2009 Dodge Journey Review

The 2009 Dodge Journey is the automakers first car based crossover SUV. Crossovers are built on a car-like structure but combine the utility of a traditional truck-based SUV with the smoother ride and improved fuel economy of a car. The Journey rides reasonably well and handles more like a big car than a big, clunky SUV. The Dodge Journey is available with a V6 engine that delivers adequate power for around town, a 3500-pound towing capacity, and decent passing ability. The Journey stands out with its impressive interior. There is standard seating for five, but that can be expanded to seven. 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. It also has several unique storage solutions that owners will find useful. With prices starting under $20,000, the Journey offers affordable utility.

Trims

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. Standard features on the SE 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.

The SXT 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 also gets performance steering, performance suspension, fog lamps, and P225/55R19 tires on aluminum wheels.

Interior

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. While there is still evidence of the cheap plastic that has plagued recent Dodge releases, there are also more soft-touch materials. The improvement is most evident in the R/T model, which has a black dash center section that, while plastic, looks good and feels better than the plastic center stack in the SE and SXT models. The driver's seat offers plenty of head and leg room for just about any occupant. The view is generally unobstructed front and rear. 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. Chill Zone uses the air conditioning system to keep up to four soda cans cool. The second row is impressive. 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. It slides forward and back up to 4.7 inches in seven-passenger models, and can be ordered with integrated child booster seats for the outboard positions. The Journey also has two in-floor storage bins with removable liners. Each bin can hold up to six soda cans plus ice. 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 rear doors also open 90 degrees, making getting in and out easy. 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. The third row is 0.6 inches higher than the second row, is split 50/50, and folds flat. The center stack contains an easy-to-use climate control system with three knobs and eight buttons. The radio can be a little complicated, and are set low, with many buttons that will take some time to learn. The navigation/MyGIG screen is set at the top of the cluster, so occupants will have to move their eyes up and down to change settings and see their effects.

Exterior

On the outside, the Journey carries the familiar Dodge crosshair grille. The upright shape of the grille and its relation to the aluminum hood and windshield is very reminiscent of the current Dodge Grand Caravan, and no SUV ever earned sales by looking like a minivan. Beneath the grille, the Journey has a larger air intake than the minivan. Actually, it runs the full width of the vehicle and is flanked on either side by integrated fog lights on the R/T model. Around the sides, the Journey features pronounced wheel arches and a creased character line that starts at the top of each headlight, angles upward, and wraps completely around the vehicle. The roofline flows nicely from the windshield, curving down slightly front to rear. The B- and C-pillars are blacked out. The Journey is bigger than it looks. In overall dimension, it is only slightly shorter than the Ford Explorer, and it's actually longer than many seven-passenger crossover competitors. At the back, the Journey's taillights wrap around the sides of the vehicle and continue into the tailgate, which opens upward. The rear bumper has an integrated step pad that matches the height of the load floor. Models with the V6 engine can be distinguished by their dual chrome exhaust tips.

Engine and Handling

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 shiftgate. The ride on the Journey is generally good, with little of the pounding from bumps that comes with a stiff, sporty suspension. While the high seating position affords a good view of the road, it seems to hurt the feel behind the wheel, and the handling is mediocre. This is not an off-road-oriented SUV, and considering this, it seems that Dodge could have made it sit a bit lower and therefore improve the handling characteristics. The steering is light, but accurate. The Journey doesn't offer the sporty driving character that can be a strength in some crossover SUVs. The all-wheel-drive system is useful for slippery surfaces, but is not useable for off-roading.

The Dodge Journey is an all-new entry in the midsize crossover SUV class. It may not be as sporty and powerful as its crossover competitors, but the Journey makes up for those deficiencies with intelligent cabin design and the availability of family friendly entertainment features. The Journey offers a pleasant ride, plenty of room, and enough storage and entertainment options to keep kids occupied. The 2009 comes with an average MSRP of $20,625 - $29,035 and a basic warranty of 36 months/36,000 miles. The Journey has a fuel economy range of 25 mpg Hwy, and 19 mpg City.