Chrysler Grand Voyager LX V6 2008 Review

Road Test - Chrysler Grand Voyager LX V6

Overall rating: 2.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 2.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 2.5/5.0
X-factor: 2.5/5.0

About our ratings

During the local launch for the Jeep Patriot and Dodge Avenger last year, one of Chrysler's marketing gurus related how much he loved the Chrysler Voyager, citing its ability to cart around stacks of plywood for home DIY projects.

At the time, this was bewildering. Surely you wouldn't pay so much money for a Voyager -- a dedicated peoplemover -- if you plan to transport angular, jagged lumps of home renovation material around the place? That's why people hire utes or trailers for weekends.

But having now experienced the latest Chrysler peoplemover, the pieces have begun to fall into place [Ed: like a flat-pack Ikea kitchen]. The second and third-row seating folds flatter than a pancake run over by a Mack and there are virtually no protrusions along the sides of the cabin to snag and rip on said plywood sheets. So if you have a yen to tote plywood, the Chrysler is nothing if not a flexible load-carrier for that purpose.

It also works fairly well as a peoplemover and, in this respect, the latest model certainly benefits from the former alliance between the Chrysler Group and Daimler AG.

Steering feel is surprisingly good for the type of vehicle. The Voyager feels nimble and light on its feet, relative to older Voyagers. Indeed, while the new model seems smaller, which is almost certainly a function of its dynamic ability, it's actually marginally longer than the previous generation.

The overhangs are significantly shorter than those of the previous model's, so the new Voyager not only feels smaller to drive, it looks smaller on the outside -- but it's neither of those things. Nor is it lighter than the old Voyager, yet it's certainly not short of straight-line performance, being equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 instead of the old 3.3-litre engine. It's still not a major leap forward in technology and must be the last vehicle in the market without overhead cams.

The suspension does its best with the conflicting needs of transporting bodies or other payloads in reasonable comfort, but also providing reasonable comfort for those occasions when the vehicle is lightly loaded.

Expect the vehicle to corner like a sportscar on top of all that? Forget it. But to the Chrysler's credit, it has adequate levels of grip, allied with reasonable turn-in, and its handling remains consistent and safe, with or without a load. The ride is also quite good; the Chrysler chassis engineers have erred on the side of ride comfort. It's well damped and there's little sense of float at any time, but it soaks up bumps well.

We haven't driven a Voyager in a while -- and memory can play tricks -- but the new Grand Voyager, even with the benefit of two extra transmission ratios and significantly better power and torque in its kit, doesn't feel any more feisty in a straight line than the old models. Despite the extra capacity of the new engine (3.8 versus 3.3 litres), it's still an engine that does its best at higher revs and that's not so good for a peoplemover. Although the engine is sufficiently refined and quiet on the move -- it's just not the sort of engine to make you sit up and take notice.

Notwithstanding comments concerning the engine's relative lack of torque at lower engine speeds, the six-speed automatic transmission irons out that deficiency to some extent. It has a sequential-shift mode which was obviously a legacy of Chrysler's former partnership with Daimler AG. The sequential-shift gate is a horizontal plane (Benz style) with downchanges (from the S selection) to the left and upshifts to the right.

It works fairly well, but drivers can probably effect faster acceleration by shifting manually in this mode at about 5000rpm, rather than waiting for the box to change up at around 5500rpm. At 5000rpm, the next gear up lands the engine right in the zone for maximum torque, so the transmission is a fairly close-ratio set-up (as you would hope from a six-speeder).

The Voyager is generally quiet -wind noise was the predominant source at open-road speeds, but there were some rattles and thumps over bumps at lower speeds -- probably attributable to the 'Stow 'n go' storage facilities in the cabin. By sliding the front seats forward, it's possible to lift up panels in the floor behind (in three hinged sections) to expose a well into which the second-row seat will fold forward. It's a clever system that strikes a nicely tempered balance between being intuitively easy and making no concessions to wasted space.

In other words, there are probably other systems that are (marginally) easier to use, but few that would fold up to allow the sort of cargo-carrying ability of the Grand Voyager. Thus the Grand Voyager still rates a good 8.5 out of 10 for ease of use.

As with the second-row seating, the third-row seats will fold into a well in the floor and Chrysler has thoughtfully provided three numbered straps to convey the sequence in which they should be pulled to fold and stow the seats. It just doesn't get any simpler than that.

The third-row seats will comfortably accommodate two full-size adults, although in spite of the surfeit of kneeroom, there's less amenity to stretch out, since feet won't tuck far under the second-row seats.  Walk-through access from the second row is superb.

There's an auxiliary power switch inside the passenger side sliding door (just to the rear) plus climate controls overhead with outboard vents for the second-row seat occupants, captains chairs-style armrests for the two second-row seats and fold-out picnic tables behind the front seats. It's all very civilised for the kids. At the rear, the tailgate features recessed handles on either side to drag it down.

The driver's seat and driving position are comfortable and the relationship between the driver, most controls, steering wheel and pedals is very good. That said there's an issue with the automatic transmission selector and handbrake being located too low.

Without height adjustment for the driver's seat, some will find it a bit of a stretch and a lean to reach the gear selector and handbrake when the driver's seat is upright to maximise the available interior space. This is one of those occasions when a foot-operated parking brake would probably be a better alternative to a lever handbrake -- unless the lever could be mounted higher.

The Grand Voyager is one vehicle that could justify a footrest for the left foot more than most. Once more, with the upright seating position and the automatic transmission, there's both room and justification for such a fixture.

And if you're going to have a walk-through facility, why not take it all the way and mount the transmission selector in the dash (Honda Odyssey-style), removing the obstruction from between the front seats?

There was no reach adjustment for the steering column, but it does adjust for rake. With or without reach adjustment, the steering wheel is a good size and provides a very clear and unobstructed view of the instruments, which are also restful on the eyes at night, thanks to the pale illumination.

While the Grand Voyager is well finished and trimmed to a high level, it is, nonetheless, a base model. That means it misses out on the trip computer, auto-fold exterior mirrors and the powered sliding doors and tailgate fitted to the higher-spec Touring and Limited grades.

The vehicle tested was fitted with a reversing camera as well as the standard acoustic reverse parking system. Combined with the Grand Voyager's good all-round field of vision, these items made it  a cinch to park this largish vehicle. The turning circle is quite tight, but the front tyres can be felt scrubbing on full lock, which tells something about the car's suspension tune.

Both the audio system and HVAC controls reside in a real 'tower of power', the centre fascia. It's monolithically dominating, but the controls are generally easy to use and find. Woodgrain is not a favourite interior trim item for this reviewer, but it's not excessive in the Grand Voyager.

Remote control audio switchgear is mounted out of sight behind the steering wheel spokes and uses raised and depressed dimples to relate to the driver whether the selection is a lower or higher radio frequency or volume setting. As with many of the Grand Voyager's features, it's intuitive to use.

Many will find the Grand Voyager is ideal for their purposes. It's practical, well-equipped and generally capable as a peoplemover. Some SUVs will beat it for on-road dynamics, but few vehicles around can top it for its spaciousness and, errr... Plywood capacity.

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