CHRYSLER is credited with inventing the big people mover market in the US with its Voyager. Along with the unseen-locally Renault Espace, the Voyager was passenger – not commercial – vehicle based, so its creators had a free hand in optimising the car for people carrying consumption. The Voyager’s dual side-sliding doors, a walk through cabin and three rows of seating for up to eight occupants became segment hallmarks. Australia had to wait until the third iteration – the GS – from late ’95. Sourced from DaimlerChrysler’s Austrian production facility, two versions were introduced here in early ’97 – the short wheelbase (2878mm) Voyager SE and long wheelbase (3030mm) Grand Voyager. The latter came in SE, LE and (from October ’98 to early ‘00) luxury LE LTD guises. All were powered by a 116kW/275Nm 3.3-litre OHV V6 mated only to a four-speed column shift automatic gearbox. Along with the price, equipment levels were high, and included dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes and air-conditioning. Although prices were always high, the Voyager did well against the now-ageing Toyota Tarago and smaller Honda Odyssey and Mitsubishi Nimbus, while slight trim changes kept the model fresh. But the arrival of the cut-price 1999 Kia Carnival and new Tarago in late ’00 hurt sales, especially as the then-falling Australian Dollar put prices beyond many people’s reach. The almost all-new RG Voyager replaced it in May 2001.