Climbing behind the steering wheel the first thing I notice is how firm the seats are. They feel more German than previous versions. Also, their side bolsters are slightly larger offering better support for side to side handling. Still, American car traditionalists shouldn't be put off as they haven't given up comfort for style or sporting pretensions. On the contrary I find them more comfortable, and their leather surfaces look and feel more expensive than previous models. That might have something to do with DaimlerChrysler selling them abroad. It's no news to anyone reading these pages that to sell a car in Europe it takes more attention to interior details. It's not that Europeans are fussier or that they somehow are endowed with better taste. No, it's just that they've become used to a higher quality from their manufacturers.

The same can be said of the Town & Country's interior plastics. The majority of the dash is soft to the touch while insert panels surrounding the stereo and climate control system are definitely improved. I am a little disappointed in the faded looking faux wood trim at both sides of the center stacking console. It just doesn't look or feel remotely real. All the switchgear is much improved though, with switches and levers clicking with that nice tactile quality engineers spend months and months trying to get just right. Suffice it to say they succeeded.

Sure it lacks a certain 'cool' factor, being a minivan and all. But that doesn't mean you can't impress passers by. The power doors are old news but sit back a few paces and watch their faces drop when a beeping noise emits from behind the van and the rear liftgate begins to rise. Then you walk up holding whatever and drop it inside and just as quickly walk away without looking back, while clicking the remote to close. Jaws of man, woman and child gape open while wives stare at their husbands in anticipatory automotive lust. It's a blast.