Voyager Returns to Chrysler Lineup as Entry Level Van
The Chrysler Voyager is returning to the retail market for the 2025 model year as the value variant of the Pacifica. While it lacks the looks and some of the features of its more luxurious sibling, it’s priced $2,500 lower and seems to be arriving at a point where shoppers might be more willing to re-engage with minivans due to their relative affordability. If you have a family and can only afford one new automobile, having something as versatile as a van might not be the worst idea.
Originally the default full-size van for the now-defunct Plymouth brand, the Voyager became a minivan after the debut of the Dodge Caravan in 1984. Discontinued in the early 2000s at roughly the same time the Plymouth division was being shut down, the name would continue being used for the export market. However, the model would be revived and rejoin Chrysler in the U.S. as the inexpensive (but visibly similar) alternative to the Town and Country.
Global production would cease in 2016, leaving the Dodge Caravan as the only holdover minivan. But the Voyager name would come back in 2019 to become the base-trim variant of the Chrysler Pacifica. Public sales of the Voyager were discontinued in 2021, making the model exclusive to fleet sales.
But it’s now back on the retail market, which was probably a wise play on the part of Stellantis considering how cost sensitive American car buyers have become. The model is to minivans what the Ram 1500 Classic was to the company’s full-sized pickups. Chrysler even references the Voyager's styling as "classic,” which is really just a nice way of saying it uses the exterior bits of the older Pacifica (pre-2021).
That’s all fine. While the current Pacifica is the better looking vehicle, the difference between them is negligible and the van’s outward appearance doesn’t really make it any better at taking the kids to school. Customers are basically getting the Pacifica with the older design cues. But they do get some of the current tech, including the 10.1-inch touchscreen using Chrysler's Uconnect 5 and the latest instrumentation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are likewise standard.
“Stow 'n' Go” seating allows the Voyager to swap from hauling people to things by creating a totally flat cargo space in the rear. While this won’t make the vehicle as capable as a full-size pickup, owners are still getting over 140 cubic feet of storage in the back. In many cases, that’s actually more space than you’d be allotted with the typical truck bed.
It may not be quite so feature rich as the Pacifica. But Voyager buyers will get three three-zone climate control and heated front leatherette seats. The model also comes with a driver-assistance package that seems to stress the features most people would want — with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and rear parking sensors all being standard equipment.
Voyager models come equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar motor boasting 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The nine-speed gearbox is designed with efficiency in mind and is said to return 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. True to the original Voyager, it’s front-wheel drive.
“The 2025 Chrysler Voyager offers customers a well-equipped, budget-conscious minivan and reinforces our brand’s commitment to delivering choices in the segment Stellantis created more than 40 years ago and continues to lead," stated Chrysler CEO Chris Feuell. “We’ve added many comfort, technology-focused and safety features as standard equipment on Chrysler Voyager, including standard Stow ‘n Go seating, making the Voyager an attractive, value-packed option within the Chrysler family of minivans.”
Pricing for the 2025 Chrysler Voyager starts at $41,690 (all prices include destination). Considering customers could purchase the now-discontinued (and comparatively ancient) Dodge Caravan for under $30,000 just five years ago, Voyager pricing feels a little high for what you’re getting.
It’s also not undercutting the competition. The 2025 Toyota Sienna Hybrid starts at $40,635 and the Kia Carnival starts at $37,895. But the Honda Odyssey opens at $43,315 with the Chrysler Pacifica being even dearer at $44,145.
However, the real value proposition is against three-row SUVs and crossovers. While roughly the same size on the outside, minivans tend to offer superior fuel efficiency and interior space. They’ve also historically had better on-road manners than something that’s designed to do any amount of offroading. Your author would likewise hazard a guess that the deals being offered by Chrysler dealerships will probably be a little sweeter than what you might find elsewhere.
That said, SUVs remain trendy and are capable of doing things that minivans cannot. If your primary concerns relate to towing or coping with uncooperative terrain, it’s surprising you’ve read this far. But, if you’re just worried about hauling people/things in a vehicle that’s cheaper/easier to live with day-to-day, something like the Chrysler Voyager may be on the menu. Stellantis says models should start to arrive at dealerships in fourth quarter.
[Images: Stellantis]
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Consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulations. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, he has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed about the automotive sector by national broadcasts, participated in a few amateur rallying events, and driven more rental cars than anyone ever should. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and learned to drive by twelve. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer and motorcycles.
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Why was the Dodge Journey comparatively a sales success and vehicles like the Suzuki Kishashi and North American versions of the Ford Mondeo sales failures? Because most North American consumers still purchase based on cubic feet per dollar.
Who buys the most new cars? The older consumers/demographics,and homeowners. People who use their vehicles to go shopping,. To carry furniture and garden supplies. To drive around friends/family/grandchildren. Who do not care about G-Force, launch time, etc.
Many of these consumers prefer the 'security' of a new vehicle with a warranty rather than a used vehicle. If they can afford the new vehicle.
For nearly a century we were able to drive RWD vehicles in all types of weather. Why now do we 'need' AWD?
We keep reading that the cost of producing a large vehicle is not much more than for a small vehicle. Which is why the D3 were not competitive in the small car market. Or in building small pick-ups. And why full sized pick-ups are far more profitable.
So why can't Stellantis take a platform, and driveline that is 'older' but proven. Whose development costs have long since been paid off. Use these to underpin a 'box on wheels'. With 'less expensive' interior materials (for example 'soft' touch points). And sell it to 'the masses' craving an inexpensive (read under $34k), 3 rows of seating vehicle, perhaps the size of the original Magic Van? Front wheel drive, cloth seats, rubber flooring for ease of cleaning, minimal electronics. Sell these not only to the consumers noted above but also for fleet sales. Guaranteed that it would not cannibalize any current Stellantis sales.
slap a nice set of wheels on it and it won't look bad 👍️