My gf and I are looking for a new car for her. We have the RX-8 but she knows she will rarely drive it and it not the most practical car where we live and the amount of travel we have to do.

So I showed her the Jeep Patriot (her favorite among other compact SUV's), but on Saturday she went to a dodge dealership to revisit the Jeep. They told her about the all new Dodge Journey.

Of course at first she sees the mid trim level, but yesterday they showed us the fully loaded version and she fell in love. And quite frankly I think it was nice. (but somehow she got mad at me for the salesman showing us the fully loaded trim). you know once you see the fully loaded version you won't go back and 'downgrade'.

So here is my review for all those interested:

Nice ride, the one we took for a test drive had a faulty transmission and wouldn't shift gears properly, so I can't really comment on the power feel. Lots of storage space and hidden compartments. I really like where Dodge is going with their innovative compartments and the nice touch of features they include. It felt like a soccer mom vehicle but it also didn't. I didn't feel like I was a little dwarf in it but it has enough room to fit your kids hockey team. It had a 7" (I think) display screen for music, bluetooth, mp3 player, sat radio, but no nav. The screen was a nice feature but too low compared to driver seat height.

Unfortunately the fully loaded version is just over our budget and I'm not liking Dodge's interest rates right now.

I am still stuck on the patriot just because I like small and I would feel a little more confident if we were trying to free ourselves from a ditch on the highway we frequent a lot. She doesn't like the lack of trunk space and features, which I can see her point.

 

http://www.motortrend.com/features/a...dodge_journey/


ick- they have 5 speed for europe but not here. the only reason for this is they are trying to force everyone to move up for the better tranny(and increase the margins) that comes with the 3.5(which is underpowered vs its competition).

PLUS they have a DSG style 6speed for Europe to go with the Diesel but dont have that tranny available here.

thats just bad packaging if you ask me

 

nice and roomy inside with some neat storage options(the trays under the floor)

did a good job of getting the seats to all fold FLAT. some companies call it flat when it isnt really

http://www.allpar.com/SUVs/dodge/journey.html

 

Yeah I was thinking about that 4 cylinder being a little underpowered, but I think the V6 would get the job done whether or not it is less than competitors.

Why not the diesel? I guess to confusing for NA consumers. Don't want gasoline in a diesel engine or they see the small horsepower number and are turned off.

Like I said before, I am impressed with Chrysler/Dodge when it comes to innovative storage spaces.

 

Didn't the Dodge Journey set some sort of record by being available with dealer incentives in March 2008 while it was an all-new 2009 model? Personally I'd run away from any car that has a transmission problem while it's brand new on the dealer lot.

 

The incentives is probably just due to lackluster US auto sales. From what I've seen/read on the Dodge Journey it looks as if it could be somewhat successful once the early production gremlins are eliminated. Chrysler is in the process of cutting many of it's niche models over the next few years and consolidating it dealers to cut costs but crossover's are getting popular right now and the Journey could be a strong model to have. It's based on the Avenger I believe but they should kill that thing and focus on the Journey. I say it's probably one of the best looking Dodges for sale currently (and one of the better looking crossovers) as it has more reserved styling and is the one model they offer that doesn't look like their trucks. Chrysler should offer the diesel here also - i don't understand why US carmakers refuse to offer/develop diesel engines which could make cars like the Prius look silly as far as fuel economy goes.