Initial thoughts: 2009 Dodge Journey SXT

We recently received a 2009 Dodge Journey SXT into the Top Speed test fleet. This Deep Water Blue Pearl people mover has seating for up to seven inside with the third row seating and came complete with a host of high tech creature comforts and quite a few clever storage compartments. After all that is what the new Journey is all about, being the epitome of a crossover, the car’s main purpose is to provide consumers with an affordable transportation option that can carry an entire extended family and all their stuff with a smaller footprint than the traditional SUV. The added benefit of these types of children conscious vehicles is that they are being offered with all sorts of infotainment systems that range from in dash DVD players to wireless headphones so that mommy and daddy can enjoy the drive undisturbed, and our car came with all of them.

The exterior of the Journey follows the familiar lines that we saw not so long ago on the Avenger; starting off with the flat front end, continuing on with the bulging fender flares and finishing up with the squared off rear end, the design is unmistakably Dodge. The CUV’s body gives it a somewhat aggressive appearance with its bold boxy body lines and signature Dodge four bar grill and oversized light housings, despite being a very friendly family vehicle. On the inside our Journey comes with two tome cloth seats, attractive easy to read gauges, navigation, dual zone climate control in addition to rear air, naigation, flip down monitor for the backseat passengers as well as the aforementioned DVD player and wireless headphone combination. An interesting aspect of the storage minded crossover is that the Journey comes with no less than four somewhat secret compartments. Our Journey SXT rides on a set of 19 inch six spoke chrome rims, and is powered by 3.5 Liter High Output 24 valve V6 connected to a six speed automatic transmission complete with manual shift selection. Continued after the jump.