In its second year on the market, the Chrysler Voyager adds automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning to its optional SafetyTec driver-assist bundle. The radar systems governing these available safety systems have also been updated for 2021.
While the Pacifica gets a facelift, the Voyager carries on with the old styling. However, a new color - Ocean Blue Metallic - does join the color palette.
The 2021 Voyager is offered L and LX trims for consumers; while fleets can also order an LXi variant. The L starts at around $29,000 including destination, while the LX is a little more than $31,500. Fleet buyers will have to shell out about $34,000 for an LXi.
The Voyager gets one engine and drivetrain: a 3.6-liter V-6 driving the front wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine makes 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The EPA says the Voyager should return 19 miles per gallon city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 combined.
The better-equipped Pacifica also offers all-wheel drive and an available plug-in hybrid powertrain in the Pacifica Hybrid, but upgrading to that flavor of Chrysler van costs thousands more. For reference, the cheapest hybrid variant is priced at well over $40,000 before applicable tax credits.
The Voyager can seat either seven or eight total passengers. Stow 'n Go, Chrysler's famous fold-flat seat-stowage setup, is standard in the third row on all models. It is offered for the second row only on the LXi.
32.3 cubic feet of cargo can fit behind the third row, while 87.5 cubic feet exists behind the second row. Fold down both rear rows and you'll find 140.5 total cubic feet of cargo capacity.
To keep the price down, the Voyager isn't fitted with any standard active-safety features. If you want the modern driver-assist functions that come standard on the Pacifica, you'll need to buy the $895 SafetyTec package.
It includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Features like lane-keep assist or lane-departure warning are not available.
The Voyager was awarded a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and received top marks for crashworthiness from the IIHS.
The 2021 Voyager carries on with the last generation of Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system. The software is housed in a 7.0-inch touchscreen and includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Voice command and voice-text reply are also among its capabilities. Music is pumped out of six speakers.
If you want the latest in infotainment, you'll have to step up to the Pacifica, which comes standard with the newest version of Uconnect that is up to five times faster and has Amazon Alexa capabilities.
The cheapest Chrysler Voyager is also the cheapest minivan on the market for 2021. Among its standard features are cloth upholstery, manual climate control, remote keyless entry, 17-inch steel wheels and hubcaps, and an alarm.
Tri-zone manual climate control costs $445, but otherwise, there are few options to choose from.
Moving into the LX buys a power driver's seat, satellite radio, 17-inch aluminum wheels, tri-zone climate control, second-row captain's chairs, and automatic headlights.
A $495 Cold Weather Group bundles heated seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and remote start. A rear DVD entertainment system costs $995.
Compare Voyager Trims Side-By-Side
We would spend a little more for the LX, if only because we appreciate the power driver's seat and second-row captain's chairs. Either way, the Voyager is spartan, so we suggest running the numbers to see if you can swing a Pacifica. Even in its cheapest form, the fancier van offers more features, updated styling, and standard active-safety gear.
