Chrysler Grand Voyager: Specs, Engines and History

Chrysler Grand Voyager at a glance

The Grand Voyager is a five-metre, two-tonne monocoque minivan with a transverse engine and front-wheel drive. More Chrysler models are listed in our Chrysler catalogue, and the Volkswagen rival is covered in our Volkswagen Sharan section.

Exterior

The fifth generation looks more "American" than its predecessors, with angular shapes replacing the rounded lines of earlier models, chrome side mouldings and a prominent bonnet. Despite its size, it does not look bulky. The front has Chrysler's signature grille with the brand's badge and large xenon headlights, with chrome details and factory tinted glass. The van grew wider and the window line dropped, making it more practical. Roof rails allow extra luggage on top, and the heavy sliding doors are power-operated. Large mirrors are a necessity, since the rear-view mirror mainly shows the passengers. Ground clearance is an average 155 mm, and the van rides on 17-inch alloys. The plain rear has a huge tailgate with a very wide opening and a low loading height, a spoiler with a short third brake light, a large rear window and compact lights linked by a horizontal chrome bar.

Interior

The updated cabin is functional, practical and more upmarket. The driver sits high with excellent visibility, and the pedals, steering column and seat are electrically adjustable. A chunky four-spoke steering wheel with a few buttons faces clear analogue instruments with a small trip-computer display between the main dials. The front and middle rows have individual seats with ergonomic shapes, heating and a wide range of adjustment. A large centre console houses a colour touchscreen that automatically shows the rear camera image when reversing, an analogue clock flanked by air vents and the climate controls. The gear selector sits on the dashboard to the right of the instruments rather than between the seats, freeing space for many cupholders and hidden storage compartments. The MyGIG entertainment system can include three independent roof-mounted screens.

From 2011, the European Grand Voyager was offered only as a long-wheelbase seven-seater in a 2+2+3 layout. The rear bench is wide enough for two adults in comfort. High headroom suits even tall passengers. With Stow 'n Go, the middle-row seats fold into floor wells and the rear seats fold 40/60 at the push of a button in about 30 seconds. The Swivel 'n Go system, offered on higher versions until the 2011 update, lets the middle-row seats turn to face the rear around a table. There are 12 V sockets front and rear. The flat-floored luggage area holds 748 litres with all seats in use.

Engines and transmissions

The 3.6 V6 has multi-point injection and 24 valves and uses about 10.8 l/100 km officially, more in practice. The 2.8 CRD diesel, aimed at Europe, has common-rail injection, a turbocharger and 16 valves, using about 8.4 l/100 km with strong low-end torque. 0–100 km/h takes 9.5–12.8 seconds, and top speed is 165–208 km/h depending on version. All versions drive the front wheels through a six-speed automatic (62TE), except the early 3.3 with a four-speed.

Chassis

The RT platform has a transverse engine, independent MacPherson front suspension with gas dampers, coil springs and an anti-roll bar, and a rear twist-beam axle with a Panhard rod, springs and dampers. Rack-and-pinion steering has hydraulic assistance, and the brakes are discs all round (302 mm ventilated at the front, 305 mm solid at the rear) with ABS and EBD.

Safety and equipment

Even the base van has stability control, ABS, front belt pretensioners and load limiters, ISOFIX, eight airbags, a rear camera and rear parking sensors, plus brake assist and EBD. Typical equipment includes a nine-speaker audio system with a subwoofer, 17-inch alloys, an infotainment system, three-zone climate control, heated seats in the first two rows and xenon headlights. In Euro NCAP's 2011 test of the related Lancia Voyager it scored 79% for adult occupants and 67% for children.

End of production

Production of the RT minivans continued in Windsor until August 2020 for the Dodge Grand Caravan. The Chrysler Town & Country was replaced by the Chrysler Pacifica in 2017.

Key specifications

Strengths and weaknesses

The Grand Voyager offers excellent practicality, comfort, versatility and generous equipment. Its weaknesses are an automatic gearbox that could be better tuned and modest ground clearance. Rivals include the Citroën C8, Ford Galaxy, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Entourage, Peugeot 807, SEAT Alhambra and Volkswagen Sharan.