CHRYSLER VOYAGER
Women's view
(2003-06-27)
Chrysler reckons the Voyager is Americas favourite form of transport. But how does it fare in Britain? Debbie Wickings finds out
Apparently it took we British quite a while to get used to the idea of driving vehicles like the Chrysler Voyager. Chrysler invented the Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) concept in 1983 to instant US acclaim but, until well into the 1990s, we saw them as glorified minibuses, rather than as proper cars in their own right. Assembled in Austria for European buyers, the Voyager has been a big success since its launch here in 1997 because its one the few models that can still carry a decent amount of luggage with seven people aboard, or load even more if you opt for the stretched Grand Voyager model. In second generation guise as tested here, luxury car-like qualities have been added to more practical ones.
Despite the standard power steering and automatic transmission of the 3.3-litre version I tried, I found the car quite bulky to thread through traffic and it looked like I might need about the same amount of space to park as an aircraft carrier. Its actually not as bad as it first seems but getting in to small spaces in supermarket car parks could be a problem. The Voyager will fit in most multi-storey parks but it pays to know the vehicles height at all times and, if in doubt, dont.
The interior is brilliant. Its incredibly spacious (a feeling helped by a choice of light trim colours) and the driving position is comfortable with everything falling easily to hand. However many items in American cars operate slightly differently from European vehicles so a little familiarisation is necessary. Sitting up so high, you get a great view over the traffic ahead, and this is surely one of the more appealing features of an MPV.
Handling, as youd expect from a smooth riding, softly sprung American, isnt quite as sharp as the European
Ford Galaxy and its VW and
SEAT siblings but its acceptable enough. You dont, after all, buy one of these to drive like a sports car. That said, the V6 model has plenty of get-up and go, at the expense of fuel consumption in the low to mid-20s. If economy is more of a priority, opt for the 2.
5-litre diesel model. In standard form, you get two individual seats in the middle which flip forward for easy access to the foldaway three person bench at the rear (which can be swapped for two individual seats). As usual, all the seats can be removed or folded into makeshift tables but they dont slide back and forth (a la
Renault Espace) to increase either centre legroom or rear luggage space. Chrysler has missed a trick here.
The short wheelbase model offers 450 litres of storage space behind the rear third row of seats or, if that isn't enough, the long wheelbase Grand Voyager version has 671 litres, as well as 150mm more cabin space. Take all but the front seats out and the capacity rises to a vast 4880 litres - almost enough to move house with. Nice touches include optional electric operation for the sliding side doors and tailgate which would be a real boon in the supermarket carpark with your hands are full of shopping. Another extra worth having is the optional cargo organiser for the boot, which neatly divides the space into three separate cargo bays.
For stowing smaller items, theres a removable central storage box, which slots into place between either of the front two rows of seats. The three-zone air conditionings neat too, with the temperature for rear seat occupants controlled by a panel in the roof lining. As youd expect, cup holders are everywhere and the multi-speaker Infiniti stereo system is brilliant.
Three engines and two body lengths (standard and Grand) are available. Engines are a 150bhp 2.4-litre unit or the 3.3-litre V6 featured here.
Plus, theres also a much improved 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine. Prices from £18,495 are very competitive and range up to £32,000 for the Grand Voyager in top V6 form. Standard equipment includes ABS, dual front airbags, power steering, electric front windows and remote central locking as well air-conditioning, electric front windows and electric rear quarter vents on entry-level versions.
Chryslers UK buyers enjoy an enviable after-sales package including a three-year/60,000-mile warranty and three years of roadside assistance as well as six years of rust cover.
Apart from a very plasticky interior that isnt as well finished as its rivals, the Chrysler Voyager is a very appealing package. In V6 form, it is fast and smooth and I enjoyed driving it about, once I was used to the bulk. Adults will love the comfort and stretch-out room of the individual seats in the front and centre rows while kids should enjoy misbehaving on the wide bench at the back, well out of father or mothers reach. And theres still room behind for luggage.
All that space, cup holders galore, powerful air conditioning and a really good stereo should all help to make lengthy journeys more enjoyable than in a regular estate car.
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