Consumer Guide spent almost 1,000 miles behind the wheel of Dodge's new crossover, the 2009 Journey.
Base Price: $28,535
Options: Deep Water Blue exterior paint, Convenience Group II (roof rack, cabin air filtration, cargo compartment cover, driver and passenger lower LED lamps, instrument cluster with display screen, automatic day/night rearview mirror with microphone, wireless cell phone link, rechargeable trouble light, and information center), Flexible Seating Group (rear air conditioning, automatic rear climate controls, easy-entry seats, and 3rd-row split-folding seat), Trailer Tow Group (engine-oil cooler and four-pin connector), Entertainment Group II (uconnect multimedia suite with navigation system, rearview camera, hard drive, satellite radio, and upgraded sound system), Rear Seat Video Group (DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones and video remote control), Smoker's Group (ashtray and lighter), Family Value Group (daytime running lights, two 2nd-row child booster seats, and driver-seat lumbar adjustment), power sunroof, 19-inch alloy wheels
Price as Tested: $36,200
Total Miles Tested: 966 miles
Fuel Economy: 17.5 mpg
| Editors' Notes |
| Rick Cotta: Journey is a versatile vehicle with numerous thoughtful touches that are marred by a few flaws, most notably poor rear-corner visibility. R/Ts can get pricey fast (our loaded tester topped $36,000), but carefully equipped, Journey is a great choice. |
| Jennifer Geiger: Aside from my less-than-fabulous fuel economy (15.9 mpg), Journey impressed. It is great for families who need all the creature comforts and bells and whistles of a minivan, but don't want a minivan. Unique storage solutions and built-in booster seats are great family-friendly, Journey-exclusive bonuses. |
| Don Sikora: The 2009 Dodge Journey is a pleasant 7-passenger SUV that boasts some clever storage solutions. But at over $36,200, our loaded AWD R/T tester doesn't seem like a particularly strong value. |
| Jack Stewart: The Journey R/T is about $6,000 less than comparably equipped Honda Pilots and Toyota Highlanders. For that money, many buyers might be willing to give up a little engine refinement and interior quality. |
| Ed
Piotrowski: Though late to the crossover SUV party, Dodge's guest is
smartly dressed and generally gets along with everyone else. His sense
of humor is bit crude, and his tastes can be pretty expensive. But on
the whole, he's a guest very much worth talking to at this increasingly
crowded shindig. |
Consumer Guide's test Journey R/T stickered for $36,200.
01.20.2009
