Chrysler Voyager: A Budget Version of the Pacifica Minivan

[nadepalma]

The 2020 Chrysler Voyager Is a Budget Version of the Pacifica Minivan
The Voyager name is back, and there's even a throwback LXi trim level.
By JOEY CAPPARELLA
JUN 27, 2019
Road & Track

• Chrysler is applying the Voyager name to the Pacifica minivan's less-expensive trim levels for 2020.
• This brings back a nameplate that used to be applied to Plymouth's version of minivan back in the day.
• Production of the 2020 Chrysler Voyager begins in August, and it should cost a bit less than the Pacifica's current starting price of $28,730.

Chrysler has renamed the cheaper versions of its Pacifica minivan, and the new name is a familiar one: Voyager. Essentially a rebadged version of the previous Pacifica's L and LX trim levels, the new budget-oriented 2020 Chrysler Voyager is otherwise mechanically identical to the Pacifica we know and love, with the same 287-hp 3.6-liter V-6 engine and nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pacifica itself should continue on unchanged, although it will now only include higher-priced trim levels with more equipment.

The Voyager's base L trim level is fairly sparsely equipped with manual climate control, cloth seats, and a second-row bench seat that makes for seven-passenger capacity. The Voyager LX adds a fair bit of equipment including second-row captain's chairs, a power driver's seat, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and SiriusXM satellite radio. There's also a fleet-only LXi trim meant for rental duty that has leatherette seats, second-row Stow 'n Go seats, a roof rack, and remote start.

CONTINUE AT LINK ABOVE

[nadepalma]

Other than its badge, there's nothing to distinguish the Voyager visually. We wonder if this new strategy with the Chrysler van might be FCA's way of beginning to phase out the ancient Dodge Grand Caravan, which has served as the company's low-priced minivan offering for the past few years.

This is all bit shortsighted. Aside from the questionable strategy in reviving an old name on a lower-rung version of an established product, you have to scratch your head if said product is visually identical to its plusher, more expensive brethren. What sense does that make?

As near-identical as the old Chrysler minivan triplets were, at least they had different grilles a few visual cues to differentiate them.

The old Caravan is a money maker for FCA and it's obvious that there are lots of folks out there who want an affordable minivan/family-hauler, but don't want to shell out big money for the Pacifica. If Dodge is dumping the Caravan to refocus the brand on muscle cars and sporty vehicles, it would have been far smarter to keep the Caravan in production as the Chrysler Voyager, with a revised front and rear end to match Chrysler's current design language. The tooling and engineering on the old minivans is well past paid-off, so they would have recouped their investment in a mild nip/tuck for the product very quickly. Ultimately, that would've made a lot more sense to me, and would have arguably been more "plausible" in the eyes of consumers than just slapping a different name on an entry-level Pacifica.

[richmond2000]

I know the Caravan and the JK Wrangler NEVER got upgraded to the "powernet" electronics platform and still uses the DCx "starscan" system and the JL Wrangler is using the NEW Powernet leaving the Caravan the ONLY one using the OLD system and TOOLING / diagnostic systems
soo the caravan would NEED a retooling anyways

I wonder if a RAM version of the Pacifica could be done in both PAX and cargo versions as it would slot between the Promaster city mini cargo van and the promaster Large van I know the midsized Mercedes van is selling well around here

[Serpens]

This is all bit shortsighted. Aside from the questionable strategy in reviving an old name on a lower-rung version of an established product, you have to scratch your head if said product is visually identical to its plusher, more expensive brethren. What sense does that make?

As near-identical as the old Chrysler minivan triplets were, at least they had different grilles a few visual cues to differentiate them.

The old Caravan is a money maker for FCA and it's obvious that there are lots of folks out there who want an affordable minivan/family-hauler, but don't want to shell out big money for the Pacifica. If Dodge is dumping the Caravan to refocus the brand on muscle cars and sporty vehicles, it would have been far smarter to keep the Caravan in production as the Chrysler Voyager, with a revised front and rear end to match Chrysler's current design language. The tooling and engineering on the old minivans is well past paid-off, so they would have recouped their investment in a mild nip/tuck for the product very quickly. Ultimately, that would've made a lot more sense to me, and would have arguably been more "plausible" in the eyes of consumers than just slapping a different name on an entry-level Pacifica.

