2009 DODGE JOURNEY AWD R/T – “THE ULTIMATE CROSSOVER”

The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey is another segment-defining crossover from Dodge that delivers versatility, safety, child friendliness, loads of storage, cargo and seating flexibility, as well as innovative features and technologies, including all-weather driving capability. With a bold, sporty design, the all-new, fun-to-drive Journey continues the Dodge brand global expansion.

Dodge designers and engineers have answered the needs of the global passenger car market, as well as the needs of individual drivers, and delivered the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey is a global vehicle that meets life’s changing demands by offering a unique combination of versatility and flexibility in a sporty, sexy package. This all-new vehicle takes the practicality of a minivan, the capability of a sport utility vehicle and the overall efficiency of a passenger car and blends all the best attributes of each into an all-new ‘right-sized’ crossover.

The Journey is built on Dodge’s global D-segment platform and is designed to meet the needs of young singles, couples and families with small children to mature families who want the flexibility to do more in terms of seating people or storing gear. Clever, flexible seating and storage combinations include standard five-passenger seating with spacious cargo room and optional 5+2 seating for times when additional passengers are along for the journey. Spacious storage bins in the floor are hidden behind the front seats, and the front passenger seat bottom pulls out to reveal more storage. Combine that with a variety of fuel-efficient and powerful powertrain options that makes the Journey flexible, functional and fun-to-drive a short distance or longer.

Safety also is at the top of the list for consumers, and the Journey delivers with standard multi-stage front driver and passenger airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags, three-row-side-curtain airbags, 3-point safety belts for all seating positions, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic stability program, electronic roll mitigation, and optional back-up camera and all-wheel-drive. Three models are available the base SE, mid-line SXT, and the top-of-the-line, R/T, that I tested.

The Dodge Journey is unmistakably a Dodge front the signature Dodge crosshair chrome grille with the Dodge Ram’s head stamped on the center. Contemporary quad halogen headlamps and optional fog lamps provide excellent road lighting. Body-color fascias provide a monochromatic look that neatly frames the chrome crosshair grille and headlamps.

 

From the side you’ll first notice the big 19X7in. wheels and tires available for the RT. These wheels and tires set it apart from the rest of the mid-size crossover pack. Continuing on at the side are Journey’s horizontal aluminum hood, long daylight opening and low-gloss black appliqués on the B-and-C-pillars that give the appearance of a long greenhouse. Sculpted wheel arches emphasize Journey’s sporty, athletic appearance. Journey’s beltline is more angled in front, easier for rear-seat passengers to see out the windows. An optional high-contrast black roof rack with buffed stainless steel roof rails adds capability.

 

From the rear, Journey features a single-piece, lightweight liftgate that includes an integrated spoiler that improves aerodynamics. An LED center high mounted stop lamp is mounted in the liftgate header above the glass. Four-piece jeweled red tail lamps span the width of both liftgate and the body and feature unique curves that give the Journey added style and sportiness. Cut into the lower bumper are chrome-tipped dual exhausts, which are standard on the RT.

 

A key target for the design team was delivering a practical, flexible interior, with seating and innovative storage features typically only found in a minivan. The Journey’s two-box exterior design means more room for seating people and storing gear. Journey offers a choice of two seating configurations to balance consumers needs for passenger seating and cargo room. Five passenger seating is standard, while 5+2 passenger seating is optional on the SXT and RT models. Journey’s optional third-row gives passengers 2in. more head room than the competition.

 

Storing things under the front seat takes on an entirely new meaning, thanks to Journey’s optional Flip ‘N Stow in-seat storage. The Journey’s front passenger seat cushion flips forward to reveal a large, 10.75X8.75in. bin under the cushion. It is large enough to store a purse, umbrella, planner, or headphones, with the seat down. The cushion is hinged, and when flipped forward, provides access to the storage bin.

 

Journey’s rear doors open 90-degrees making it easier to get and out of the second row and gain access to the available third row. In the second row the Journey features theater seating, which gives passengers in the second and third row the ability to see outside the vehicle. It is about 1.6in. higher than the first row, and the optional third row is 0.6in. higher than the second row.

 

Located in the floor behind the front-row seats are two standard in-floor storage bins that are designed to hold 12-12oz. cans plus ice or other items conveniently out of sight. For added convenience, the bins feature latching lids and removable, washable liners, so they are a snap to clean.

 

An additional thoughtful item that makes Journey more flexible for families is the child presenter seat on all models that makes it easier for the driver to attend to a small child seat in the second row. The child presenter seat works by allowing the 60/40 fold-flat second row seat to travel 2in. forward. With the front passenger seat folded flat option, the driver can easily reach to the back to assist a child in the second row. The second row also slides rearward 2in. providing extra leg room for taller passengers.

Dodge Journey is the first vehicle in the mid-size crossover segment to offer available integrated child booster seats. These seats boost a child in the second row 4in. so they’re seated in the adult belt zone. This makes it easier for the child seated in the booster set to see outside the vehicle. The booster seat is designed for children who are as much as 4ft.9in. tall and between 48 and 85lbs.

 

The second-row seats also move forward and rearward a total of 4.7in. to give more legroom, bring children closer to the front seats and provide more cargo room behind the seats. Folding the second row and the available fold-flat front passenger seat flat creates plenty of room for hauling home lumber need to assemble a playscape or skis from the slopes.

On five-passenger models, a tri-fold load floor is located behind the second-row seat and provides a hidden storage compartment for added utility. The load floor is reversible and configures into a ‘grocery bag’ position. The primary side of the folding panel is carpeted for durability.

