![]() ![]() That’s not far off of the EPA estimated 19 MPG combined but other bigger V6 equipped three-row crossovers like the Santa Fe and Pathfinder can muster more miles per gallon. We Faithfully saw 18 MPG during our week of testing in cold temperatures and snow. While it’s no doubt the best configuration of the crossover, the Journey is a bit on the loud side, especially during acceleration. There are a few complaints with the vehicle’s powertrain. It worked well enough during a snowy winter, giving us that extra bit of confidence. The all-wheel drive system is an on-demand setup, sending power to the rear-wheels when slip is detected. Worth mentioning is the cars Sweet and Simple driving feel, which was unexpected given the three-row setup and 4,238 lbs. ![]() One complaint is that the car gets noisy, a soundtrack comprising of engine and wind noise (not to mention occasional whining from the third row) that gets a bit grating on longer trips, so it’s a good thing that 368 watt sound system is standard.ĭodge claims that a high performance suspension setup is used in R/T models, along with a firmer feeling steering wheel but the handling characteristics of this vehicle aren’t too far on the wild-side. With nearly 300 hp on tap, it takes a lot to make this car feel like it’s run out of breath. Paired with the all-wheel drive system and the six-speed automatic transmission, the Journey fulfills that rock star feeling of putting the foot down and taking off. Where the 2.4-liter engine is a touch underpowered and paired to an ancient four-speed automatic, this V6 engine is Worlds Apart from its four-banger cousin. Poke the push-button start and the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine roars to life. While pricey, it is actually cheaper than a fully loaded Ford Escape. In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a bottomless pit of features, making this fully loaded model ring in at $35,325. While nice to have, it’s unfortunate that in a family-focused crossover like this the backup camera isn’t standard. Other handy features added to our test vehicle included remote-start, navigation, a backup camera and parking sensors. Rounding out the features of this R/T model is the standard 368-watt Infinity sound system which had us belting Don’t Stop Believing by Journey, in the Journey, with authentic enthusiasm. Overall, the cabin uses soft-touch plastics to give the car a more premium feel and the always excellent Uconnect infotainment system was flawless during testing. Especially appreciated during this cold weather was the heated steering wheel – a rare item in smaller crossovers. The cavernous trunk space was extremely helpful during home renovations, where the Journey proved capable of swallowing up an entire 30-inch bathroom vanity and mirror with no problems.įinally, since all the important decisions are done by the folks in the front seats, the Journey R/T features comfy leather wrapped captain and co-pilot seats which also feature seat warmers. Legroom isn’t lacking either and back-seat passengers can even control their HVAC settings back there.Ĭargo space is fantastic, with a total of 67.6 cubic feet of usable room. The second row is far more comfortable offering up as much head-room as the segment leading Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. It’s a good backup plan if you have to transport a few extra troops (and little ones at that) but if the question of Who’s Crying Now comes up, the answer will almost certainly be: someone in the third row. Sadly, these extra two seats are limited in terms of comfort, with just 23.4 inches of legroom and 37.7 inches of head room. Of course, the big draw of this package is the third row, which makes the Journey a possible minivan replacement. The only other vehicle in this class that can also offer a V6, all-wheel drive and seat seven is the fully loaded Mitsubishi Outlander, which is less powerful, offers less third-row headroom and is low on total cargo space compared to the Journey.Įquipped with the flexible seating package, the Journey’s second row gets tilt, slide and recline features in addition to the standard 60/40 split folding capability. It also features a few extra interior goodies, including the Uconnect navigation system and red-accented leather upholstery. The R/T model we have not only has the optional third row, but the extra two cylinders and extra drive wheels too. Where the base model can hang with the CR-V in terms of price, passenger space and cargo capacity, the Journey makes available the option of more power and more seats than its competition. Increasing sales per year mean that the Journey has been received with Open Arms thanks to its low price and family friendly versatility. ![]()
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