Everyone knows the Chrysler Grand Voyager is a great big bus. In America it’s classed as a mini-van but here it’s anything but ‘mini’. The giant Grand Voyager is now more practical than ever thanks to a redesigned underfloor.
There is now 4,690 litres of cargo space available with the seats stowed but the party trick is the fact that in just 30 seconds you can stow all the seats flat into the floor so there’s no more need to actually remove them from the vehicle. The ‘Stow ‘N Go’ is a smuggler’s dream with an additional 340 litres of under floor stowage - that’s larger than the average Dublin apartment! Even the boot is fully scooped out like a sunken bath (memo to self - buy bubble bath!).
Styling wise the current Voyager is not far away from replacement and, apart from the interesting front end that has aged well, there are little or no exterior design features that you’d want or be able to show your mates.
Inside the cabin the switch-gear is still American and a bit eccentric. The interior lights can be switched on by turning up the instrument illumination dial to its highest point, also the wipers work by twisting the indicator stalk (I know Mercs do that too). These are just quirky odd things you eventually get used to.
The driving position in my ‘LX’ equipped car (‘Limited’ is the higher specification) is pretty good. I’m well off the ground in an electrically adjustable seat and although the steering only adjusts for tilt it is easy to get comfortable. The brake pedal is, however, enormous and robs my left foot of resting space; it is simply way too big, in fact it’s ‘Supersize’!
The interior is laid out in three rows. Two seats up front, two ‘captain’ chairs (that can swivel around) in the middle row and a bench that seats three at the back. Like the Citroen C8 VSX the Grand Voyager Stow ‘N Go comes with power rear doors. They can be opened using the key fob or by pressing a button when inside the car. These are terrific, especially at the supermarket when loading kids or adults come to think of it.
For me, the ideal mix of engine and gearbox in any people carrier is a beefy diesel engine that gives the hope of half decent mpg mated to an automatic gearbox. I have a 2.8 CRD oil burner under the bonnet and a column shift automatic that not only helps keep my hands on the wheel for more of the time but also frees up space in the front of the cabin. There is a 3.3 litre petrol engine in the range but unless you own a filling station forget it.
On the road cruise control is a welcome standard feature. Progress can be reasonably brisk and the engine never really has to work that hard to keep up with the traffic.
The Grand Voyager Stow ‘N Go is a very practical car but at €60,000 odd it will only go to a few well-heeled homes.
Michael Sheridan
