Inventor of the minivan in 1983, Dodge has always been known as the innovator, not just in minivans, but also in pickup trucks with the Dodge Ram.
Focusing now on the exploding crossover market, the 2010 Dodge Journey redefines the expanding mid-size crossover segment, offering seven-passenger seating, safety and security, cargo flexibility and great all-weather driving capability. Add in its youthful, sporty and aggressive look, fun-to-drive dynamics, innovative features and 25-mpg highway fuel-efficiency, and Dodge Journey gives customers the complete value package.
With unique seating and best-in-class storage solutions, Dodge Journey is designed to meet the needs of many customers-ranging from young singles, couples and families with small children to mature families-who want the capability to do more. Designed from the ground up, Dodge Journey is a right-sized crossover that combines the versatility of a larger sport-utility vehicle with the efficiency of a passenger sedan.
With the simple turn of a lever, Dodge Journey’s available 5+2 passenger-seating system quickly folds the Tilt ‘n Slide second-row seat cushion upward and slides the entire seat forward, allowing third-row passengers’ easy in-and-out access.
Two available integrated child booster seats, a first in the mid-size crossover segment, quickly pull out from the second-row seat cushion, eliminating the need to transport bulky child seats. Spacious underfloor dual storage bins in the second-row and rear cargo area, and the Flip ‘n Stow front-passenger seat concealed storage bin, and the Chill Zone glove box beverage cooler located above the lower glove box keeps your drinks cool.
In-vehicle technologies include Uconnect Navigation with 30-gigabyte hard drive with voice commands, iPod Control, Uconnect Phone and real-time traffic monitoring. Rear seat passengers will enjoy the available rear-seat entertainment system with a nine-inch screen, two wireless headphone, remote control, and available SIRIUS Backseat TV.
Whether you are driving cross-town or cross-country, the new 2010 Dodge Journey is the best all-around mid-size sport-utility crossover on the market.
The new Journey combines bold, capable and youthful styling with the signature Dodge chromed crosshair grille, center-stamped Dodge Ram’s head and quad-headlamps with foglamps located at the sides of the bold front bumper. From the side you’ll see a low front end, steeply swept back A-pillars, rising greenhouse glass, pull out door handles, lower side extensions, aerodynamic styled remote/heated side mirrors and flared fender wells stuffed with standard 17in. wheels/tires or available 19in. wheels/tires on the RT. The rear shows an aero wing on top, giant wraparound lamp clusters, a step-up bumper and dual exhaust tips at each side. It is a modern contemporary style with an attitude.
Under the skin and powering the Journey is a choice of two engines-a standard 2.4 liter inline 4-cylinder making 173hp and 166lb.ft. of torque with a 19mpg/city and 25mpg/highway rating with front-wheel-drive; and a 3.5 liter SOHC 24-valve V6 engine making 235hp and 232lb.ft. of torque giving back 16mpg/city and 24mpg/highway.
The 4-cylinder is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission while the more powerful V6 engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic with AutoStick so that you can safely hold the gear till redline when necessary. All-wheel-drive is available on both powertrains and enhances all-weather capability.
This modern crossover features a road holding fully independent suspension. Up front is a MacPherson setup with struts, coil springs, gas-charged shocks and stabilizer bar. The rear is a multi-link setup with coil springs, link-type stabilizer bar and gas charged shocks. Both front and rear suspensions feature isolated subframe cradles that make them more rigid and responsive plus eliminating any noise, vibration or harshness during your driving times. Power-assisted rack & pinion steering enhances your inputs and gives an excellent feel for the road.
Four-wheel power assisted disc brakes safely slow the Journey down from speed. Up front are 11.9in. vented discs with 12in. solid discs in the rear. Each is clamped with floating single-piston calipers. Braking control and power is further enhanced with standard ABS and Brake Assist.
Keeping you safe and in control during severe driving maneuvers are standard electronic stability control, all-speed traction control and roll mitigation control.
No other mid-size crossover for the money comes close to the looks, innovative features and driving dynamics of the Dodge Journey RT.
Standard features on the RT model no mentioned above include heated front seats, 6-way power driver’s seat, leather wrapped/tilt/telescoping steering wheel with function buttons, front passenger fold-flat seat back, rear reclining fold flat seat, media center 230 with 6-disc CD/DVD/MP3 radio with 6-Infinity speakers with subwoofer and 368-watss, A/C with tri-zone climate control, air filtration, chrome surround gated shifter, center console, dual cupholders, power windows with front express up/down, power door locks, dual, aim-able white LED map lamps up front and for the second-row, grab handles above each door, intermittent wipers/washers, cruise control, tinted rear windows, remote keyless entry, 115-volt power inverter, illuminated cupholders, universal garage door opener, security alarm, anti-theft system, auto dimming rearview mirror and an easy to see instrument cluster with display screen. Options include a power sunroof, navigation system, rearview TV camera, rear seat video system with a 9in. screen, and trailer tow prep.
Standard safety systems include active head restraints for driver and front-passenger, advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, supplemental side-curtain airbags, daytime running lights, trailer sway control, 3-point safety belts for all seats, LATCH system for child seats, enhanced accident response system, front and rear crumple zones, and steel beams in each door.
The new 2010 Dodge Journey mid-size crossover brings to the segment many of the innovations, dynamics and comforts that have made the Dodge Grand Caravan the best selling minivan of all time; and the price for entry is only $21,800.00 for the base model.
My fully loaded RT model had a base price of just $26,445.00 and $34,035 including destination charges for the fully loaded model that I tested.
After a 7-day test drive I have to say that the new 2010 Dodge Journey RT is at the top of the new people moving and cargo moving mid-size crossover segment.
COPYRIGHT:2010:HARVEY SCHWARTZ
SPECIFICATIONS
Price: MSRP $26,445 (RT/FWD) As-Tested $34,035
Type: Midsize SUV
Where Built: Mexico
EPA Class: Sport Utility Vehicles
Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 192.4 in.
Width: 72.2 in.
Wheel Base: 113.8 in.
Curb Weight: 4064 lbs.
Gross Weight: 5005 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 40.8 in.
Front Hip Room: 53.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 57.5 in.
Rear Head Room: 39.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 56.9 in.
Rear Hip Room: 54.4 in.
Front Leg Room: 40.8 in.
Rear Leg Room: 33.6 in.
Luggage Capacity: 39.6 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 68 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 7
Performance Data
Base Number of Cylinders: 6
Base Engine Size: 3.5 liters
Base Engine Type: V6
Horsepower: 235 hp
Max Horsepower: 6400 rpm
Torque: 232 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4000 rpm
Maximum Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs.
Drive Type: FWD
Turning Circle: 39 ft.
Fuel Data
Fuel Tank Capacity: 20.5 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)
Automatic: 16 mpg / 24 mpg / 19 mpg
Range in Miles:
Automatic: 328 mi. / 492 mi. / 389.5 mi.
