Road test- Dodge Journey

Author: Ian Strachan

There are lots of multi-purpose vehicles on the market, so it’s getting harder to find one which stands out from the crowd. But the chunky Dodge Journey is just such a car.

The Dodge Journey breaks the mould of practical, almost utilitarian MPV styling. It looks like a big four-wheel drive car - it could even have had had its roots as a pick-up. But it's not what it looks. It is a large, front wheel-drive family car.

Its biggest appeal is its practicality, which allows for a seven-seat configuration with an extra row of seats at the back and an extremely flexible second row that can be folded into a wide variety of configurations easily and quickly.

The Journey is certainly heftier and more rugged-looking than most of its competitors. This is unmistakably an American MPV with Dodge's aggressive nose, purposeful lines and a gently curving roof leading to a chunky rear end and neatly designed rear light clusters. Big 19 inch alloys complete the picture.

Design inside matches the practical exterior, with pleasantly wide dual-colour leather seats. The fascia is horizontally stacked in distinct layers. As well as looking modern and stylish this makes controls easy to reach. 

The Dodge Journey I test drove was powered by a very willing 2.0 litre diesel engine which, as well as being economical at 40.4 miles to the gallon in mixed driving is also quiet. Engine noise is minimal inside the car and only becomes significantly noticeable at high revs. That, combined with almost non-existent tyre and wind noise, makes this a serene car to drive. My test car was fitted with a smooth dual-clutch six speed automatic transmission.

Visibility is generally good, with glass all around you and large door mirrors. One niggle, though, is that the rear screen wiper is too small for the job, leaving large areas of glass un-wiped and affecting rear visibility in rain and dirty conditions. This is made worse as the seat headrests already compromise visibility, so I found myself using the door mirrors more than usual.

Equipment levels are high. My test vehicle came with a good radio/CD player with iPod compatibility, heated seats, three-zone climate control, chilled glovebox, rear underfloor storage, cruise control, powered driver's seat and remote central locking. 

The whole package comes at £23,770. My test vehicle was fitted with a good satellite navigation system at an extra £1,550 and a rear DVD system to keep the kids quiet at £2,050.

The Journey is setting new standards for seven-seat people carriers which other manufacturers are going to have to match.

Road test by Ian Strachan Communications Ltd

Ian Strachan is a motoring and business writer and PR consultant. He can be contacted on 01543 490932 or 07949 202596 or via email: ian@strachan13.freeserve.co.uk