Up for the ride?
http://www.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/articles/2430/1/Up-for-the-ride/Page1.html
Marcus Amick
By Marcus Amick
Published on 02/27/2008
LAS VEGAS — When you first hear the name, you can’t help but have high expectations for Dodge’s all-new Journey. The name alone sets the stage for what you’d expect would be a memorable drive. Perhaps a little risky for Dodge considering it’s their first stab at a “crossover” — that is, vehicles designed to give you some of the qualities of an SUV with the performance capabilities of a car.
THE DODGE JOURNEY is targeted at singles and young families. - A. J. Mueller Photography
LAS VEGAS — When you first hear the name, you can’t help but have high expectations for Dodge’s all-new Journey. The name alone sets the stage for what you’d expect would be a memorable drive. Perhaps a little risky for Dodge considering it’s their first stab at a “crossover” — that is, vehicles designed to give you some of the qualities of an SUV with the performance capabilities of a car.
Dodge press material more specifically describes the Journey as “the perfect right-sized vehicle for people who want the prestige of an SUV and the functionality of a minivan.”
Just about every automaker has a so-called crossover or some variation thereof in their line-up now. So it seems like a logical move for Dodge to build one, especially considering the cost of filling up a full-size SUV these days. But with a name like Journey, you expect a lot, and for the most part, Dodge pulls it off.
The Journey handles great and has a solid ride, which Dodge engineers attribute to a body structure in which one-third consist of high-strength or ultra-high strength steel. And what a route we had for the drive — touring Lake Mead, Nevada, near Las Vegas. (Check out www.YouTube.com/MotorRocks for a video clip of the drive.)
The Journey comes with two engine options: a 2.4-liter four cylinder with 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft., and an available 3.5-liter V6 engine with auto-stick shift.
The V6 pushes out 235 horses and 232 lb.-ft. or torque and is available in all-wheel-drive. Gas mileage on the 2.4-liter is 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The gas mileage on the 3.5-liter V6 engine is 16 mpg city and 23 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel-drive model and 15 city 22 highway on the all-wheel-drive models.
Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control, which improve a vehicle’s ride and handling are standard on the Journey. Nice. But the interior is one of the most impressive features on the ride. Credit a lot of it to the Journey’s interior design team headed up by Scott Anderson and his interest in things like cool watches and furniture. The influences are apparent in everything, from the gauges to the seats.
Touches such as chrome accents on the door handles and door lock knobs add to the feel. Add to the mix, technologies such as Chrysler’s MyGIG multimedia audio entertainment center, and the idea of a road trip with that annoying brother-in-law just got a whole lot less stressful. Well, maybe.
Five-passenger seating is standard in the Journey. But it also comes with third-row seating. Don’t expect a whole lot of room, though. The third-row space, like most midsize vehicles in its segment, is more for kids than adults.
Options include a rear-seat entertainment system, a rear park assist camera and Sirius Satellite radio. The Journey is also available with a full-screen GPS map navigation system, fitting for the name, right?
Other convenience features on the vehicle include two in-floor storage bins and the “Flip ’n’ Stow,” which features a front passenger seat cushion that can be flipped up for a storage area. The Journey also has rear doors that open 90 degrees to make it easier to get in and out of the second row.
Safety features include child booster seats, a segment first in the midsize crossover market, and more standard features such as front driver and passenger air bags and electronic stability control.
Pricing for the Journey starts at around $20,000. Our fully loaded test model capped out at $34,240. A bit pricey maybe considering everything else you can get for around $35 grand. But it all kind of levels out when considering the options that come with the package.
Trouble is, after a day of road time with the Journey in Nevada, we’re not sure if the exterior styling is inviting enough to convince the target demographic, young couples and singles, to take a second look at the vehicle. It kinda’ puts you in the mind of a cross between a Chrysler Pacifica and a Dodge minivan. That hardly says “young and hip.” The beauty of the Journey is definitely its interior and the ride and handling.
Not that the vehicle doesn’t have any road presence. It’s just a lot more subdued than a lot of other rides in its segment. Optional 19” wheels and tires — a first in the crossover segment — help give the Journey some road presence. But it’s not enough to sell you on the look. We hardly caught anybody checkin’ out the ride cruising the strip in Vegas.
Final analysis? The Journey’s a great vehicle when it comes to the conveniences and ride that makes for a memorable drive. It just doesn’t say a whole lot on the outside to convince you to get in.
SPECS
• Price as tested: $34,240
• MPG: 15 city/22 hwy
• Child booster seats
• Available all-wheel-drive
• Available GPS system
Marcus Amick and photographer/analyst A.J. Mueller are the hosts of MotorRocks.com, an automotive entertainment site.
