Dodge Journey 2009

By Benjamin Cyr

Small price and big space

Few vehicles in the current market can boast about offering space for seven individuals at a price lower than $20,000. Well, the new cross-over from Dodge called the Journey can. It’s also much more muscular than the vans, admittedly a very important factor for many...

Let’s start this evaluation by citing the likes and dislikes. This should help understanding certain aspects of this Dodge.

Road-test likes:

• the retail price happens to be the Dodge Journey’s best asset;
• there’s plenty of interior volume which makes passengers in the first and second rows quite comfortable ( a fold- down third row is optional);
• good interior comfort level, especially the silent running ;
• standard features more than suffice, even in the basic version (SE);
• storage spaces abound throughout;
• the standard security elements on all versions which include ABS, traction control, electronic stability control and all the necessary airbags;
•  

Road-test dislikes:

• the anaemic four cylinders which make passing dangerous or simply impossible;
• unacceptable level of fuel consumption in the V6. The four cylinder, surprisingly, guzzles at an unexpected rate (11.8/100km) and lacks power to boot;
• the over use of cheap plastic in the interior;
• no all-wheel drive in the basic version; it becomes a $4,000 option in the SXT and R/T versions;
• the transmission has only four speeds and reacts sluggishly.