While you won't struggle to find a Dodge dealership in the United States of America, unfortunately, the marque is no longer in South Africa. This is the result of a decision made back in 2017 whereby the parent company declared that they will no longer be manufacturing right-hand-drive vehicles for export countries. Nevertheless, there are a few examples still around locally, albeit used.
If you have found yourself a used Dodge model on AutoTrader but are not sure if it will serve your family well, in this article we take a look at the Caliber, Journey and Nitro models to see how well they will fare.
Related: Find used Dodge models on AutoTrader here
Dodge Caliber
The last Dodge Caliber launched locally was a 2011 model year in Mopar Edition guise. At the time the model would have set you back around R 259 990. Let us take a look at how well the Dodge Caliber will perform as a family vehicle.
Performance
Under the bonnet features a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 115 kW and 190 Nm of torque. The claimed average fuel consumption is 7.4 L / 100 km. Based on these figures, the Dodge Caliber will provide ample power for a family, even when under load and returns a respectable fuel consumption average.
Safety
For safety features, Dodge incorporated ABS brakes as well as front and side airbags for both front occupants. The outer rear seats offer ISOFIX mounting points for child seats.
Space
In terms of space, the Dodge Caliber will comfortably transport four adults or two adults and three children. Leg, shoulder and headroom are ample even with the slightly sloping roofline. At the rear, the Caliper offers a respectable 352-litres of luggage space which can be expanded as a result of the 60:40 split-folding seats.
Dodge Journey
The last iteration of the Dodge Journey to be revealed locally was the 3.6 V6 Crossroad model in 2015. At the time you would have paid around R 533 900 for the automatic derivative. Let us take a look at how well the Dodge Journey will perform as a family vehicle.
Performance
As the model designation reveals, beneath the bonnet features a 3.6-litre, V6 petrol engine that produces 206 kW and 342 Nm of torque. With the larger engine, the claimed average fuel consumption increases to 10.4 L / 100 km. Although the Dodge Journey is quite a large vehicle, the engine was almost more performance-oriented rather than for efficiency. If you can overcome the barrier of the higher fuel consumption, this vehicle will not only offer ample power for family use but enough to even have some fun in.
Safety
With more power comes more safety features as this specific derivative offers no less than six airbags; front and side for the front occupants as well as curtain units for the rear passengers. Dodge further bolstered the model's safety credentials by fitting ABS brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control systems, and electronic roll mitigation system as well as trailer-sway control. Parents can once again expect ISOFIX mounting points for child seats.
Space
Although the Dodge Journey might offer less boot space, 300-litres, when compared with its stablemates, it does offer two additional seats. The added seats mean that larger families will find this model a bit more attractive. Furthermore, if you require the added loading space, the third row of seats and be folded flat while the second row offers a 60:40 tilt configuration.
Dodge Nitro
The oldest and most aggressively styled out of our selection is the Dodge Nitro of which the last models arrived locally in 2007. At the time the 2.8 CRD in SXT guise would have cost you around R 359 900. Let us jump in and find out if the Dodge Nitro is any good at being a family vehicle.
Performance
The particular derivative we are looking at is the one fitted with the 2.8-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder diesel motor. Dodge claimed that this model is capable of 130 kW and 420 Nm of torque. The American automaker also suggested that this specific vehicle would return an average fuel consumption figure of 8.6 L / 100 km, a definite improvement over that of the abovementioned Journey model.
Safety
Upon taking a closer look at the safety features, one will find equipment such as ABS brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control systems as well as an electronic roll mitigation control system installed as standard. On the interior, you will find front and side airbags for both front occupants and ISOFIX mounting points for child seats at the rear.
Space
The Dodge Nitro offers five seats on the interior which will once again comfortably transport four adults or two adults and three children. Boot space comes in at a highly respectable 390-litres which can be expanded even further with the split-folding rear seats.
Verdict
Because Dodge no longer sells any new vehicles locally, we were forced to consider quite dated models to find out how well they will perform as family vehicles. Although you might find that vehicle safety, as well as powertrain efficiency, has improved over the years, all three models covered today offer respectable levels. Furthermore, all three will provide enough space to accommodate small to medium-sized families, and in the case of the Journey, even larger families. Thus we would say that Dodge is good for families.
