Chrysler Voyager 2005 review: road test

Moving the masses was reflected in a significant milestone achieved by the American car maker in March when it chalked up its 11 millionth people mover sale.

It invented this segment more than 20 years ago and in some markets the people mover segment dominates its business.

Transactions in this class are a little slower in Australia.

In the first quarter of 2005, 233 Voyagers were sold.

The Voyager is not the cheapest player in the market especially against the likes of the budget Kia Carnival or the competent four-cylinder Honda Odyssey.

Mind you, Toyota's bottom spec Tarago commands a hefty price coming in at a little more than $50,000.

These days the Voyager is smarter. It is armed with a stow 'n go system enabling the second and third rows of seats can be folded and stored underneath the floor.

So in no time at all mum's taxi can be turned into dad's van.

Together with the flexibility of a multi-purpose cabin, the Voyager also gains safety improvements.

There are now side curtain airbags that offer protection for all three rows.

This has helped the Voyager gain the maximum five-star rating for side impact collisions awarded by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US.

Bits and pieces freshened on the exterior of the Voyager include a new grille, quad projector headlamps, new body mouldings and wheel covers.

Out on the road the 3.3-litre V6 is quiet and refined and has strong kickdown response.

It rides well over bumps and lumps, offering plenty of cushioning for occupants.

Complaints from some passengers suggest Chrysler could do with adding grab handles. Even at low speeds occupants were swaying around in their seats.

This front-wheel-drive Voyager is biased towards under steer.

Handling is otherwise sound and for a big, heavy vehicle it pulls up well under emergency braking.

Without lugging any load on this test the car at times, particularly up gradients, felt heavy and bulky. One would think performance and fuel consumption would be put to the test when the Voyager was fully loaded.

On this 900km test of mainly free-wheeling on the highway with about 100km running around the 'burbs, the Voyager sounded its low fuel warning chime and illuminated the fuel light at 450km.

It was chewing close to 15litres/100km without doing the heavier work it's designed to do, hauling people and gear.

Overall the Voyager wins brownie points for flexibility.

On the downside you are paying a hefty initial price and while it comes with a three year/100,000km warranty that includes 24-hour Chrysler Car roadside assistance, day-to-day running costs might be worth perusing.