NINE years ago, the Ford Galaxy and VW Sharan heralded a new era in people-carrying with five and seven-seat options and headed a rapid increase in members of the large Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) brigade.
While the flexible multi-seater syndrome had been kicked off in 1985 by the Renault Espace, followed five years on by the Toyota Previa, the Galaxy and Sharan were the catalyst for a positive procession of newcomers which included the closely-related SEAT Alhambra, Citroen Synergie, Vauxhall Sintra, Peugeot 806 and Fiat Ulysse amongst many others.
Recently, I was reunited with one of my favourites among this plethora of flexible, large, multi-seater load luggers, the Chrysler Grand Voyager.
Currently in second place to the market's leading full-blown MPV the Kia Sedona, but ahead of the Ctiroen C8, the Grand Voyager has registered 2,172 sales for the first half of this year after having enjoyed a makeover to further enhance its attraction.
Adding to the "new-look" created in 2001 which has stood the test of time well, the Grand Voyager now has a new front grille, distinguishable by the extension of the traditional Chrysler winged badge set atop a quartet of chrome bars, flanked by new sculpted dual headlamps and circular fogs.
This elegant front-end appearance is also complemented by a trio of new exterior colours which include the Light Khaki Metallic Clearcoat hue of the test car, plus Deep Beryl Green Pearlcoat and Graphite Metallic Clearcoat options.
In addition to the "new face of Chrysler," the interior, which has always had a touch of elegant comfort about it, gets further enhancements in the form of a revised sound speaker system plus a new chiming alert to remind drivers to belt up.
Occupant safety, too, has been further addressed with all three rows of seats now benefiting from full-length curtain airbag coverage while noises-off have been reduced by some 16 per cent cabinside.
The Grand Voyager comes with a quartet of engine options - two petrol in the shape of 2.4-litre 145bhp and the 3.3-litre V6 172bhp, plus a brace of diesels, the 2.5-litre CRD 141bhp and the 2.8-litre 150bhp CRD.
There are two trim levels, SE and LX, available on the smaller standard wheelbase Voyager model while the extended wheelbase Grand Voyager comes with the choice of LX, Limited and Limited XS.
The test car was the range-topping Grand Voyager 3.3-litre V6 Limited within the substantially solid panelwork of which lies virtually everything anyone could desire to enjoy first class travel.
Standard kit on the 3.3 Limited includes electric windows, heated and powered door mirrors, cruise control, 10-speaker sound system with six-disc CD, load levelling suspension with height control, dual-zone climate control and steering wheel mounted audio controls - good safety feature this.
The wonders of the comfort zone continue to delight with sumptuous leather chairs which include heated front seats and eight-way power adjustment for the pilot position and a memory function to quickly return to the optimum driving position if more than one driver uses the car. There's a tastefully laid out dash with white dials and walnut-trimmed centre console.
I have always applauded the Grand Voyager as having the ideal layout for family journeys with three seats at the rear, complemented by two in the middle, driver and front seat passenger.
This set-up, with a low, flat floor, is tailor-made for the front-to-back aisle which provides access for mum or dad to attend to restless youngsters at stopping points without getting out of the car.
But, should you need to alight, there is no need to summon up the strength of an Olympic weightlifter to tackle those imposing-looking sliding doors into the rear of the cabin, even when parked on an upward gradient, for Chrysler have thoughtfully introduced an easier way in.
Just press a button on the key fob and the chosen door whirrs its way open or closed with ease. And, while an object detection system ensures the safety of operation, there is also a button with which to control opening or closing from the inside.
Chrysler's electric friends have also introduced a power operated tailgate to assist those short in stature when closing the boot.
The luggage bay on the Grand Voyager is surprisingly accommodating - this is a weak point on some of its contemporaries - and there are a goodly number of places in which to "lose" things, including a storage drawer under the front passenger seat and even a dozen cupholders.
On the road, the Grand Voyager is a sophisticated companion. The 3.3-litre V6 engine is capable of taking you and yours from 0-62mph in a family-style 11.8 seconds, en route to a maxiumum speed, where legally allowable, of 111mph.
For such a large vehicle, the Grand Voyager handles the tarmac in a mature, confidence-inspiring manner and, while not exactly built to be nippy, provides a refined, civilised drive, whatever the surface at tyre level. ABS braking and switchable Traction Control are on hand to assist the unwise and the unwary.
But there is a price to pay at the pumps. With the smooth-slotting four-speed automatic transmission you can expect a return of a little over 20mpg over the combined cycle, compared with around the 30mpg mark for the 2.8 CRD. For company car drivers there is the little matter of the 319g/km CO2 emissions which put this big car into the highest BiK tax band.
However, if it's luxury motoring you want with power-assisted almost everything, then this European-built super cruiser proudly bearing the Chrysler badge really is the very essence of comfort on four wheels.
It is a superb roadway companion that will make you feel you have almost achieved celebrity status.
FAST FACTS
Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.3 Limited
Price: £29,320
Mechanical: 172bhp, 3,301cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 4spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 111mph
0-62mph: 11.8secs
Combined mpg: 21.2
Insurance group: 16
CO2 emissions: 319g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage; 7yrs anti-rust