Plymouth · 1974–2000

Plymouth Voyager

Plymouth Voyager is a nameplate for a range of vans that were marketed by Plymouth from 1974 to 2000. One of the few light trucks marketed by the division, the Voyager was initially a full-size van, later becoming one of the first minivans successfully marketed in North America. For its first generation, the Voyager was a full-size van, serving as the Plymouth counterpart of the Dodge Sportsman (renamed Dodge Ram Wagon for 1980). For 1984, the Voyager was reintroduced as a minivan, becoming a divisional counterpart of the Dodge Caravan. For 1987, the model line was expanded with the extended-wheelbase Plymouth Grand Voyager and the luxury-trim Chrysler Town & Country for 1990. Three generations of the model line were sold until the closure of the Plymouth brand during the 2000 model year. The Voyager nameplate has also seen use multiple times under the Chrysler brand. From 1988 to 2016, the Chrysler Voyager nameplate was used for export-market minivans. Following the demise of Plymouth, Chrysler reintroduced the Voyager as a Chrysler for North America, discontinuing the model after 2003. The Chrysler minivans (including versions sold under Chrysler, Ram, Lancia, and Volkwagen nameplates) are a model family that collectively rank as the 13th best-selling automotive model line worldwide. The Plymouth Voyager minivan was assembled by Chrysler at its Windsor Assembly facility in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; from 1987 to 2000, the Voyager was also assembled at Saint Louis Assembly in Fenton, Missouri (North plant from 1987 through 1995; South plant from 1996 until 2000). The full-size Plymouth Voyager van was assembled from 1974 until 1983 at the Pillette Road Truck Assembly in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant in Fenton, Missouri.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Chrysler Voyager

All Plymouth Voyager data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Full-size van (AB; 1974–1983)

For the 1974 model year, Plymouth debuted light trucks under its own brand (for the first time since 1942), introducing the Voyager full-size van and the Trail Duster SUV. The Voyager was a Plymouth counterpart of the Dodge Sportsman van, while the Trail Duster was derived from the Dodge Ramcharger. In contrast to Dodge, Plymouth only marketed the Voyager as a passenger van; as with the Sportsman, the model line was offered with seating options for up to 15 passengers (depending on body length); the 18-inch longer Extended Body Voyager was derived from the Dodge MaxiWagon. 1974-1977 Plymouth Voyagers were visually similar to their Dodge counterparts, centering Plymouth badging within the grille (a design shared by Fargo vans and 1971-1973 Dodges). Dependent on body size, the Voyager was sold in PB100, PB200, and PB300 series. In 1976, the Voyager was joined by the Voyager Custom and Voyager Sport (to better match its Dodge counterpart). For 1977, the single-panel rear door (introduced in 1975 as an option) became standard (trading places with the two-panel rear door). The rear seat mountings were redesigned, allowing for easier removal. For 1978 and 1979, the Voyager followed its Dodge counterpart through a two-year transition of the model line into its second generation. 1978 brought major structural changes, as a redesigned B-pillar on long-wheelbase models saw the deletion of the filler panels between the front doors and side doors (on the driver side, one fewer window); On extended-length vans, the body was fitted with wraparound rear corner windows to improve rear visibility. The interior underwent a redesign with all-new trim and seats, with the dashboard redesigned to increase parts commonality with newer Chrysler vehicles (Dodge would use this design through 1

Background

During the early 1970s, Ford and Chrysler had begun work on smaller passenger vans as "garageable vans"; the vehicles were intended to feature a lower height (though taller than a station wagon, the design would be easily accommodated within a standard-height garage). Also, the smaller vans were intended primarily to carry people, not cargo, so design and comfort were prioritized over payload. The Ford project led to the 1973 Ford Carousel, a running prototype deriving its body and chassis from the Ford Club Wagon then in development for 1975; the Carousel was restyled with its own body, lowered to a height of approximately 6 feet. Though supported by both Lee Iaccoca and Henry Ford II, internal opposition from other Ford executives led to the cancellation of the Carousel project during 1974. At the same time, Dodge Truck Engineering began design work of its own "garageable van" (to market a small van as a practical second car). Though the Volkswagen Microbus had established popularity, designers sought to develop a safer and more practical vehicle. To utilize then-existing Chrysler powertrains, a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout was selected. In 1972, designers began developing clay models of a potential exterior design (along with interior layouts). However, the Chrysler small van project was shelved, as Chrysler management cited the lack of funds and that it was a design that had no competition from either Ford or GM. At the end of 1977, Chrysler started development on a new small van project that would ultimately become the Chrysler minivans. Following the firing of both Lee Iacocca and Hal Sperlich from Ford, the two joined Chrysler in similar capacities during 1978. Beginning life as a modified version of the Dodge Omni, the new vans adopted a front-wheel

First generation (S; 1984–1990)

