- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 7 seats
- Engine
3.3i, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
128kW, 278Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 13.3L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Chrysler Grand Voyager Limited
With all the attention on the new Honda Odyssey and Mitsubishi Grandis in the people mover class of late, it's been easy to forget Chrysler's Voyager.
Where the Japanese have grabbed headlines with their car-like appearance, the Chrysler sticks resolutely to the no-nonsense formula it pioneered two decades ago. But now there's a new Voyager to bolster the American brand's fortunes.
There's no racy styling or gee-whiz innovations to speak of, but this mid-life update is a serious attempt to give buyers more of what they need.
The range has been pared back, perhaps to avoid the confusion of the old short/long-wheelbase, front/all-wheel drive line-up. The big daddy Grand Voyager is now the only choice and the AWD has been given the bullet, leaving a manageable three-tier line-up starting with the $55,990 SE.
Value, though, is lukewarm. The Grandis and Odyssey Luxury both cost a good ten grand less (and the Kia Carnival even less again), and while the Chrysler boasts V6 power and more metal, it's effectively fighting with one hand tied behind its back in the value stakes.
As for the top-line Limited tested here, it can only be targeted at those wanting the most luxurious people-mover going. It's positively loaded, with triple-zone climate control, six-stack CD stereo, heated power front seats, power windows, leather, cruise control, trip computer, alloy wheels and even power-operated sliding side doors and hatch as standard. Throw in twin front, side and full-length curtain airbags, ABS and traction control and you've got pretty much all the bases covered. Stability control is the biggest omission.
The Voyager's styling has been subtly massaged, but inside is where the real time has been invested.
The highlight is the new seating system called Stow'n'Go, which is standard across the range and offers up to 256 different combinations that vary the layout from seven-seater to van and everything in between.
It's quick, clever and very easy to use. Simply pull on the numbered straps on the back of the seats in order and they fold, twist and collapse into cavernous underfloor bins (which serve as handy storage when the seats are raised), leaving a vast, flat load space totalling 4550 litres. It takes just 30 seconds or so, once you're used to it, to fully stow both rows.
The rear accommodation is also impressive. The spacious second row consists of two individual bucket seats with foldaway armrests, slightly narrower than those in the front to aid storage but very comfortable nonetheless.
The third row is a 50/50 split-fold bench (half or all of it can be stowed at a time) that offers good space and comfort for two and ample, if less enjoyable, seating for three. There's good boot space with all seats in use and enough cupholders and 12-volt outlets to have a party.
There are no comfort issues up front, either, thanks to cossetting seats and a commanding driving position.
But the auto's column shift is sloppy, and the wide brake pedal leaves no room for the left foot. The quality of the plastics, too, isn't up to the pricetag, but it's screwed together well and is a pleasant enough environment for long journeys.
Just make sure the road isn't too challenging. Around town, on highways and on sweeping back roads the Chrysler cruises with contemptuous ease, thanks to low noise levels, an absorbent ride and good response from the 128 kW 3.3-litre pushrod V6.
Throw a hill or sudden need for acceleration into the mix, however, and the two-tonne kerb weight becomes fully apparent. The V6 needs a hefty boot if acceleration is to be anything like urgent, but you'll find that it's not the happiest spinning away at high revs and that fuel consumption takes a dive. The four-speed auto's average shift quality and tendency to hunt on hills ensures the drivetrain achieves an acceptable rating but no more.
It's a similar story with the road manners. The Voyager doesn't like changing direction quickly, with serious twirling on the woolly, feel-free tiller resulting in a delay, an awkward lurch and determined front-end push (understeer).
The solid rear axle, too, doesn't like bumps, with big mid-corner nasties sending the body into heaves the suspension struggles to control.
For space, comfort, equipment and cabin flexibility the Chrysler scores highly, and by doing that it will probably meet the requirement of many buyers. But the unsophisticated drivetrain and suspension, and high-end pricing, mean it falls short of where things are at in the people-mover class today.
What's it got?
Triple-zone climate-control air-conditioning; CD sound system with cassette and six-CD stacker; power-adjustable driver's seat; heated front seats; parking sensors; cruise control; trip computer; alarm; leather trim; power-operated sliding side doors and tailgate.
What's it missing?
Stability control.