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Minivan; Built in USA, Canada
  • 4-door van
  • transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $3,500 – $7,500*


2001 Chrysler Town & Country Limited


2001 Chrysler Town & Country Lmited


2002 Chrysler Town & Country interior


2003 Chrysler Town & Country


2004 Chrysler Town & Country

Pros:
  • All-wheel drive
  • Entry/exit
  • Interior storage space
  • Passenger and cargo room
Cons:
  • Fuel economy

DaimlerChrysler’s lineup dominates the “shoulders” of the minivan market. By 2002, their minivans accounted for 62 percent of sales under $20,000 and 37 percent of those over $30,000. Such figures demonstrate the appeal of both the entry-level Voyager and the luxury Town & Country, which, bolstered by the 2001 redesign, are now stronger values than ever.

Overview

Fresh styling, more powerful engines and some minivan “firsts” (including a power liftgate) highlighted the redesigned Town & Country. Wheelbases were unchanged from the previous year, but the Town & Country rode only the longer (119.3-inch) wheelbase, while the Chrysler Voyager (listed separately) went on a 113.3-inch span.

As in the past, the Dodge Caravan shared this design and most mechanical features. Caravans also were redesigned for 2001, in both regular- and extended-length models.

Town & Country minivans came in LX, LXi and Limited trim levels. Front-wheel drive was standard, but the Town & Country was available with all-wheel drive.

A 3.3-liter V6 was standard in the LX and LXi, now rated at 180 horsepower (previously 158). Limited and AWD models got a 3.8-liter V6, which was optional for LXi; it rose from 180 to 215 horsepower. Both engines mated with a four-speed automatic transmission. Antilock brakes were standard.

New wraparound taillamps, 50-percent larger headlights, and lower body cladding on the Town & Country LXi and Limited were among the styling changes. These minivans were about 2 inches wider than the 1996-2000 models.

All models seat seven and have two sliding side doors, with power operation for one or both side doors available. Alterations inside included new dashboards, and a center console with an internal power outlet. The console could be mounted between the front or second-row seats.

A newly available rear parcel shelf could be fixed at floor or midlevel positions, and included pop-up storage dividers. Dashboard airbags gained dual-stage inflators. Front side airbags (a first for these vans) were standard on the Limited and optional for other Town & Country models.

A rear-seat entertainment system with 6.4-inch LCD screen, VCR, and wireless headphones, was a dealer-installed option, as was a navigation system. An available in-dash four-disc CD player also was new.

A manual override for the available power sliding side doors permitted them to be opened or closed by hand during the powered phase. A right-side power door was optional for the Town & Country LX, while power operation for both sides was standard on LX and Limited models. The new power liftgate was controlled by the keyfob or interior switches, and had sensors designed to stop its movement if it encountered an obstruction. The power liftgate was standard on the Limited and optional on other models.

Unlike the Honda Odyssey and Mazda MPV, the third-row bench seat does not fold away into the floor, but Chrysler did offer a new 50-50 split third-row bench; each portion weighs 55 pounds and removes individually, and can also recline or fold flat. Rivals included the Chevrolet Venture, Honda Odyssey, and Toyota Sienna.

Yearly Updates

2002 Town & Country
New options for 2003 included a DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system and a tire-inflation monitor. This year’s lineup included high-value eL and eX models, as well as the LX, LXi, and Limited.
2003 Town & Country
Upper-level Town & Country minivans could get a sunroof this year. Power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals also were scheduled to become available, later in the model year.
2004 Town & Country
The Voyager is gone from the Town & Country linup for 2004. It is replaced by a base version of the minivan. A platinum series option package is available for the Touring model in ’04, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first Chrysler-built minivan. Also new for ’04 is a tire-pressure monitor standard on all but the base and LX.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive

A 3.3-liter V6, making 180 horsepower, went into the Town & Country eL, LX and LXi. Town & Country eX, Limited and AWD models held a 3.8-liter V6, rated at 215 horsepower. The larger engine has been optional in LXi minivans. All Town & Country models have a four-speed automatic transmission.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.3/202
Engine HP 180
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 210
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 18/24
ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.8/231
Engine HP 215
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 245
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 18/24

 15

Road Test

SUV-intenders would do well to consider an AWD Town & Country as a sensible, comfortable alternative. Riding about as comfortably as a full-size car, a spacious Town & Country absorbs bumps better than any SUV, and beats most minivans (Voyager included).

