Ranking in stereo test: First

System Score: 8.25

Components: This is clearly the best-sounding system in this comparison test -- by a long shot. It consists of a full array of speakers and electronics that will impress almost everyone.

For starters, there's an 8-inch subwoofer located in the rear passenger side quarter-panel. That's right -- a minivan with a subwoofer. This gives a nice, full, round sound to the system. Added to this are a pair of 6x9-inch full-range speakers positioned on the side walls, just in front of the third seat. Next come a pair of 6-inch mid-bass drivers in the front doors coupled with -- drum roll, please -- a wonderful pair of mid/tweets located on the dashboard. These fire upward into the glass and reflect back into the cabin lending a nice spaciousness to the sound.

Electronics-wise, the system boasts a four-disc in-dash CD changer that routes through a nicely appointed head unit with a very user-friendly feel. Special features include a three-band graphic equalizer with a "mid" tone control, pop-out balance and fade buttons, and a meaty round volume knob. The system also offers steering wheel controls, including mode select, seek/scan and volume up/down. All in all, a nice setup, except for the funky presetting procedure that Chrysler seems attached to (well, someone has to be; certainly not us).

Performance: This is one of the best-sounding minivans we've heard and clearly a step above most of the competition in this class. As mentioned at the outset, the built-in subwoofer adds a nice kick in the, er, bottom end, lending the system a fullness usually not found in this class of vehicles. As if that weren't enough, the dash-loaded mid/tweets fill the cabin with expansive highs and intricate detail. The result is a system that sounds good whether you wanna lay back or rock. An overall excellent system.

Best Feature: Dash-mounted mid/tweets.

Worst Feature: Funky radio presets.

Conclusion: You don't normally associate the word perfection with minivans, so we won't go there. But this is a good sounding system.

— Scott Memmer