Chrysler minivans (NS)

Chassis

The third-generation Chrysler minivans use the Chrysler NS platform designation. Using a completely new unibody chassis, the NS platform uses a 113.3 inch wheelbase for standard-wheelbase vans (1.3 inches longer) and a 119.3 inch wheelbase for long-wheelbase vans (same as 1994-1995 AS-platform vans). Front-wheel drive is the standard drivetrain configuration with all-wheel drive offered as an option.

The suspension of the NS platform is a modified version of the previous two generations. In front, the use of MacPherson struts continued, with leaf springs and a beam axle in the rear.^[7] During its development, a number of suspension configurations were considered, including a 4-wheel double wishbone layout. Rear leaf springs were retained largely in an effort to provide an ideal handling balance with a load in addition to maximize interior load space.^[7]

In a major modification, the front track width was widened three inches, allowing for lower mounting of the engine and transaxle, reduction in turning radius, and a lower cowl height.^[7]

Front-wheel drive vans had front-wheel disc brakes and rear drum brakes. From 1997, all-wheel drive vans were fitted with four-wheel disc brakes.^[8]

Body

In an extensive shift from the second-generation minivans, the NS-platform minivans abandoned the boxy body design of the previous two Chrysler minivan generations. While (on average) three inches taller than their predecessors, the new design lowered the exterior coefficient of drag from 0.39 to 0.35^[10] (matching the Ford Windstar, bested only by the GM APV minivans). In the redesign, no body panels were carried over, with all three brands adopting new model badging.

A central feature of the redesign (later becoming a standard feature on some trim levels) was the driver-side sliding door. While first used on compact minivans, including the Nissan Stanza Wagon and Nissan Axxess, the NS-platform minivans were the first mid-size minivans to adapt the feature. Though again using a 3-track mounting system for the sliding doors, the system was redesigned to consume less interior space; the exterior door track was hidden below the side windows.^[10] In addition to its styling, the function of the liftgate was changed for the first time, with an exterior handle available for the first time, eliminating the pop-and-lift maneuver of the two previous generations (adapted from the K-car station wagon). The exterior door handles were redesigned, switching from a flip-up design to a pull-out design.

Alongside the exterior, major changes were made to the interior of the NS-platform minivans. Again offered with 7 passenger seating, the latching system for the 2nd and 3rd row seats was redesigned; in a single motion, owners could release 2nd and 3rd-row bench seats by floor latch, raising them onto rollers to move them out of the vehicle (the lighter 2nd-row bucket seats did not have them).^[10] For the first time, the seatbacks of front bucket seats folded forward.^[10] The mounting positions for the third-row seat were moved inboard, matching the second row, eliminating a separate set of seat mounts on the floor.

While styled far differently from its 1995 predecessor, the dashboard of the NS-platform minivans adopted a similar layout to the second-generation minivans. For the first time since 1988, each Chrysler minivan shared the same steering wheel (among the only Chrysler Pentastars visible to the driver). While the glovebox was enlarged, the underseat storage drawer made its return as an option, complemented by a second locking storage compartment mounted to the side of the passenger seat. As a first for minivans, the NS minivans introduced dual-zone climate control (as an option) and adjustable cupholders.^[10]

Safety

The 1996–2000 Dodge Grand Caravan received a "Marginal" rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's 40 mph offset test. The structural performance and restraints were graded "Acceptable", but the foot injuries were very high.

In the NHTSA crash tests, it received 4 stars for the driver and front passenger in the frontal-impact. In the side-impact test, it received 5 stars for the driver, and 3 stars for the rear occupant, and resulted in a fuel leak that could cause a fire hazard.

According to EuroNCAP crash test results, the 1999 model Chrysler Voyager did so badly in the frontal impact that it earned no points,^[11] making it the worst of the group. The body structure became unstable and the steering column was driven back into the driver's chest and head'. The 2007 model Chrysler Voyager fared little better, achieving just 19% in the frontal impact test, with an overall score of 2 stars out of a possible 5.^[12] However, chest compression measurements on the test dummy 'indicated an unacceptably high risk of serious or fatal injury. As a result, the final star in the adult occupant rating is struck-through'.

Despite the bad results in the EuroNCAP crash tests, statistics from the real world indicate that this is not the whole picture. Folksam is a Swedish insurance company that in May 2009 published a report on injuries and survivability of 172 car models. The 88–96 generation got a real world rating of "Average", and the 96-00 generation got a rating called "Safest" (at least 30% safer than the average car.)

Chrysler Town & Country

Again positioned as the flagship of the Chrysler minivans, the third-generation marked a major expansion of the Town & Country model range, from one model to three. For the first time, a short-wheelbase configuration was offered (LX for 1996, SX for 1997-1999). The previously-standard long-wheelbase configuration was offered in two trim levels (LX and LXi). The short-wheelbase LX and SX models replaced the Plymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager LX. In a shift from the simulated woodgrain trim of the previous generation, the Town & Country was distinguished by chrome exterior moldings. Unique features for the Town & Country include pre-programmed driver's seat and mirror, standard leather interior, 8-way power adjustable front seats, Infinity sound system with cassette/CD player.

Marking the retirement of the Chrysler crystal Pentastar hood ornament, the Town & Country adopted the Chrysler medallion badge. As part of a 1998 mid-cycle exterior revision, the front fascia underwent a revision, replacing the waterfall grille with a black eggcrate grille and a winged version of the Chrysler ribboned badge.

