Review

Review: Chrysler RS Voyager (2001-04)

2.5 stars

  • Comfortable front seats
  • Spacious and versatile interior
  • 3.3-litre V6 engine provides better performance than in the heavier Chrysler RS Grand Voyager
  • Generally comfortable ride…
  • … but live rear axle struggles with bumps
  • Automatic transmission can be indecisive and deliver clunky shifts
  • Steering lacks precision and feel
  • Cheap interior plastics
  • Poor Euro NCAP crash test results for related RS Grand Voyager

Overview

Released in May 2001, the Chrysler RS Voyager was a seven-seat people mover. Manufactured in Graz, Austria, the front-wheel drive Voyager was powered by a 3.3-litre V6 engine 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.

Compared to the NS Voyager , the RS Voyager was 70 mm longer (at 4803 mm), 47 mm wider (1997 mm) and 10 mm taller (1750 mm), though its wheelbase was unchanged (2878 mm). The body achieved a 20 per cent increase in torsional stiffness, while the RS Voyager was also fitted with a more powerful engine and bigger disc brakes. The RS Voyager had MacPherson strut front suspension and leaf spring rear suspension (both with gas-charged shock absorbers and stabiliser bars).

The RS Voyager was sold alongside Chrysler’s RS Grand Voyager – this model has been reviewed separately. Relative to the Voyager, the Grand Voyager was 291 mm longer (at 5094 mm) and had a 152 mm longer wheelbase (3030 mm).

Chrysler RS Voyager specifications
Variant Engine Trans. Peak power Peak torque
SE 3.3-litre petrol V6 4sp auto 128 kW at 5100 rpm 278 Nm at 4000 rpm

Safety equipment

Safety equipment for the RS Voyager consisted of dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side (head and thorax) airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Features: Voyager SE

Standard features for the RS Voyager included a six speaker sound system with a CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control (with speed limiter), remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, tinted glass and an immobiliser.

Inside, the second and third rows of seats could be folded – and tumbled forward for the second row – to increase luggage space.

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