The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV introduced in 2008 as a 2009 model year. It is on the small side of the crossover range, but it still manages to fit in a third row, albeit a rather small one. The second row isn’t that much bigger, but it works for a family with small children. Speaking of children, the Journey also comes with built-in booster seats and the second row can slide backwards and forwards for easy access.
The Journey is powered by a choice of two engines: a 2.4L I-4 delivering 173 HP and 166 lb-ft of torque and a 3.5L V6 producing 235 HP and 232 lb-ft of torque. These engines are mated to either a 4- or 6-speed automatic.
Dodge has unveiled details on the 2011 Journey crossover that will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2010. For the 2011 model year, the Journey receives a completely redesigned and retuned suspension, a new V-6 engine, and a gorgeous new interior.
The new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivers a total of 283 HP and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (an increase of 20% compared to the 2010 model) and comes equipped with a smooth-shifting six-speed transmission.
The exterior is defined by a new front fascia that sports the signature Dodge Brand “split crosshair” honeycomb grille, bigger and bolder fog lamp bezels, and a new, unique more aggressive lower fascia with the honeycomb texture in the grille. For the interior Dodge is offering a new, larger cluster with standard electronic vehicle information center (EVIC), new, integrated center stack bezels and a new center console with a lot of extra cushion on the tilt-and-slide armrest. There are also six new interior colors and trims to complete the makeover.
Updated 11/02/2010: The 2011 Journey will go on sale in five trim levels and with prices as follow: Dodge Journey Express: $22,245; Dodge Journey Mainstreet: $24,245; Dodge Journey Crew: $29,240; Dodge Journey R/T: $28,245 and Dodge Journey Lux: $32,740.
Press release after the jump.
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The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover wagon that was unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. It has seen mediocre sales since its debut with 47,097 units sold in 2008 and 53,826 in 2009. With the explosion of hatchbacks in the market recently and the void of hatchbacks in Dodge’s lineup, it leaves tuning companies with little options to choose from. Now, it seems that the tuning form, Irmscher, has decided to play around with the possibilities by Dodge. It’s not every day we see a tuned-up Dodge model, especially a Journey model, but the German tuner Irmscher decided to give the vehicle a chance and the result looks quite promising.
Although the changes are purely cosmetic, the tuner managed to offer a sporty and aggressive look to a model with little success on the market. The exterior package includes: a metallic black finish with twin-rally stripes in vintage orange (Inferno Red Metallic color with black stripes comes as an option), lower front apron, roof spoiler, chrome tail pipe, and tinted rear windows.
The interior gets a leather treatment for the instrument panel, aluminum sport pedals, a chunkier leather sports steering wheel, chrome/aluminum accents, and unique floor mats.
In Germany, prices will start at €31,190.
Looks like the Dodge Caliber and the Dodge Nitro failed to make a spark in the UK because the brand has decided to drop both models from their line-up across the Atlantic.
The cutting off of the Caliber and the Nitro leaves the Dodge Journey as the sole remaining model that’s being sold by Dodge in the UK. And if you so happen to look at Dodge’s UK website, you’ll notice that when you ’Select a vehicle’, you’re only given one choice in the Journey.
Kind of defeats the purpose of "choosing" a model, doesn’t it?
There’s no word on whether Dodge will be replacing the Caliber and the Nitro with other models from their fleet to sell in the UK, so as of now, British customers will pretty much have slim pickings when they’re looking for a Dodge to drive out on the highway.
The American automaker Chrylser is accredited with the invention of the minivan back in the 1980s, however in an ever changing world of economy conscious consumers they are blazing a new trail with the more compact crossover utility vehicle offering the practicality of a wagon with the looks of an SUV and the ride of a car thanks to the crossover’s unibody underpinnings. The Dodge Journey is Chrysler’s latest addition to the CUV segment and our Deep Water Blue Pearl people mover came with all of the familiar features that define the crossover as well as a few unique touches that we think no soccer mom should go without.
After all that is what the Journey is all about, to provide consumers with practical transportation that can carry an entire extended family and all their stuff with a smaller footprint than the now frowned upon sport utility vehicle. For most CUV shoppers, third row seating is a must, and the Journey certainly delivers. Offering room for up to seven our bright blue crossover came complete with a host of high tech creature comforts like an infotainment system that brings everything from a large LCD navigation display to an in dash DVD player with SIRIUS Backseat TV, flip down 8 inch monitor and wireless headphones to ensure that mommy and daddy can enjoy the drive undisturbed as well as quite a few clever chilled storage compartments including a pair of in floor coolers.
The Dodge Journey clearly shares a resemblance to its minivan predecessors continuing the classic two box shape and crossbar grill but adds a bit of flair with a pair of headlamps that sweep back into the front fenders and a set of bulging arches at all four corners. Our Journey’s chrome clad wheels, measuring a rather large 19 inches in diameter, made the blue pear paint pop while the roof line tapered back creating a sort of tear drop effect making it look like a much more dynamic vehicle. Our car came with the optional 3.5 Liter V6 that pumps out 235 HP and gets and estimated 16 MPG around town and as much as 23 MPG on the highway. Starting off at $23,925 and our extremely well equipped Journey SXT is optioned all the way up to $33,375 and the fact that it has been awarded consecutive Top Safety Pick honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety makes the Journey an excellent choice for the family on the go.
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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.
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