What kind of van comes to mind when we mention the Chrysler van? Pacifica? Voyager? These minivans are a series that have been produced and marketed by the Chrysler since the 1984 model year. Currently in its sixth generation, the model line is marketed worldwide. 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.
The first-generation Chrysler minivans were released in November 1983 for the 1984 model year. The Dodge Caravan was a new nameplate with the Plymouth Voyager adopted from its previous van line. The model lines were built on the front-wheel drive and to streamline production and development costs, it shared powertrain commonality with the K platform and its variants.
In 1988, the Chrysler Voyager was the model line was sold by Dodge as a cargo van and from 1984 to 1988, it was known as the Dodge Mini Ram Van and as the Dodge Grand Caravan from 1989 to 1990.
Chrysler added a minivan to its namesake brand early in the 1990 year, shifting the Chrysler Town & Country from its station wagon usage; sold exclusively in a long-wheelbase version. The Chrysler Town & Country became the highest-trim Chrysler minivan.
The second-generation minivans underwent a substantial revision of the body by sharing only the front door and sliding door stampings. The front suspension was changed and the rear suspension was redesigned entirely.
In 1994, the model line underwent a mid-cycle revision. While the model line was officially a light truck according to the US government, the minivans were upgraded to meet federal safety standards for cars.
In the mid 90’s, the Chrysler TEVan was a limited-production electric vehicle based on the Dodge Caravan and was sold to fleet buyers, with only 56 and 80 produced.
Designated the Chrysler NS platform, the minivans again used a front-wheel drive chassis, with all-wheel drive as an option. The third generation also adopted a cab forward configuration, shifting the windshield and dashboard forward.
Coinciding with the phaseout of the Plymouth brand, Chrysler introduced a Chrysler-brand Voyager and Grand Voyager for North America for the year 2000 as a farewell to the Plymouth name.
In 2007, all Dodge minivans were now known as Grand Caravans and went by that name. The Chrysler Grand Voyager made its return following the acquisition of Chrysler by Fiat.
In 2012, the Grand Caravan C/V cargo van shifted its branding, becoming the Ram C/V. And then in 2015, Ram replaced the C/V with the Ram ProMaster City. The following were all models when it came to the Chrysler Van series.
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2008–2016 Chrysler Town & Country
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2008–2020 Dodge Grand Caravan
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2008–2010 Chrysler Grand Voyager
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2011–2015 Lancia Voyager
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2012–2014 Ram C/V (replaced by Ram ProMaster City)
In 2017, Chrysler released the long standing Chrysler Pacifica. Serving as a replacement for the Town & Country, the Pacifica revived the nameplate of the 2004–2008 Town & Country crossover vehicle. For the first time since their 1984 introduction, Chrysler finally markets a different minivan than Dodge. The Pacifica is the first minivan sold with a 9-speed automatic transmission, with a CVT is part of the first plug-in hybrid powertrain in a minivan, which was offered as an option.
For the 2020 model year, Chrysler reintroduced the Voyager nameplate. Adopting the lower two trim levels of the Pacifica, the Voyager also introduces a trim level specifically for fleet sale. The option of all-wheel drive was also reintroduced for the gasoline-only Pacifica during this model year. Pacifica also now has a plug-in hybrid option.
The Chrysler minivan has come a long way from the days of Plymouth and Dodge Grand Caravan! The Pacifica is a staple in the car community and regularly on our lot. We’re happy to help you with any and all Chrysler van questions; just stop in to see what we can do for you!