Dodge Journey is part sedan, minivan, SUV

With the shorter length Caravan missing from Dodge´s lineup, it needed an appropriately sized vehicle to assume those duties; enter Journey.

Built on the Avenger platform, Journey features a wheelbase longer by about five inches than the sedan. Its styling is more minivan-like than aggressive as reflected by other recent additions to the Dodge lineup such as the chiseled Caliber. It carries Dodge´s distinctive crosshair grille, but otherwise its lines are softer and friendlier.

Blurring the lines among sedan, minivan and SUV, Journey´s available all-wheel drive qualifies it as a crossover. It may not be the best or roomiest in its class, but solid value and a few nifty options open some sunlight between it and its competitors.

If you think you can be satisfied with a 173-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, you can get into a Journey for as little as the $20,750 needed to buy the base SE. It has 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, full power accessories, tilt/telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker audio system with CD player.

Offering a bit more grunt, the $23,750 SXT and $27,410 R/T trim levels use a 235-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with a six-speed driver-shiftable automatic to turn the front wheels. A $2,545 option in the SXT and a $1,750 option in the R/T, AWD provides additional mobility and stability in foul weather.

Dodge provided a FWD R/T for this evaluation. It builds on the standard equipment list of the SE, as well as including SXT features such as a trip computer, automatic headlights, six-way power driver´s seat, heated outboard mirrors and keyless entry. Also standard in the R/T are 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, leather seating, leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant audio controls and remote engine start.

As should be expected, fuel economy with the four is better than the V-6 – particularly for city driving where the Environmental Protection Agency rating is 19 mpg and 16 mpg respectively.

On the highway the four delivers 25 mpg and the V-6 23 mpg. When AWD is added, the fuel numbers drop to 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

Primarily a tool for moving people, Journey won´t provoke grins or wild whoops from its pilot. Even with the V-6, the experience is low key. It is a competent performer that is satisfied with transporting its cargo from point A to point B safely, quietly and efficiently.

Its four-wheel independent suspension consists of MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the rear. The emphasis is on ride quality rather than crisp handling; although, the steering is light and responsive.

It probably wouldn´t be the last one picked when choosing sides in a gym class basketball game of crossovers, but neither would it be team captain.

When equipped with AWD, Journey is still better suited for paved surfaces. Its transparent AWD system doesn´t include a four-wheel low setting for attacking rugged terrain, but improves stability and control in rain, slush and snow.

Dodge has given more than a quick nod to Journey´s passenger safety. Four-wheel disc brakes with antilock provide the basis for stability control, traction control and electronic brakeforce distribution.

A tire pressure monitor is also standard. Inside, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, as well as full-length side-curtain airbags help cushion passengers if things should go wrong.

A bit smaller inside than some competitors such as the Toyota Highlander, Journey can still seat up to seven. When equipped with the third-row split bench seat, the second-row seat slides fore and aft. Both the second- and third-row seats recline and fold flat, as does the front passenger seat. Journey´s cabin is brimming with cupholders, bins, cubbies and storage compartments. It is certainly a segment leader in this regard.

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