Chrysler Voyager Explained

Chrysler Voyager
Manufacturer:Chrysler
Class:Minivan
Production:1988–2016
2019–present
Body Style:3 to 4-door minivan
Successor:Chrysler Town & Country (fourth generation, U.S. and Mexico)

The Chrysler Voyager (and the long-wheelbase Chrysler Grand Voyager) is a minivan produced by the Chrysler division of Stellantis. In the current lineup, it is positioned as the lower-end Chrysler minivan, having replaced the Dodge Grand Caravan in 2020, below the Chrysler Pacifica.

The Chrysler Voyager was introduced in Europe in 1988, and was a rebadged version of the Dodge Caravan in the United States. It originally evolved with the Caravan, the Plymouth Voyager, and the Chrysler Town & Country. In the United States, the Chrysler Voyager nameplate replaced the short-wheelbase (SWB) version of the Plymouth Voyager following the folding of the Plymouth division by DaimlerChrysler AG in 2001, and was discontinued in 2003. The nameplate was revived for the 2021 model year following the discontinuation of the Dodge Grand Caravan after the 2020 model year,[1] [2] and is rebadged as the Chrysler Grand Caravan in Canada.[3]

In Europe, the Chrysler Voyager was rebadged as the Lancia Voyager from the 2011 until 2016 model years. The Voyager was sold with different engines, including diesel engines, and was also available with manual transmission and a foot-operated emergency brake. Although now produced solely in Ontario, Canada, the Grand Voyagers were still available with diesel engines as standard. These diesel engines are based on a modern double overhead cam common rail design from VM Motori of Italy. The last European Chrysler Grand Voyagers are very similar to the 2008 and later Chrysler Town & Country cars, and were sold only in the long-wheelbase version (as in North America). Following the fifth generation, the Grand Voyager nameplate was discontinued in all markets.

Together with its nameplate variants, the Chrysler minivans have ranked as the 13th bestselling automotive nameplate worldwide, with over 12 million sold.[4]

First generation (1988–1990)

First generation
Production:1988–1990
Assembly:United States: Fenton, Missouri (Saint Louis Assembly North)
Aka:Chrysler Grand Voyager (LWB Model)
Chrysler Voyager (SWB Model)
Related:Chrysler Town & Country
Plymouth Voyager
Dodge Caravan
Body Style:3-door minivan
Platform:Chrysler S platform
Layout:Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Transmission:5-speed manual
3-speed A413 automatic
3-speed A670 automatic
4-speed A604 automatic

See main article: Chrysler minivans (S).

The Caravan was first introduced as a North American minivan for the United States and Canadian markets, sold along with the identical Plymouth Voyager, in November 1983, for the 1984 model year. Interior trim, controls, and instrumentation were borrowed from the Chrysler K platform, and coupled with the lower floor enabled by the front-wheel-drive, the Caravan featured car-like ease of entry. The line was first introduced into the European market in 1988 as Dodge Caravans rebranded as Chryslers. Europe's Chrysler Voyager was nearly identical to the American Dodge Caravan except that the turbocharged I4 engine and the 3.3 L Chrysler EGA V6 were not available.

Engines

Second generation (1991–1995)

Second generation
Layout:Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Production:1990–1995
Aka:Chrysler Grand Voyager (LWB Model)
Chrysler Voyager (SWB Model)
Related:Chrysler Town & Country
Plymouth Voyager
Dodge Caravan
Body Style:3-door minivan
Platform:Chrysler AS platform
Engine:2.5 L K I4
2.5 L VM425 Turbo Diesel
3.0 L Mitsubishi 6G72 V6
3.3 L EGA V6
Transmission:5-speed A523 manual
5-speed A568 manual
3-speed A413 automatic
3-speed A670 automatic
4-speed A604 automatic
Assembly:United States: Fenton, Missouri (Saint Louis Assembly North)
Austria: Graz (Eurostar)

See main article: Chrysler minivan (AS).

