The Dodge Journey, which claims to combine the macho styling of an SUV with the dynamics of a passenger car and practicality of an MPV, has been launched in South Africa. CAR deputy editor Hannes Oosthuizen reports that the smartly-packaged 7-seater is a The Journey is not as “in-yer-face” as other Dodge offerings. Instead, it has a more sophisticated design that relies on subtle details to make it stand out. It still has the bold, chromed Dodge grille, but apart from that it is a very restrained design with some nice touches, such as an A-line (shoulder crease) that runs around the entire vehicle, even across the width of the bonnet and composite tailgate.
Journey has a ground clearance of around 175 mm, meaning gravel-road driving should hardly be a problem. This height gives it an imposing stance, highlighted further by sculpted wheelarches. The standard wheels on the SXT are 18-inch items, but 19-inchers are fitted to top-line R/T models.
Inside, the smartly designed facia is finished in a classy soft-touch plastic that lends an upmarket air. The hangdown section also looks good, but is perhaps ergonomically not entirely successful, as the sound system, in particular, boasts a huge button count.. In terms of design the instrument panel is the disappointment, featuring the same aged “frosted” green dials that have been used on Chrysler products for more than a decade. In general, however, perceived quality is good.
The cabin is perhaps more spacious than you’d expect by looking at it from the outside. The Journey offers good space in the middle row, and two rear seats that do not require too much low-grade gymnastics to get into. The space is explained, to some extent, by a long wheelbase measuring 2 890 mm.
To improve visibility out of the vehicle, the seats are mounted “theatre style” – the second row of seats is mounted 40 mm higher than the first, and the third is another 17 mm further up. At the pull of a lever, the centre row seats fold and slide forwards, opening up enough space for a passenger to enter the rear of the vehicle.
Headroom is quite good in the back too, and the backrests recline. The middle is the best – here the backrests recline over a larger range, and the seats themselves can be slid forwards and rearwards.
Under your feet you’ll find a hidden storage compartment that has purposely been made watertight to allow for the use of ice as a coolant. Another useful storage compartment can be found by flipping the front passenger seat’s cushion forwards. Admittedly, with all seven seats taken, there is little space left in the boot – but at least there is another sizeable storage compartment hidden under the luggage area’s floor. Fold the two rear seats down and luggage space is vast.
Another feature young families will particularly appreciate is the 90-degree opening rear doors, making it much more comfortable to get a baby seat, as an example, through the opening.
The engine powering the 2,7-litre V6-engined SXT and R/T models delivers 136 kW at 5 500 r/min, 256 N.m of torque at 4 000 and is mated with a six-speed automatic gearbox that allows for manual gearchanges by tapping the gearlever left or right. Chrysler quotes a kerb weight (excluding driver and luggage) of 1 685 kg, but there is sufficient poke around town and up to legal cruising speeds. It is a smooth engine, too, and generally the transmission does a good job of selecting the correct gear – although overtaking acceleration is not its forte.
The Journey sits on the same platform that underpins the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger models. You can criticize many parts of the Sebring, but not its ride, and its ability to suppress bumps and irregularities has been carried over to the Journey. There’s also not too much roll through corners – no more than in an impressively sorted SUV, in any event.
The Volkswagen-sourced 2,0-litre turbodiesel-powered variant certainly adds a welcome extra dose of torque (310 N.m, available from 1 750 to 2 500 r/min). Maximum power from this engine, which is used in various Volkswagen-group products such as the Golf, Touran and Audi A3, is 103 kW, on tap at 4 000 r/min. This engine is mated with Chrysler’s new dual-clutch six-speed transmission, developed by gearbox specialists, Getrag.
Perhaps due to its better throttle sensitivity, or more low-down torque, the turbodiesel Journey feels sprightlier than its petrol-fuelled sibling. Not only is its gearbox faster and even slicker, the 2,0l CRD also feels nimbler on the road.
Besides its looks and clever and spacious cabin, the Journey also boasts an impressive standard features list across the range, including six airbags, with the curtain ’bags extending to the rearmost seats too, ABS, ESP, electronic roll mitigation, and an optional reversing camera (when combined with the MyGig infotainment system).
Prices (including three-years or 100 000km warranty and maintenance plans):
Dodge Journey 2,7l V6 SXT R259 900
Dodge Journey 2,7l V6 R/T R289 900
Dodge Journey 2,0l CRD R/T R349 900