For 1984, Plymouth released its first new Voyager for the first time in 10 years, making it the counterpart of the all-new Dodge Caravan minivan. Though the two vehicles shared a distinct (larger) model architecture, the minivans shared design commonality with the K-Cars; along with portions of the interior, the Voyager shared its instrument cluster and some dashboard controls with the Plymouth Reliant. Similar in length to an Aries/Reliant station wagon (though several inches wider), the Voyager was designed with a passenger-side sliding door, but its front-wheel drive chassis gave it a much lower floor height than its full-size namesake. Similar to a hatchback or mid-size station wagons, the rear door was a single-piece liftgate. Three trim levels were offered: an unnamed base Voyager, mid-grade Voyager SE, and deluxe Voyager LE; the Voyager LE was offered with optional simulated woodgrain paneling. The Voyager was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1985. For 1987, the Voyager received a mid-cycle update (switching from four headlights to two), allowing for better brand separation between the Voyager and Caravan. The extended-wheelbase Grand Voyager was introduced (slightly shorter than the Dodge Dynasty) for SE and LE trims, adding 7 inches of wheelbase for additional rear seat and cargo space. For 1989, the flagship two-tone Voyager LX trim was added, sharing many of its features with the monochromatic Dodge Caravan ES. Safety features included 3-point seat belts for the front two passengers and lap belts for rear passengers. Standard on all Voyagers were legally mandated side-impact reinforcements for all seating front and rear outboard positions. Safety features such as airbags or ABS were not available. The Voyager, along with the Dodge Caravan,

Second generation (AS; 1991–1995)

The Plymouth Voyager was modified for 1991 with new sheet metal. The S platform was still used, though renamed the "AS platform". These were the last Voyagers that were derived from the Chrysler K platform. Trim levels were carried over from the previous generation. 1991 Voyagers were available in base, mid-grade SE, high-end LE, and high-end LX. The LX which was available only on short-wheelbase Voyagers, was marketed as a sport-luxury minivan and came with the most standard equipment including alloy wheels, fog lamps, and a wide array of power-operated features. In later years various trim packages were offered on SE models. The "Sport Wagon" package available from 1993 until 1995 featured accent color (gray) bumpers and molding, fog lamps, and special aluminum wheels. The "Rallye" package offered in 1995, took the place of the departed LX model. It was more luxury-oriented, with lower body two-tone paint — regardless of upper body color, the lower body was painted "Driftwood Beige" — silver aluminum wheels, and special badging. The font first used for the Rallye's badging was adopted for all of Plymouth's badging from 1996 onward. Interiors were more differentiated in this generation than on the first with a redesigned dashboard for 1994 featuring a passenger-side front airbag. and a seating package, marketed as the "Quad Command" seating package, available on SE, LE, and LX models. Quad command replaced the second-row bench with two individual bucket seats with a center aisle to the third-row bench. Interior options varied with trim levels and packages. Cloth seating was standard on all models; leather seating was a standalone extra-cost option on LE and LX models. Only badging and minor cosmetics differentiated the Voyager from its Dodge Caravan rebadged variant. T

Third generation (NS; 1996–2000)

The 1996 Plymouth Voyager was redesigned from the ground up. The previous K-car automobile platform and architecture were replaced with modern components and utilized Chrysler's cab-forward design. The third generation redesign was built on the new Chrysler NS platform and included a driver's-side sliding door, a minivan first. The Voyager was listed on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1996 and 1997. In a shift from previous minivans, the third-generation Voyager was marketed as the entry-level Chrysler minivan rather than as a direct counterpart of the Dodge Caravan. While sharing the same bodyshell, the Voyager and Caravan saw significant changes in body trim and feature content. Distinguished by a dark gray egg-crate grille (a body-color grille became an option in 1998), the Voyager used matte gray bumpers across all trim levels with matte gray side moldings. Before the calendar year 1996, the NS Voyager was produced with the Pentastar grille emblem and rear badging carried over from the previous model year, shifting to the "sailboat" Plymouth grille emblem and new badging in script font afterward. The Voyager retained the base, SE, and LE trims from its predecessor. To reduce model overlap, the LE trim was discontinued in the United States (in favor of an expanded Town & Country range). To allow the Plymouth brand to remain competitive, the Rallye option package was introduced on the SE trim; along with exterior badging, the Rallye offered interior content featured in LE-trim Voyagers and Caravans. For 1998, the Rallye trim was renamed Expresso. Third generation Voyagers and Grand Voyagers were equipped nearly identically to their Dodge counterparts, save for front fascias, badging, and the wheels on LE-trim vans, which are shared with the Town & Countr

Discontinuation

Following the retirement of the Plymouth brand after the 2000 model year, the Voyager nameplate was continued by the Chrysler division. While used by all exported Chrysler minivans since 1988, in North America, the Chrysler Voyager served as the lowest-trim Chrysler-brand minivan. Offered only in a short-wheelbase configuration, the Voyager continued with matte-black bumpers and exterior trim. Following the 2001 introduction of the RS-generation minivans, the Voyager was distinguished by a winged Chrysler emblem atop a black plastic grille (a shape adopted by the later PT Cruiser). For 2004, Chrysler discontinued the Voyager in the United States and Canada, replacing the model line with the Dodge Caravan and a short-wheelbase Town & Country (the Voyager remained in Mexico through 2007). In markets outside of North America, the nameplate remained in use through 2016 for all export versions (as both a Chrysler and a Lancia). After skipping the 2008-2020 fifth generation, the Voyager nameplate returned to use in North America for 2020 production, slotted below the Chrysler Pacifica and effectively replacing the Dodge Grand Caravan.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager
aka: Chrysler Voyager/Grand Voyager (Mexico; USA for 2001–2003 only)
Manufacturer: Chrysler Corporation (1974–1998) , DaimlerChrysler (1998–2000)
Class: Minivan (1984–2000) , Full-size van (1974–1983)
Production: 1974–2000
Successor: Chrysler/Lancia Voyager (US, 2001–2003, Mexico SWB until 2007)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q838223CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_VoyagerCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1365940745 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plymouth-Grand-Voyager.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.