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Chrysler minivans

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"Grand Caravan" redirects here. For the aircraft, see Cessna 208 Caravan.

Chrysler minivans
2009 Chrysler Grand Voyager (Fifth generation)
Overview
Manufacturer
  • Chrysler Corporation (1984–1998)
  • DaimlerChrysler AG (1998–2007)
  • Chrysler LLC (2007–2009)
  • Chrysler Group LLC (2009–2014)
  • FCA US LLC (2014–2021)
  • Stellantis USA LLC (2021–present)
Production1983–present
Body and chassis
Class
Body style(s)
  • 3-door van
  • 4-door van
Vehicles

The Chrysler minivans are a series of minivans that have been produced and marketed by the American automaker Chrysler since the 1984 model year. Currently in its sixth generation, the model line is marketed worldwide, primarily in North America and Europe. Introduced as the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, the Chrysler minivans have been marketed under a variety of nameplates under the Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, and Ram brands; through the use of rebadging, the model line has also been marketed under the Lancia and Volkswagen brands.

The introduction of the Chrysler minivans popularized the body styles by automakers in North America, leading to the introduction of competitive vehicles such as the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari, Ford Aerostar, Toyota Previa, and Mazda MPV. During the 1990s, the popularity of the model line led to its form factor becoming closely adopted by many of its competitors, leading to the Ford Windstar/Freestar, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Nissan Quest.

Since 1983, Chrysler has manufactured minivans at its Windsor Assembly facility (Windsor, Ontario, Canada). From 1987 to 2007, the company supplemented production in North America with its Saint Louis Assembly facility (Fenton, Missouri). For the European market, exports were largely supplemented by the Eurostar joint-venture factory in Graz, Austria from 1992 to 2002. The highest-selling line of minivans worldwide, Chrysler produced the 15 millionth example of the model line in 2019.[1][2]

Table of models

[edit]
Model Generation (Platform)
1st (S) 2nd (AS) 3rd (NS) 4th (RS) 5th (RT) 6th (RU)
Chrysler Voyager Yes Yes
Chrysler Grand Voyager Yes
Chrysler Town & Country Yes
Chrysler TEVan Yes
Chrysler Pacifica (crossover) Yes
Chrysler Pacifica (minivan) Yes
Chrysler Grand Caravan Yes
Dodge Caravan Yes
Dodge Grand Caravan Yes
Dodge Mini Ram Van Yes
Dodge Caravan C/V Yes
Dodge Caravan EPIC Yes
Dodge Ram Van Yes
Lancia Voyager Yes
Plymouth Voyager Yes
Plymouth Voyager EPIC[3] Yes
Plymouth Grand Voyager Yes
Ram Cargo Van Yes
Volkswagen Routan Yes

First generation (1984–1990)

[edit]
Main article: Chrysler minivans (S)
First generation (S)
1987–1990 Dodge Grand Caravan LE V6
Overview
Model years1984–1990
Body and chassis
ClassMinivan
Cargo van
Body style4-door van
PlatformChrysler S platform

The first-generation Chrysler minivans were released in November 1983 as 1984 models. The Dodge Caravan was an all-new nameplate, with the Plymouth Voyager adopted from its previous full-size van line. The model lines were built on the front-wheel drive Chrysler S platform. To streamline production and development costs, while the S platform was a distinct design, it shared powertrain commonality with the K platform and its variants; interior components were also shared with other Chrysler vehicles.

For 1987, Chrysler introduced the extended-length Dodge Grand Caravan and Plymouth Grand Voyager, which used a long-wheelbase version of the S platform chassis. For 1988, the Chrysler Voyager was introduced for European export. Alongside the passenger van, the model line was sold by Dodge as a cargo van; from 1984 to 1988, it was known as the Dodge Mini Ram Van and as the Dodge (Grand) Caravan C/V from 1989 to 1990.

Chrysler added a minivan to its namesake brand early in the 1990 year, shifting the Chrysler Town & Country from its traditional station wagon usage to a minivan; sold exclusively in a long-wheelbase version, the Town & Country became the highest-trim Chrysler minivan.

Second generation (1991–1995)

[edit]
Main article: Chrysler minivan (AS)
Second generation (AS)
1994–1995 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE
Overview
Model years1991–1995
Body and chassis
ClassMinivan
Body style4-door van
PlatformChrysler AS platform

The second-generation Chrysler minivans were released for the 1991 model year, returning the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, their extended-wheelbase "Grand" versions, and the Chrysler Town & Country. The minivans were introduced to Mexico, with Chrysler using the Chrysler Grand Voyager/Grand Caravan nameplate.