Introduced for the 1991 model year, the Chrysler Voyager in Europe continued to be identical to the Dodge Caravan in the United States except that the 3.8 L V6 was not available for the Chrysler Voyager. This would be the final generation available with a manual transmission in the United States. A 2.5 L turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine produced by VM Motori was made available beginning in 1994. There were also military modifications available for the Voyager in South Africa, which included large fuel tanks available in 240 and 360-liter capacities.

Engines

Third generation (1996–2000)

Third generation
Production:1995–2000
Assembly:United States: Fenton, Missouri (Saint Louis Assembly South)
Austria: Graz (Eurostar)
Related:Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Caravan
Plymouth Voyager
Body Style:3-door minivan
4-door minivan
Platform:Chrysler GS platform
Chrysler NS platform
Layout:Front-engine, front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Transmission:3-speed 31TH automatic
4-speed 41TE automatic
5-speed manual
Wheelbase:113.30NaN0
119.30NaN0 (Grand Voyager)
Length:186.30NaN0
199.60NaN0 (Grand Voyager)
Width:75.60NaN0
Height:68.50NaN0
68.40NaN0
Weight:35280NaN0
36800NaN0 (Grand Voyager)
Aka:Chrysler Caravan
Chrysler Grand Caravan
Chrysler Grand Voyager (LWB model)
Chrysler Voyager (SWB model)

See main article: Chrysler minivans (NS).

The 1996–1999 models in Mexico are rebadged Dodge Caravans, although the Caravan was sold alongside the Voyager. For 2000, the Chrysler Voyager was identical to the Plymouth Voyager except that the 3.8 L V6 was not available. Base models of the Voyager were offered in most states with either a 2.4 L four-cylinder or a 3.0 L Mitsubishi V6 engine, except in California and several northeastern states, where the Mitsubishi V6 didn't meet emissions standards. In those locales, the 3.3 L engine was offered instead.

For the European market, Voyagers continued to be rebadged Caravans. Unique to this market were 2.0 L Straight-4 SOHC and DOHC engines and 2.5 L turbo diesel produced by VM Motori. European market vans also came with manual transmissions and in a six-passenger model with six captains chairs, not available elsewhere.

Engines

Safety

According to Euro NCAP crash test results, the 1999 model Chrysler Voyager did so badly in the frontal impact that it earned no points,[5] making it the worst of the group. The body structure became unstable and the steering column was driven back into the driver's chest and head'. The 2007 model Chrysler Voyager fared little better, achieving just 19% in the frontal impact test, with an overall score of 2 stars out of a possible 5.[6] However, chest compression measurements on the test dummy 'indicated an unacceptably high risk of serious or fatal injury. As a result, the final star in the adult occupant rating is struck-through'.

Fourth generation (2001–2007)

Fourth generation
Production:2000–2007
2008–2010 (China)
Body Style:4-door minivan
Layout:Front-engine, front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Platform:Chrysler RG Platform
Chrysler RS platform
Engine:2.4 L EDZ I4
3.0 L 6G72 (China)
3.3 L EGA V6
3.8 L EGH V6
2.5 L Turbo Diesel R 425
2.8 L Turbo Diesel R 428
Transmission:3-speed 31TH automatic
4-speed 41TE automatic
5-speed manual
Aka:Chrysler Caravan
Chrysler Grand Caravan
Chrysler Grand Voyager (LWB model)
Chrysler Voyager (SWB model)
Chrysler Ram Van (The Netherlands, Panel Van)
Related:Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Caravan
Wheelbase:113.30NaN0
Grand Voyager: 119.30NaN0
Length:189.10NaN0
2001–02 LX: 189.30NaN0
Grand Voyager: 200.50NaN0
Width:78.60NaN0
Height:68.90NaN0
2001–2003 Grand Voyager: 17481NaN1
2005–present: 17501NaN1

See main article: Chrysler minivans (RS).