LAS VEGAS — When you first hear the name, you can’t help but have high expectations for Dodge’s all-new Journey. The name alone sets the stage for what you’d expect would be a memorable drive. Perhaps a little risky for Dodge considering it’s their first stab at a “crossover” — that is, vehicles designed to give you some of the qualities of an SUV with the performance capabilities of a car.Dodge takes a stab at crossover market with new Journey
THE DODGE JOURNEY is targeted at singles and young families. - A. J. Mueller Photography
LAS VEGAS — When you first hear the name, you can’t help but have high expectations for Dodge’s all-new Journey. The name alone sets the stage for what you’d expect would be a memorable drive. Perhaps a little risky for Dodge considering it’s their first stab at a “crossover” — that is, vehicles designed to give you some of the qualities of an SUV with the performance capabilities of a car.
Dodge press material more specifically describes the Journey as “the perfect right-sized vehicle for people who want the prestige of an SUV and the functionality of a minivan.”
Just about every automaker has a so-called crossover or some variation thereof in their line-up now. So it seems like a logical move for Dodge to build one, especially considering the cost of filling up a full-size SUV these days. But with a name like Journey, you expect a lot, and for the most part, Dodge pulls it off.
The Journey handles great and has a solid ride, which Dodge engineers attribute to a body structure in which one-third consist of high-strength or ultra-high strength steel. And what a route we had for the drive — touring Lake Mead, Nevada, near Las Vegas. (Check out www.YouTube.com/MotorRocks for a video clip of the drive.)
The Journey comes with two engine options: a 2.4-liter four cylinder with 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft., and an available 3.5-liter V6 engine with auto-stick shift.
The V6 pushes out 235 horses and 232 lb.-ft. or torque and is available in all-wheel-drive. Gas mileage on the 2.4-liter is 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The gas mileage on the 3.5-liter V6 engine is 16 mpg city and 23 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel-drive model and 15 city 22 highway on the all-wheel-drive models.
Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control, which improve a vehicle’s ride and handling are standard on the Journey. Nice. But the interior is one of the most impressive features on the ride. Credit a lot of it to the Journey’s interior design team headed up by Scott Anderson and his interest in things like cool watches and furniture. The influences are apparent in everything, from the gauges to the seats.
Touches such as chrome accents on the door handles and door lock knobs add to the feel. Add to the mix, technologies such as Chrysler’s MyGIG multimedia audio entertainment center, and the idea of a road trip with that annoying brother-in-law just got a whole lot less stressful. Well, maybe.
Five-passenger seating is standard in the Journey. But it also comes with third-row seating. Don’t expect a whole lot of room, though. The third-row space, like most midsize vehicles in its segment, is more for kids than adults.
Options include a rear-seat entertainment system, a rear park assist camera and Sirius Satellite radio. The Journey is also available with a full-screen GPS map navigation system, fitting for the name, right?
Other convenience features on the vehicle include two in-floor storage bins and the “Flip ’n’ Stow,” which features a front passenger seat cushion that can be flipped up for a storage area. The Journey also has rear doors that open 90 degrees to make it easier to get in and out of the second row.
Safety features include child booster seats, a segment first in the midsize crossover market, and more standard features such as front driver and passenger air bags and electronic stability control.
Pricing for the Journey starts at around $20,000. Our fully loaded test model capped out at $34,240. A bit pricey maybe considering everything else you can get for around $35 grand. But it all kind of levels out when considering the options that come with the package.
Trouble is, after a day of road time with the Journey in Nevada, we’re not sure if the exterior styling is inviting enough to convince the target demographic, young couples and singles, to take a second look at the vehicle. It kinda’ puts you in the mind of a cross between a Chrysler Pacifica and a Dodge minivan. That hardly says “young and hip.” The beauty of the Journey is definitely its interior and the ride and handling.
Not that the vehicle doesn’t have any road presence. It’s just a lot more subdued than a lot of other rides in its segment. Optional 19” wheels and tires — a first in the crossover segment — help give the Journey some road presence. But it’s not enough to sell you on the look. We hardly caught anybody checkin’ out the ride cruising the strip in Vegas.
Final analysis? The Journey’s a great vehicle when it comes to the conveniences and ride that makes for a memorable drive. It just doesn’t say a whole lot on the outside to convince you to get in.
SPECS
• Price as tested: $34,240
• MPG: 15 city/22 hwy
• Child booster seats
• Available all-wheel-drive
• Available GPS system
Marcus Amick and photographer/analyst A.J. Mueller are the hosts of MotorRocks.com, an automotive entertainment site.