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Chrysler Grand Voyager
All this space will get you nowhere
There’s a very simple question I am asked more frequently than any other, and despite doing this job for nearly 20 years, I still don’t enjoy answering it. What happens is the manufacturer whose new car is to be tested flies you off to a nice part of the world (in this case Barcelona), puts you up in a posh hotel, feeds you excellent food and wine and then, just when its executives are expecting you to feel in their debt, they pop the question: “So, did you like our car?”
If you don’t like it, the situation becomes rather awkward, and they know this. They hope simple manners will force you to say yes. And once you’ve uttered that word, you’re either forced to contradict yourself in print or end up being kinder to a feeble product than it deserves.
With this new Chrysler Grand Voyager, I could see the question looming large from the moment I climbed up into its colossal cabin, fired up its diesel engine and lumbered off for the hills.
Just as its sister company, Jeep, was responsible for the first SUV, so the Chrysler Voyager was the car that gave the MPV to the world, beating even the Renault Espace into production, back in 1983. Since then it has grown and grown so that now not only has it been renamed the Grand Voyager, it is also longer than a Mercedes S-class. And provided you don’t make the mistake of driving it anywhere, it’s really rather wonderful.
There’s so much room in here, seven people can sprawl about extravagantly, yet there’s still enough space behind the third row of seats to carry enough tents to put an entire campsite under canvas. It’s well equipped in standard specification and if you’re prepared to splurge on the options list, there’s an almost unlimited quantity of goodies you can have. These will keep your passengers amused for hours – even if you, the poor sod who has paid for and drives the thing – are likely to have lost the will to live before reaching the end of your street.
You can have a dual DVD player so one of your children can watch a film while another plays games, and there’s a 20GB hard drive that will store 1,600 songs, and wireless infrared headphones so you can listen to your music undisturbed by what anyone else is doing. But my favourite optional feature is the second row of seats that turn to face those in the third row. A table pops up between them so your passengers can have a wonderful time playing board games or having lunch while you sit up front ferrying them rather slowly towards your destination.
And so to the driving. If I tell you the engine is a close relative of that used by London taxis, you’ll perhaps see where the problems start. Chrysler won’t release any performance figures for this car and, frankly, nor would I. By using a stopwatch and doing nothing more scientific than planting my foot on the floor, I timed it very informally at around 14sec to 60mph, which is tragically slow. Worse, the automatic gearbox may have six speeds but is so unresponsive and unwilling to kick down, it feels slower even than this.
That’s not the only problem. The engine is clattery and unrefined, even at the modest speeds at which the Grand Voyager can be persuaded to cruise. And while Chrysler’s engineers seem pleased with the new suspension they designed for the car, its handling is vague and ponderous.
But does any of this matter? Is anyone who is thinking of buying a Grand Voyager actually going to care that it’s about as much fun as clearing security at Heathrow? I think they will. Anyone who has driven a Ford Galaxy – a car Chrysler fails to mention in its list of rivals for this Voyager – will know the need to provide space and seats for a large family no longer requires the abandonment of driving enjoyment. Yes, the Grand Voyager can swallow all the people and possessions you could possibly want to throw through its electrically sliding doors. The only problem is that once they’re in, you’re not going to want to take them anywhere.
The question, when it came, was posed by Chris Alaniz, the Grand Voyager’s chief engineer: “So, Andrew, did you enjoy driving our car?” The answer came all too easily. Not really.
Vital statistics
Model Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.8 CRD LX
Engine type 2768cc, four cylinders, turbodiesel
Power/Torque 163bhp @ 3800rpm / 266 lb ft @ 1600rpm
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Fuel/CO2 30.4mpg / 247g/km
Performance 0-60mph: 14sec (est) / Top speed:112mph (est)
Price £25,995
Verdict Size really isn’t everything
Date of release February 2008
The opposition
Model
Renault Grand Espace dCi 175
£26,050
For Spacious, clever interior, good ride
Against Looks a little odd, quite expensive
Model
Ford Galaxy 2.0 TDCi Ghia £23,995
For Fantastic to drive, good value for money
Against No sliding side doors, not very spacious
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