Photo: Chrysler
Remember the Voyager? Chrysler brought it back from the dead, but it’s more Pacifica rather than a successor to the RT-platform minivan. Adding insult to injury, the 2020 Chrysler Voyager is nothing more than a branding exercise.
Replacing both the Pacifica L and Pacifica LX, the Voyager will be offered in three flavors. L and LX are for retail customers while the LXi is a fleet-only trim level. The latter comes with UltraTec leatherette upholstery, Stow ‘n Go for the second-row seats, remote start, security alarm, Stow ‘n Place roof rack, garage door opener, retractable sunshades, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
As with the Pacifica, the Voyager relies on the Pentastar V6. No surprises in terms of output either, rated at 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission does the shifting for you, marketed as TorqueFlite although ZF Friedrichshafen designed it. More commonly known as the 9HP, this transmission has been recalled time and again in FCA models such as the Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500X, Ram ProMaster City, and Chrysler 200.
Six exterior colors are offered, namely Velvet Red Pearl Coat, Jazz Blue Pearl Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, and Billet Metallic Coat. At the lowest end of the spectrum, the LX gets a 3.5-inch digital information display, Uconnect 4 infotainment with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
An option that customers should tick off the list is the SafetyTec Group. This package includes rear parking assist, cross-path detection, and blind-spot monitoring. Seating for seven also comes standard, which is the norm in this particular segment.
Once again, why was it necessary for Chrysler to re-brand two trim levels of the Pacifica into the Voyager, then come up with three trim levels? The most likely answer is heritage considering that the nameplate dates back to 1988. At that point in time, minivans were more popular than the crossovers and SUVs which sell like hotcakes in this day and age.
Another reason would be pricing. Taking some things out of the Pacifica to create the bare-bones Voyager would translate into a better deal for customers on a budget. The thing, however, is that Chrysler hasn’t announced the starting price of the newcomer. For future reference, the Pacifica for the 2019 model year is $26,985 while the Dodge Grand Caravan starts at $26,790 excluding destination.
As with the Pacifica, the Voyager relies on the Pentastar V6. No surprises in terms of output either, rated at 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission does the shifting for you, marketed as TorqueFlite although ZF Friedrichshafen designed it. More commonly known as the 9HP, this transmission has been recalled time and again in FCA models such as the Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500X, Ram ProMaster City, and Chrysler 200.
Six exterior colors are offered, namely Velvet Red Pearl Coat, Jazz Blue Pearl Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, and Billet Metallic Coat. At the lowest end of the spectrum, the LX gets a 3.5-inch digital information display, Uconnect 4 infotainment with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
An option that customers should tick off the list is the SafetyTec Group. This package includes rear parking assist, cross-path detection, and blind-spot monitoring. Seating for seven also comes standard, which is the norm in this particular segment.
Once again, why was it necessary for Chrysler to re-brand two trim levels of the Pacifica into the Voyager, then come up with three trim levels? The most likely answer is heritage considering that the nameplate dates back to 1988. At that point in time, minivans were more popular than the crossovers and SUVs which sell like hotcakes in this day and age.
Another reason would be pricing. Taking some things out of the Pacifica to create the bare-bones Voyager would translate into a better deal for customers on a budget. The thing, however, is that Chrysler hasn’t announced the starting price of the newcomer. For future reference, the Pacifica for the 2019 model year is $26,985 while the Dodge Grand Caravan starts at $26,790 excluding destination.
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