New Chrysler Grand Voyager review

The new Chrysler Grand Voyager seven seat, five-door large MPV is big. It is over 5.0 metres long, 1.8 metres high, 1.95 metres wide and weighs 2.775 tonnes.

The principal reasons customers buy the Grand Voyager is that they have a real need for seven seats, whether they are a large family, or a family with children who have lots of friends or businesses who offer chauffeur or Private Hire services.

Grand Voyager prices

The other main reason to buy the Grand Voyager over its competitors is the very high level of specification even the standard models offer at a relatively competitive price in this segment.

New Grand Voyager prices start at £25,995 and rise to £32,995. Three of the four variants use a revised 2.8-litre CRD four cylinder turbodiesel VM Motori supplied engine. The fourth model is a 3.8-litre, V6, petrol powered version but this will only attract around five per cent of the 5,000 UK customers who annually buy this range of vehicles.

There are three levels of specification, LX, Touring and Limited with the majority of buyers going for the 2.8 CRD Limited variant costing £32,995. All versions use a new six-speed automatic transmission which replaces the old four-speed unit.

Space and practicality

All versions offer seven seats as standard arranged with two seats at the front, two individual seats in the middle row and three seats ant the rear.

There is also luggage space to meet the needs of a large family and the cargo capacity ranges from 756 to 3,296 litres depending on which seats are in use or whether they are folded away out of site into the floor using Chrysler’s excellent and unique Stow ‘n Go system.

Chrysler are also introducing for Limited versions a new Swivel ‘n Go seating system where the middle row of two individual seats can be turned through 180 degrees to face the rear.

These Captain’s type seats also come with a floor-mounted table which can be used by the three rear row passengers and the two central passengers - very user friendly for big families or business users on the move.

Access to the passenger compartment is through electrically operated side sliding doors and there is a large full height tailgate at the rear for ease of luggage loading.

There are over 30 new features in the all-new Grand Voyager models ranging from the latest technology multi-media systems to heated first and second row seats, a rear view interior conversation mirror, a removable torch, electric windows in the sliding side doors, directional LED reading lamps and automatic three-zone climate control for all passengers.

Safety features and gadgetry

Passenger safety is well catered for with traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, tyre-pressure monitoring, front and all-row side curtain airbags as well as Isofix child seat fixings. Stain and odour resistant cloth upholstery is used when the leather trim is not chosen.

Dual DVD entertainment and DVD navigation systems are optional but on average 60 per cent of Grand Voyager customers add these extras.

The Grand Voyager is huge and the list of features is offers is also huge but the price doesn’t reflect the size or the high equipment levels. Certainly over £30,000 is not cheap but in the context of what the vehicle offers it is good value for money for people who really need seven seats.

High running costs

All is not so positive though. Both the diesel and petrol engines have high CO2 emission levels so all models fall into Band G of Vehicle Excise Duty which will mean an annual fee of £400 from 1 April this year. The Grand Voyager will of course be subject to the £25 per day London Congestion Charge from next October.

Power output is 161bhp and there is 265lb ft of torque from 1,600rpm so this heavyweight doesn’t feel underpowered. Top speed is 115mph and 0-62mph is covered in a respectable 12.8 seconds.

The average fuel economy is claimed to be 30.4mpg and my test vehicle returned 28.2mpg in fairly typical driving UK driving conditions.

Handling

On the driving and performance front this vehicle has the design and construction architecture of a van, not a passenger car. In the USA they are classed as a Mini Van. The latest design looks slab-sided and not so aerodynamic as the outgoing model but the body colours and privacy glass, where fitted, alloy wheels and chrome-work do their best to give this vehicle a prestigious look.

Do not expect car like handling, it just isn’t that sort of vehicle, it is a people-mover, a family taxi. The main selling 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine can be noisy and harsh when pushed but the use of a new six-speed automatic transmission smoothes out gear changes and makes the vehicle reasonably responsive in town and relaxed for motorway journeys.

The Chrysler Grand Voyager has a faithful following of customers in the UK who have the real need for transporting up to seven people. Above all it is that travelling space which appeals most, plus the huge array fixtures and fittings as standard. Potentially it will have a higher NCAP passenger safety rating as well.

MILESTONES

Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.8 CRD Limited (main selling model)

Price: £32,995

Engine/transmission: 2.8-litre, four-cylinder, common-rail turbodiesel, 161bhp, 265Nm at 1,600rpm, six-speed automatic

Performance: 115mph, 0-62mph 12.8 seconds, 30.4mpg (28.2mpg actual), CO2 247g/km, VED Band G £400 (from 1 April)

Insurance group: 12E

Luggage space: 756-3,296-litres

Braked towing capacity: 1,600kg

Dimensions: Length 5,143mmn, height 1,816mm, width, 1,953mm

For: Attractive price relative to the high equipment levels, roomy seating for seven plus load space to match, improved safety equipment and design, improved automatic transmission, softer feel more upmarket interior trim

Against: Van type slab-sided styling, a bulky heavyweight to drive, expensive CO2 emission levels, costly to run

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