Journey41

Seeing as how you are in Canada you will have to add 4 mpg to the US mpg. (imp gl vs US gl) By the way that is great fuel economy for the V6. Very nice!! Must be FWD right?

Really do not like the look of the Pathfinder. ! Looks more like a station wagon than a CUV. Also like the Highlander it is a three row vehicle and we do not have the need for that option. One of the reasons we dropped the Highlander.

Why are you paying for a rental? Whenever I had to leave my car at the dealer for a few days I am given a loaner. I have never had to pay for a rental. That was picked up under the warranty?

Yes we found the two buttons with arrows which adjusted the heat up or down and the dial that controlled the fan speed but the windows were fogging up and we could not change the "Mode" to direct air onto the windshield. My wife then noticed the button under the screen that indicated "Heat" and a picture that looked like windshield. We activated that and it helped. However the seats were getting pretty warm and we could not turn off them or the wheel heat? I have researched this on the web and found out that this is one of the problems that some of the owners are finding in regards to the screen. They feel that maybe Chrysler has put too much (seats, wheel, mode) on the touch screen. I loved the Uconnect in the second vehicle but this would be a concern if it ever blacked out like that and my wife was alone in the vehicle. Never did hear from the dealer as to why this happened? Sometimes we get to reliant on these new technologies and when they don't operate as designed we are in a bad situation. Maybe just a fuse or something but quite alarming just the same.

We are currently looking for a new vehicle and we have tried everything in the segment that includes the DJ. This week we tested the 2014 DJ-R/T. It was early morning and we went to the local dealer and due to a call the day before he had the vehicle ready for us. It was a cool morning so he had the vehicle running to get it warmed up. Also had the seats and steering wheel turned on. We left the dealership and headed for our test drive. I have a test drive set out that includes 15 miles of highway @ 60 mph and then a return via the old hwy which has a very rough surface and bad road seams. We then have a route through the city which includes a lot of stop and go situations. Well the vehicle was nicely warmed up and we headed out on the hwy. The temp was getting too warm so we touched the screen to lower the heat. When I touched the screen it went black! Pulled over but could not get the screen to come back on. As a result we could not figure out how to lower heat on the seats. Also could not adjust the mode of the air direction etc. Turned back to dealer and he could not figure out what happened. Gave us another vehicle and we headed out again. This time everything worked and we completed out test. However it made me ask the question in regards to the screen going black how do you then control the heat, seats, steering wheel, air direction etc . In regards to the vehicle performance it rode really well and the wind noise was not present. Seats I found were comfortable and the road noise was non-existent. The 8.4 screen in the replacement vehicle was very bright and the graphics were excellent. However I feel that the lack of backup controls for seat warmers, air direction and wheel heat are a weakness here. The other vehicles we tested with similar screens, (Ford, GM, Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia) all had back up buttons to make these adjustments in the event of failure. The overall aesthetics of the DJ are okay and they give the DJ a distinct look which separates it from the other bland looking CUVs. It is getting long in the tooth however and needs an update which is apparently in the schedule for 2016. The next weakness I found was the cargo area. We are golfers and found that the clubs did not fit between the wheel wells. This is due to fact I believe that Chrysler finishes the wheel wells in order to accommodate the third seat if opted for. This takes away from the width. I was surprised that with the size of the DJ this was a factor. However there are only two vehicles I this entire segment of CUVs that do have this width and they are the 2014 SFS and the Kia Sorento. Overall I was impressed with the vehicle in regards to performance, comfort and options for the price. One thing that I was warned about in this forum was if you are looking for fuel economy then look at something other than the DJ especially if AWD is your requirement. I would have to agree computer to monitor mpg.here. Now I know this vehicle is new but so were all the other we tested. Before going out on the hwy I reset the computer to monitor the mpg and it showed 12.5 L/100KM. @ 90 km/hr. (55 mph - 18.8 mpg US) That is about 3 L/100KM higher than the competition. During city stop and go it showed 14 L/100KM.(16 mpg US) Also higher than others we have tested. Talked to a gentleman yesterday about his DJ-R/T 2013 and he indicated that the readings I got were close to his with the winter fuel being used here currently. He too was disappointed with his mileage and he had 20K on his vehicle. He felt the AWD in this vehicle was the culprit in the fuel economy as his brother has the 2013 Crew with FWD V6 and he is getting much better mileage. The lack of control due to loss of screen was a concern and I know it would be a major concern if my wife was driving alone in the winter. Now maybe there is a work around which is know to owners but with not having any knowledge of the vehicle we could not find it. Lack of cargo space is also a concern in regards to the golf clubs. I could see if travelling maybe putting the luggage on bottom and then putting the clubs on top would give enough height to clear the side well covering but this is not a preferable way to accommodate. Anyway that is just my observations on my test drive. Have any of you ever experienced a screen black out. If you have is there any way to make the adjustments manually without the screen in regards to seat heat, steering wheel and mode. Back to the test drives. Although not sure what we will test as we have already tried the; Hyundai SFS, Kia Sorento, Ford Edge, Chevy Equinox, Nissan Rouge, Mazda C5, Toyota Highlander, Rav4, Nissan Murano.