From 2001 until 2003, the Voyager was offered in the SWB model only, replacing the SWB Plymouth Voyager. It resembled the Town and Country more than the previous generation, the only major cosmetic difference besides the trim (where the Town and Country's is fancier) was the placement of the Chrysler emblem on the grille. After the 2003 model year, the Voyager was discontinued (United States market) and replaced by the Chrysler Town and Country, SWB model. The SWB Town & Country continued under the Voyager name in the Mexican market.

Engines

Year to year changes

In Europe Chrysler began offering the Voyager with the first generation, followed by the second generation model in 2001, with a new engine range – including larger, more economical diesel engines (2.5 L and for 2005 – the 2.8 L 4 cylinder from VM Motori) and more fuel-efficient gasoline engines (I4 and V6).

The fourth generation Grand Voyager continued production for the Chinese market alongside the Dodge Grand Caravan until late 2010. Both models were built by Soueast in China, using a Town & Country production line relocated from Taiwan, and were powered by Mitsubishi 6G72 engines.

Fifth generation (2008–2016)

Fifth generation
Aka:Lancia Voyager
Production:2007–2016
Assembly:Canada: Windsor, Ontario (Windsor Assembly)
Related:Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Grand Caravan
Volkswagen Routan
Body Style:4-door minivan
Platform:Chrysler RT platform
Engine:2.8 L RA428 diesel I4
3.6 L Pentastar V6
3.8 L EGH V6
Transmission:6-speed 62TE automatic
Layout:Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Wheelbase:121.20NaN0
Length:202.50NaN0
Width:78.70NaN0
Height:68.90NaN0
Designer:Ralph Gilles

See main article: Chrysler minivans (RT). Chrysler introduced the new Grand Voyager for 2008 and successfully positioned it in the automotive market as a luxury MPV suited for large families. Some versions of Grand Voyager are visually identical to the Chrysler Town & Country which is sold in the North American and South American markets. In a similar fashion to the other large multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) on the market, the Grand Voyager was sold with a standard diesel engine in Europe. This was also the first generation of the model that was not sold as the Chrysler Grand Caravan; markets in which it was previously sold under that nameplate received as either the Grand Voyager or Town & Country.

However, the seating is arranged in the 2–2–3 (front to rear) layout common in North America, rather than the 2–3–2 layout often seen in SUVs and MPVs in Europe. On right-hand drive (RHD) models the gear shift lever is placed on a floor-mounted console between the seats, in contrast to the instrument panel positioning found on LHD models.

Standard engine

The 2009 Grand Voyager with diesel motor gets a combined fuel economy of 9.3L/100 km.[8]

Optional engine on top of the range Limited models:

All engines are paired with Chrysler's 62TE 6-speed automatic transmission with variable line pressure (VLP) technology (See Ultradrive).

Lancia Voyager

All Voyagers sold since October 2011 in continental Europe are sold under the Lancia brand.

The Chrysler-branded variant continues to be sold in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, South Korea, Singapore, and China, as Lancia does not have sales operations in those markets. Voyager become the successor to previous unrelated series of minivans produced by Lancia, the last of which is the Phedra.

However, the parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles under the leadership of CEO Sergio Marchionne has decided to shut down both Chrysler and Lancia brands out of its European market (with the exception of keeping one model of Lancia available for sale in Italy). Due to this decision, the Lancia Voyager too is no longer being sold in Europe.[9]

European engines

The Lancia version is offered with engines compliant with Euro V emission standards.

ModelEngineDisplacementMax. powerMax. torqueYears
3.6 Pentastar automaticV6, Gasoline3,604 cc2080NaN03440NaN02011–present
2.8 Turbo Diesel automaticstraight-4, Diesel2,777 cc1200NaN03600NaN02011–2013
1310NaN03600NaN02013–2015

Safety

Sixth generation (2020–present)

See also: Chrysler Pacifica (minivan).

