The Dodge Journey that debuted for the 2009 model year replaced two vehicles-the Chrysler Pacifica and the Dodge Caravan- with one that was far more suited to today's young families. The disappointing Pacifica never fulfilled its promise, leaving customers wondering whether it was a luxury crossover or a family vehicle. Meanwhile, the short-wheelbase Caravan saw its sales diminish as consumers shifted to sevenpassenger SUVs and larger minivans such as the Grand Caravan. Both vehicles were discontinued in 2007, making way for the promising Journey.
Combining the best attributes of both its predecessors-a crossover body with a no-nonsense interior-the Journey was neither too big nor too small, and came with a host of useful storage spaces and features. It wasn't perfect by any means-a subpar interior being the biggest concern-but an exceptional, sub-$20k starting price made it easy to live with the flaws. If it's true that you get what you pay for, then it's understandable that a vehicle with such a low price would lack polish. The Journey was as good as it needed be. No more, no less.
Of course, "good enough" will only get you so far. With the competition heating up, Dodge has raised the bar by tweaking the exterior styling, redesigning the suspension, lowering the price, and-most importantly-dramatically improving the Journey's cabin. The 2012 model now starts at a fantastic $19k, and finally looks great. Better yet, the Journey feels like it provides a lot of value, even when you opt for a fully loaded R/T AWD model and push the price up over $29k.
Three years ago, the Journey was a solid and thoughtful vehicle that was hurt by Dodge's general lack of attention to detail. With a new lease on life, the Journey compares well with the smaller Chevrolet Orlando, Kia Rondo and Mazda5, while also holding its own against more expensive mid-size crossovers such as the Chevy Equinox and Ford Edge. With varying combinations of frontor all-wheel drive, five or seven seats, and inline-four or V6 engines, it's one of the most versatile family vehicles you can get.
This shouldn't be a surprise, coming from the company that brought us the multipurpose minivan in the '80s, but we all know that Dodge lost its way in recent years. If you need proof that the automaker is back on the right track, you'll get it from the Journey.
Design-The mid-size Journey has great proportions that are both pleasing to the eye and functional, coupled with clean and simple styling. The wheel arches have the typical Dodge flare, but aren't overly muscled, and the hood creases give the otherwise straightlaced exterior just the right touch of Dodge style.
Perhaps the only flaw in the exterior design is that the rear windows aren't framed to match the panel gaps at the tops of the doors. Otherwise, there's really nothing to criticize about the Journey's exterior design.
The vastly improved interior borrows heavily on the recent improvements in other Dodge vehicles, and the results are impressive. Hard plastic has given way to soft-touch surfaces and the boring centre stack has been replaced with an elegant, flowing console.
The Journey was already a solidly built vehicle, but the fit and finish and quality of materials is so much better that it might as well be a completely different vehicle.
Performance-The base engine remains the same 2.4L inline-four with 173hp and 166 lb-ft of torque, while a new 3.6L V6 with 283-hp and 260 lb-ft of torque replaces the previous 3.5L block. The new engine boosts power by 48-hp and 28 lb-ft of torque, making the V6-equipped Journey a much more responsive vehicle.
Steering is well-balanced, providing decent road feedback, and has a slight tendency toward understeer. However, the Journey is no more difficult to manoeuvre in tight spaces than most of its competitors, and handles well at higher speeds.
Ride quality is definitely improved, though the Journey remains far from a luxury vehicle. With the new suspension, the crossover is less bouncy over rough roads and in corners, raising no major complaints.
The brakes are very responsive-as should be the case in a family vehicle- providing excellent feedback and letting the driver know just how much pressure to apply.
Environment-One of the Journey's notable flaws is the heavy liftgate, which is difficult to open and close. It requires a fair amount of force to ensure that the gate latches properly.
The wide-swinging doors, both in the front and rear, are both a blessing and a curse. It's easy to get your gear in and out of the vehicle, but in tight parking lots there's always a risk of hitting the car next to yours. It would help if the hinges had more stopping points, but the doors only settle at very narrow and very wide angles.
Dodge is including standard touchscreens on many of its new vehicles, including the Journey, but has to be careful not to get carried away when standard switches will do. For example, the available heated front seats are controlled via the touchscreen, requiring an extra step or two to turn them on and off and making it impossible to do so without looking away from the road.
There's tons of storage space, with upper trims adding features such as a hidden bin under the front passenger seat. Parents with small children might also find the optional second-row booster seats of interest. Pull on the front of the seat and the middle section springs up and back.
Features-The Journey starts at $18,995 in CVP (Canada Value Package), SE Plus, SXT, Crew, and R/T AWD trim levels, topping out at $29,095.
Notable standard features on the CVP include ABS, stability control, traction control, dualzone air conditioning, push-button start, tilt/telescope steering, six-speaker stereo with Uconnect Touch media centre and USB input, tire-pressure monitoring system, and front/side/side-curtain/ driver-knee airbags.
Additional features, available as options or on higher trims, include leather interior, one-touch front windows, fog lamps, heated front seats, remote starter, Voice Command with Bluetooth, and a sunroof. Upgraded stereo and GPS systems will become available later in the model year.
With the inline-four, fuel efficiency is rated at 10.8L/100km in the city and 7.5L/100km on the highway.
Thumbs up-Attractive exterior design; vastly improved interior; great price.
Thumbs down-Heavy liftgate; various minor inconveniences.
The bottom line-A great value and solid all-round family vehicle.
Competitors:
. Chevrolet Orlando Starting at $19,995, the Orlando gets 174-hp and 171 lb-ft of torque from a 2.4L inline-four. There's no all-wheel drive, but owners do have a choice of six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes.
The Orlando's best selling point is it's standard third-row seat, which enables it to pack seven passengers into its reasonably compact body.
. Kia Rondo
The $19,995 Rondo is powered by a 2.4L inline-four producing 175-hp and 169 lb-ft of torque, and like the Journey has the option of a third-row bench for seven seats.
Kia's newest vehicles are some of the best-looking cars on the road, but the Rondo hasn't kept up with its sibling. The round and ungainly crossover is in need of a wholesale redesign and reimagining.
. Mazda5
The redesigned Mazda5 starts at $21,795, and is powered by a 2.5L inline-four with 157-hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. Sharing its platform with the nimble Mazda3, the Mazda5 is easily the most funto-drive vehicle in its class.
With sliding rear doors and three rows of two, the Mazda5 is more of a compact minivan than a compact crossover. It's also more convenient than its competitors, as the sliding doors and walkthrough middle seats make every seat easily accessible.
