Playing catch-up: Chrysler's redesigned minivans are improved, just not enough.(AUTO TEST EXTRA)(Grand Caravan SXT and Town & Country Limited)(Product/service evaluation)

The redesigned Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country are better than the models they replace. Despite some notable new features, though, they haven't risen to the level needed to compete against better models from Japan and South Korea. In our tests, they score better than only the soon-to-bediscontinued Chevrolet Uplander.

We tested the Grand Caravan SXT and the high-end Town & Country Limited. Safety features now include standard stability control and curtain air bags.The ride has been improved. Inside, the cabins are better finished and the rear windows now roll down. A new option package includes rear seats that swivel to face the third row. But braking and handling performance have dropped, and acceleration and fuel economy are unimpressive. Reliability is not yet known for this redesign.

HANDLING, RIDE, AND POWERTRAIN

Both minivans absorb small bumps well, with only muted kicks felt in the cabin. Some bigger bumps come through sharply. On the highway, some bobbing from the rear can be disturbing. Both vehicles are relatively quiet under way as wind and road noise are suppressed.The top-level and newer 251-horsepower, 4.0-liter V6 in our Chrysler is quieter than the 197-hp, 3.8-liter V6 in our Dodge, but both whine noisily under acceleration.

We were disappointed with handling. The vehicles' vague and imprecise steering requires the driver to make constant, small corrections while cornering. Body lean is pronounced even when taking a corner moderately fast, and the tires squeal even in normal driving. In our emergency maneuver, both vehicles felt clumsy and began to lose grip early. Stability control kept them on course, but their maximum speeds through the course were lower than that of the previous Grand Caravan. Stopping distances were long, especially on wet pavement.

The 4.0-liter V6 delivers better acceleration and fuel economy than the 3.8-liter engine. Expect 17 mpg overall with the 4.0-liter and 16 mpg overall with the 3.8-liter.Both engines are matched with a smooth six-speed automatic transmission. Base versions of Chrysler's minivans get a 3.3-liter V6 that comes only with a four-speed automatic.

INSIDE THE CABINS