Chrysler's Swivel 'n Go seating system was supposed to change the way families interacted in their minivans. But in the end, cargo space won out.
With Swivel 'n Go, the kids could turn the second row of seats around so it faced the third row. Break out the Monopoly board, and, voila, you had a family game room on wheels, while mom and dad took care of the adult business of driving and navigating up front.
But buyers who chose Swivel 'n Go had to sacrifice Chrysler's other seating innovation, Stow 'n Go, which allows the seats to be stowed, creating a flat floor and cavernous cargo space. And that was a problem for mom and dad, who really liked the flexibility the Stow 'n Go system gave them.
In the end, that lack of flexibility doomed the Swivel 'n Go option, which goes away in the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans. When it was introduced in 2008, Swivel 'n Go accounted for as much as half of Chrysler Group's minivan mix, but that number fell to below 20 percent, said Todd Breneiser, head of minivan segment product planning.
Taking the place of Swivel 'n Go for those who don't need Stow 'n Go are "Luxury quad" seats in the second row, which offer comfort equivalent to the captain's chairs up front.