Bigger wheels and tires give the Town & Country an edge over Voyager in handling and roadholding, too, though both are carlike and friendly to drive. The Town & Country brakes with more authority than a Voyager, thanks to its standard antilock four-wheel discs.

A Town & Country requires the muscle of the 3.8-liter V6 to get off the line smartly and hold its own in highway passing and merging. Fuel economy hasn’t changed much from the prior generation. A test minivan with 3.8-liter engine averaged 15 mpg.

Abundant sound insulation makes the Town & Country one of the quietest minivans, with fine suppression of wind, road, and engine noise. Playing its luxury role to the hilt, the Town & Country features comfortably supportive and generously sized seating at all positions, and may have been fitted with leather upholstery. Driver positioning is excellent, and entry/exit easy.

Split third-row seats remove easily, but unlike stowable alternatives, you must decide whether to take them out before you begin a trip. The power side doors’ manual-override function is convenient, while the power liftgate (shared with Grand Caravan) is a useful innovation. Both systems stop and reverse direction quickly when encountering an obstruction, the liftgate’s sensors proving particularly sensitive.

The available movable, lighted center console, if installed, enhances versatility. So does the multiposition rear parcel shelf, though we question the durability of its plastic pop-up dividers. The revamped dashboard moved controls closer to the driver, but front cupholders block access to the in-dash CD changer.

With no provision for an integrated navigation system, the add-on screen mounts atop the dashboard. A unique “three-zone” climate-system option allows for independent control of driver, front-passenger, and rear-seating settings.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2002 Chrysler Town & Country Limited

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 6
60%
Steering/Handling - 5
50%
Quietness - 7
70%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 8
80%
Cargo Room - 10
100%

Other

Value - 6
60%

Total: 64

Specifications

4-door van
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
119.3 200.6 78.6 68.9
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
167.9 20.0 7
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.6 39.6 40.6 37.5
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: N/A

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Front Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Air conditioner
Description: The A/C compressor may fail, causing a squealing or missing drive belt. Using only the front A/C controls and not the rear controls can cause the compressor to fail. After the A/C parts are replaced, the body-control computer requires reprogramming. (2001)
Doors
Description: Loose weather strip tricks the power sliding door into thinking there is an obstruction making it misbehave during opening or closing. The weather strip must be replaced.
Engine noise
Description: Engine tapping noise on startup of V6 engines requires updated exhaust valve swivel pads. (1998-04)
Engine stalling
Description: The engine may lose power or stall, especially when the temperature drops below freezing, requiring replacement of the throttle-position sensor. (2001-02)
Fuel gauge
Description: The fuel gauge may drop below the actual level while driving, but may return to the correct reading after sitting for about 10 minutes due to a kinked hose at the leak detection pump filter. (2001-02)
Suspension noise
Description: Knocking or squawking sounds from the front suspension are corrected by replacing the sway-bar links. (2001)
Water leak
Description: Some early-production (prior to April 2001) vehicles may have a serpentine belt that squeals or jumps off (in cold weather) the pulley because of water leaking from the wiper-module drain tube. In cold weather, ice forms on the pulley. (2001)
Water leak
Description: A wet passenger side carpet is often due to condensation from the A/C drain tube blowing back into the passenger compartment and replacing the tube with a longer one corrects the problem. (2001-02)

Recall History

2001
Description: Lower control-arm bolt could fracture and lead to a loss of vehicle control. Dealers will replace affected parts.
2001
Description: Sliding door latches could release in severe accidents. Dealers will replace both sliding door yet cylinder links free of charge.
2001-02
Description: Condensation from air conditioning ducts may drop through vent holes in top of radio, resulting in short-circuit that could lead to speaker fire.
2002
Description: Fuel-tank-control valve weld joint could separate resulting in a fuel leak or fire. Dealers will inspect and replace affected parts.
2002
Description: Some owner’s manuals are missing instructions for installing child seats. Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owners manual.
2002-04
Description: Upper power steering cooler hose on some minivans may split and cause fluid leakage, which could result in underhood fire.
2003
Description: Power liftgate latch may not engage the striker, allowing liftgate to open while vehicle is moving.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on June 26, 2014.
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