Skip advert
Advertisement

Chrysler Grand Voyager

IT was Chrysler’s best-selling model, but the outgoing Grand Voyager wasn’t without its faults, not least when it came to its poor crash test record.

Pros
  • The interior is a huge; No other people carrier comes close to this versatility.

IT was Chrysler’s best-selling model, but the outgoing Grand Voyager wasn’t without its faults, not least when it came to its poor crash test record. That might explain why the new car is even bigger than its predecessor, and measures well over five metres long.

Chrysler claims it is safer and more luxurious, yet still provides plenty of space. We’re surprised by the bodywork, though. The US firm seems to have ignored the current trend for stylish MPVs, such as the Ford S-MAX and Citroen C4 Picasso.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Instead, it has gone for a boxy design reminiscent of the American minivan of the Eighties. It’s a huge departure from the rounded shape of the old car, and the Grand Voyager seems much bigger in the metal than the pictures suggest.

The Chrysler’s size is evident as soon as you open the sliding side doors. It has a higher roofline than the old model and is more spacious inside. A contemporary black finish replaces the grey upholstery of its predecessor, and there’s cool blue mood lighting from the overhead console. This also houses two useful drop-down cubbies, as well as optional DVD screens.

But the best thing about the rear is the Stow ‘n Go seating system. This allows you to fold all five chairs into the floor to create a flat 3,296-litre load space. That’s well behind the Caravelle’s 5,474-litre maximum, but the ease and speed of the seat folding system is impressive.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

84,859 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £12,200
View Golf
Juke

2023 Nissan

Juke

9,913 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £19,400
View Juke
Arona

2020 SEAT

Arona

39,173 milesAutomaticDiesel1.6L

Cash £12,600
View Arona
Q3

2023 Audi

Q3

72,003 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £20,500
View Q3

All the chairs can be slid fore and aft, and legroom is superb – the second row offers 750mm, while the rearmost seats provide 790mm. And when the seats are in place, the compartments they stow into double as additional underfloor storage areas.

Shoulder space is a little cramped with three people in the rearmost seats, but it’s far from claustrophobic, and boot capacity with all the chairs in place is another strong point, at 756 litres. Handily, the back seats can also be reversed – useful if you want to watch your kids’ football match in comfort under the cover of the tailgate! A Swivel ‘n Go system, which features two rotating captain’s chairs in the second row, is available as a £750 option.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The driving environment is much better than in the old model. It’s still not perfect – some of the plastics feel brittle, it’s quite cramped and we’re not fans of the tacky wood trim. Also, there’s still no reach adjustment on the wheel. But there are improvements. A floor-mounted gearlever replaces the column change, the layout is more attractive and overall the Grand Voyager is better built.

The 2.8-litre CRD diesel has also been updated. It’s quieter and smoother than before, but it’s not as punchy as the VW’s unit – a 0-60mph time of 11.8 seconds is a second slower. In-gear acceleration is quick enough, but the Chrysler can get a little coarse at high revs.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

On the road, the Grand Voyager is composed, but far from exciting. Body control is kept in check considering its size and weight, and the suspension soaks up bumps and potholes with ease. Wind noise is low, and a stiffer body means there’s minimal vibration in the cabin, even over rough roads.

Our top-spec model costs £32,995 and comes well equipped, with eight airbags, electric sliding doors and leather seats as standard. But does all this kit help make it a class leader?

Details

  • Price: £32,995
  • Model tested: G Voyager 2.8 CRD
  • Chart position: 1
  • WHY: New Grand Voyager is designed to be safer and more luxurious than its predecessor.

Economy

Neither car is especially frugal, but the lighter Grand Voyager fared better, with 25.8mpg. That’s impressive given Chrysler’s official 30.4mpg claim. A large tank means a 431-mile range.

Residuals

BOSSES will be hoping the new Grand Voyager can perform as well as the 300C second-hand – and improve on the previous generation’s 36.1 per cent residual value.

Servicing

If Chrysler wants to appeal to more premium buyers, its garages must improve. They came 22nd out of 32 in our Driver Power 2007 dealer survey. Three services cost £1,070.

Tax

FILTHY emissions mean both cars sit in the top bracket for company car tax. But due to its lower price, the Chrysler is slightly cheaper to run – lower-band owners will pay £2,541 annually.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £37,230Avg. savings £3,710 off RRP*Used from £15,440
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,921 off RRP*Used from £8,877
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,214 off RRP*Used from £10,195
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,541 off RRP*Used from £11,990
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona - front end

Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle

Hybrid newcomers slug it out for family buyers’ hearts and minds
Car group tests
12 Jul 2025