Topic: 2011 Dodge Journey

[Shnak]

Isn't the best selling CUV in Canada? I read that somewhere but can't seem remember where.

It was in 3rd place in November beind the EXcape and Santa Fe

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2010/12/top-10-best-selling-suvs-in-canada.html

So according to that list it is the best selling CUV in Canada. The first 2 are SUV's.

By what definition?  All three have a unibody construction, a transversely-mounted engine, and FWD-based AWD.  None are "SUVs" in the XTerra and (pre-2011) Explorer sense, with body-on-frame construction, longitudinal engine mounting, and truck-style 4x4 system.

Agreed. And besides, the Journey is much more of a minivan than a CUV/SUV, at least in appearance.

I think it looks just like a CUV--Pilot, Traverse, Highlander, etc.  It doesn't look any more minivan-esque than any of those in my opinion.  So if you're drawing a distinction between CUVs and minivans, I'd put the Journey squarely in the CUV basket.

Where's the line between minivan and CUV then? Anything with sliding doors is a minivan? Anything with hinged doors is a CUV? How can the Mazda5 be called a mini-minivan and the new Ford C-Max a tall wagon? Because of sliding doors? If it looks like a minivan, it's a minivan. To me, the Flex, Traverse and Journey are all minivans.

[mrthompson]

Sliding doors = Van/minivan.  Period.

[CanuckG35]

^ LOL, was just about to post the exact same thing.   

[Mike]

Sliding doors = Van/minivan.  Period.

.....welllll.......

[mrthompson]

Nice mini-mini-minivan. 

[Seafoam]

Isn't the best selling CUV in Canada? I read that somewhere but can't seem remember where.

It was in 3rd place in November beind the EXcape and Santa Fe

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2010/12/top-10-best-selling-suvs-in-canada.html

So according to that list it is the best selling CUV in Canada. The first 2 are SUV's.

By what definition?  All three have a unibody construction, a transversely-mounted engine, and FWD-based AWD.  None are "SUVs" in the XTerra and (pre-2011) Explorer sense, with body-on-frame construction, longitudinal engine mounting, and truck-style 4x4 system.

I don't know about definition but the Escape and the Santa Fe like the CRV and Rav4 have always been referred to as small SUV's. When the Journey first came out they called  it a Cross Over Vehicle similar to the Venza.

[Trainman]

Sliding doors = Van/minivan.  Period.

.....welllll.......

What about this then?

[stodge]

How does the Journey compare to its competitors for weight? It seems on the heavy side.

[stevek]

Sliding doors = Van/minivan.  Period.

.....welllll.......

What about this then?

MMM nice pic of the old Honda Odyssey. Great vehicle. I had a 97, and they discontinued the 4 door model in 98 and brought in ther bigger, sliding door Odyssey minivan. But it was still a minivan, a minivan with 4 car doors. I feel like the Journey is the spiritual descendant of this older Odyssey, except unfortunately it's a Dodge instead of a Honda. The only other vehicle like this of late was the Ford Freestyle, which again was mostly a minivan except it had the 4 car doors.

I think Honda missed the boat in changing their original style. There'd be a market now for a Japanese quality 4 door smaller minivan. I hate sliding doors.

[kardood69]

Sliding doors are key if you got youngsters...


The new journey looks like a good deal : The Mainstreet trim is $26,780 for 7-seat AWD,  Pentastar V6 (good engine so they say) and 6-speed auto.

$5K more for a low-trim Durango with similar config.  Durango is overkill for a lot of people though if you get over the hair splitting between CUV/minivan.