Chrysler Unveils Fifth Generation Minivans at Detroit

Now that GM and Ford have officially tossed in the towel regarding the minivan segment, it's up to Chrysler Group's minivans to represent North America in this family-centric playing field. The automaker is introducing the all-new fifth-generation Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan at this year's NAIAS in Detroit. They've lost the oval look of previous models, replaced by a boxier appearance that draws from Chrysler Group's new sport utility vehicles. They also receive sliding side doors with roll-down windows like some of their Asian competitors. And though the two vans use the same architecture and doors, more of an effort was made to differentiate them in terms of appearance, the Chrysler version looking more upscale and featuring unique interior fixtures.

Other noteworthy changes with this new generation of minivan include the departure of the regular wheelbase version, plus the discontinuation of all-wheel drive. The Asians' all come in one size (XXL), and as Chrysler Group and others before have found out, van owners aren't willing to pay extra for the benefits of all-wheel drive. Those that want extra traction now buy crossovers, or Toyota's Sienna AWD.