Chrysler’s Economical Voyager Minivan May Become Exclusive to Fleet Customers Next Year (Updated)

UPDATE, October 7, 2021, 9:35PM: Chrysler has officially declared that the Voyager will be exclusively designated for fleet customers starting in 2022.

Enthusiasts of the minivan sector are well aware that the current generation of the Voyager essentially mirrors the Pacifica’s earlier base trims, the L and LX variations correspondingly. While the Voyager L commences at $27,860, the most budget-friendly Pacifica, the Touring, is valued at an MSRP of $35,820, denoting an escalation of close to $8000. This marked increase presents a substantial hurdle for those keen on acquiring a new van.

Given the disparity in pricing, this strategic shift is likely an initiative to fortify the minivan’s profit margins. With fleet transactions, any diminishment per unit that Chrysler concedes can be recuperated through higher sales volume. The product range is anticipated to be streamlined to a sole trim option, the LX.

Internally, one can anticipate a 7.0-inch entertainment display supported by Uconnect 5, Stow ‘n Go seating in the second row, and an automated sliding door. Additional comforts include heated front seats and a warmed steering wheel. These are indeed luxurious features for what will most likely be a future rental vehicle.

Technically speaking, the Voyager is expected to retain its 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 287 horsepower, a powerplant also utilized in the upscale Pacifica. A 9-speed automatic transmission sends power solely to the front wheels, as the availability of all-wheel drive and hybrid alternatives remains confined to Pacifica variants. It is presumed that aficionados won’t lament the perpetuated absence of a manual transmission choice.

Following the discontinuation of the Dodge Grand Caravan in 2020 and now the limitation of the Voyager to fleet clientele, the availability of entry-level options in the minivan arena seems to be diminishing. Nonetheless, indications suggest that the market at large continues to hold significance. The Pacifica achieved sales figures of 93,802 units last year, positioning it comfortably ahead of rivals such as the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

Hence, if the reports are precise, it appears that the brief revival of the Voyager nameplate in 2020 might be short-lived in the broader commercial landscape. The Drive has initiated contact with Chrysler for verification and will provide updates upon receiving a response. For ardent van enthusiasts, this development may be disappointing, but fret not; one could always opt for the slightly more upscale Pacifica, provided that they possess the extra funds. 

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