Chrysler Grand Voyager

As a practical people carrier, the Grand Voyager is a sensible choice.

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Rating:
For : Big improvement on predecessor, comfortable and spacious, superb Stow ‘n Go seating
Against : Cabin can’t match European rivals, body roll

Driving
On the road, the Grand Voyager is fairly quiet, thanks to decent noise insulation and the smooth 2.8-litre CRD engine. The 161bhp diesel delivers reasonable performance, though the Voyager is much happier on motorways than on twisty roads. There is plenty of body roll through corners, but long-distance comfort is a real strength, as it glides over rough surfaces in comfort. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models.

Marketplace
The launch of the all-new Grand Voyager didn’t come soon enough for Chrysler. The previous model was slated by Euro NCAP for its shocking crash test score. Safety has clearly been a priority with this version – side curtain airbags all-round and added rollover protection are standard, while brake assist and stability control systems are also included. We’re far from convinced about the styling, though. Gone are the rounded lines of before, replaced by a boxy shape that’s more minivan than stylish MPV. Equipment levels seem OK, as even the base LX gets three-zone climate control and electric windows all-round. There is also a mid-range Touring, though the top-spec Limited is less impressive. It isn’t cheap, yet doesn’t even feature standard sat nav. Alongside the diesel engine, a 3.8-litre V6 is available, although it’s thirsty and won’t appeal to many buyers in the UK.

Owning
The Grand Voyager remains extremely versatile. The Excellent Stow ‘n Go seating systems allows second and third rows to be quickly and easily folded into the floor. Buyers of the top-spec Limited variant can also opt for Swivel ‘n Go – this brings a second row of captain’s chairs which rotate 180 degrees, plus a removable table and power folding third row. Getting into the back via electrically sliding doors is easy, while the electric tailgate opens onto excellent boot space. Even with the rearmost chairs in place, there’s a vast 756-litre capacity. Drop all the seats, and this increases to 3,296 litres. Unfortunately, interior quality is a let-down. Some of the plastics are cheap and the design is uninspiring. Economy also isn’t great – the V6 is predictably thirsty, but even the diesel only just manages to crack 30mpg. CO2 emissions are very high, too.