Chrysler Voyager 2.4

...none of these but the Chrysler Voyager which as well as being made in the USA is also bolted together in that hotbed of automotive production, Austria. I have been driving an estate for a few years and the time has now come to replace it. My budget is under £20k and I have turned my thoughts towards an MPV. As the new Voyager comes in at the right side of that budget I thought would give it a go.

The car I tried was a 2.4 litre petrol ...
...ponderous too. I am sure Chrysler would not wish me to say it but…isnt it a bit like a van? With fuel consumption dropping to the very low 20s in mpg terms the attraction of the car starts to wane.

Of course the reason I was looking at an MPV was space. My son is at Uni or at least will be when he goes back in a couple of weeks. Talk about long holidays I think that leaves only our MPs still to consider that summer is not over. ... more

The MPV has been one of the motoring phenomenons of the 1990s. From nowhere they have grown to take almost 15% of the car market if you include all MPVs and mini-MPVs. In Europe it has been Renault which has had the largest sales with their Espace and lately Scenic MPVs. The Picasso from Citroen is also doing very well. The Sharhambralaxy from VW/Ford/Seat and Ulysse/806/Synergie from Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen have been other ways to create an MPV without too much development cost. As usual though it has all been too much for Rover who have only just got round to building an estate so an MPV is probably years away.

The worlds greatest selling MPV however is none of these but the Chrysler Voyager which as well as being made in the USA is also bolted together in that hotbed of automotive production, Austria. I have been driving an estate for a few years and the time has now come to replace it. My budget is under £20k and I have turned my thoughts towards an MPV. As the new Voyager comes in at the right side of that budget I thought would give it a go.

The car I tried was a 2.4 litre petrol engine 7 seater. Now for just £18495 you are getting a lot of car. The external dimensions are big. It is taller wider and longer than the Galaxy types and the 806 types as well as Toyotas Previa. Indeed you would need to go for a Grand Espace to rival its room. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but the Voyager is neat if you like your styling American. It is not softly European but boldly brash and aggressive. When you climb in the driving position is a marvel, I have had a Discovery before and there is a similar commanding air about sitting high up. It can also help driving as you can see a lot more up there.

The instruments are if a little conventional in styling. No avant garde Espace looks in here. There are lots of armrests and cup-holders but I actually felt the absence of an armrest to the right of the driver a problem. I kept going to lean there but there was no armrest and the door is too low to lean on. Once up and running though the fact that this is a lot of car becomes apparent with the somewhat disappointing performance. Not so much sparkling champagne as pretty flat beer. The handling is all a bit ponderous too. I am sure Chrysler would not wish me to say it but…isnt it a bit like a van? With fuel consumption dropping to the very low 20s in mpg terms the attraction of the car starts to wane.

Of course the reason I was looking at an MPV was space. My son is at Uni or at least will be when he goes back in a couple of weeks. Talk about long holidays I think that leaves only our MPs still to consider that summer is not over. Anyway with the estate we find we cannot take him and all his various belongings and all members of the family in one vehicle. The answer therefore must be an MPV. Well actually no. The trouble is with all the seats in there is not enough room. With the back bench seat removed there will be just 4 seats left and we would just get all the kit in assuming it was all stacked on top of itself. The Voyager is roomy yes, but does it make best use of all that space, no way. The Picasso and Scenic designers should be allowed to work on the interior and then we will see some utilisation of space.

The Voyager will not be my car choice. To own one I would have to make too many compromises. The gearbox does not feel right, I like to have a gear lever that glides from gear to gear. The seats are not that comfortable, in this low-spec version the lumbar support is removed from the drivers seat. Indeed Chrysler seem to have crossed bits off the once comprehensive spec to get it down to the price, the steering wheel does not adjust, no sunroof option, some pockets taken from the backs of seats. I think Chrysler are making a marketing faux pas here. It is still a lot of car for the money but somehow is still not good value.

 

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