There’s a big elephant in the room, and that’s safety. This was always the problem with the Caravan and it now can’t be ignored. Meeting safety standards with this old of a vehicle is going to require investment that doesn’t make sense.

As for styling, the Pacifica will be getting its mid cycle facelift soon that will bring some differentiation.

[PastorChevyGuy]

I know the Caravan and the JK Wrangler NEVER got upgraded to the "powernet" electronics platform and still uses the DCx "starscan" system and the JL Wrangler is using the NEW Powernet leaving the Caravan the ONLY one using the OLD system and TOOLING / diagnostic systems
soo the caravan would NEED a retooling anyways

I wonder if a RAM version of the Pacifica could be done in both PAX and cargo versions as it would slot between the Promaster city mini cargo van and the promaster Large van I know the midsized Mercedes van is selling well around here

Didn't they try that with the Ram Van as a stop gap until the ProMaster City came out?

[Andrew L]

I think this is also just a way for Chrysler to say hey we have more than 2 models we have 3 now!

[LowRider]

I think this is also just a way for Chrysler to say hey we have more than 2 models we have 3 now!

Just shoot Chrysler and put it out of it's misery. It's an embarrassment today. Loved Chrysler's in the 60's.

[rmc523]

I said this on other forums when the news came out a few weeks ago:


Yeah, I don't understand this move at all.


It'd have made more sense if they debuted this as a "new" Grand Caravan that was just a rebadged low-end Pacifica (what we see here with Voyager). They could then call the existing one just "Caravan" if they really wanted to keep it as an even lower cost mostly fleet option.

[StormHunter77]

After reading the Motor Trend long term review of their Pacifica, I'd never buy one. Theirs spent weeks in the shop - weeks - and it was a new car picked by the manufacturer to be tested by a major auto mag. Other owners reported the same issue with their Pacificas (it wouldn't start).

[RedSkyBlackDream]

After reading the Motor Trend long term review of their Pacifica, I'd never buy one. Theirs spent weeks in the shop - weeks - and it was a new car picked by the manufacturer to be tested by a major auto mag. Other owners reported the same issue with their Pacificas (it wouldn't start).

Don't know if I would agree with that. Pacifica is one of the best minivans on the market behind Honda's. Actually those two could be tied.

[eaton53]

My brother rented a loaded Pacifica and I rode in it last week. It was quite fancy for a van.
I wouldn't want it, it was way too nice. Vans are supposed to do van stuff, which means kids and dogs trashing it.

[Serpens]

Don't know if I would agree with that. Pacifica is one of the best minivans on the market behind Honda's. Actually those two could be tied.

The Pacifica has won over the Odyssey in comparison tests and currently has a better reliability record in Consumer Reports.

[Mr.Buttons]

The Pacifica has won over the Odyssey in comparison tests and currently has a better reliability record in Consumer Reports.

Impossible..this is FCA we're talking about.

You know the old saying "What Chevy and Ford refuses FCA picks up off the floor and uses."

[Watchdevil]

This is all bit shortsighted. Aside from the questionable strategy in reviving an old name on a lower-rung version of an established product, you have to scratch your head if said product is visually identical to its plusher, more expensive brethren. What sense does that make?

As near-identical as the old Chrysler minivan triplets were, at least they had different grilles a few visual cues to differentiate them.

The old Caravan is a money maker for FCA and it's obvious that there are lots of folks out there who want an affordable minivan/family-hauler, but don't want to shell out big money for the Pacifica. If Dodge is dumping the Caravan to refocus the brand on muscle cars and sporty vehicles, it would have been far smarter to keep the Caravan in production as the Chrysler Voyager, with a revised front and rear end to match Chrysler's current design language. The tooling and engineering on the old minivans is well past paid-off, so they would have recouped their investment in a mild nip/tuck for the product very quickly. Ultimately, that would've made a lot more sense to me, and would have arguably been more "plausible" in the eyes of consumers than just slapping a different name on an entry-level Pacifica.

I guess you forgot how Biscayne and Bel Air were lower priced versions of the Impala and Caprice.

[Watchdevil]

Chrysler used to use the Voyager name on minivans exported from the US since Dodge and Plymouth brands did not exist in overseas markets.