Sixth generation
Aka:Chrysler Grand Caravan (Canada)
Production:2019–present
Assembly:Canada: Windsor, Ontario (Windsor Assembly)
Class:Minivan
Layout:FF layout
Platform:Compact Wide
Related:Chrysler 200 (UF)
Engine:3.6 L Pentastar V6 (gasoline)
Transmission:9-speed 948TE automatic
Wheelbase:3089mm
Length:203.60NaN0
Width:79.60NaN0
Height:69.90NaN0
Weight:1964kg (4,330lb)
Predecessor:Dodge Grand Caravan (LWB)
Chrysler minivans (RT)

For the 2020 model year, the Chrysler Pacifica's low-end L and LX models were separated from the Pacifica lineup and given the Voyager name. This marks the return of the Voyager nameplate to the Chrysler model lineup, in which it was last used in 2016, and the North American market, in which it was last used in 2003 and 2008 in the United States and Mexico, respectively. In addition to the L and LX trim levels, an LXi model will be available to fleet customers.[10]

The 2020 Voyager went on sale in the U.S. in the fall of 2019 with base prices ranging from $26,985 for the entry L model to $32,995 for the fleet-only LXi model. Seven-passenger seating, a six-speaker sound system with Active Noise Cancellation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all models. Among the available options is the SafetyTec Group which includes rear park assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. The LX adds SiriusXM Satellite Radio and seventeen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The fleet-only LXi adds easy-clean leatherette-trimmed seating surfaces and dual heated front bucket seats. LX and LXi models offer a single-screen rear DVD entertainment system as on option. All Voyagers will be powered by the same 3.6 L Pentastar V6 gasoline engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) that powers the Chrysler Pacifica, producing and 2620NaN0 of torque, mated to the ZF-manufactured 948TE nine-speed automatic transmission controlled by a rotary control knob mounted in the Voyager's center console. Unlike the Chrysler Pacifica, which is available with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), the Voyager is only offered with front-wheel drive.

Production of the Dodge Grand Caravan ended in 2020, thereby making Voyager the new entry minivan in FCA's U.S. lineup.[11] In Canada, the Voyager nameplate was not in use for 2020 and all models still carried the Pacifica name. In the 2021 model year, FCA began selling Voyager as the Chrysler Grand Caravan in Canada.[12]

The 2022 Voyager is targeted exclusively for fleet buyers.[13] Only offered in the LX model, the 2022 Voyager includes standard features that include heated front seats and steering wheel, second-row Stow 'n Go seats, clear air filtration system, Uconnect 5 system as well as power sliding doors and rear lift gate.[13] There are just two option packages that provide more driver-assist and connectivity features.[14]

The fleet-only 2022 Voyager model is predicted by Kelley Blue Book to have "attractive deals on the used market" as the rental companies begin selling them in a few years.[15]

Public sales of the Voyager were discontinued in 2021, making it a fleet exclusive model.[16] For the 2023 model year, the LX remained the only model on offer.[17]

Seating features

The Chrysler Voyager has incorporated various seating systems for their minivans to enhance interior flexibility.

Integrated child safety seats

In 1992, Chrysler introduced a second-row bench seat integrating two child booster seats. These seats continued as an available option through fifth generation until they were discontinued in 2010.

Easy Out Roller Seats

In 1996, Chrysler introduced a system of seats to simplify installation, removal, and re-positioning— marketed as Easy-Out Roller Seats. The system remained in use throughout the life of the Chrysler Voyager.

When installed, the seats are latched to floor-mounted strikers. When unlatched, eight rollers lift each seat, allowing it to be rolled fore and aft. Tracks have locator depressions for rollers, thus enabling simple installation. Ergonomic levers at the seatbacks release the floor latches single-handedly without tools and raise the seats onto the rollers in a single motion. Additionally, seatbacks were designed to fold forward. Seat roller tracks are permanently attached to the floor and seat stanchions are aligned, facilitating the longitudinal rolling of the seats. Bench seat stanchions were moved inboard to reduce bending stress in the seat frames, allowing them to be lighter.

