21/11/2008

Chrysler Grand Voyager

Recommended. If you need space for a big family, versatility and the possibility of entertainment options such as roof-mounted DVD screens, this Chrysler is worth serious consideration.

Chrysler's big people carrier reaches its fifth iteration, and is now available only as the Grand Voyager (the smaller Voyager's role will be taken by the Dodge Journey) featuring seven seats arranged in three rows, a large boot and a choice of either a 2.8 litre V6 turbodiesel or a 3.8 litre V6 petrol, both coming with automatic transmissions as standard. This is a big vehicle offering much room and versatility. Seat folding is easy, the loadbay is big when the rear row are stowed, and vast with the middle pair folded too. Oddments space is generous all round too. There are plenty of options that are just the job for keeping a large family occupied, including multiple DVD screens and a powerful sound system. This new version is much improved, and promises to earn a better safety rating than the previous model, which fell unacceptably short. It also costs much the same money as before but provides more equipment as standard, including three-zone climate control - it allows different temperatures to be set for different parts of the cabin - electrically opening sliding side doors and curtain airbags. The Grand Voyager's road manners are improved too; it's not as composed as the smaller Ford Galaxy, but it's surprisingly manageable. Its boxy shape makes parking slightly less challenging, but parking aids are only available on the top model. The downside is that both diesel and petrol versions produce more than 225g/km of CO2, which means it will attract a £25 congestion charge fee in London.

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