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2009 Dodge Journey

Low Cost SUV with Family Hauling Ability: 2009 Dodge Journey

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Summary

 

For 2009 Dodge offers a new midsized utility vehicle that is sure to please. With a comfortable and functional interior, the Journey offers multiple options to keep the little ones busy on long trips and up to 9 feet of storage to haul that surfboard you just bought. With seating for up to 7, the Journey can fit even the largest of families. With decent on road performance and an interior that is designed for the family minded, the Journey is certainly worth a look, test drive, and even a purchase.

Full Review 2009

Now Dodge is entering that segment with the Journey, an all-new midsize crossover with seating for up to seven, four-cylinder or V6 power, and minivan-like utility.

Dodge hasn't chosen the sporty path for Journey. The Dodge Journey is available with a V6 engine that delivers adequate power but is far from the best in the class. The Dodge Journey has standard seating for five, but that can be expanded to seven. Filling the Journey with adults won't make all your passengers happy, but the rear seat should work well for children.

The better news is the utility the Journey offers. While cargo room is only average for the class, the Journey offers a fold flat front passenger seat that will allow loading items up to nine feet long. Entertainment options are plentiful, too, as the Journey has a six-disc CD changer standard and offers a hard drive radio and a rear DVD entertainment system.

With prices starting under $20,000, the Journey offers affordable utility.

2009 Trims and Styling

The 2009 Dodge Journey is offered in three trim levels: SE, SXT and R/T. The SE is exclusively front-wheel drive (FWD), while the SXT and R/T models are offered with FWD or all-wheel drive. The SE model comes with Dodge's 173-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The SXT and R/T models use Chrysler's 3.5-liter V6. It makes 235 horsepower in the Journey and it puts its power to the wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with Dodge's AutoStick manual shift gate.

Standard features on the SE ($19,360) model include cloth upholstery; air conditioning; Chill Zone beverage storage bin; AM/FM six-disc CD/DVD/MP3 compatible radio with six speakers; power windows, power heated exterior mirrors; manual day/night rearview mirror; tilt/telescoping steering column; driver's seat height adjustment; second-row reclining 60/40 seat; and P225/70R16 all season tires on steel wheels.

A Rear Seat Video Group ($1,195) includes an eight-inch video screen, wireless headphones and video remote control, six premium speakers with subwoofer and 368-watt amplifier. The SXT ($22,360) adds cruise control; remote keyless entry; Sirius satellite radio with one-year subscription; YES Essentials cloth upholstery, power six-way adjustable driver seat, fold-flat front passenger seat with Flip 'n Stow in-seat storage, conversation mirror, portable LED flashlight, cargo net, floor mats, trip computer with temperature and compass display, auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic headlights, a touring suspension, and P225/60R17 all-season touring tires on aluminum wheels. The SXT AWD ($24,905) also gets performance steering, performance suspension, fog lamps, and P225/55R19 tires on aluminum wheels. Options start with the SXT Flexible Seating Group ($995), which includes a third-row 50/50 folding/reclining seat, second-row 60/40 Tilt 'n Slide rear seat, and three-zone temperature control (including the rear). Convenience Group I ($695) includes a cargo compartment cover on five-passenger vehicles, interior air filter, driver and front passenger lower LED lamps, front and rear aim able LED lamps, a roof rack, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and a universal garage door opener. The Chrome Appearance Group ($1,420), which is available for only the FWD SXT, includes 19-inch chrome-clad wheels, fog lamps, and performance steering and suspension. Included in Entertainment Group II ($2,495) are six premium speakers with subwoofer and 368-watt amplifier, a navigation system with 7-inch screen, Dodge's MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System, Dodge's UConnect hands-free cell phone link, and a rearview camera. The Premium Convenience Group ($895) has dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, UConnect, and remote engine starting.

Exterior Look

The Journey is built on Dodge's Global D platform. Of those vehicles, the Journey is the best yet.

On the outside, the Journey announces its presence with the familiar Dodge crosshair grille. Beneath the grille, the Journey has a larger air intake than the minivan. The Journey is bigger than it looks.

Styling and Interior Features

The Journey's main strength is its well thought out cabin. It offers plenty of room for passengers and cargo, available seating for seven, and several smart and convenient storage solutions.

 The interior materials represent a step forward for Dodge. The driver's seat offers plenty of head and leg room for just about any occupant. It is the unique storage and convenience features, however, that really make Journey shine. Up front, models without the navigation system get a storage bin in the top of the center stack. All Journeys have a dual-level glove box with Dodge's Chill Zone up top. The Journey's center console/armrest has a lid that slides forward three inches. The three-passenger bench seat is 1.6 inches higher than the front seat to give passengers a better view of the road and front passengers. The Journey also has two in-floor storage bins with removable liners. The seat backs are split 60/40 and fold flat. When the optional Flexible Seating Group is ordered, the second-row seats fold in a scissors action, with the seat bottoms tilting up, the seatbacks tilting forward, and the seats sliding forward, to provide easy access to the third row. The SE model comes with seating for five, but the SXT and R/T can be ordered with the Flexible Seating Group, which expands seating capacity to seven. Dodge says it offers enough head room for a 95th-percentile male.

First Drive 2009

The Dodge Journey is nondescript when it comes to road manners. When it comes to handling, the Journey offers little to get excited about. In short, the Journey doesn't offer the sporty driving character that can be a strength of crossover SUVs.

Antilock brakes with brake assist are standard, and Dodge should be commended for making traction control and electronic stability control standard equipment.

The base four-cylinder, Chrysler's 173-hp 2.4-liter World Engine, is loud in the Journey and delivers too little power in this 3800-pound package. Dodge recommends midgrade fuel for the V6.

Conclusions

 The Dodge Journey is an all-new entry in the midsize crossover SUV class. "The Journey's pricing -- $19,985 base, $22,985 SXT, $26,545 R/T (AWD adds $2545 to the SXT and $1750 to the R/T) -- is pegged to undercut the competition's. That formula, plus general competence and plenty of features, works just about every time." says Car and Driver "The Journey is the perfect example of a thoroughly modern vehicle: designed to have the ride and handling of a car, the looks and ride height of a truck/SUV, and the passenger capacity and handy storage of a minivan while offending no one who holds anti-minivan prejudices." adds Motor Trend

For the young family on the go, the Journey will offer a pleasant ride, more than ample interior space, enough storage and plenty of entertainment options to keep the kids occupied.