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BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 106

Sometimes there's no substitute for sheer size. It has taken some MPV manufacturers longer than others to realise that if you're going to transport a family and all their gear, no amount of clever cubby holes or folding seats is really going to cut it. Some customers need a serious amount of automotive real estate and for a number of years, the prime candidate in this field has been the Chrysler Grand Voyager. The MK2 version that debuted in 2001 is a notably superior model to its predecessor and brought with it attributes demanded by European buyers. As a used buy, it's well worth looking into.

Modelsword count: 20

Models Covered: Chrysler Grand Voyager - 2001-to date: (Five-door, 7-seat People Carrier: 3.3 petrol, 2.5, 2.8 CRD diesel [LX, Limited])

Historyword count: 204

Although the very first European Grand Voyager models can be traced back to 1997, the earlier models lacked the safety features and technical sophistication of this model which debuted here in February 2001. Buyers of the previous model didn't have any trouble recognising one, for the look was little different. In fact, the exterior visual changes were so few - wider wheelarches and a deeper front grille with PT Cruiser-style headlamps - that you might mistake this for a facelift rather than an all-new car. Where change was needed was under the bonnet - and it was duly provided. Petrol customers got one big engine, a 3.3-litre V6 with a power hike from 158 to 180bhp, although this unit was largely targeted at the US market. European family buyers are understandably reluctant to incur the running costs that come with a car which will average little more than 23mpg. As a result, most customers here opted for the 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine. In Spring 2004, a larger 2.8-litre CRD turbo diesel was unveiled to power the Grand Voyager. Its arrival coincided with a facelift for the whole range which included a new chrome grille and projector headlamps plus the innovative Stow 'N Go seating system.

What You Getword count: 299

This is arguably the largest MPV in its class, excluding obviously van-based things like the Mercedes Viano. The long wheelbase Grand Voyager has a hefty 671 litres of luggage room as well as 150mm more cabin space. Take all but the front seats out and the capacity rises to a vast 4880 litres - almost enough to move house with. Nice touches on plusher models include optional electric operation for the sliding side doors and tailgate - which would be a real boon in the supermarket carpark with your hands are full of shopping. Another extra worth seeking out is the optional cargo organiser for the boot, which neatly divides the space into three separate cargo bays. For stowing smaller items, there's a removable central storage box, which slots into place between either of the front two rows of seats. The three-zone air conditioning's neat too, with the temperature for rear seat occupants controlled by a panel in the roof lining. As you'd expect, cup holders are everywhere and the multi-speaker Infiniti stereo system is brilliant. Post-2005 models also offered the Stow 'N Go system that allows the seats in the Grand Voyager to be folded flat into the floor in less than 30 seconds. Stow 'n Go seating allows the second and third-row seats to be folded into, and uniquely not onto, the floor. Folding the seats involves a virtually effortless one-hand operation without the need for the head restraints to be removed. With both the second- and third-row seats folded, the Chrysler Grand Voyager has a completely flat load floor and a maximum cargo volume of 4690 litres (165.6 cu.ft). With the second and third row seats upright, spacious, covered storage bins are available providing a total of 340 litres (12 cu.ft) of extra under-floor storage space.

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