The Journey also cruises quietly and with solid stability at highway speeds.Ingo Barenschee
Chrysler's short-wheelbase minivans never made much sense - if you felt you had to drive around in a minivan in the first place, why not opt for the added interior volume offered by the long-wheelbase model - so replacing it with the Dodge Journey crossover was a sensible move.
From a business perspective, it rid Chrysler of a slowing showroom mover, rationalized production and brought to market something with some sales potential in a hot market segment.
From a consumer point of view, the Dodge Avenger-based Journey, introduced for 2009, offers much the same benefits as the vehicle it replaces.
There are 1,915 litres of cargo space, admittedly a lot less than the 3,650 the Caravan offered, but still likely enough to meet most family needs. And, like the Caravan, it can also carry seven passengers.
But you get this utility without paying the price of driving around in a minivan, with all the negative social stigma attached to these charmless but worthy family haulers. Instead, hey, you'll be driving a cutting-edge crossover utility vehicle. How cool could that be?
And it offers a going-in price about five grand cheaper than the base Caravan when it was last available in 2007, and about seven large less than the asking price of the '09 Grand Caravan. The "deal of the week" prices may be lower, but the four-cylinder-powered Dodge Journey SE's list price for 2009 is $19,995.
Not only do you get a lot more stylish sheet metal wrapped around plenty of internal volume for your money - the Journey is actually about 80 mm longer than the Caravan - you get a decent level of equipment.
The entry price buys you the five-seat version, equipped with front, side and side curtain airbag systems, ABS disc brakes, electronic stability control and roll mitigation, power windows and locks, air conditioning, 60/40-split rear seat, tilt/telescope steering column, tach, a six-disc audio system and, wait for it, lighted cup holders.
The test vehicle, an SE Plus, costs an additional $1,000 and adds a bunch of small but useful features: floor mats, cargo compartment cover, passenger-assist handles, overhead console, sunscreen glass, keyless entry, illuminated vanity mirrors, air filtration, cruise control, rear area observation mirror and roof racks. Add $1,300 in destination charges and you're looking at $22,295 plus taxes.
For those seeking more power and features, including all-wheel-drive, there are V-6-engined models.
Could you live with a four-banger in a vehicle this large and weighty? Yes, you could, is the answer. At least, if for you, driving is all about getting there and not the "journey" itself.
The Journey's 2.4-litre four-cylinder makes 173 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque, a goodly output, but unfortunately, keeping costs down dictated fitting it with only a four-speed automatic to get the power to its front wheels.
Around-town driving is okay. It steps off with some vigour, although if you fill it with seven people, you won't have to worry about alarming them. It has to strain mightily to generate acceptable acceleration in the higher gears.
Fuel economy is rated at 11.0 L/100 km city and 8.0 highway, numbers you'd have to develop a save-the-planet attitude about and a really light right foot to experience. My guess is you'll likely find yourself caning the engine unmercifully to keep up - and burning fuel in the process.
Handling falls into the ponderous and not particularly pleasant category, although it exhibits no nasty traits, other than too early under-steer. After you experience that a few times, it will likely reign in any tendency to attempt vigorous cornering.
Tires are tall - P225/70R 16 - all-seasons that don't contribute much to the handling, but likely help soften up the ride a bit, which is stiffish, yet under-damped enough to feel floaty over large undulations.
The interior simply isn't very appealing. And why a soft-touch type material was chosen for the dash (which you'll never touch) and a hard plastic with a sharply defined ridge that's decidedly ulna-unfriendly was employed on the door caps is anybody's guess.
And a bit of remedial study in ergonomics wouldn't be amiss in Chrysler's design studio. Why anybody would think it a good idea to force the driver to reach either through or around the steering wheel to access the button in the speedometer face that actives the outside temp display is another mystery.
As is why you would locate three large round dials for the climate control high on the centre stack and the audio system, with its smaller buttons and knobs, down by the driver's knee.
Green-tinted instruments are located under a cheap-looking black plastic cover and atop the centre stack is a storage compartment with a flimsy plastic cover. The silver-coloured trim looks particularly low-rent.
Just so I don't come across as too negative: the steering wheel feels fine, the front seats don't offer much lateral support, but are firm and quite comfortable, outside mirrors are large, headlights are okay, there are plenty of storage spots and the audio system produces decent sound. The Journey also cruises quietly and with solid stability at highway speeds.
As a bare-bones family conveyance, this entry-level Journey works well enough, and is priced very fairly, but like the minivan it replaces, don't expect it to be any more than that.
2009 DODGE JOURNEY SE PLUS
Type: Mid-size crossover
Base Price: $19,995; as tested, $22,295
Engine: 2.4-litre, DOHC, inline-four
Horsepower/torque: 173 hp/166 lb-ft
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Drive: Front-wheel-drive
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 11.0 city/8.0 highway; regular gas
Alternatives: Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Liberty, Kia Sorento, Mazda5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Pontiac Torrent, Toyota Highlander
Like
- That it offers well-equipped family transportation and utility for a family at a decent price
Don't like
- I could go on and on about the interior. Wait, I did
globeauto@globeandmail.com