. (172.4 cm) Width: 78.7 in. (199.8 cm)
Curb Weight: 4652 lbs (2110 kg) Ground Clearance: 5.6 in. (14.2 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 33 cu ft behind 3rd row Maximum Seating: 7 people
Performance
Engine: V6 VVT DOHC Displacement: 3.6 Liter
Horsepower: 283 HP Max RPM: 6400 RPM
Torque: 260 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Available Trims & Engine
Option:Touring L MSRP: $33,145; MPG: 17 city / 25 hwy
Option:Limited MSRP: $39,650; MPG: 17 city / 25 hwy

Engine & Performance

The Chrysler Town & Country has three trims: the Touring, the Touring-L and the Limited. All use a powerful 3.6 liter V6 gas/ethanol engine. The engine delivers 283 horsepower and 260 pound feet of torque with the aid of a six speed automatic transmission.

All of this goes into a vehicle that provides good to handling. However, some reviewers complained about some engine noise along with a whistling sound when it slows down.

The Town & Country gets about 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. It has good road manners comparable to a car’s. The brakes are strong and sensitive, the steering is responsive and it takes zig-zag roads with ease.

Exterior

The Town & Country is a mini-van, therefore it’s not bought for its looks. Reviewers appreciated that it for its simplicity.

Interior

The 2012 Town & Country really shines when it comes to the interior. People loved the high-tech gadgetry found inside the minivan as well as its roominess. It seats seven passengers and features Stow n’ Go seating.

That means the second row seats fold all the way into the floor to give the inside more room for cargo. People were pleasantly surprised at how simple it was to get the seats to fold down. The second row can also come as captain’s chairs. These seats don’t fold but they’re an extra touch of luxury. A DVD system comes standard and there’s a sophisticated U-Connect system. The gauges are large and easy to read, as are the central control panel buttons.

When the second rows of seats are folded away, the Town & Country can hold an impressive 143.8 cubic feet of cargo. Even when all the seats are up there’s 33 cubic feet of cargo space.

Safety

The Town & Country received excellent marks for safety from the federal government. The IIHS gave the Town & Country its highest rating of “Good” in all tests and another gave it five out of five stars in the side crash test and four out of five stars in all other crash tests, including the rollover test.

It helps when it comes with at five air bags, 4-wheel ABS, traction control and child safety locks, among other safety features.

Reliability

J.D. Power gave the Town & Country a 2.5 out of 5 ranking. It has a bumper to bumper warranty good for 3 years or 36,000 miles.

Pros

The Town & Country has a lot of great indoor features, a goodly amount of cargo space and handles well on the road.

Cons

It is expensive compared to other minivans and doesn’t perform quite as well. A few reviewers complained that they didn’t have as much leg room as they would like.

Competition

The Town & Country has been a favorite along with the likes of the Nissan Quest SV (MSRP $31,050; 19 city / 24 hwy), Honda Odyssey (MSRP $28,375; 18 city / 27 hwy), and the Toyota Sienna (MSRP $29,700; 18 city / 25 hwy) of those with big families or even who just enjoy the extra room in their ride. T&C’s performance isn’t as polished as that of minivans like the Sienna or the Honda Odyssey.

Overall Rating
77 out of 100

What others say:

“Chrysler’s Town & Country minivan returns with a few new standard features this year, and last year’s renovation from nose to tail is holding up well–as is its reputation for safety.”Car Connection

“The steering is light on center but has a pleasantly substantial feel as it is turned farther to either direction. A fair amount of body lean is noticed in fast corners, but this van doesn’t wallow. Brakes are strong with good pedal feel. Simulated panic stops produced moderate nosedive.”Consumer Guide

“The Town & Country still falls short of the best minivans. High points include a comfortable and settled ride, and a quiet, well-equipped cabin that offers considerable versatility.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports

“If you refuse to accept life’s necessities like family transportation and versatile utility without a generous helping of luxury and style, the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country’s impressive standard and available features will likely satisfy your needs as well as your desires.”KBB

“Although the Chrysler Town & Country boasts a strong engine, confident handling and a well-trimmed cabin, it still trails the competition in terms of refinement.”Edmunds

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