For 2002, the Town & Country line has been expanded to four trim levels: LX, a new EX, LXi, and Limited. It also comes with a choice of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. Chrysler positions them as seven distinct models.
All are built on a long wheelbase, making the Town & Country among the biggest minivans on the market.
With one exception, they all come with a 215-horsepower 3.8-liter overhead-valve V6. The base LX front-wheel-drive model comes with a 3.3-liter overhead-valve V6 that produces 180 horsepower. They all come with four-wheel antilock disc brakes.
Retail prices range from $24,880 for the LX FWD to $37,660 for the Limited AWD, loaded with leather, all-wheel drive and other features. Chrysler's Town & Country Limited feels like a luxury vehicle that happens to be a minivan. In between is a broad range of models to fill varying needs and price ranges.
A new EX ($26,175) comes with popular convenience features, such as a power-up and power-down rear liftgate, a passenger-side power-sliding door, a removable power center console, AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo with six speakers, split 50/50 roller seats, second-row bucket seats, a power eight-way driver's seat, and three-zone temperature control. It also adds traction control and 16-inch tires and aluminum wheels.
LXi ($29,175) adds automatic temperature control, an air filtration system, dual power sliding doors, a universal garage door opener, an electroluminescent instrument panel, and other features. Color-keyed lower bodyside cladding distinguishes it as an uplevel model.
Side-impact airbags are standard on the Limited, optional on other models ($390).
In addition to the Town & Country line, Chrysler also markets the Voyager, which is built on a standard wheelbase minivan and offers a strong value. (See separate NewCarTestDrive.com review of the Voyager line.)