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By
EWAN KENNEDY
2 February 2009
Want something with the image of a 4WD? Need to carry seven
people? And you like to stand out from the crowd? Then the Dodge
Journey is sitting waiting at a Dodge/Chrysler showroom near you.
Despite looking like a
bold concept vehicle, it is in fact a sensible van with three rows
of seats and the ability to carry seven adults. Though four adults
and three children would be a more realistic load.
The second row seats three
and can slide back and forward to let you juggle legroom with
those in the back. Entry and egress to the rearmost seats isn’t
too bad, but try for yourself during your road testing as some
suppleness is required. Check the foot-room in rear at the same
time as it’s likely to be a limiting factor.
The second and third row
seats each sit slightly higher than the one/s in front, giving
good visibility for those occupants. But a drawback is that the
driver’s rearward vision is restricted by the high placement of
the seats. And is aggravated by five large headrests. This could
cause serious problems for shorter drivers when reversing. And
problems when changing lanes if they haven’t set up their door
mirrors to fill in the blind spots.
There are plenty of
stowage areas for various items, including two bins under the rear
floor, one in the floor of the rear compartment. The backrest of
the front passenger seat folds down leaving a work area for a
laptop, etc.
However, we strongly
disagree with those dangerous drivers who proudly boast they use a
moving vehicle as an office. May we suggest that everything is
securely stored until you reach a destination? Though all-but
impossible to measure, inattention is almost certainly the number
one cause of crashes – and a two-kg laptop flying around during
a crash could do unpleasant things to your face and head.
Though it’s relatively
large, the Dodge Journey is quite easy to drive as it’s more
than the typical American minivan. However, forward-side
visibility is hampered by large windscreen pillars that sit a long
way forward of the driver’s seat.
Handling is nothing to get
excited about. Though it’s obviously not intended to be a sporty
vehicle, Journey is competent enough and unless the driver does
something really silly they aren't likely to get into trouble.
All Dodge Journeys get
seven airbags and the vehicle has achieved five stars out of six
in US crash testing for occupant protection. Electronic Stability
Program, to assist in crash avoidance, is also standard in all
models.
A turning circle of almost
12 metres doesn’t assist maneuvering in carparks, and the
aforementioned visibility problems could cause hassles until you
get accustomed to the vehicle. Though it appears bulky Dodge
Journey has similar length and width to a large six-cylinder
family car. It isn’t so high as to cause clearance worries under
any standard-roof carparks.
Power is by either a
petrol or diesel engine. Our test vehicle as the topline Dodge
Journey with a 2.0 litre, turbo-diesel engine with a six-speed
dual-clutch automatic transmission, priced at $46,990.
We were surprised by the
turbo and transmission lag when getting the Journey off the line.
It’s not to the extent of being dangerous, but can be really
frustrating at times. At 1750 kg this is a relatively heavy
vehicle, but once it’s up and running the engine provides good
torque for overtaking and hillclimbing. The six-speed gearbox is a
big asset in this as it gives the engine the chance to be in the
right rev band under virtually all situations.
Fuel consumption from the
turbo-diesel will typically be about eight to ten litres per
hundred kilometres in the suburbs, dropping to six to eight litres
in the country and on motorways. Pretty good figures for a big
people mover.
The Dodge Journey is built
in Mexico to a reasonably high standard. It has a good paint
finish and panel fit, but the trim materials aren't always as neat
and accurate as in Asian built cars.
Because of the versatility
of the Journey, the Dodge importer has carefully positioned it
against a big range of people movers and SUVs on the Australian
market. So the entry-level $36,990 Journey SXT is pitched in the
same price arena as the Honda Odyssey; and the Journey R/T
turbo-diesel sits against the likes of the Ford Territory and
Toyota Kluger.
The new Dodge Journey is a
versatile vehicle which can move people and their gear easily and
comfortably. It looks like a large toy, more of a concept car than
the real thing. Yet is actually packed full of practical features
that make it a real pleasure to travel in. Those with an active
lifestyle should have it sitting somewhere near the top of their
automotive shopping list.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL
RANGE
SXT 2.7-litre V6 petrol five-door people mover - $36,990
(automatic)
R/T 2.7-litre V6 petrol five-door people mover - $41,990
(automatic)
R/T 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door people mover - $46,990
(automatic)
SPECIFICATIONS (Dodge Journey R/T 2.0-litre turbo-diesel five-door
people mover)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.968 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 18.1:1
Bore/Stroke: 81.0 mm x 95.5 mm
Maximum Power: 103 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 310 Nm @ 1750-2500 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 3.43:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND
CAPACITIES:
Length: 4888 mm
Wheelbase: 2890 mm
Width: 1878 mm
Height: 1745 mm
Turning Circle: 11.9 metres
Kerb Mass: 1750 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 78 litres
Towing Ability: 1600 with braked trailer
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts
Rear Suspension: Multi-link
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 7.0 L/100km
PERFORMANCE
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 13.2 seconds
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE
RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 6.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/100,000km
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Marque Publishing Company
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