pastortimfarmer

Look, there's some aspects that the reviewers did get right, but there's plenty they just chose to overlook or just plain got wrong.

1. The interior: Yes, it suffers from the same problem that afflicts all Dodge models right now. It looks cheap! It's not poorly put together, just the textures and choice of materials makes it look rather plain and uninspired. Combined with the fact that the Journey is designed to be setup as a right-hand drive vehicle (think foreign markets), the dash is rather symmetrical with the instrument cluster jammed onto one panel in the dash. The R/T spruces things up with a few simulated chrome accents, but by no means passes as a luxury interior.

2. The seats: I've read reviewers complaining about the seats as hard and unsupportive. I do not find this to be the case. Yes, they are not as plush and have the cushiness of a Lazy-boy, as perhaps found in the seats of some cars, but really I have to say that some seats are often made too soft to make up for a poor suspension system, and ultimately don't support you enough to properly drive. It's really a matter of preference, but I find that they're fine in the comfort department.

A tangent on seating: The seats in the Journey sit higher off of the floor pan than any other crossover I tried. The first time I sat down in a Journey, it felt much like sitting in the seat of my Ram. With your feet flat on the floor, your thighs are horizontal, not up in the air. The leg room is ample in the first and second rows, unlike many of the imports. FWIW, I stand 5' 10". So, if you like how you sit in your Dakota, you'll probably appreciate how you sit in a Journey.

3. Fuel economy: Yes, it's a couple clicks below a RAV-4, but a RAV-4 is also several clicks smaller. I have the 3.5L V6 and am getting 20-21MPG with everyday driving, which I expect to improve slightly as the engine loosens up. They can say what they want about the economy, but the truth is that it's virtually inline with anything comparable. You want 30+? Start looking at cars, or the wannabe crossovers that have even a difficult time seating four.

4. Reliability: So it's a new model...so what? This closet skeleton never seems to go away like the notion of avoiding cars built on a Monday or a Friday. 3/36,000 bumper to bumper and a lifetime powertrain warranty (engine, transmission, CV joints). If reliability for some reason becomes an issue, you're probably not going to have to pay for it. The 3.5L engine isn't new, having been around for at least a decade, though mildly updated through the years. The platform isn't new either. It's the Avenger, with a slightly longer wheelbase.

I think the reviewers often overlooked a lot of the little things that were originally rolled out in the Caliber, such as the "chill zone", rechargeable flashlight, and all of the ample storage compartments scattered throughout.

The ride is very quiet, and quite smooth, even with the touring suspension and 19" tires. Acceleration is good for this type of car, and the engine noise at high RPM still remains just above a whisper (unlike the RAV-4 Limited I tried).

Ultimately, you need to try one (or several differently equipped ones) out yourself. For the price, I think you'll be mildly impressed by the value.

One last thing that may not be applicable (but was for me): I put my daughter's rearward-facing car seat into every vehicle I tried. Only in the Journey could I have the driver's seat all the way back and still not hit the car seat. In contrast, the Subaru I tried, not only could I not get the LATCH system to work, but the car seat still didn't even fit with the driver's seat all of the way forward!

Thanks for all the replies. I'm really interested in a SXT, with convenience group 1, and flex seating. Wonder what kind of deal I could get. How low do you think payments would be on this type of package? I just hope I can fit it in the budget. Credit is good, gonna make a trade, reallying hoping it will works.

Hello. First post. I've been looking at the Dodge Journey online, yet to see one on a lot yet, but as far as pictures go I like the looks, hate the dash, but overall I like it. It seems that the reviews for the Journey are really poor from most well respected reviewing sites (poor mpg, poor quality, etc.). I need something in the low $20's, 7 seats, and warranty. Please help me with my decision, why should I buy the Journy. I own a 06 Dakota and really like it, sucks on gas, but I like it. I'm really having a hard time over looking these poor reviews, please help me. Thanks.