Test-drove the Dodge Journey yesterday

[Lamar]

OK, so on a whim, I test-drove the Dodge Journey at my local (as in "across-the-street") Dodge dealership.

Specs and options:

- 3.5L V6. 6AT

- MyGIG with video screen (also backup camera)

- Only 5 seats (they didn't have a 7-seater on the lot)

Interior impressions:

- Decent interior, actually one of the best I've seen on recent Dodge offerings

- Shifter has a weird downward angle... it's on an incline away from me instead of flat or toward me

- Couldn't pull up the nav screen for some reason... I don't think the DVD was loaded, and so the option wasn't there... and just now, I realized that the LCD screen goes with the entertainment system and that the nav would have its own screen, which this model didn't

- Looks as spacious as my Pathfinder, and a lot more versatile

- The dash is EXTREMELY long... it makes the nose of the vehicle feel longer than it really is

Driving impressions:

- I only stayed in neighborhoods per the dealer's instructions, so no word on how easily the Journey can take off

- Steering feels nice... real nice... communicative is the word, I believe

- Backing into a space (one of my tests) took me a little while longer than I'm used to doing, because the blind spots seemed kinda big

Verdict:

I probably wouldn't get one in the future, but I wouldn't bash anyone who did. It's perfectly liveable.

[matt41]

.....Just more proof that Chrysler's better off in the hands of Cerberus. And where are those promised revamped Avengers/Sebrings?!

Good review BTW. I saw one in Arizona on vacation, reminded me of a mix between the Grand Caravan and Caliber, but sleek.

[regfootball]

my buddy told me he test drove one yesterday. he's had several chryslers in the past, he has a pilot now. he liked the idea of getting one, but he didn't like it enough to consider it for the next vehicle. still, i think the journey is a pretty good deal for a lot of people.

[daves87rs]

My Neighbor drove one today, and said it was the best Dodge he had driven in years....

[chevelle454]

This seems to be one of few good vehicles to come from Chysler in last few years

[Lamar]

This seems to be one of few good vehicles to come from Chysler in last few years

I agree.

I don't think a decidedly-upmarket Chrysler version would be a bad idea either. Don't know why they axed that one.

[Hudson]

.....Just more proof that Chrysler's better off in the hands of Cerberus.

But the new owners haven't had enough time to make their presence known.

[CMG]

I haven't even seen one.

[ltdaniels]

i've seen a lot of commercials for the journey recently. the reviews seem to be pretty good. did you get a look at how much space was in the back? i read there's a lot of room back there.

[Lamar]

i've seen a lot of commercials for the journey recently. the reviews seem to be pretty good. did you get a look at how much space was in the back? i read there's a lot of room back there.

I didn't crawl through the whole vehicle, but I did glance back; the 2nd-row was folded down to show all the cargo room. It easily bests my Pathfinder.