In 1997, the driver-side sliding door became standard on the Town & Country (1996 examples produced without one are very rare). For 1999, the middle-row bench seat configuration was deleted in favor of rear bucket seats.

2001 Chrysler Grand Voyager LE (RHD)

Chrysler Voyager (export)

Outside the United States and Canada, Chrysler exported the third-generation minivans to a number of global markets under the Chrysler (Grand) Voyager nameplate. Using the body and interior of the Dodge Caravan, the Voyager was produced by Saint Louis Assembly in Fenton, Missouri and by Eurostar in Graz, Austria. For the first time, right-hand drive configurations were produced, allowing wide sales of the Chrysler Voyager in Australia and the United Kingdom. Alongside the 3.0L, 3.3L, and 3.8L V6 engines of domestic-market minivans, the Chrysler Voyager was produced with 2.0L 4-cylinder engines shared with the Neon, along with a 2.5L diesel engine. Along with automatic transmissions, a 5-speed manual transmission was offered (the only third-generation Chrysler minivan produced with a manual transmission).

In Brazil, Chrysler minivans were offered under the Chrysler Caravan nameplate, using Dodge Caravan bodyshells.

1996 Dodge Caravan (no driver-side sliding door)

Dodge Caravan

In a break from its predecessors, the third-generation Dodge Caravan was marketed distinctly from the Plymouth Voyager. Replacing its role as the Dodge counterpart of the Voyager, the Caravan was remarketed to serve as the mid-range model of the Chrysler minivan product line. In contrast to the chrome trim moldings of the Chrysler Town & Country, base, SE and LE trims shared gray moldings with the Voyager with model-specific front bumpers; the ES trim and vans equipped with the Sport package featured body-colored moldings.

As with the AS-platform vans, 7-passenger seating was offered on the Dodge Caravan, regardless of body length. In 1999, the driver-side sliding door became an option on all versions of the Caravan.

For 1999, the Dodge Caravan ES was equipped with an Autostick gear selector for its automatic transmission, a first for a minivan.^[14] In contrast to previous uses (the Eagle Vision TSi and the Plymouth Prowler), the Caravan ES placed the system selector on the end of the column-mounted shifter.

Plymouth Grand Voyager SE

Plymouth Voyager

In an effort to reposition the Plymouth division during the mid-1990s, Chrysler sought to focus the Plymouth brand on entry-level vehicles. In place of serving as a direct counterpart of the Dodge Caravan, the third-generation Plymouth Voyager became the entry-level Chrysler minivan. In a major change, for the first time, the Voyager and Caravan visually differed from one another. Along with a dark gray eggcrate grille (a body-colored grille became optional starting with model year 1998), the Voyager adopted matte gray bumpers across all trim levels along with matte gray side moldings. Voyagers featured unique front bumpers not shared with other models and did not come with fog lights in all trim levels.

1996 marked the introduction of the Plymouth "sailboat" grille emblem; examples produced before calendar 1996 were produced with the Chrysler Pentastar, with latter vehicles bearing the sailboat emblem.

A Rallye option package (carried from the previous generation) was available on the SE trim.^[15] For 1998, the Rallye trim was renamed Expresso.^[16]

Chrysler Pacifica

The Chrysler Pacifica, derived from the Chrysler Town & Country, was given an exterior and interior restyling.^[17] Similar to a full-size conversion van, the Pacifica was given a raised roof for increased headroom, with a full-length skylight. In a 2+2+2 seating layout, the Pacifica was fitted with power-operated middle-row seats (with power-operated footrests).^[17] The exterior adapted design elements of the flagship Chrysler LHS sedan, including a (smaller) version of its grille and modified versions of its headlamps.^[17]

From 2004 to 2008, the Chrysler Pacifica nameplate saw use on a production vehicle, as a CUV derived from the Grand Caravan/Town & Country. For 2017, the Pacifica nameplate was again revived, used on the current generation of Chrysler-division minivans.

Dodge Caravan R/T

As a follow-up to the 1996 Dodge Caravan ESS^[18], the 1999 Dodge Caravan R/T replaced the 3.8L V6 with the 3.5L V6 of the Chrysler 300M, increasing output to 253 hp, paired with the 4-speed AutoStick transmission.^[19] The Dodge Caravan adapted several styling elements from the Dodge Viper RT/10, including hoodscoops (carried directly over from the Viper), and a redesigned lower fascia that shifted the Dodge "crosshair" grille into the lower bumper (with the addition of foglamps from the Viper). The interior featured a performance-oriented theme, with brushed aluminum trim for the trim and door panels, with black leather seats and racing-style pedals.

From 2011 to 2016, Dodge produced the Grand Caravan R/T as an trim variant, though the option was largely cosmetic.

Plymouth Voyager XG

Derived from the Plymouth Voyager, the Plymouth Voyager XG was a four-seat minivan geared towards active lifestyles of younger drivers.^[20] Externally similar to the standard Voyager, the XG was distinguished by its 17-inch wheels (shared with the Plymouth Prowler), and body-color bumpers and grille. The interior was given a full-length retractable fabric sunroof, with a large removable storage pod placed behind the seats.^[20]

The Voyager XG featured the powertrain of the export-market Chrysler Voyager, with a 2.5L diesel engine and a 5-speed manual transmission.^[20]