To call it “Limited” is a bit of a misnomer, as the only thing that limits the top-of-the-line trim level of the flexible and functional 2012 Chrysler Town & Country is the imagination of its driver.

 

The 2012 Chrysler Town & Country starts at an MSRP of $29,995. The Town & Country Limited (starting MSRP $38,995) is the automaker’s most advanced and versatile minivan to date, which is saying something, considering the brand’s long and celebrated history in the segment (it is the best-selling family of minivans ever, after all). Indeed, the well-equipped Limited sits atop both its own trim range and its class thanks to a thoughtful design, surprisingly rewarding performance and impressively innovative features.

 

Fitting with the recent Chrysler line-wide design renaissance, the newest Town & Country brings the minivan well into a new age of thoughtful sophistication. Classic lines and chrome accents convey an understated elegance while a subtle spoiler, SmartBeam^® Intelligent headlamps and an exclusive “foldable” Stow ’n Place^™ roofrack system bring the minivan confidently and modernly into the new century. Standard, button-activated sliding side doors and a power liftgate allow for remarkably easy access and cargo loading and unloading.

 

Inside those doors, the newest Town & Country sports one of the most innovative and customizable cabins ever devised for a minivan. Impressively spacious and outfitted with soft LED lighting, power-adjustable pedals, refined wood trim and inviting leather-trimmed first- and second-row bucket seats (along with heating in the second row and a third-row bench), the true genius of the Town & Country lies in its class-exclusive flexibility.

 

The Limited gets the innovative and popular Stow ’n Go^® seating system, which allows second- and third-row seats to quickly and easily tumble and fold individually into floor bins. So with little more than a touch, the third row can disappear beneath the floor, or two rows of seats can become a cavernous, flat cargo area. The third row even has a class-exclusive tailgate feature, which flips the seat around to face the opposite direction. When all seats are in their normal positions, the in-floor bins are empty and usable, giving the Town & Country the most concealed storage space in its class.

 

Limited trims come standard with a dual-screen DVD entertainment system for the second and third rows, as well as a 506-watt, nine-speaker amplified audio system. Next to the soft, leather-stitched steering wheel, the Chrysler Keyless Enter ’n Go^™ ignition system lets you unlock the vehicle’s doors just by carrying a key fob in your pocket and turn the vehicle on and off with the simple push of a button. A 300-foot remote starter is available as well. Finally, the advanced Chrysler Uconnect^™ system integrates everything from a 40GB music-storing hard drive to Bluetooth communication to voice-activated navigation on a beautiful, seamless in-dash color screen.

 

The innovation continues beneath the hood where the 2012 Town & Country spurns sluggish, predictable minivan performance in favor of a dramatically more rewarding and satisfying driving experience. The latest Limited comes standard with an award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that delivers 283 hp and 260 lb/ft of torque through a standard AutoStick six-speed transmission. Impressively responsive and downright enjoyable, the V6 brings a healthy dose of much needed liveliness to the segment and balances its boom with fuel economy ratings EPA-estimated at 25 highway mpg. Standard Electronic Stability Control and a nicely tuned MacPherson suspension complement the surprising power and ample confidence and control of the Town & Country.

 

Like any minivan worth its sliders, the 2012 Town & Country is a stickler for safety; so much so, in fact, that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) deemed it a “Top Safety Pick.” Solidly constructed from high-strength steel, the minivan gets a reinforced safety cage and roof, as well as energy-absorbing crumple zones. Headrests automatically move to protect the head and neck in the event of a rear collision while advanced multi-stage front, front side, driver’s knee and full-length side-curtain airbags protect all passengers. The available SafetyTec Package incorporates innovative features like Rear Parking Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring systems, along with a Cross Path Detection System to warn you of objects, people and vehicles passing behind you as you back up.

 

Don’t let the name fool you, there are few vehicles less limited and more versatile than the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Limited.