First generation (1990)
First to offer luxury minivan with introduction of Chrysler Town & Country
The 1990 Chrysler Town & Country minivan is a notable vehicle in automotive history, marking Chrysler’s continuation of the successful minivan concept that revolutionized family transportation. The Chrysler Town & Country was produced from 1990 until 2016.
The 1990 Chrysler Town & Country featured a boxy, utilitarian design typical of early minivans. It had a distinctive grille and trim elements that gave it a more upscale appearance compared to its Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager siblings. The interior was designed with family comfort and convenience in mind. It featured flexible seating arrangements, including removable rear seats to increase cargo space, and upscale materials for a more luxurious feel.
The 1990 Town & Country was equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 engine, producing 150 horsepower. This engine provided adequate power for a minivan and was paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The 4-speed automatic transmission offered smooth shifting and contributed to the vehicle’s ease of driving, particularly for families.
The 1990 Town & Country was well-equipped with features that were advanced for its time, including power windows, power door locks, and a premium sound system. It also offered options like a power liftgate and power seats. Safety features included anti-lock brakes (optional on some models), a driver’s side airbag, and improved crash protection compared to earlier models.
First generation was production from Spring 1989–1990. Powered by 3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6 or 3.3 L EGA V6. Both engines were paired solely with a 4-speed A604 automatic transmission
| First generation Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in (3,025 mm) |
| Length | 191.4 in (4,862 mm) |
| Width | 72 in (1,829 mm) |
| Height | 64.8 in (1,646 mm) |
Second generation (1991–1995)
Production ran from September 1990 to 1995, Assembly in Fenton, Missouri.
Year-to-year changes
- 1991: Second-generation Chrysler Town & Country minivan is introduced with improved aerodynamics, fit and finish, and upgraded interior controls. The 1991 vehicles are distinguished by door handle design (shared with the previous generation). Only year for optional airbag and standard second-row bench seat.
- 1992: Driver-side airbag and “quad command” rear seats made standard; all-wheel drive introduced as optional feature. Door handles redesigned (larger, better-integrated design). For the first time, Chrysler offers an exterior woodgrain trim delete option for the Town & Country, replaced by a monochrome exterior with a gold pinstripe; new gold-color alloy wheels were introduced.
- 1993: There were several interior revisions. On the exterior, a stainless steel exhaust system and new available wheel designs greeted buyers for 1993.
- 1994: For a mid-cycle revision, the dashboard underwent a design, introducing dual airbags; to meet 1998 side-impact standards, the front doors and sliding door were fitted with internal impact beams. Woodgrain-delete vans were fitted with body-color grilles (with some vehicles deleting all chrome). The 3.3 L V6 was replaced by a larger-displacement 3.8 L V6 (from the 5th Avenue/Imperial).
- 1995: Largely carryover in a shortened final year. The keyless-entry remote was revised for safety. To prevent an accidental opening of the rear liftgate, a user now had to press the release button within five seconds.
| Second generation Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 119.3 in (3,030 mm) |
| Length | 192.8 in (4,897 mm) |
| Width | 72 in (1,829 mm) |
| Height | 64.8 in (1,646 mm) (FWD) 65.9 in (1,674 mm) (AWD) |
| Curb weight | 3,955 lb (1,794 kg) |
Third generation (1996–2000)
The 1996-2000 Chrysler Town & Country, the third generation, was a significant redesign from its predecessor, offering a wider range of trim levels and a new cab-forward design. It featured a short-wheelbase option (SX), a driver-side sliding door, and a redesigned front fascia with a “winged” Chrysler badge. Interior changes included leather trim, woodgrain dashboard/door trim, and a digital instrument cluster. The model line also saw the removal of simulated woodgrain trim and the Chrysler crystal Pentastar hood ornament.
Features and Changes:
- Cab-Forward Design: The third generation shifted the windshield and dashboard forward, providing a more spacious interior and distinct styling.
- Short-Wheelbase Option (SX): Introduced in 1997 and discontinued in 2000, the SX offered a more compact option.
- Driver-Side Sliding Door: Made standard in 1997.
- Exterior Trim: Body color moldings with chrome trim replaced the simulated woodgrain trim.
- Interior Updates: Leather trim, woodgrain dashboard/door trim, and a digital instrument cluster were standard features.
- Redesigned Front Fascia: The “winged” Chrysler badge and a redesigned grille were introduced for 1998.
- Limited Trim: The Town & Country Limited trim level debuted in 1998, offering a higher level of luxury and features.
- Shift to Cab-Forward: The third generation shifted the windshield and dashboard forward, providing more headroom and interior space.
- Improved Interior: Interior changes included a redesigned instrument panel, new seating materials, and a more modern dashboard design.
- Enhanced Safety: The Town & Country was equipped with standard driver-side airbags and offered optional side airbags.
- New Engine Options: The third generation offered a 3.0-liter, 3.3-liter, and 3.8-liter V6 engines, along with a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.
- Revised Rear Seat Latches: The rear seat latches were redesigned for improved flexibility, with bench seat latches set on rollers.
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