Chrysler Corporation (now DaimlerChrysler) has marketed Voyager vans around the world starting in 1974. The company stopped making vehicles using the Plymouth Voyager name in 1998 but it continues to produce a minivan, now known as the Town and Country.
Along with the Dodge Caravan and the European Renault Espace, the Plymouth Voyager was the first modern minivan. These vehicles are recognized as having created the minivan market niche in North America and have been the best selling minivans there since their introduction. As of mid-2005, over 11 million Plymouth, Dodge and Chrysler minivans have been sold.
1974-1983
Early versions of the Plymouth Voyage minivan were basically a rebadged Dodge Sportsman. They were produced from 1974 until 1983. The first Voyager could carry 12 passengers – 15 passengers in the stretch version. This vehicle was the first that Chrysler produced on a truck body in many decades.
1984-1990
From 1984 to 1990, Chrysler produced the Plymouth Voyager on the Chrysler “S” platform, a platform very close to that used for the Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries “K” cars. The company made vehicles with four-cylinder motors (the Chrysler-produced 2.2L, 2.5L and a 2.5L Turbo) or a Mitsubishi 2.6L. Chrysler also made the Voyager with a Mitsubishi 3.0L V6 and a Chrysler 3.3L V6. Transmissions were: 5-speed manual, or 3- or 4-speed automatics. In 1987, the Grand Voyager was introduced. It was built on a longer wheelbase that added more cargo room. This generation of minivans also saw the use of vinyl “wood” panels on the sides of the vehicle, which became a trademark.
1991-1995
Plymouth redesigned Voyager for 1991. It featured softer contours and a more aerodynamic look. Other new features during this time included the first driver’s side airbag for a minivan in 1991 (the airbag became standard in 1992), first dual front airbags in 1994, the first minivan to meet 1998 safety standards (1994), “quad command” bucket seats (1991), and anti-lock brakes (available 1991). Engines of this era were a 2.4L four cylinder, 3.0L Mitsubishi V6, and 3.3L and 3.8L V6s. Transmissions available were a 5-speed manual, and three or four speed automatics.
1996-2000
In 1996, Voyager was again redesigned and it featured the first driver’s side sliding door; a video entertainment center was available for the rear seat starting in 2000. The vehicle was only offered as a short-wheelbase (Voyager) or as a long-wheelbase Plymouth Grand Voyager SE during this time and the never-popular manual transmission was eliminated. Engines available were either a 2.4L four-cylinder or a 3.0L Mitsubishi V6, or 3.3L and 3.8L V6. In 1999, Chrysler announced the end of the Plymouth division. In 2001 saw the change from Plymouth Voyager to Chrysler Voyager, with the Chrysler Voyager finally becoming the Town and Country in 2004.
All Voyagers from 1990 to 2000 have been produced at Chrysler’s St. Louis Missouri facility.
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