Specifications of Chrysler Voyager 3.6L V6 FWD (291 HP)
General characteristics of Chrysler Voyager 3.6L V6 FWD (291 HP)
Good looks aren't a primary concern when it comes to passenger minivans, but that doesn't mean they have to be ugly. The Chrysler Voyager cuts a pretty attractive figure with its sleek lines and aerodynamic bumper. The roof is long and flat, giving the rear a bit of a boxy look, though. The front grille is slim and curves up over the quad halogen headlights. Riding on 17-inch steel wheels, the minivan gets four doors and a liftgate rear door. The side sills and bumper are body-colored, although side steps and running boards are available. Sliding rear doors and an available power liftgate are reserved for the fleet-only LXi.
Minivans are not small vehicles and the Voyager's dimensions are about average for the segment. The 121.6-inch wheelbase is easily accommodated by the Voyager's overall length of 203.8 inches. The minivan stands quite tall at 69.9 inches, and could be tricky to park with its 79.6-inch width. It is a bit lighter than rivals, though, partly thanks to its sparse list of features. The Voyager weighs in at 4,330 lbs, while the Honda Odyssey starts at 4,354 lbs and the Kia Sedona at 4,411 lbs.
Performance isn't usually where minivans shine, and the Chrysler Voyager is no exception. It gets a pretty decent 287-hp V6 engine, with an ample 262 lb-ft on tap, but with its long body and hefty weight, it will never be an athletic vehicle. Chrysler hasn't released acceleration figures for the minivan, because why would anyone really bother trying to sprint the poor beast of burden? Independent tests of the Pacifica - essentially a better-specced variant of the Voyager - claimed that the minivan could get up to 60 mph from idle in a relatively impressive 7.3 seconds.
No all-wheel-drive is offered for the Voyager, but that's not unusual for the segment, with the Toyota Sienna being the unique exception. Still, even with only front-wheel-drive, the minivan can tow up to 3,600 lbs. This is a bit more than rivals like the Honda Odyssey and Kia Sedona, which each max out at 3,500 lbs. A single engine is available to the Chrysler Voyager. The 3.6-liter V6 comes mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, developing 287 hp and 262 lb-ft for the front wheels only. Despite the large size of the vehicle, the powertrain does a great job of pulling it around town. It isn't overly quick, but that's not unexpected for a segment that values safety and reliability over fun. Still, the Voyager never feels lacking for power, even when laden with passengers and cargo. Passing on the highway should probably not be attempted, however, especially when carrying a full load.
While by no means a thrilling driver, the Chrysler Voyager is competent on the road. The steering is light enough for maneuvering around town, which is great because the long, girthy minivan is hardly nimble. At higher speeds, it gains a little heft, but you'll never get much feedback from the wheels, so you'll be relying on your commanding seating position to provide you with information about where the edges of the vehicle are.
The suspension is quite good for such a bulky car, absorbing most road abrasions without too much fuss. The cabin may bounce around a bit over larger bumps, but load in some passengers and cargo, and the ride smooths out as the increased weight keeps the body stable. This is not a vehicle you should try to drive with any degree of thrill-seeking, as the handling simply cannot cope with anything more than neurotic soccer-mom levels of driving.
The active noise cancellation from the sound system helps to deliver a quieter ride when the music is playing, but wind and road noise are ever-present, even at minimal levels. Overall, the Voyager is nothing to write home about, but you won't complain about it either.