Brought a 2014 DJ R/T home this week to see if our clubs would fit. My wife and I both have standard size bags not the tour size. The clubs would not fit between the wheel wells. They had to be put in on an angle much like the Equinox. If the woods were removed then they would fit. I was surprised at first however when looking at the cargo area I realised that Chrysler finishes the wheel well area off to accommodate the third row if required. They have a drink holder etc. This takes away from the width between the wheel wells. The club accommodation is important to us as we do travel with friends and have the need to accommodate the clubs between the wells. My current ride (2010 Santa Fe LTD) does accommodate the clubs between the wells and the 2014 SFS and Kia Sorento also have this feature. They are the only two so far that we have tested that have this nice wide cargo area. We have tried everything in his segment. Also found another flaw in the DJ 8.4 screen as shown in my post under First Impression.

Lobitz68...I am assuming you have the V6 AWD? What mpg are you getting? We cannot get the AWD here in Canada with the SXT. Have to go with R/T which also has the 19" wheels. Thanks

FWD vs AWD is a discussion that has gone on for years. What I do not like about AWD is that too many people take the drive system for granted and forget about how to drive in the winter. They think that because they have the AWD they are exempt from the winter conditions and can drive like it is the middle of July. Also the AWD adds more weight to the vehicle and can be attributed to poor fuel economy. I have had AWD in my last four vehicles and it gave my wife the confidence she likes when driving here in Northern Ontario where the winters are brutal. What I have found is that AWD is no different than FWD on the ice when it comes time to stop. The comment about seeing more AWD vehicles in the ditch is very true and is due to statement I made earlier. I have read many test reports as well as viewed many videos in regards to the AWD vs FWD. The bottom line is that after all the testing it has been determined that " FWD vehicles equipped with winter tires or "All Weather" tires is as good during the winter as an AWD with the standard equipped "All Season" tires. However the AWD equipped with winter/All Weather tires provides the best winter driving experience. There are other things to be considered as well. If you have a rural residence then AWD would probably be a consideration as plowed roads are not always a timely activity. However in the cities FWD with winter tires will probably be very efficient and also help in the fuel efficiency discussions. I am currently shopping for a new ride and I have given some consideration to going back to FWD but have not yet made up my mind. Some of the choices out there have very little difference in fuel numbers between FWD & AWD. I will tell you though that shopping for a new vehicle today is very confusing. Fuel economy today is a top priority in the discussions as well as reliability, service, safety specs and of course you have to love the vehicle. Still have the DJ on my short list but the competition is really great in this midsize CUV market.

As stated you are happy. That is great! However you have an SXT. Seems like the FWD version is okay when I comes to fuel economy. It is the AWD versions that suffer some what. Usually there is a 1-2 mpg difference between FWD & AWD however in the R/T is looks like there is a significant difference and that is the reason for the number of disappointments. I am sure Dodge will figure this out for the new 2016 DJ and be competitive with the other mfg's. Talked to a gentleman here today who was getting into his 2013 DJ with the R/T and he indicated that he was averaging 14.4L/!00 KM all city. That is certainly higher than most in this segment.

I can. I have a 2010 Santa Fe LTD - V6 AWD. I am getting 11.0 L/100 KM city. An I can assure you that here in the frozen North we have been averaging -20 deg temps all winter and heavy snow. My brother has a 2014 Kia Sorento V6 AWD and he is averaging 11.5 L/100 KM. He just returned from a 500 mile trip down into Michigan and at 65 mph averaged 26 mpg US. (29 mpg Imp). Temps were in the -18 deg range. FWD is a better option if the V6 is your choice in the DJ. Talked to a gentleman this am who had a 2014 DJ with R/T pkg and he was very disappointed with fuel economy but liked the comfort and convenience of the vehicle. He indicated that had he done his homework he would have looked elsewhere however he was lead astray by the salesman who told him he would get 32 -34 easily. That is impossible I told him as it is rated in the brochure at 34 mpg (imp). You have to subtract at least 4-5 mpg off the sticker. He is not a happy customer and I cannot blame him. On the other hand I am very happy with my fuel economy and so is my brother. I am beginning to shy away from the DJ based on fuel economy as I do want a V6 and AWD. I will research further but I have not heard anything real positive about the DJ - R/T in regards to fuel economy.

