CHRYSLER is rejoicing in the success of its Voyager in the UK, which is something of an achievement for a large people-carrier.
The company says that the wide choice of body styles, engines and transmissions are among the reasons for its continuing success in the face of increasingly intense competition.
The seven-seat, long and short wheelbase Voyagers come with a choice of 2.4-litre and 3.3-litre V6 petrol and 2.5-litre and 2.8-litre common rail diesel engines and are available in four different equipment levels.
Standard equipment on the entry level SE includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electrically-operated front windows and rear quarter vents, electrically heated folding door mirrors, dual front airbags and side impact airbags for the front seats, CD player and dual-zone air conditioning. One option on the SE version is sunscreen glass.
The LX version adds 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, roof rack and overhead console with trip computer. Options on LX versions include leather seats, sunscreen glass and power sliding side doors.
Equipment on Limited versions of the Grand Voyager includes power sliding doors and tailgate, leather seats with eight-way front seat power adjustment and driver's seat and door mirror memory, four disc in-dash CD player, traction control, ten speakers, load-levelling suspension with height control, three-zone automatic temperature control with odour/particulate filter and sunscreen glass.
It is all of this equipment and the wide choice of variants that Chrysler believes gives the Voyager and Grand Voyager the edge over many of its rivals.
Although both vehicles are large their users appear to find them manageable and the space is much appreciated.
However, they face increasingly tough competition from competent opponents such as the Renault Espace and Citroen C8.
Nowhere is the adage about shopping around more apt than in the case of people-carriers.
The UK is now awash with them and it is very much a buyer’s market so take that bargaining power into consideration when negotiating with the dealer.
FAST FACTS
Chrysler Voyager 2.4 LX
Price: £21,525
Mechanical: 145bhp, 2,429cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 114mph
0-62mph: 12.4 secs
Combined mpg: 28.5
Insurance group: 15
CO2 emissions: 234g/km
BiK rating: 33%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage, 7yrs paint, 7yrs anti-rust