The optional third-row seat is easy to operate and get into, thanks to Journey’s stadium ‘Tilt ‘N Slide feature. With the turn of a single lever on the side of the seat back, the seat cushions easily fold upward and the seat slides forward. Journey’s available 50/50-split folding third-row seat provides enough room for two passengers on an as needed basis. The seatback reclines 6-degrees to make it even more comfortable, but anyone over 5ft.10in. is too tall for comfort. A rear in-floor hidden storage bin located behind the available third-row seat is standard on the 5+2 passenger Journey’s.

 

Besides storage and safety innovations, the inside is roomy, comfortable and up-to-date with the latest in creature comforts for long trips. First I noticed that the dashboard is now wrapped in premium soft-skin material that is soft to the touch giving a feeling of quality and craftsmanship. The front bucket seats are supportive but can be a little more softer. The instrument panel is new and is easy to see but the large, steering wheel can get in the way sometimes by covering the end gauges, but I like the leather wrapped, tilting and telescoping feature to get the perfect angle for easy steering. The center console is padded and is big enough to fit most personal items, and can slide 3in. to make it even more comfortable. The gated shifter is surrounded by chrome and easily moved from park to drive to reverse.

 

The center stack features all the buttons, dials and switches to operate the tri-zone climate controls and audio system of your choice. More innovative features inside include an optional ParkView rear backup camera with a view of the back displayed in the navigation display; optional full-color GPS Map Navigation system with 7in. display; Chill-Zone cooled beverage storage bin located above the glove box that keeps two cooled 12oz. can cool through the AC system or fresh air outlet; YES Essentials Premium Cloth Seats are stain resistant, odor resistant and anti-static for easy cleaning and a long-lasting appearance, (standard on the SXT model, leather standard on the RT model); optional Aimable LED map/reading lamps provide focused light without distracting the driver; optional, removable rechargeable LED flashlight stored in the rear cargo area is convenient when another light is needed; illuminated cupholders glow blue green for easy nighttime access; optional rear-seat entertainment system includes an 8in. color monitor that works with the radio DVD player, two wireless headphones and a wireless remote come standard; optional UConnect provides convenient, hands-free communication with BlueTooth cellular phones; four 12-volt power points for powering small electronics, two upfront, one in the second row and one in the cargo area; optional Remote Start starts a secured Journey with the key fob for added convenience; sunglass bin with child observation mirror allows you to conveniently viewing the rear occupants; optional heated front seats with leather or premium cloth seats enhance comfort, and molded map pockets with bottle holders in all four doors enhance storage and convenience.

 

More standard interior features in the RT model not mentioned above include power windows/door locks with driver express up/down; cruise control, 6-way power driver’s seat; power-remote/heated side mirrors, keyless entry, grab handles above each door, universal garage door opener; sentry-key theft-deterrent system, security alarm, AM-FM stereo with in-dash 6-CD/DVD player, MP3 player, 6-speakers; trip computer, tire pressure monitor, and driver personalization computer; steering wheel-mounted audio controls; leather-wrapped shift knob, self-dimming rearview mirror, and thick carpeting with signature Journey floor mats.

The front-wheel-drive Journey rides on a fully independent suspension with MacPherson struts, coil-over gas-charged shocks, and a solid stabilizer bar, while the rear features a multi-link setup with coil springs, gas-charged shocks, and a link stabilizer bar to keep the Journey flat in the curves, solid on the straights and nimble getting around slower city traffic. Enhancing precise control and comfort are the front and rear suspension crossmembers that isolate the body creating a quiet ride, with less road noise, vibration and harshness. All-wheel-drive is optional on the Journey with the 3.5 liter V6 engine.

Dodge offers three different engine/transaxle combinations to suit everyone’s special needs-higher-miles per gallon with less horsepower or lower miles per gallon with higher horsepower and a sport-tuned suspension. The RT model also features more precise steering with a performance gear integrated into the power-assisted rack & pinion steering system.

 

The standard engine is a 2.4 liter inline four cylinder making 173hp and 166lb.ft. of torque. It is mated to a four-speed automatic that gives back 19mpg/city and 25mpg/highway. Also available is the 2.7 liter V6 engine coupled to a four-speed automatic making 186hp and 191lb.ft. of torque and giving back 17mpg/city and 23mpg/highway. The ‘top-of-the-line’ 3.5 liter V6 produces 235hp and 232lb.ft. of torque and is mated to a smoother, 6-speed automatic. It delivers 16mpg/city and 23mpg/highway. Any of the three engines gives the Journey good get-up-and-go when needed to accelerate this 4,200lb. crossover, people, cargo mover.

Slowing the Journey quickly and safely down from speed are large, power-assisted,
4-wheel disc brakes. Up front are 11.9in. vented discs and in the rear are 12in. solid discs. Each wheel is clamped with large, single-piston calipers. Enhancing braking control is standard ABS and Brake Assist. The standard Trailer Sway Control helps maintain vehicle and trailer system stability by applying selective braking.

Options not mentioned above includes trailer tow prep, engine oil cooler, 6-Infinity premium speakers with subwoofer, 368-watt amplifier, MyGig hard drive, Sirius satellite radio, and power sunroof.

Base price for the Journey RT starts at just $25,920.00 and my loaded RT was sticker priced at just $33,595.00.

The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey is Dodge’s first entry into the growing, mid-size crossover segment. With many storage and personal innovations not found on any other competitor, it should be on the list to test drive if this type of vehicle is what you are looking for.

It moves people and cargo with the greatest of ease.

COPYRIGHT:2008:HARVEY SCHWARTZ