In the almost two years since its New Zealand debut, Dodge’s Journey is not exactly going places in our market, despite being the most powerful and most aggressively priced people mover on our market.
You have to wonder if its inability to gain any real sales traction here is a reflection of shrinking demand for this type of vehicle. The fact is more of those shopping for seven seater vehicles, are increasingly seeing recreational 4WD’s as a better looking alternative to boxy styled people-movers such as the Journey. This is in stark contrast to North America, where the Journey has blazed a path up the sales charts to become one Dodge’s best sellers. The other thing that works against the Journey here is the fact that the Dodge name plate is not held in the same regard as most of those from Japan, Korea and Europe.
If you value space, versatility and strong six-cylinder grunt a head of the badge of the vehicle you drive, then there is lots too like about the upgraded 2012 Dodge Journey, especially the $39,995 asking price for the entry level SXT V6. In range topping R/T form it sells for $45,995 while the 2.0 litre turbo diesel sells for $54995, a steep $10,000 price premium over the petrol motor. Offered up for this road test was the keenly priced SXT V6, easily the best buy in the Journey stable and by a sizeable margin in my book.
Powering the Journey is the same impressive new 3.6 litre 210kw V6 used in a variety of models in the Chrysler/Jeep catalogue including the just released Chrysler 300 sedan and entry level Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. This muscular V6 is a welcome replacement for the rather limp and uninspiring 2.7 litre V6 the Journey arrived here with at the end of 2010. This was some three year after its debuted in the USA. What this latest motor provides some much needed under bonnet action that always seemed well beyond the abilities of its predecessor
By comparison it’s a real performance dynamo and a relaxed and refined open road cruiser. Much of the latter is down to Dodge engineers slapping mighty effective gagging orders in the form of extensive sound proofing, to largely eliminate mechanical and road noise.
Throttle response is instant and authorative as you would expect from a six-cylinder motor packing a 210kw punch making it a bit of an unlikely rocket ship. A sweet six-speed dual -clutch automatic energizes this engine to enable it to sustain this up beat tempo. The motor and gearbox combine to deliver a pretty emphatic swot of power that zaps a vehicle built like weightlifter, past slower moving traffic with the accelerative qualities of a champion Olympic sprinter.
Some really smart thinking has created a highly versatile and flexible cabin compartment, achieved by using the considerable people mover skills and expertise that exist within Chrysler. The company invented the people mover concept when they launched the original Voyager back in the early 1980’s, a model that proved a real game changer, kicking off the people mover revolution.
The company’s people mover know how is evident everywhere in the cabin. I particularly liked the Flip ’N Stow in-seat storage. The front-passenger seat cushion is hinged and, when tilted forward, reveals a decent sized storage area for everything from valuables to an MP3 Player with the seat cushion down. The smart stuff does not end there. In the floor behind the front-row seats are two standard storage bins for drinks or other items. Those who like things clean tidy will be pleased that the bins having removable latched lids and a washable liner, leaving no room for excuses for not keeping them spotless.
Visually you are left in know doubt that the Journey is to quote the great Bruce Spingsten “Born in the USA”. The over dose of chrome, much of it accumulated n the front grille area are a bit of a give away to its bold and shiny American origins, while the company’s signature Ram head badge may attract a few sheepish looks. Either side of the grille are quad halogen headlamps that provide a truly enlighten night time drive experience. Sculpted wheel arches represent a some what token attempt to create an athletic appearance. Given the vehicles boxy lines and slab sided appearance, this was doomed to fail. The Journey is what it is in the automotive scheme of things and that is devoted to hauling heaps of people and their kit, now it does this with some genuine vigor and purpose.
The suspension is solid but not spectacular, although it did a good enough job of keeping the test vehicle in shape and on track a brisk speeds through moderate corners. With so much extra power now on tap, I sensed the suspension was always going to run out of road holding long before the engine ran out of puff. When the ride and handling equation was being calculated for this model the emphasis was on comfort, rather than corner straightening like levels of grip. Crusty and out sorts road surfaces are dealt with effectively and most importantly, without unsettling the driver and passengers.
What’s the verdict? Big grunty six-cylinder people mover at a great price compensates to some extent for the dated boring boxy looks and dated cabin design.
Rating out of 10: Performance 5, Handling 6, Build Quality 6, Comfort 6, Space 7, Styling 6, Fuel Economy; Rightcar website not available, on road test average consumption 5.8L/100km, Value for money 7, Safety, EuroNCAP crash rating 5 star.
