Chrysler produced the Plymouth Voyager, launched in 1984 and credited with popularizing the modern minivan.
The Voyager was introduced for the 1984 model year alongside the Dodge Caravan. Both were front-wheel-drive vans built on Chrysler’s S platform and offered a car-like alternative to larger, truck-based passenger vans. Their compact exterior dimensions, sliding side door, flexible seating, and relatively low floor made them practical for families.
Chrysler’s design drew on earlier ideas, including the front-wheel-drive Renault Espace, which appeared in Europe in 1984. However, the Voyager and Caravan were particularly influential in North America because they combined useful interior space with familiar passenger-car driving characteristics.
The Plymouth Voyager name continued through several generations. Chrysler also sold closely related versions under Dodge, Chrysler, and later other brand names. The term “minivan” describes the vehicle class, while Voyager identifies one specific Chrysler model line.