by Keith Burton Ready for something entirely new in a vehicle? Tired of huge SUVs and too-small CUVs that just don't meet the demands of your family and fuel costs? Check out the 2009 Dodge Journey now appearing at your local Chrysler/Dodge dealers.
The Journey is based upon a car chassis, such as all CUVs. Here, it is based on the Dodge Sebring, though it is five inches longer than the car version, and it brings to the plate a comfortable, though firm ride, decent handling, and good fuel economy. The base engine is the 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 173 horsepower mated to a four-speed automatic. Powertrain options include a 2.7-liter flex-fuel V6 with 186 horsepower on SXT versions, or a 3.5-liter V6 with 235 horsepower and a six-speed automatic on the top R/T models. Fuel economy is in the 19/25 mpg range for the four-cylinder model under the new 2008 EPA measuring system. Look for fuel economy with the V6 to be around 16/24. The Journey's interior offers five seats big enough for real Americans.
The rear passenger doors open a full 90 Dodge has equipped the Journey with nifty Tip 'N' Fold seats in the second row. These seats allow quick access to the back with the pull of a lever. Both the second-row seats and the front passenger seat fold to form a flat load surface. A very cool, and hidden compartment is in the front passenger seat. Yet
another Flip 'N' Stow front passenger seat allows owners to stow cargo
underneath the seat cushion. A pair of storage bins under the passenger
footwell of the second row offers even more storage. Each bin is designed
to hold a dozen 12-ounce cans surrounded by ice. The bins have
removable liners and can be easily drained and cleaned after a tailgating
party. As a party vehicle, the Journey is
Up front there is an available navigation system with a rearview
camera, and an optional 40-gigabyte music storage hard-drive system. The
instrument panel is attractively designed to this editorial eye, though
conservative. What is unexpected is some eye candy in the main display. It
is one of those cool electroluminescent versions, which adds a real modern
look and some luxury to this very utility-oriented vehicle. An eight-inch
color monitor for DVD viewing is among the options. Outside, you can order
19-inch tires and wheels and not much more. The Journey is Chrysler LLC's answer to all the folks that don't want an SUV, and feel uncomfortable considering a mini van. While many of the Journey's feature can be found in the company's minivans, its look and performance is much different. Journey comes with a bunch of safety equipment including front, side and curtain air bags, ABS, electronic stability control and rollover mitigation.
Styling is always in the eye of the beholder, and this beholder's eyes like the look of the Journey. It has a distinctly Dodge frontend, but not overwhelmingly "DODGE." That is the headlights look right and are quite modern in appearance. The flanks offer little eye candy, but the shape toward the stern is well done. I think the styling with age well with time and your Journey will not age too quickly as styles change. 2009 Dodge Journey Specifications The information shown is based on data available at the time of publication (January 2008) and is subject to change without notice. All measurements are in inches (mm) unless otherwise noted. General Information Body Style Four-door; five- or seven-passenger Assembly Plant Toluca Assembly, Mexico U.S. EPA Vehicle Class Sport-utility vehicle Engine: 2.4-Liter, DOHC, 16-Valve, VVT, SMPI I4 Availability Standard Journey SE Type and Description Four cylinders in line, tuned intake manifold with electronic active charge motion control valves, dual counter-rotating balance shafts Displacement 144 cu. in. (2360 cu. cm) Bore x Stroke 3.46 x 3.82 in. (88 x 97 mm) Compression Ratio 10.5:1 Power (SAE net, estimated) 173 bhp (129 kW) @ 6000 rpm (71 bhp/liter) Torque (SAE net, estimated) 166 lb.-ft. (225 N•m) @ 4000 rpm Maximum Engine Speed 6500 rpm (electronically limited) Fuel Requirement Unleaded regular, 87 octane (R+M)/2 Oil Capacity 5.0 qt. (4.7L) SAE 5W-20 Coolant Capacity 7.9 qt. (7.5L) — single- or dual-zone climate control 9.8 qt. (9.3L) — tri-zone climate control Emission Controls Single catalytic converter, dual heated oxygen sensors and internal engine features1 Engine: 3.5-Liter, SOHC, 24-Valve, SMPI V6 Availability Standard — Journey SXT and R/T Type and Description 60-degree bank angle, liquid-cooled, three-plenum intake manifold with electronically controlled manifold tuning valve and short-runner valves Displacement 215 cu. in. (3518 cu. cm) Bore x Stroke 3.78 x 3.19 in. (96 x 81 mm) Compression Ratio 10.0:1 Valve System SOHC, 24 valves, hydraulic, center-pivot roller rocker arms Fuel Injection Sequential, multi-port, electronic Power (SAE net, estimated) 235 bhp (175 kW) @ 6400 rpm (67.1 bhp/liter) Torque (SAE net, estimated) 232 lb.-ft. (315 N•m) @ 4000 rpm
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Vehicle for All Reasons
The
Journey is a remarkably well-thought-out Crossover Utility Vehicle that
offers much of the interior space of a Full Size SUV, but with a smaller
footprint and fuel consumption that is easier of the American wallet. But
the best part of the Journey is the innovative ways Dodge's engineers have
configured storage space inside this vehicle. There are compartments
galore, a few that you will have to be told of, which, of course, we will
do here.
degrees for easy entry and exit. An optional third row can carry two more
people for a total of seven. 
arguably
the best out you can buy. There is also a working "cooler" in the glove
compartment to keep water or soft drinks cold.
Overall, even in the basic versions, the Journey is fairly well equipped.
Prices start around $20,000 and top out close to $27,000, which is really
a pretty good price for the room and the features. Its main competitors
are the company's own minivans, and such vehicles as the Chevy Equinox,
Saturn Vue, and perhaps the Ford Escape.
The
Journey is no sports car on the road. The four cylinder engine is
adequate, but not overly powerful. Many people will choose the V6 and that
is the engine we recommend. It is quieter and more powerful in all
conditions. You also get a six-speed automatic with the V6. A four speed
auto in the four.