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The Chrysler Voyager gets the cachet of a premium brand name, but offers a strong value. The Voyager delivers all the minivan essentials at prices that are hard to beat.

The Voyager is comfortable and easy to drive, with excellent visibility. It seats seven. The seats are easily removable, so it can be quickly set up to haul a load of lumber. Its shorter length makes it more maneuverable than the long-wheelbase minivans.

For 2003, the exterior and interior appearance of the four-cylinder model has been upgraded so it looks more like a V6 model.

Voyager comes as one trim level, the LX. Two engines are available, a four-cylinder and a V6. Both come with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The 150-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine comes as part of the Voyager LX Value Equipment Package ($19,575). It comes standard with air conditioning, seating for seven, and AM/FM stereo cassette.

The 3.3-liter V6 comes with the Voyager LX with the Popular Equipment Package ($23,640), which adds a tachometer, rear-window defogger, upgraded sound insulation, and more convenience items, including power windows and rear vents, cruise control, and tilt steering.

Both modes feature new Matisse cloth upholstery for 2003, along with floor mats, front and rear.

All Voyagers are equipped with multi-stage dual front airbags that inflate at varying rates depending on the severity of an impact; this limits the potential for airbag-related injuries. Both models offer optional front-passenger side-impact airbags ($390) and built-in toddler safety seats (prices vary with different option packages).

The Chrysler Voyager remains one of the most handsome minivans extant, regardless of trim level.

For 2003, there is little to distinguish four-cylinder models from V6 models as they all wear color-keyed trim all around. The only remaining visual distinction is the four-cylinder Value Equipment van's black, rather than body-color, license-plate brow; and tinted rather than sunscreen windows (which are a $645 option on the four-cylinder van). The standard wheel covers are attractive, and difficult to discern from alloy wheels at a distance of more than a few feet.

Both models feature sliding rear doors on both sides, and they open with minimal effort. The rear gate lifts just as easily, and features standard lamps that flood light on the pavement below.

The Voyager driver sits in front of a simple gauge cluster with a big speedometer in the center, fuel and water temperature gauges on either side, and warning lights lurking behind. Large, dark graphics on a white background make the instruments exceptionally easy to read. Radio and climate control buttons are concentrated in a center pod between the front seats. The switches feel reasonably sturdy and can be reached with minimal distraction from the task of driving. Large dash vents move lots of air.

The finish inside this minivan is not bad at all. The door panels are unadorned hard plastic, perfect for easy clean-up when smudged with mud or chocolate. The vinyl headrests look substandard, and the material around the backs and sides of the seats is only a small step up. Yet the seating surfaces are soft and plush. All panels and trim match nicely, and the cabin is lined throughout with decent grade of carpet.

The Value Equipment Voyager has only two adjustments on the front seats: fore-and-aft and recline. And its steering column is fixed. Nonetheless, even this most basic Voyager allows an excellent driving position for a wide range of body types, and the seats themselves are very good. They're wide enough to accommodate large folk, and cushy enough to be comfortable without feeling too soft.