A unique blend of value, versatility and performance?

What is available out there in terms of a vehicle that is spacious enough to carry 7 people, but is not as bulky as a 7-seater SUV, but is also not a mom’s taxi?  Can it also have some aggressive, sporty looks, please?  And not be too expensive?

But what is the Dodge Journey? It goes with a combo of cross-over, MPV and SUV, instead of sliding into any single box.  The needs of owners are changing all over the world – they want space, but not excessive size.  They want smart solutions.  Looks are important, too.  And the Dodge Journey intends to fulfil all that in one parcel. 

A few items set the Journey apart by having practicality not commonly found in cross-overs or SUVs, and only some of these items in MPVs:

• The rear doors swing open a full 90 degrees, which makes getting in and out the back much easier, and is also much quicker for a parent placing or lifting a small child into / out of the child seat.
• Its Flip-'n-Stow front passenger seat cushion tumbles forward to reveal a storage bin (so useful for storing items without going to the rear of the vehicle.
• The cubby hole has space for 2 cool-drink cans which the Journey will keep cool during your journey.
• Its middle row of seats can fold out the way for extra space.
• The luggage compartment has a separate deep compartment in the floor, and the luggage load floor is reversible as it configures into a grocery bag partition. 
• And don't forget the 5+2 seating.

The Dodge Journey is available on the local market in 3 models:  a 2.4 SXT, 3.6 SXT or 3.6 R/T as tested here.  Prices start at R 369 990 including local taxes for the 2.4 engine, which was added to the Journey engine options here in August 2013.  The 3.6 models are priced R 398 990 and R 437 990 respectively.

When it was introduced here in 2008 the Journey was offered in a 2.7L V6, but having had it on test back then, it is best avoided if you’re in the market for a used one, due to lack of power, as its mere 136kW couldn’t cope, especially up on Reef altitudes with 7 people on board – when it had a facelift in early 2012 this engine was fortunately replaced by a much more powerful 3.6-litre V6 of 206kW and 353Nm, while the automatic gears also work much better with this engine, both of which make the Journey a much much more pleasant and capable vehicle.

R/T stand for Road/Track which is, in Dodge tradition, reserved for the performance-enhanced range-topper.  In this case, R/T is actually just a sporty-trimmed spec level, adding to SXT trim’s specification items like an upgrade from 17 to 19-inch spoked rims, heated front seats, premium audio system, and of course some R/T trim and badges.  An optional item, ideal for any Journey, is the Rear Seat Video Group with overhead 9-inch built-in video screens, remote control and wireless headphones. 

Strangely a rear-view reverse camera is an option, and only on R/T, which should really be standard in this size of vehicle, especially considering its typical use as family vehicle.  Fortunately safety items such as stability control, electronic roll mitigation, trailer sway control, multiple airbags and tyre pressure monitoring system are all standard-fit.

It is tricky to determine a direct rival for the Dodge Journey, as it is such a different vehicle.  In the price and type bracket one could perhaps consider a BMW X1, Peugeot 3008, which aim to also be a mix of MPV/cross-over SUV as the Dodge Journey.  But if you want a bigger vehicle, and one with power, the Dodge with 3.6 engine is one-of-a-kind.

A unique blend of value, versatility and performance?  Yes, the Dodge Journey is – it is priced well (against compact cross-over/SUV/MPVs), is very versatile and practical (can take 7 people without looking like it can) and with the 3.6 engine offers performance unusual for its type.

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