The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country is available in three different trims--LX, Touring, and Limited--and each one offers a specific powertrain. The LX is powered by a 170-horsepower, 3.3L V6 engine that can also run on E85, and it is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Touring gets a 198-horsepower, 3.8L V6 and a 6-speed automatic transmission, and the top Limited comes with a new 240-horsepower, 4.0L V6 and 6-speed automatic.
Stow 'n Go seating, which allows both the second- and third-row seats to fold completely into the floor, is available across the model range. Also popular in the T&C is Chrysler's Swivel 'n Go, which brings the capability to turn the second row seats 180 degrees, so they're facing the third-row occupants. There's also a removable table that installs between the two rows.
The Town & Country continues to offer one of the most useful interiors for stowing and storing small items. All models get dual glove boxes, the front console slides rearward 21 inches to reach rear passengers, and there's a total of 13 cup and bottle holders.
The interior can be trimmed with satin finishes, Elm Burl or Medrona Burl wood and leather. An ambient halo lighting system is available, with movable LED pinpoint lights and a removable flashlight in the rear cargo area.
The Town & Country has improved aerodynamics, according to Chrysler, which helps reduce wind noise. The vans not only have improved ride and handling but also noise, vibration, and harshness levels that have been reduced overall due to the use of more high-strength steel and improved suspension geometry over previous generations.
Supplemental side curtain air bags with added rollover protection are standard for all rows, along with the ESP stability control system and anti-lock brakes with brake assist. New safety features include a blind spot monitoring system and Chrysler's Rear Cross Path. The blind spot monitor detects other vehicles out of sight to the driver and shows alerts in the sideview mirrors. Rear Cross Path detects oncoming vehicles when reversing. These systems are paired on both Touring and Limited models.
There are several innovative entertainment options on the Town & Country. Sirius Backseat TV brings streaming video, and the DVD system is capable of playing different media at the same time. There's also a MyGig Multimedia Infotainment System that brings a navigation system with real-time traffic info and six gigabytes of music storage space good for about 1,200 MP3s.
Other standout features available on the T&C include second-row power windows, heated first- and second-row seats, a power third-row folding seat, the ambient lighting package, second- and third-row sunshades, HID headlamps, a rear backup camera, remote start and an umbrella holder.
Innovative Swivel 'n Go Interior Arrangement
Interior Versatility
Available Convenience Features
Optional Entertainment Systems.
Following a complete redesign in 2008, Chrysler's popular Town & Country minivan enters 2009 with only minor changes.
Blind spot monitoring is available on Touring and Limited models, and uses radar sensors to aid the driver when changing lanes, or if other vehicles occupy the blind spot, and it lights up indicators in the sideview mirrors. Working in conjunction with that system, Rear Cross Path warns drivers when backing up of cars moving across the path of the vehicle. Also new models are rain-sensing wipers and SmartBeam headlights.
The base LX model gains Chrysler's innovative Stow 'n Go seating, plus more standard equipment.
Chrysler's minivans continue to have some of the most innovative features in the segment, and the 2009 models especially stand out for their interior features and the crafty Swivel 'n Go arrangement. Chrysler claims many of the other features now available on the Town & Country including ambient lighting, heated second-row seats and sunshades, are unavailable on much of the competition.