CTC Review: 2009 Dodge Journey

[airbalancer]

I rather have the radio out of the way,
Most of the time radio is on one station, or all favs stations are pre set or have MP3 plug in
I do not see a problem

[Snowman]

Let's sum up - Uncompetitive piece of crap (but the price is right!)

  Look James….. another moron troll.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I really liked it quite well, especially considering the price.

The SXT has radio controls on the steering wheel, so radio placement really isn't an issue. The interior materials I thought were OK, and the styling is what it is; you either like it or you don't.

The main faults for us were the lack of manual transmission (probably doesn't matter to 90% of the buyers in this class), no 5-6 speed for the four cylinder (really needs it), and too big for us.

[conwelpic]

I am currently shopping for a vehicle and have given serious consideration to the Dodge Journey because I like the exterior styling and, of course, the price is right.  However, after taking a look at the interior, I have become very doubtful that this vehicle will ever find a spot in my driveway. 

now you've eliminated that model, what others are you considering?

[C. Fletcher]

I am currently shopping for a vehicle and have given serious consideration to the Dodge Journey because I like the exterior styling and, of course, the price is right.  However, after taking a look at the interior, I have become very doubtful that this vehicle will ever find a spot in my driveway. 

now you've eliminated that model, what others are you considering?

I've looked at the usual suspects: CRV, RAV4, Forester, Torrent and its clones, etc.  Since I like the idea of having usable third row seats, though not a priority, I've also considered the Mazda5 and the Rondo.  I've also looked at the TaurusX and it turned out to be quite a viable option (the wife's favourite).  It is very affordable at the moment given the ongoing Ford Family Pricing promotion.

I haven't taken any of those cars, except the Mazda, for a test drive yet.  I figure the list will become much shorter when I do that.  For one, I just can't stand a steering that is too vague....

Any suggestions?

[Leviathan]

I've looked at the usual suspects: CRV, RAV4, Forester, Torrent and its clones, etc.
Any suggestions?

Does the "etc" include Ford Escape? The 2009 models have much improved engines and a new 6speed auto.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I have seen very few Journeys on the road in base spec, non-rear-privacy glass. I do like the exterior - very clean and purposeful, quite meaty/manly and not wussy. However, don't really like the interior much and as C. Fletcher wrote more than the materials it is their presentation which is the problem. Nevertheless they are selling well, mostly I would think on price tho the layout and size is good too.

Still, with '09 Grand Caravans selling for $17,9, I would opt for one of those (which I actually don't mind the interior of surprisingly) even with that 3.3L before the Journey me thinkith.

[Schmengie]

I have seen very few Journeys on the road in base spec, non-rear-privacy glass.

  I had nothing else to do so I perused the Chrysler dealer's lot today and there weren't any base ($19,995) Journeys there either. I find the exterior of this car, like all Chryslers these days, too blocky and square-looking, and I'm really beginning to hate Chrysler's 'aggressive' grill designs. 

From what I could tell by looking in the windows, the interior design and materials of the Journey falls short of the Mazda5 and Kia Rondo, the vehicles I assume it will compete against. The instrument panel in particular looks very uninspired, like something from an '80s econobox. It does have interior room and price in it's favor, so I suppose it'll sell fairly well, but not to me. I've only seen one or two on the road so far.

[carcrazy]

C Fletcher: Have you considered the Santa Fe? It might fit the bill: optional 7-seats, good price, good car, etc...

[conwelpic]

I have seen very few Journeys on the road in base spec, non-rear-privacy glass.

  I had nothing else to do so I perused the Chrysler dealer's lot today and there weren't any base ($19,995) Journeys there either. I find the exterior of this car, like all Chryslers these days, too blocky and square-looking, and I'm really beginning to hate Chrysler's 'aggressive' grill designs. 

From what I could tell by looking in the windows, the interior design and materials of the Journey falls short of the Mazda5 and Kia Rondo, the vehicles I assume it will compete against. The instrument panel in particular looks very uninspired, like something from an '80s econobox. It does have interior room and price in it's favor, so I suppose it'll sell fairly well, but not to me. I've only seen one or two on the road so far.

I agree with you, sure glad I got my Rondo, similar price area but much better execution.  That Journey is too big for me and too truck like, it seems like Dodge is trying to make all their cars look like RAM trucks  .  Like I mentioned before, some good ideas but the overall package is a disappointment

[C. Fletcher]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I went to check the Escape today.   With the current deals, a 2008 Taurus X would set me back a few dollars more a month than a similarly equipped 2009 Escape. For that small price difference, I would rather go with the Taurus X and its three rows of seats if I end up choosing a Ford.

With respect to the Santa Fe, I have to admit that I'm still a bit biased against Hyundai due to bad experience with the previous generation Accent. I spent so much time at the Hyundai dealership because of that car that I don't want to deal with a Hyundai employee for at least the next five years. Fortunately, the Accent was not our main vehicle because the aggravation could have been much worse.  I know Hyundai's new  vehicles have improved a lot, but it will take me a while before I feel like giving them my hard-earned money again.

By the way, if anyone is interested, at the moment you can get a 2008 Escape for almost next to nothing (and around the same price as a Journey.)   There's 0% interest rate plus a worthwhile rebate under Family Pricing promo.

[Thinking Out Loud]

Chrysler has always been the 'supersize' brand - the first extended minivan, the Dakota was the largest of the (then) small pickup markets, the Ram one bigger than it's competitors, the LH bodies......for - all else being equal - relatively the same amount of money as it's competition.

The Journey is no different....but a problem with the 4 cyl.  The 153 hp in my only-slightly-larger-than-a-Mazda 3, Mazda 5 makes it lethargic.  Especially compared the 160 hp I had in the 2004 Lancer Sportback....went like stink!

[mrthompson]

The 3.0L V6 in my Caravan was rated at 150 hp when new.  It gets the job done. 

[carcrazy]

By the way, if anyone is interested, at the moment you can get a 2008 Escape for almost next to nothing (and around the same price as a Journey.)   There's 0% interest rate plus a worthwhile rebate under Family Pricing promo.

I would go for a 2009 Escape with the supposedly improved drivetrain.

[safristi]

...2009 escape....KEEP DIGGIN' then................................

[Analogous]

"If you do a lot of highway driving it may be worth the six-cylinder’s extra fuel costs for for the added grunt, as highway fuel consumption is still very reasonable."

This is soooo... sad.  No wonder so many Canadian are reeling from the high gas prices.  With advice like this we might as well keep buying these vehicles into bankruptcy.  The automotive press certainly does not care and how could they?

So sad.

[wing]

The difference is 0.6L/100km.

The Journey is so slow I found it unbearable at times.  For me 0.6L/100km is nothing, that's 75 cents over 100km. 

[DockMan]

The 3.0L V6 in my Caravan was rated at 150 hp when new.  It gets the job done. 

amen!

[Greg B.]

"If you do a lot of highway driving it may be worth the six-cylinder’s extra fuel costs for for the added grunt, as highway fuel consumption is still very reasonable."

This is soooo... sad.  No wonder so many Canadian are reeling from the high gas prices.  With advice like this we might as well keep buying these vehicles into bankruptcy.  The automotive press certainly does not care and how could they?

So sad.

ALERT!!! Enviro-crazie at large!!! ALERT!!! 

[Analogous]

ALERT!!! Enviro-crazie at large!!! ALERT!!!  Roll Eyes

In the absence of either reason or skills to reason, name calling is preferred some and condoned by many. 

Too bad that this conduct does nothing to reduce the grief and hopelessness that other fellow Canadians are going through at the gas pump. 

So sad it is.