The four-wheel disc brakes that come on the long-wheelbase models stop them quickly and without drama. Heavy-duty brake rotors and calipers ensure strong braking performance, plus durability. We liked the pedal feel and found the brakes easy to modulate in stop-and-go traffic. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) help the driver maintain steering control in an emergency or panic stop. Traction control, which comes standard on the Limited, reduces front wheelspin on slippery surfaces.
The 3.8-liter V6 that comes on Touring and Limited models is rated at 205 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. Both numbers are down slightly for '06, from 215 and 245 last year, but it isn't the engine that's changed, only the way that horsepower and torque are measured. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recently revised its test procedures, and the manufacturers who adopted the new procedures this year are stuck with smaller power figures; manufacturers who haven't switched will likely feel this pain next year. So keep this in mind if comparing with other manufacturers. What's important to remember is that the engine itself is as strong as ever, even though its strength is now measured more conservatively.
The 3.8-liter is considerably more powerful than the 3.3-liter V6 that comes on base and LX models, whose ratings of 180 horsepower and 210 pound-feet haven't changed (because it isn't using the new measuring system). Both are pushrod-overhead-valve V6s with two valves per cylinder rather than newer, overhead-cam, multi-valve designs, but they are solid engines.
For its part, the 3.3-liter V6 delivers lively acceleration. We felt like we had plenty of motor to jackrabbit away from standstills or pull off that big pass. The engine is smooth and quiet when cruising, although it makes itself known under full-throttle acceleration. The 3.3-liter is rated 19/26 city/highway mpg by the EPA. It's also a flexible-fuel engine, so it can use E85 ethanol. The 3.8-liter engine is rated 18/25 mpg City/Highway by the EPA. Both engines allow the Town & Country models to be certified as low-emissions vehicles in all 50 states. Next Page