Designated the Chrysler AS platform (as Chrysler switched to a two-letter platform nomenclature), the second-generation minivans underwent a substantial revision of the body (sharing only the front door and sliding door stampings) and chassis (the front suspension was retuned and the rear suspension was redesigned entirely); powertrain commonality shifted from the K-car sedans towards its larger derivatives. In a first for the segment, the model line was fitted with a standard driver-side airbag (1991) and optional integrated rear child safety seats (1992). Following its introduction in its Ford and GM competitors, Chrysler introduced an all-wheel drive system as an option for 1991.

For 1994, the model line underwent a mid-cycle revision. While the model line was officially classified a light truck by the US government, the minivans were upgraded to meet 1998 federal safety standards for cars, adding side-impact door beams, dual airbags, four-wheel disc brakes, and a redesigned dashboard. The second-generation minivans are the last versions of the model line to be fitted with a manual transmission in North America and also the final versions fitted with exterior woodgrain trim.

From 1993 to 1995, the Chrysler TEVan was a limited-production electric vehicle based on the Dodge Caravan; sold to fleet buyers, between 56 and 80 were produced. For 1994, Chrysler offered a CNG (compressed natural gas) version of its minivan; the fuel tank replaced the spare tire well.

ES platform

[edit]

The ES platform is the European counterpart to the North American AS platform. Alongside production by Windsor Assembly in Canada, production of export-market minivans began in 1992 in Graz, Austria (in the Eurostar joint venture factory between Chrysler and Steyr-Daimler-Puch). Alongside the European-market Chrysler Voyager and Grand Voyager, the ES platform serves as the basis for the Dodge Mini Ram Van (a cargo van exclusive to the Netherlands).

Third generation (1996–2000)

[edit]
Main article: Chrysler minivans (NS)
Third generation (NS)
Dodge Caravan
Overview
Model years1996–2000
Body and chassis
ClassMinivan
Body style4-door van
5-door van
PlatformChrysler NS platform

The third-generation Chrysler minivans were released in January 1995 for model year 1996. In a $2.8 billion redesign of the model line (the most expensive design program ever undertaken by Chrysler at the time), the Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, and Chrysler Town & Country underwent their first complete redesign since their introduction. The Dodge Caravan (Chrysler Caravan in Mexico) and Plymouth Voyager were both returned in both standard and extended-wheelbase versions; the Chrysler Town & Country was expanded into a full model line, introducing multiple trim levels and a short-wheelbase body.

Designated the Chrysler NS platform, the minivans again used a front-wheel drive chassis (with all-wheel drive as an option). Nearly four inches taller than its predecessor, the third generation adopted a cab forward configuration, shifting the windshield and dashboard forward. As a first in an American-market large minivan, a driver-side sliding door (originally intended for the first-generation model line, but deleted to reduce costs) was introduced as an option. To improve the flexibility of seat removal, the rear seat latches were redesigned, with bench seat latches set on rollers. To further differentiate each model line, designers styled the Caravan, Voyager, and Town & Country with distinct front fascias and exterior trim; exterior woodgrain trim was retired from all three model lines. In another change, the hood ornament was deleted (the only Chrysler Pentastar visible to the driver was on the steering wheel).

Replacing the TEVan, the Dodge Caravan EPIC electric vehicle was produced from 1999 to 2000 (taking its name from a 1992 concept car); the EPIC was leased to fleet buyers.

Coinciding with the phaseout of the Plymouth brand, Chrysler introduced a Chrysler-brand Voyager and Grand Voyager for North America for 2000 (sold concurrently alongside its Plymouth namesake).

GS platform

[edit]

The Chrysler GS platform is the global export counterpart to the North American Chrysler NS platform. Again sharing design and powertrain commonality with its North American counterpart, the export version of the Chrysler model line was the only version to offer a manual transmission and a 2.5L turbodiesel engine. In 1996, the Austrian Eurostar factory commenced production of the first right-hand drive Chrysler minivans.

Alongside the Chrysler Voyager and Grand Voyager marketed for European export, Chrysler marketed the renamed Dodge Ram Van in the Netherlands in a cargo-only configuration.

Fourth generation (2001–2007)

[edit]
Main articles: Chrysler minivans (RS) and Chrysler Pacifica (CS)
Fourth generation (RS)
2007 Dodge Caravan SXT
Overview
Model years2001–2007
Body and chassis
ClassMinivan
Body style4-door van
5-door van
4-door crossover SUV
PlatformChrysler RS platform
RelatedChrysler Pacifica

Generation IV of the platform was introduced on January 10, 2000, and was called RS.

Models:

CS

[edit]
2004–2006 Chrysler Pacifica based on the Chrysler CS platform

The CS is a variant of the RS platform made specifically for the Chrysler Pacifica crossover SUV.

Model:

RG

[edit]

The Chrysler RG platform is the global export counterpart to the North American Chrysler RS platform.

