2008 Dodge Journey
When the Lights go out in the city . . .
Dodge issued a press-release in August about a new midsized crossovever vehicle that is set to debut early next year. After I read it, I started a blog entry, but didn't have time to finish it. It's ominous that after reading the release, I couldn't remember the name of the vehicle. I few days later, I went back to blog again, and I still couldn't remember the name of the vehicle. I came back to it today, and once again - blank. It's ominous for Chrysler that even after multiple exposures, someone in their target market can't remember the name of their vehicle.
For the first vehicle released after the Cerberus buyout of Chrysler, it's appropriate that the company has picked the name "Journey" for its midsized CUV. I perused the titles of singles by the band Journey, and there are a number that you could apply to the abandonment of Chrysler by Daimler AG.
I'll be alright without you,
Separate Ways,
Still they ride. . .
My favorite: Who's crying now? That would be the Cerberus shareholders, because at first blush, the Dodge Journey seems like an also ran right out of the starting gate.
The Journey is based on a version of the platform of the Dodge Avenger, but stretched about 5 inches to leave room for a "limited use" 3rd row seat. In other words, the Journey is the station wagon version of the Avenger. The Journey apparently is designed for the slot in the Dodge line-up formerly occupied by the short-wheeelbased version of theDodge Caravan minivan. It's a family hauler shorter than and (they hope) more stylish than a minivan. In the market, the Journey directly competes with the Ford Taurus X (formerly the Freestyle) and sandwiches between the Toyota Rav4 and Highlander.
When the Lights go out in the city . . .
Dodge issued a press-release in August about a new midsized crossovever vehicle that is set to debut early next year. After I read it, I started a blog entry, but didn't have time to finish it. It's ominous that after reading the release, I couldn't remember the name of the vehicle. I few days later, I went back to blog again, and I still couldn't remember the name of the vehicle. I came back to it today, and once again - blank. It's ominous for Chrysler that even after multiple exposures, someone in their target market can't remember the name of their vehicle.
For the first vehicle released after the Cerberus buyout of Chrysler, it's appropriate that the company has picked the name "Journey" for its midsized CUV. I perused the titles of singles by the band Journey, and there are a number that you could apply to the abandonment of Chrysler by Daimler AG.
I'll be alright without you,
Separate Ways,
Still they ride. . .
My favorite: Who's crying now? That would be the Cerberus shareholders, because at first blush, the Dodge Journey seems like an also ran right out of the starting gate.
The Journey is based on a version of the platform of the Dodge Avenger, but stretched about 5 inches to leave room for a "limited use" 3rd row seat. In other words, the Journey is the station wagon version of the Avenger. The Journey apparently is designed for the slot in the Dodge line-up formerly occupied by the short-wheeelbased version of theDodge Caravan minivan. It's a family hauler shorter than and (they hope) more stylish than a minivan. In the market, the Journey directly competes with the Ford Taurus X (formerly the Freestyle) and sandwiches between the Toyota Rav4 and Highlander.
I find it interesting that Dodge did not release the curb weight of the Journey. In my experience, detailed press releases omit curb weight when the vehicle is heavy and bloated compared to its competitors. Since no Dodge vehicles are light weight, it's not a good sign. Ford did a good job keeping the weight down on its Freestyle, but even with a curb weight lower than its two-row Edge, and a performance-maximizing CVT transmission, het three-row Freestyle was criticized for its performance with a 200 horsepower 3.0 liter V-6. The Journey's two lower trim levels get by with engines that deliver less power than that of the outgoing Ford Freestyle, specifically 2.4 liter 4-cylinder and 2.7 liter 6-cylinder powerplants, both coupled to an outdated 4-speed automatic transmission. Only the 3.5 liter V-6 (six-speed auto) appears to be competitive in terms of engine-transmission pairing.
There are some nice interior touches in the Journey. There are kid-friendly middle row seats with optional integrated booster seats, and under-floor storage similar to the "stow" part of the "stow -n- go" minivan seating. The Avenger offers Chrysler's heated & cooled drink holders and Mygig(tm) entertainment system.
The Avenger will apparently be built in Mexico, initially sharing capacity with, and eventually replacing, the PT Cruiser. That means that UAW-LSP employees can't drive it to work because it is a non-uaw built vehicle.
Here's a link to more detailed information on the Chrysler buff site Allpar.com.
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