When configured as two- and three-person benches, the Easy Out Roller Seats could be unwieldy. Beginning in 2001, second and third-row seats became available in a 'quad' configuration – bucket or captain chairs in the second row and a third-row three-person 50/50 split "bench" — with each section weighing under 50lb.

Stow'n Go seating

In 2005, Chrysler introduced a system of second and third-row seating that folded completely into under-floor compartments – marketed as Stow 'n Go seating and exclusively available on long-wheelbase models.

In a development program costing $400 million,[18] engineers used an erector set to initially help visualize the complex interaction of the design[19] and redesigned underfloor components to accommodate the system — including the spare tire well, fuel tank, exhaust system, parking brake cables, rear climate control lines, and the rear suspension.[19] Even so, the new seating system precluded incorporation of an AWD system, effectively ending that option for the Chrysler minivans.

The system in turn creates a combined volume of 12cuft of under-floor storage when second-row seats are deployed. With both rows folded, the vans have a flat load floor and a maximum cargo volume of 160.7cuft.[18] [20]

The Stow 'n Go system received Popular Science Magazine's "Best of What's New" for 2005 award.[21]

The Stow 'n Go system is not offered on the Volkswagen Routan, a rebadged nameplate variant of the Chrysler minivans.

Swivel 'n Go seating

Chrysler introduced a seating system in 2008, marketed as Swivel'n Go. In the seating system, two full-size second-row seats swivel to face the third row. A detachable table can be placed between the second and third-row seats. The Swivel'n Go seating system includes the third-row seating from the Stow'n Go system.

The system is noted for its high strength. The entire load of the seat in the event of a crash is transferred through the swivel mechanism, which is almost twice as strong as the minimum government requirement.

The swivel mechanism includes bumpers that stabilize the seat while in the lock position. When rotated the seat comes off these bumpers to allow easy rotation.

The seat is not meant to be left in an unlocked position or swiveled with the occupant in it, although this will not damage the swivel mechanism.

Production worldwide

In the early years of its marketing (1988–1991), the Voyager was manufactured in North America and exported to Europe.The Voyager began to be manufactured in Europe in 1991, at the Eurostar plant near Graz, Austria. Eurostar was a joint venture between Chrysler and the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch.[22] It was later acquired by DaimlerChrysler and finally the plant was sold to Magna Steyr in 2002.[23] The minivan production ended there at the end of 2007.[24] Units produced in Austria were marketed in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They were built with gasoline and diesel engines, with manual transmission, in short-wheelbase (SWB) and long-wheelbase versions, and in right and left-hand drive versions (all sold as Chrysler Voyager).

From 2008 until 2010, the fourth generation Grand Voyager was produced in China by Soueast using a relocated Taiwanese Town & Country assembly line.

The fifth generation Voyagers (2008–2011) have been exported to Europe from Windsor, Canada, where they are produced. Beginning in October 2011, they were exported and sold as the Lancia Voyager in most European markets, as Chrysler operations were merged with those of Lancia in many European countries. In the United Kingdom, only the Grand Voyager is marketed.

Since 2011, the Voyager is sold under the Lancia badge in Europe to strengthen the Chrysler-Lancia integration, though it remains branded as the Chrysler Voyager in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In March 2015, Fiat Group announced that in 2017, Chrysler would be discontinued in the United Kingdom.[25] It was removed from Chrysler UK's website in January 2016.