Overall points out of 10: 6
You have to wonder if its inability to gain any real sales traction here is a reflection of shrinking demand for this type of vehicle. The fact is more of those shopping for seven seater vehicles, are increasingly seeing recreational 4WD’s as a better looking alternative to boxy styled people-movers such as the Journey. This is in stark contrast to North America, where the Journey has blazed a path up the sales charts to become one Dodge’s best sellers. The other thing that works against the Journey here is the fact that the Dodge name plate is not held in the same regard as most of those from Japan, Korea and Europe.
If you value space, versatility and strong six-cylinder grunt a head of the badge of the vehicle you drive, then there is lots too like about the upgraded 2012 Dodge Journey, especially the $39,995 asking price for the entry level SXT V6. In range topping R/T form it sells for $45,995 while the 2.0 litre turbo diesel sells for $54995, a steep $10,000 price premium over the petrol motor. Offered up for this road test was the keenly priced SXT V6, easily the best buy in the Journey stable and by a sizeable margin in my book.
Powering the Journey is the same impressive new 3.6 litre 210kw V6 used in a variety of models in the Chrysler/Jeep catalogue including the just released Chrysler 300 sedan and entry level Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. This muscular V6 is a welcome replacement for the rather limp and uninspiring 2.7 litre V6 the Journey arrived here with at the end of 2010. This was some three year after its debuted in the USA. What this latest motor provides some much needed under bonnet action that always seemed well beyond the abilities of its predecessor
By comparison it’s a real performance dynamo and a relaxed and refined open road cruiser. Much of the latter is down to Dodge engineers slapping mighty effective gagging orders in the form of extensive sound proofing, to largely eliminate mechanical and road noise.
Throttle response is instant and authorative as you would expect from a six-cylinder motor packing a 210kw punch making it a bit of an unlikely rocket ship. A sweet six-speed dual -clutch automatic energizes this engine to enable it to sustain this up beat tempo. The motor and gearbox combine to deliver a pretty emphatic swot of power that zaps a vehicle built like weightlifter, past slower moving traffic with the accelerative qualities of a champion Olympic sprinter.
Some really smart thinking has created a highly versatile and flexible cabin compartment, achieved by using the considerable people mover skills and expertise that exist within Chrysler. The company invented the people mover concept when they launched the original Voyager back in the early 1980’s, a model that proved a real game changer, kicking off the people mover revolution.
The company’s people mover know how is evident everywhere in the cabin. I particularly liked the Flip ’N Stow in-seat storage. The front-passenger seat cushion is hinged and, when tilted forward, reveals a decent sized storage area for everything from valuables to an MP3 Player with the seat cushion down. The smart stuff does not end there. In the floor behind the front-row seats are two standard storage bins for drinks or other items. Those who like things clean tidy will be pleased that the bins having removable latched lids and a washable liner, leaving no room for excuses for not keeping them spotless.
Visually you are left in know doubt that the Journey is to quote the great Bruce Spingsten “Born in the USA”. The over dose of chrome, much of it accumulated n the front grille area are a bit of a give away to its bold and shiny American origins, while the company’s signature Ram head badge may attract a few sheepish looks. Either side of the grille are quad halogen headlamps that provide a truly enlighten night time drive experience. Sculpted wheel arches represent a some what token attempt to create an athletic appearance. Given the vehicles boxy lines and slab sided appearance, this was doomed to fail. The Journey is what it is in the automotive scheme of things and that is devoted to hauling heaps of people and their kit, now it does this with some genuine vigor and purpose.
The suspension is solid but not spectacular, although it did a good enough job of keeping the test vehicle in shape and on track a brisk speeds through moderate corners. With so much extra power now on tap, I sensed the suspension was always going to run out of road holding long before the engine ran out of puff. When the ride and handling equation was being calculated for this model the emphasis was on comfort, rather than corner straightening like levels of grip. Crusty and out sorts road surfaces are dealt with effectively and most importantly, without unsettling the driver and passengers.
What’s the verdict? Big grunty six-cylinder people mover at a great price compensates to some extent for the dated boring boxy looks and dated cabin design.
Rating out of 10: Performance 5, Handling 6, Build Quality 6, Comfort 6, Space 7, Styling 6, Fuel Economy; Rightcar website not available, on road test average consumption 5.8L/100km, Value for money 7, Safety, EuroNCAP crash rating 5 star.
Overall points out of 10: 6
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