2
0
Minivan; Built in USA
  • 3-door van
  • transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,100 – $2,100*


1991 Chrysler Town & Country


1993 Chrysler Town & Country


1993 Chrysler Town & Country


1992 Chrysler Town & Country interior


1994 Chrysler Town & Country interior

Pros:
  • Acceleration (3.8-liter V6)
  • Antilock brakes
  • Entry/exit
  • Passenger and cargo room
  • Ride/handling
Cons:
  • Fuel economy

All three of these updated Chrysler Corporation minivans–Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, and Plymouth Voyager–belong at the top of their class. The Town & Country wraps all of their minivan virtues into an envelope of high luxury, packed with comforts and conveniences.

Overview

Chrysler had joined the minivan race in 1990, fielding a posh variation of the highly popular Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager. Major overhauling for ’91 included a restyled body and a fresh interior. Dodge and Plymouth fielded short- and long-wheelbase minivans. Chrysler issued only an extended version with a 3.3-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, and digital instruments instead of analog gauges. Antilock braking was optional on the less-costly minivans, but standard on Town & Country. During the model year, Town & Country minivans added a driver-side airbag.

Yearly Updates

1992 Town & Country
A driver-side airbag was standard and child safety seats became optional. For the first time, an all-wheel-drive version went on sale. Another first: Minivans could be ordered without the woodgrain bodyside graphics. Lacy-spoke, gold-colored alloy wheels joined the option list.
1993 Town & Country
Except for newly designed wheels, a stainless steel exhaust system, and a few interior revisions, Chrysler’s posh minivan carried on unchanged.
1994 Town & Country
A 3.8-liter V6 engine was made standard in the Town & Country for ’94, and all vans added a passenger-side airbag and knee bolster. Side door guard beams were installed this year, so minivans met 1998 federal side-impact standards.
1995 Town & Country
To prevent accidental opening of the liftgate, the fob for the standard remote keyless entry had to be pressed twice within five seconds. The Town & Country was totally redesigned for 1996.

Engines

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

Only one powertrain was available in 1991: a 3.3-liter overhead-valve V6, developing 147 horsepower, coupled to a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. For 1994, Town & Country buyers got a bigger V6: an overhead-valve 3.8-liter, rated at 162 horsepower and cranking out 213 pounds-feet of torque–considerably more than the prior 3.3-liter.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.3/201
Engine HP 147-150
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 183-185
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 18/23

 17.6
ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.8/232
Engine HP 162
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 213
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 17/23

 15.9

Road Test

Rearward visibility was improved with the ’91 overhaul, and seats are more contoured and comfortable than before. Radio and climate controls are easy to reach, which they weren’t in earlier versions. Other controls also are logically positioned. Cargo space is abundant behind the backseat.

Acceleration is adequate with the 3.3-liter V6, but nothing to boast about–especially if the Town & Country is filled with passengers and luggage. If you do a lot of heavy hauling, look for 1994-95 models with the 3.8-liter V6. With that engine under the hood, a Town & Country does not feel overburdened. Gas mileage is likely to be around 15-17 mpg in town, and the low 20s on the highway (a little less with all-wheel drive).

A recalibrated suspension reduced body roll in turns. Ride and handling both are excellent–soft but well controlled–much like a Grand Caravan or Voyager LE. Wind and road noise are minimal.

Unlike Caravan/Voyager, the Town & Country was not available with integrated child safety seats until 1994. Adjustable front shoulder belts in 1993-up models are pleasant to use, and an airbag (dual airbags for ’94) and ABS are safety bonuses.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1994 Chrysler Town & Country 3.8-liter

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 - 4
40%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 6
60%
Cargo Room - 8
80%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 56

Specifications

3-door van
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
119.3 192.8 72.0 66.7
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
141.3 20.0 7
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.1 38.4 38.3 37.6
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1995 Town & Country 3-door van

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

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 70
Injury 57
Theft 82

Trouble Spots

Air conditioner
Description: If the air conditioner gradually stops cooling and/or the airflow from the vents decreases, the computer (PCM) may not be sending a signal to the compressor clutch relay to cycle off, which causes the AC evaporator to freeze up. (1991-95)
Automatic transmission
Description: 3.3- or 3.5-liter engines may have late, harsh, or erratic automatic transmission shifts that are not transmission related, but caused by a defective throttle position sensor. (1994)
Automatic transmission
Description: Transmission shudder under light to moderate acceleration, could be due to a leaking front transmission pump due to a worn bushing. (1991-95)
Automatic transmission
Description: 41TE or 42LE automatic transaxles could take several seconds to engage at startup because of a problem with the valve body. (1993-95)
Automatic transmission
Description: Bad seals in the transmission lead to premature friction component wear, which causes shudder when starting from a stop, a bump when coasting to a stop, and slipping between gears. (1993-95)
Engine noise
Description: The motor mount on the left side of the engine tends to break. (1992-93)
Oil consumption
Description: High oil consumption and smoke from the exhaust at idle and deceleration on 3.0-liter engines is caused by exhaust valve guides that slide out of the heads. (1991-93)

Recall History

1991 w/ABS
Description: High-pressure hose in antilock braking system may leak or detach at crimped end fitting, resulting in discharge of hydraulic fluid.
1991
Description: Liftgate support attaching bolts can break, resulting in liftgate falling unexpectedly.
1991-92
Description: The steering-wheel mounting armature can develop cracks and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column. This can result in loss of vehicle control.
1991-93 w/ABS
Description: ABS hydraulic control unit can experience excessive actuator piston seal wear, causing pump-motor deterioration; ABS could fail, and power assist might be reduced.
1991-93
Description: Left windshield-wiper pivot-drive arm was not mechanically staked to shaft; arm could disengage, causing loss of wiper function.
1991-93
Description: Seatbelt-release button can stick inside cover, so buckle is only partly latched; also, center rear belt anchor clip can disconnect.
1992
Description: Zinc plating of some upper steering-column-shaft coupling bolts caused hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt.
1992
Description: Improperly bent fuel-tank flanges may not allow specified clearance for mounting straps and fuel lines, both of which could be damaged; a broken strap would cause tank to drop, while damaged fuel line may leak fuel.
1993-94
Description: 15-inch stamped steel wheels in some vans have malformed lug-nut seat configuration, which causes poor nut-to-wheel contact and centering of wheel during installation; could lead to possible loss of wheel and loss of vehicle control.
1993-94
Description: Liftgate support attaching bolts can break, resulting in liftgate falling unexpectedly.
1993-95
Description: Electrical short could cause airbags to deploy inadvertently.

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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