References

External links

creation, each generation, tech, rumors

Notes and References

  1. News: The 2020 Chrysler Voyager Is a Budget Version of the Pacifica Minivan . Car and Driver . June 27, 2019.
  2. Web site: Dodge Grand Caravan Production Coming to an End . Car and Driver. Colin. Beresford. February 28, 2020 . February 28, 2020.
  3. FCA US Media – Family Famous: 2021 Chrysler Grand Caravan Available Exclusively for Canada . July 16, 2020 . media.fcanorthamerica.com.
  4. Web site: Chrysler LLC Celebrates 25th Anniversary of the Minivan . Autonew24h.com . January 22, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160914150528/http://www.autonews24h.com/Auto-Industry/Chrysler/2885.html . September 14, 2016 . dead .
  5. Web site: Chrysler Voyager 1999. August 1, 2015 . euroncap.com.
  6. Web site: Chrysler Voyager 2007. August 1, 2015 . euroncap.com.
  7. Web site: Grand Voyager – Specifications . Chrysler . March 15, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100726234747/http://www.chrysler.co.uk/grandvoyager/specs.html . July 26, 2010 . dead .
  8. Web site: Caractéristiques Techniques et Tarifaires Grand Voyager. 2008. Chrysler France. fr. August 12, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110720211448/http://media.chrysler.fr/dcxms-fr/assets/specs/Insert_technique_tarifaire_Chrysler_Grand_Voyager_01_02_2008.pdf. July 20, 2011.
  9. Web site: Lancia, Dying A Slow, Painful Death, Will Only Sell Ypsilons in 2016 . Aaron. Foley . Jalopnik . April 21, 2019.
  10. News: The 2020 Chrysler Voyager Is a Budget Version of the Pacifica Minivan . Car and Driver . June 27, 2019.
  11. Web site: 950 Windsor Assembly workers return next week, demise of Caravan pushed back 1 month . Windsor Star. Waddell. Dave. May 8, 2020. May 12, 2020.
  12. Web site: July 1, 2020. Grand Caravan nameplate lives on in Canada, shifts to Chrysler brand for 2021. July 16, 2020 . driving.ca.
  13. Press Kit: 2022 Chrysler Voyager:2022 Chrysler Voyager Fact Sheet . Stellantis Media . 1 September 2021 . 25 November 2021.
  14. Web site: Tralongo . Joe . 2022 Chrysler Voyager: Choosing the Right Trim . Autotrader . 20 October 2021 . 3 December 2021.
  15. Web site: Tucker . Sean . 2022 Chrysler Minivans: Pacifica Adds Entertainment, Voyager Goes Fleet-Only . Kelley Blue Book . 2 September 2021 . 3 December 2021.
  16. Web site: Discontinued models: Chrysler Voyager. Chrysler. 2023-08-31.
  17. Web site: 2023 Chrysler Voyager Specs, Features & Options . https://web.archive.org/web/20240427002100/https://www.kbb.com/chrysler/voyager/2023/specs/ . 2024-04-27 . Kelley Blue Book .
  18. Web site: Chrysler extends leadership in Mideast minivan segment with 'Stow 'n Go' . Ameinfo.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130325175844/http://www.ameinfo.com/53687.html . March 25, 2013 .
  19. Chrysler Group Brings Minivan Segment's Only Stow 'n Go Seating And Storage System to Market in Just 18 Months . prnewswire.com .
  20. Web site: FCA US Media – Stow 'N Go Seating and Storage System Solidifies Dodge Caravan as the Leader in Minivan Sales and Innovations . media.fcanorthamerica.com . April 21, 2019.
  21. Web site: Stow 'n Go Minivan Technology Awarded Popular Science Magazine's "Best of What's New" for 2005 . Autointell.com .
  22. News: diepresse.com . Austria . December 3, 2007 . Eurostar was a Joint-Venture. January 22, 2008 .
  23. News: handelsblatt.com . Germany . February 15, 2002 . Chrysler is selling Eurostar to Magna Steyr. January 22, 2008 .
  24. News: diepresse.com . Austria . June 4, 2008 . Voyager production ended in 2007 in Austria. January 22, 2008.
  25. Web site: Chrysler brand to be axed in the UK in 2017 . What Car? . March 17, 2015 . January 12, 2016.