What's New for 2000

The model lineup changes this year, and telling the difference between the LX and LXi will be easier to the untrained eye, thanks to distinctive exterior and interior modifications. New colors for 2000 are Shale Green, Bright White, Patriot Blue, Bright Silver and Inferno Red.

Review

Elegance and expressiveness. Grace and grandeur. Welcome to the Town and Country. Oh sure, you get the same fresh shape and interior space in a lower-priced Caravan or Voyager, the same carlike ride and handling qualities, the same practical virtues as a people and cargo hauler. What Chrysler adds to that mix is luxury, and plenty of it -- and that's enough to attract a fair share of extra customers to the Chrysler end of the minivan spectrum. In the past, Town and Country customers have had four distinct models to choose from: an LX model, an upscale LXi that promised features ordinarily found only on luxury cars, a super-luxury Limited and the short-wheelbase SX version. But this year, gone is the short-wheelbase offering, and the LX has been decontented. Both front-wheel or all-wheel drive return for 2000.

The LX is targeted for the $25,000-$30,000 range and still nets buyers quad seating, wood-grain trim, dual-zone air conditioning, quad headlamps and a monochromatic exterior. The Limited is still limited to those ready to cough up a heap to drive a minivan, but they get heated seats, distinctive badging, chrome 16-inch wheels, steering wheel-mounted stereo controls, logo'd floor mats, a rear bench seat with a center armrest, and suede accents and trim panels. But both of 'em get an integrated reclining child seat built into the mid-row Quad Command bucket seat.

What also sets them apart is what's under the hood. The LX and LXi front-wheel-drives come standard with a 3.3-liter V6, but the same LXi crowd can opt for a 3.8-liter V6, or they could just go ahead and buy the all-wheel-drive in order to get the 3.8-liter V6 as standard equipment. Limiteds score only the 3.8-liter. Still with us? All varieties are hooked to a four-speed automatic transaxle, but only the front-wheel-drives wear four-wheel ABS with discs and drums, while the all-wheel-drives have ABS and discs at all corners. The LXi has low-speed traction control, and the Limited gets it standard, but this is relevant only for the front-wheel-drives.

Want to just skip to the Reader's Digest version of the 2000 Chrysler Town and Country? It remains refined, luxurious and spacious with seating for seven. With all-wheel- and front-wheel-drive models available, plus three different trim levels for both, Chrysler has the minivan marketplace covered.