Model:

Fifth generation (2008–2020)

[edit]
Main articles: Chrysler minivans (RT) and Volkswagen Routan
Fifth generation (RT)
2011 Chrysler Town & Country Touring
Overview
Model years2008–2020
Body and chassis
ClassMinivan
Cargo van
Body style5-door van
PlatformChrysler RT platform

The fifth-generation Chrysler minivans were introduced at the 2007 North American International Auto Show for the 2008 model year, marking the debut of the RT platform. In a major design change, the platform adopted a single wheelbase for all models, with Chrysler retiring its original short-wheelbase configuration. For the first time (in North America), the Chrysler minivans were powered exclusively by V6 engines; a 4.0L SOHC V6 was introduced as the highest-option engine for 2008. For 2011, a 3.6L DOHC Pentastar V6 was introduced; replacing all three previous V6 engines, the Pentastar V6 remains the sole V6 engine through current production. In Europe, the standard engine was a 2.8L VM Motori inline-4 turbodiesel (for the first time, no manual transmission was offered).

Alongside the previous Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, the RT brought several branding changes. Initially sold as the Chrysler Grand Voyager in Europe, the acquisition of Chrysler by Fiat led to its replacement by the Lancia Voyager during 2011; after the 2015 model year, Chrysler ended export sales of its minivans. For 2012 to 2014, the Ram C/V Tradesman was marketed as a cargo van variant of the Dodge Grand Caravan (replaced by the Ram ProMaster City).

Models:

RM

[edit]
RM Platform, 2009 Volkswagen Routan SE

The Volkswagen Routan was introduced at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show as a rebadged variant of the Chrysler minivans, manufactured at Windsor Assembly using the RT platform, designated as the RM platform. Marketed by Volkswagen exclusively in the North American market, the Routan featured revised interior and exterior styling as well as different equipment content from the Chrysler vans. Production of the Routan was discontinued in 2013.

Model:

Discontinuation

[edit]

On February 28, 2020, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced the discontinuation of the Dodge Grand Caravan, the last RT nameplate in production.[4] On August 21, 2020, the final Dodge Grand Caravan was produced by Windsor Assembly.[5]

Sixth generation (2017–present)

[edit]
Main article: Chrysler Pacifica (minivan)
Sixth generation (RU)
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Overview
Model years2017–present
Body and chassis
ClassMinivan
Body style5-door van
PlatformChrysler RU platform (Fiat D-Evo platform)

The sixth generation of the Chrysler minivan was introduced for 2017, debuting at the 2016 North American International Auto Show. Designated the RU platform, the new design shared the CUSW (Fiat D-Evo) platform with the Chrysler 200. Along with the first 9-speed automatic transmission offered in a minivan, the new design offered the first plug-in hybrid powertrain for the segment (as an option, along with the first CVT in a Chrysler minivan).

Chrysler underwent a series of branding changes for the new generation, as the revived Pacifica nameplate replaced the Town & Country. The new design was sold only by Chrysler, as Dodge continued to market the fifth-generation Grand Caravan through 2020. For the first time since 1987, Chrysler did not market its minivans outside of North America (leading to the discontinuation of the exported Chrysler and Lancia Voyager)

For 2020, Chrysler reintroduced the Chrysler Voyager nameplate in the United States (last seen in 2003), replacing the two lowest trims of the Pacifica and introducing a version specifically for fleet sale.[6] An AWD system returned late in the model year as an option.[7]

For 2021, Chrysler introduced a sixth-generation Grand Caravan for Canada, moving it from the Dodge to the Chrysler brand; also replacing the entry-level trims of the Pacifica, it was a direct equivalent of the American-market Chrysler Voyager.[8]

After having been moved exclusively to fleet sales for 2021 to 2024, Chrysler again returned the Voyager to retail sale for the 2025 model year. Since the 2024 model year, the RU-generation minivan is the only vehicle marketed by Chrysler.

Models:

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Chrysler icon celebrates 25 years" (Press release). 1853chairman.com, Chrysler Press Release. Archived from the original on January 9, 2011.
  2. ^ Smith, Christopher (November 19, 2019). "FCA Celebrates 15 Million Minivans Sold With A Crazy Photo Collage". Motor 1. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  3. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8zpsJCWMa0
  4. ^ Beresford, Colin (February 2, 2020). "Dodge Grand Caravan Production Coming to an End". Car and Driver. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  5. ^ Borrelli, Melanie (August 21, 2020). "Last Dodge Grand Caravan rolls off the line at Windsor Assembly Plant". CTVNews. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  6. ^ "The 2020 Chrysler Voyager Is a Budget Version of the Pacifica Minivan". Car and Driver. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  7. ^ Hoffman, Connor (June 5, 2020). "2020 Chrysler Pacifica Now Available with AWD". Car and Driver. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  8. ^ "FCA US Media – Family Famous: 2021 Chrysler Grand Caravan Available Exclusively for Canada". media.fcanorthamerica.com. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
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