Picture Gallery: 2009 Dodge Journey | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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No, it is not a minivan,but it is available in a seven-seater configuration and the starting price is a ridiculously low $19,995! Surprisingly, you get some goodies at that price, including: power windows, power mirrors, air conditioning and an automatic transmission.
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The Journey SE and SE Plus are both powered by a 2.4-litre engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. For those looking for a large vehicle with an economical engine, here you have it; the remaining models (SXT, R/T and all-wheel drive variants) come equipped with Chrysler’s high output 3.5-litre V6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.
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In standard form, the Journey seats five, but a flexible seating package is offered for $1,175 on the SE and SE Plus that adds the third row of seating for a total of seven seats. The pricing structure is a little complex when you move up to the other various models, as they requires specific packages to be selected.
On paper, so far the Journey looks like the bargain of the year: optioned with everything you really need, freight included, it works out to only $22,295. Certainly seems like this Dodge could be the replacement for that short-wheelbase Caravan.
2009 Dodge Journey
MSRP as tested (including destination): $22,295
For more information on Dodge and the Journey visit Dodge Canada
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The Journey’s 2.4-litre engine seems to be fuel efficient so far; I have barely used a quarter tank of fuel after 200-plus kilometres. But it is no powerhouse and that is somewhat of an understatement. One reader asked if it would be good hauling five people around. Unfortunately, I haven’t tried that, but I can say it isn’t that great hauling one person around.
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Because of this, you tend to be easy on the throttle, which makes the Journey that much more sluggish. Not my cup of tea, but it gets me from A to B. And it does so extremely quietly and smoothly; while the engine may not be up to the task, the sound deadening in the Journey is excellent, with virtually no road or wind noise intruding into the cabin.
The suspension is soft as well, with a marshmallow ride that could give you sea sickness if you find a few too many bumps on the highway, but it is oh-so-comfortable. Handling, of course, is on the weak side, and the Journey rolls side to side in corners quite a bit, but it seems capable enough for a family hauler. It is no Mazda5 (if you are comparing the Journey to that vehicle) especially in the fun factor category, but it compares well to other family haulers.
Visibility is quite poor and really is the largest negative about the Journey. I find reversing to be difficult due to the small rear window; it is difficult to see cars behind you when backing up in a parking lot. It is also difficult to check your blind spots as the B-pillars are large.
With the Journey, you are best to keep your eyes up and pay close attention to your surroundings. The mirrors work well and are a good size but be wary of the blind spots created by the A-, B- and C-pillars.
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Sure, most of the plastics are hard, but they are hard in the Mazda3 and Honda Civic as well, and those cars are half the size of the Journey for the same price (and sometimes more). The amount of room in the Journey is outstanding for a vehicle in this price range — I was able to fit 480sq/feet of flooring squares in the trunk alone!
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The rear seats are fairly roomy and comfortable in the Journey as well. They slide forward and back as well as bucket. The front seats are also comfortable, although not extremely supportive. A few issues I have include the foot-operated parking brake pedal which is above the dead pedal — I find myself hitting my ankle on the brake pedal all the time — and the lever to adjust the front seat fore and aft sticks out quite a bit and I tend to kick it with the back of my legs.
I kind of like the washboard aluminum look trim on the centre console, although I don’t like the placement of the radio, as it is positioned too far down. Ergonomically, it is great for changing the radio stations as long as you don’t have to look at it, as it takes your eyes too far off the road. The gear lever, on the other hand, is in the most remarkable location. I don’t think I have driven a modern car where it was so easy and comfortable to shift from park, to reverse to drive.
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Of course this translates into a ton of interior room, which was welcome this week, as well as a very smooth and quite ride on the road. I averaged approximately 11.1L/100km, which is not bad considering the size of the vehicle; the EnerGuide ratings are 11/8.0 L/100 km (city/highway) for the 2.4-litre engine and 13.5/8.6 L/100 km (city/highway) for the 3.5-litre V6. 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.
There is no doubt the Journey provides an excellent price-for-content ratio, with standard features that are expected today, amazing cargo capacity and the ability to seat seven for just over $20,000. I’m sure Dodge will sell a ton.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2009 Dodge Journey
MSRP as tested (including destination): $22,295
For more information on Dodge and the Journey visit Dodge Canada
July 27, 2008, 09:09:31 am
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?
July 27, 2008, 02:00:20 pm
Any suggestions?
Does the "etc" include Ford Escape? The 2009 models have much improved engines and a new 6speed auto.
July 27, 2008, 05:20:48 pm 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.
July 27, 2008, 07:49:01 pm
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.
July 27, 2008, 09:09:03 pm C Fletcher: Have you considered the Santa Fe? It might fit the bill: optional 7-seats, good price, good car, etc...
July 28, 2008, 06:51:31 pm
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
July 28, 2008, 10:48:24 pm 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.
July 29, 2008, 12:36:25 pm 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!
July 29, 2008, 02:46:25 pm The 3.0L V6 in my Caravan was rated at 150 hp when new. It gets the job done.
July 29, 2008, 02:53:40 pm
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.
July 29, 2008, 03:23:13 pm ...2009 escape....KEEP DIGGIN' then................................
