Review: Chrysler RT Grand Voyager (2008-15)

Overview

Released in April 2008, the Chrysler RT Grand Voyager was a seven-seat people mover. Manufactured in Missouri, USA, the front-wheel drive RT Grand Voyager was available with 3.8-litre V6 petrol and 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines. Of these engines,

• the 3.8-litre pushrod V6 petrol engine had a cast iron block, aluminium cylinder heads, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.6:1; and,
• the 2.8-litre VM Motori R428 diesel engine had a variable geometry turbocharger, common-rail direct injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 17.5:1.

Both engines were mated to six-speed automatic transmissions.

Compared to the RS Grand Voyager , the RT Grand Voyager was 49 mm longer (at 5143 mm), 43 mm narrower (1954 mm), 54 mm lower (1750 mm) and had a 48 mm longer wheelbase (3078 mm). Furthermore, the RT Grand Voyager body was stiffer and the interior was quieter due measures such as additional seals and body fillers, an under-bonnet silencer, an upgraded dashboard silencer and thicker carpet underlay.

The RT Grand Voyager had MacPherson strut front suspension and a twist-beam rear axle with a load-levelling function.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, full length curtain airbags, knee airbags for front occupants, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, roll-over sensors and front seatbelts with load limiters and pretensioners. From October 2009, active front seat head restraints were standard across the range.

Features

Initially, standard features for the Grand Voyager LX included 16-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with ‘MyGig’ multimedia interface including CD/DVD player and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB), three-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, reversing camera, roof racks, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, rear DVD player, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, power retracting mirrors, tinted windows, roof racks, tyre pressure monitoring, 12 volt power outlets, a cargo cover, trip computer and an immobiliser.

Inside, the Grand Voyager had a 2-2-3 seating configuration with flat-folding second and third row seats (Chrysler’s ‘Stow ‘n Go’ seating). However, an optional ‘Swivel ‘n Go’ feature was also available, which consisted of second-row seats that could rotate 180 degrees to face the third row and a removable table that would be installed between the two rows.

Compared to the features of the LX, the Grand Voyager Touring added a more detailed trip computer, power sliding side doors, front fog lights, side window shades and an alarm system.

Finally, the Grand Voyager Limited was distinguished by its 17-inch alloys, nine speaker sound system with 506 watt amplifier, satellite navigation, leather seats, power adjustable front seats with memory settings, heated front seats, high intensity discharge (HID) headlights, twin rear seat DVD screens, rear blinds, power-operated tailgate and power sunroof.

October 2009: Grand Voyager update

In October 2009, the range underwent a minor update with the Touring variant discontinued. The Limited was substantially unchanged, but the LX variant was fitted with a more basic four speaker Media Centre with audio jack; the reversing camera, front colour monitor, U-Connect Bluetooth and rear seat DVD player were also omitted.

Related links

• Technical Specifications: Chrysler RT Grand Voyager (March 2008)
• Brochure: Chrysler RT Grand Voyager (October 2010)
• Fiat Chrysler Australia: Fiat Chrysler Grand Voyager
• Wikipedia.org: Chrysler RT Grand Voyager