- Comfortable front seats
- Versatile “Stow ‘n’ Go” seating
- Spacious interior
- Generally comfortable ride…
- … but live rear axle struggles with bumps
- 3.3-litre V6 engine can be found wanting and is noisy at higher rpm
- Automatic transmission can be indecisive and deliver clunky shifts
- Steering lacks precision and feel
- Cheap interior plastics
- Poor Euro NCAP crash test results
Review: Chrysler RS.I Grand Voyager (2001-04)
Overview
Released in May 2001, the Chrysler RS Series I (RS.I) Grand Voyager was a seven-seat people mover. Manufactured in Graz, Austria, the RS Grand Voyager was powered by a 3.3-litre V6 engine that was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The 3.3-litre pushrod V6 petrol engine had a cast iron block, aluminium cylinder heads, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.3:1. The RS Grand Voyager range initially consisted of three variants: SE, LX and Limited; in 2002, a four-wheel drive Limited was added to the range.
The RS Grand Voyager was sold alongside Chrysler’s RS Voyager – this model has been reviewed separately. Compared to the Voyager, the Grand Voyager was 291 mm longer (at 5094 mm) and had a 152 mm longer wheelbase (3030 mm); width and height, however, were unchanged.
Compared to the NS Grand Voyager , however, the RS Grand Voyager was 24 mm longer (at 5094 mm), 47 mm wider (1997 mm) and 40 mm lower (1749 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (3030 mm). The RS Grand Voyager chassis also achieved a 20 per cent increase in torsional rigidity.
| Variant | Years | Drive | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE, LX |
2001-04 | FWD | 3.3-litre petrol V6 | 4sp auto | 128 kW at 5100 rpm | 278 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| Limited | 2001-04 | FWD | ||||
| 2002-04 | 4WD |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Chrysler RS Grand Voyager included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side (head and thorax protecting) airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Limited variants were also fitted with traction control.
Features: Grand Voyager SE, LX and Limited
Standard features for the Grand Voyager SE included a six speaker sound system with CD player, three-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, tilt adjustable steering wheel, roof racks, tinted glass, trip computer and immobiliser. Furthermore, the second and third rows of seats could be folded (and tumbled forward for the second row) to increase luggage space.
Beyond this, the Grand Voyager LX added 16-inch ‘Scorpion’ alloy wheels, premium cloth seats, front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and roof racks.
The range-topping Grand Voyager Limited was further differentiated by its 16-inch ‘Constellation’ chrome wheels, ten speaker Infinity sound system with ten-disc CD player, leather seats, eight-way power adjustable and heated front seats, driver’s seat memory settings, power sliding doors, retractable door mirrors, headlight washers, steering wheel audio controls, power liftgate and load-levelling suspension with height control.
2003 Grand Voyager LX Anniversary Edition
In November 2003, an Anniversary Edition of the LX variant was released; these models were distinguished by their Infinity sound system with six-disc CD player and steering wheel audio controls.
Review: Chrysler RS.II Grand Voyager (2004-07)
Overview
Released in November 2004, the Chrysler RS Series II (RS.II) Grand Voyager introduced additional safety equipment and a subtle facelift. Visually, the RS.II Grand Voyager could be identified by its new front fascia, grille, quad projector headlights, wheel covers and alloy wheel designs.
| Variant | Years | Drive | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE, LX |
2004-07 | FWD | 3.3-litre petrol V6 | 4sp auto | 128 kW at 5100 rpm | 278 Nm at 4000 rpm |
| Limited | 2004-07 | FWD | ||||
| 2004-05 | 4WD |
Safety equipment
Safety equipment for the RS.II Grand Voyager was improved with the introduction of full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for all three rows of seats) across the range.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , a right-hand drive RS.II Grand Voyager with a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine was awarded a two star rating with a score of 16.49. Although the Voyager scored enough points overall for a three star rating, its performance in the frontal impact did not meet the minimum level for that rating such that the car was awarded a two star rating with the second star struck through. Furthermore, the curtain airbag did not deploy as intended during the pole test, becoming trapped between the dummy’s head and the B-pillar.
Features
Features were substantially the same as for the RS.I Grand Voyager, although a six-stack CD player was now standard across the range.
February 2005: Grand Voyager update
In February 2005, an optional ‘Stow and Go’ seating arrangement was introduced, enabling the second and third-row seats to be folded into under-floor cavities for increased luggage space.
2005 Voyager Vision editions
In September 2005, limited-run Vision editions were released for each variant within the range. For the SE and LX variants, the Vision editions were equipped with an Infinity sound system (already fitted to the LX), six-stack DVD player, power adjustable driver’s seat, rear parking sensors and overhead rail storage system; the Limited Vision edition also gained a 10-inch display.
2007 Voyager LX Signature Series
In 2007, limited-run Signature Series editions were released of the LX variant; these models were distinguished by their leather seats, overhead rail storage system and rear seat DVD entertainment system.
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