July 29, 2008, 03:54:46 pm "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.
July 29, 2008, 04:03:18 pm 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.
July 29, 2008, 06:18:04 pm
July 29, 2008, 07:29:43 pm
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!!!
July 30, 2008, 03:54:32 pm
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.
July 30, 2008, 05:06:21 pm
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.
If you need the product you have pay the going rate
July 30, 2008, 05:21:11 pm
The Journey is so slow I found it unbearable at times. For me 0.6L/100km is nothing, that's 75 cents over 100km.
+1.
An I4 engine in a vehicle this big and heavy doesn't make any sense. The minor fuel economy gain (if at all) is not enough to offset the huge loss in driving experience. Load this vehicle up with four adults and gear and go to the cottage ... or not.
I see this combination more and more as a marketing gimmick – smaller engine with better fuel economy… Yeah right!
July 30, 2008, 05:30:49 pm
If you need the product you have pay the going rate
Not quite an accurate analogy, unless you drink 40 or 50 liters of Starbucks at a time.
As for paying the going rate, who has a choice? You either do or you don't, but I take Analagous' point that today's gas prices hurt those who can least afford them.
July 31, 2008, 08:38:04 am
I know many here like to place emphasis on power and speed and in the end you help promote something to Canadians that is not very good in the long run. As I type this I am reminded that my husband is no longer employed because of the GM plant closures in Ontario and now we are even thinking of moving back to his home province because now the only way he can do some work is by driving far and often. Just looking for work hurts a lot in gas costs alone all the while trying to make ends meet with little money. Even with the little I know about cars I see 10 L/100km is not good and only in our country would that look OK for some.
So I urge you to think about those canadians whose stress at the pump is only made worse by the the cars and trucks you promote on a regular basis. They might have been fine or ok at one point but at the moment and going forward they amount to nothing but insensitive advice that digs us further and deeper into the mess many families are in.
I don't speak as an environmentalist and I am appalled at the cruelty that some here resort to protect their likes. I speak as somebody who has no choice but to make life changing sacrifices to make ends meet and almost all the families that were impacted by the plant closures have a similar story to tell. We drove the cars our loved ones assembled and they were the wrong cars.
If you really love cars, my advice to all is that you start putting a little more effort into the cars we should have been building. Maybe trucks and vans were never right for many canadian families like mine but the quest for more power and waste made that look good and that has to stop for the sake of many.
God bless you all.
July 31, 2008, 10:25:40 am ^^^ You have some good points but you missed the most important one. People are free to choose what vehicle they want to drive. CTC does not brain wash their readers into buying the cars they review. If somebody bought a gas guzzling pig of a SUV 2 years ago because gas was cheap....suck it up. What did you think would happen?
July 31, 2008, 04:04:31 pm I'm sorry that the job is gone and the plant is going through change. but look at it as a chance to go out and try something different and new.
People lose their jobs every day for many different reasons but what they do about is the character or fibre that they are made up of to go out and start again. Winners do that.
Life isn't always fair and lots of things go wrong - sickness, diseases, storms, layoffs and even deaths of loved ones. Can't avoid everything. Having a good mental attitude and understanding that some things we cannot control goes a long way to helping us get through the tough times.
Now it's your opportunity and good luck.,
July 31, 2008, 04:36:46 pm
July 31, 2008, 08:52:44 pm
I know many here like to place emphasis on power and speed and in the end you help promote something to Canadians that is not very good in the long run. As I type this I am reminded that my husband is no longer employed because of the GM plant closures in Ontario and now we are even thinking of moving back to his home province because now the only way he can do some work is by driving far and often. Just looking for work hurts a lot in gas costs alone all the while trying to make ends meet with little money. Even with the little I know about cars I see 10 L/100km is not good and only in our country would that look OK for some.
So I urge you to think about those canadians whose stress at the pump is only made worse by the the cars and trucks you promote on a regular basis. They might have been fine or ok at one point but at the moment and going forward they amount to nothing but insensitive advice that digs us further and deeper into the mess many families are in.
I don't speak as an environmentalist and I am appalled at the cruelty that some here resort to protect their likes. I speak as somebody who has no choice but to make life changing sacrifices to make ends meet and almost all the families that were impacted by the plant closures have a similar story to tell. We drove the cars our loved ones assembled and they were the wrong cars.
If you really love cars, my advice to all is that you start putting a little more effort into the cars we should have been building. Maybe trucks and vans were never right for many canadian families like mine but the quest for more power and waste made that look good and that has to stop for the sake of many.
God bless you all.
Try working in the mining industry where we live and die on free market pricing with frequent boom and bust cycles. When operations shut down we pack up and move on without crying to the government for handouts to save our jobs. Suck it up.
July 31, 2008, 09:53:35 pm opps http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=28bbd45d-e33c-4277-88bf-9c7ba2711b74
Applications are now being accepted under the $1.2 million-a-year
Prospector and Corporation Exploration Incentive Programs. Through the
programs, prospectors may receive up to 50 per cent of eligible
expenditures to a maximum of $7,500 and exploration corporations may
receive up to 25 per cent of eligible expenditures to a maximum of $100,000
on approved projects.