1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager Minivan Review & Performance

at 119.3 inches, the Grand Voyager has a six-inch longer wheelbase than

the standard Voyager. From bumper-to bumper, the Grand Voyager is longer

as well--199.6 inches, compared to the 186-inch standard model. And with

all the seats removed, the Grand Voyager's total cargo space measures 168.5

cubic feet--notably more spacious than the standard Voyager's 142.9 cubic

feet.

This additional space comes at a relative bargain. The Grand Voyager's

base price of $19,160, including destination, is only $1350 higher than

the basic Voyager.

The Voyager and Grand Voyager each come in two trim levels--the base

model and the more bountifully-equipped SE.

We road-tested the Grand Voyager SE, which listed a base price of $21,335.

It was decked out with the pricey ($2370) SE Rallye option package, which

consists of monochromatic body-color grille and door handles, silver accent

stripe, luggage rack, dark-tinted suncreen solar glass, 15-inch cast aluminum

wheels, air conditioning, rear defogger and windshield wiper de-icer.

Our test model was appointed with other options, like the 3.3 liter

V6 engine ($890); the optional fourth door ($595); and power locks ($315).

Those add-ons, plus the $580 destination charge, raised the price to $25,505.

But Plymouth's $1030 option discount adjusted the final price downward

to $24,475.

The dark-tinted windows, in conjunction with the vehicle's dusky, purplish-blue

color--which Plymouth has christened Deep Amethyst Pearl--results in a

slightly imposing Darth Vader look.

However, even without the brooding hue, the Voyager would still exude

a sporty visage, thanks to its rounded corners, slanting windshield, stylishly

sculpted body panels and understated side moldings, and cleverly concealed

sliding door tracks.

you'll never go back. Whether you're a harried soccer mom or an artist

packing your paintings for the art-fair circuit, you'll love the convenience

of being able to load up from your own side of the vehicle--instead of

having to shlep around to the other side. This is an idea whose time is

way past due--and well worth the $595 option charge. More than 75% of Voyager

buyers agree.

The inner dimensions of our Grand Voyager SE were so commodious that

we were tempted to string up a net and work on our backhand. Of course,

we'd have to remove the seats first--which, in the past, would have been

enough reason to sheath the racket.

But in the Voyager, that task is not nearly so daunting as in bygone

days. A manly yank on an under-seat lever pops the second- and third-row

bench seats up onto a set of wheels. They can then be rolled backwards

and removed via the tailgate--although, alas, not by one person. For smaller

loads, the seatbacks can be folded down, affording enough room for the

4x8 sheets of paneling for that rec-room remodeling project.

We found the head- and legroom in both the front seats and second-row

bench to be sufficient for full-sized homo sapiens. And we liked the eight

inches of clearance between the side of the second-row seat and sliding

driver's side door. But when Chrysler states that the rear bench can seat

three, we think they mean three of small stature.

New features and changes for 1997 include refinements to the transmission

control, upgraded ABS system, quieter operation, a lower-priced quad seating

option, and new options such as the eight-way power driver's seat, and

overhead console with trip computer, compass and thermometer. Plus, the

accident response system has been enhanced so that, after the airbag deploys

in a crash, the power locks unlock and the interior lights turn on.

retune the suspension so that the vans would handle even more like a sedan.

Plus, the torsional rigidity of the new four-door model is 50% greater

than that of the previous generation's three-door model.

That translates into greater stability--always a plus in a vehicle whose

68.5-inch height tends to make it lean a bit when negotiating freeway exit

ramps at brisk speeds. During one such cornering maneuver, we encountered

some tippiness--which is part and parcel of driving a minivan--but the

vehicle felt firmly planted and in control.

That's partly due to the suspension and partly the rack and pinion power

steering, which was equally responsive when darting in and out of freeway

traffic and during short-notice lane changes. Clearly, the smaller standard

Voyager will be even more nimble than our longer and heavier Grand Voyager.

Chrysler designers also improved the Grand Voyager's ride quietness

for 1997, and it shows, although we think the Mercury Villager is as quiet

at freeway speeds.

Voyager buyers can choose from three engines--the standard 2.4-liter

four-cylinder engine; the optional 3.0-liter V6 or optional 3.3-liter V6.

A three-speed automatic is standard on the base Voyager and Grand Voyager,

while the SE models come with a four-speed automatic.

The Caravan and Town & Country also offer a 3.8-liter V6, with a

little more horsepower and a lot more torque.

Our tester was powered by a 3.3-liter V6 and the four-speed automatic,

which we recommend for the Grand version, given its extra weight. With

this beefier powertrain at our disposal, we found that the Grand Voyager

was able to respond to most of the demands we placed on it--from dead-stop

acceleration to freeway passing. However, when we punched the pedal on

the freeway at higher speeds, the engine was a little noisier than we would

have guessed.