Thanks for the come back. Nice post. Looking forward to test driving the DJ this week. Will drive the DJ with the RT & LTD pkg. We have had AWD for the past three vehicles but maybe not this time. However our winters are bad here in Northern Ont and really felt secure with the AWD. However I have watched a number of videos and read the reports that indicate a FWD vehicle with snow tires is a good as an AWD with all seasons. I have never used winter tires on my last vehicles and have never had a problem. So it is worth considering the FWD with "All Weather tires" like the Nokian WRG3. Curious about the "Crew". I see a lot of them around town but do not see that option pkg for 2014 here in Canada. Was it replaced by the LTD? Also the mpg's reported on your trip were they US gls or Imp gls? Thanks again for the info. Great fuel economy with the V6!!

You are correct!! There were 92 responded and 66 indicated that they had 0 problems. However 26 (28%) did have problems! That is a pretty significant number in my opinion. That I think means that for every 3.5 Cherokees sold to these 92 customers they have been returned to the dealer for a transmission problem. I hope you are right about the build date and that they have corrected the problem. Jeep indicated that the release date of the new Cherokee was delayed due to trany problems and shipments were held until the flashes took place to correct the new shipments. What happened to that corrective measure as there are still failures dating into Feb/14?

Nice report however with all due respect your first line makes the post some what bias. I mean I would not bit the butt of the guy signing my cheques that's for sure. Do not get me wrong I brought these issues up when I was making comments about the DJ and someone indicated that I should look at the Cherokee. . The details re the problems I listed were all found on the internet seen below. In regards to the transmission problems they are real and yes they were delayed due to a software glitch causing the trany problems. However if you go here; { This site gives the percentages of trany problems over 92 that responded to the poll. http://jeepcherokeeclub.com/4-2014-jeep-cherokee-general-discussion/6177-transmission-issues-11.html In regards to the "cold Feet" that was noted here; http://jeepcherokeeclub.com/4-2014-jeep-cherokee-general-discussion/8346-cold-feet-cherokee-limited-2.html I am sure that the Cherokee will be a very successful vehicle in the future however it is going through the growing pains just like any other new design from any of the mfg's. Good luck with your Cherokees however for the money the DJ is a better buy for the buck. More room, more comfort, more cargo space, much nicer looking, same amenities and the the same fuel economy.

Nice post "Addicted to Dodge"...appreciate your comments and I agree. First year re-designs can be a nightmare.

Wow it never fails! Every forum has their posters that have no respect for others and it is like they know it all. "Spewing Crap".......Really? I did not come here as a troll or with any " preconceived notions". I came her to gather information from owners in order to make a decision on a new vehicle. I take the time to do my research and have found over the past 65 years it has proven to be very rewarding when it came time to make the final decision. I knew posting the reference from the CR would bring out the detail from owners who spend more than 2 hrs behind the wheel or derive reports from those that send in the reports that they mail out. Nine times out 10 those returning the reports have had an issue with their vehicle and use the survey to vent. In regards to the Journey being the same as the Cherokee...Really!! First of all the Journey is 192.4" in length and the Cherokee is 182". In regards to width the Cherokee is 73.2" and the DJ is 83.7". Cargo area in the Cherokee behind second seat is 29.7 cu ft and in the DJ (5 seat) behind second seat is 35 cu ft. The weight of the Cherokee LTD AWD is 3981 lbs and the Journey RT AWD is 4238. Both the Toyota Rav 4 and the Honda CRV have more cargo area than the Cherokee. Now as far as the 3.2 burning more fuel than the 3.6 at idle...give me a break. If you check "Fuelly" you will see that the 2014 Cherokee V6 is averaging the same mpg as the DJ at 21.5 mpg. The only real purpose of losing the extra space and comfort of the DJ would be if you intend to do a lot of off road activities. However if this is your goal then according to the experts you will have to opt for the "Trailhawk" version and that weighs in at 4232 lbs. As far as overall aesthetics go it is my opinion and I see by the following I am not alone.Comparing it to the Pontiac Aztec. OUCH!!!!!!! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/...est-cars.html? Maybe you should educate yourself and go out and try some of the vehicles from the other mfg's. It is obvious from your post that you have not driven the new Cherokee nor have you parked them side by side to review. So in the future "zmttoxics" before you feel like you have to bash a poster you may want to get your facts at least somewhat correct and not take wild guesses by using camera photos. Thanks again to all those that posted good information and facts about the DJ...much appreciated.