Although it’s a fairly young vehicle, Canada's best-selling crossover returns for 2011 with a significant makeover.
In a segment that includes the Toyota RAV4,Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape, the Journey can't afford to rest on its laurels.
According to Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles, the somewhat anonymous Journey had never really lived up to its potential. But after being almost completely rethought, Gilles considers it to be "a crossover to covet".
Exterior changes are minimal. There's a new front clip wearing the Dodge split-crosshair honeycomb grille and larger fog lights, and a reworked rear end featuring "ring of fire" LED taillights. The lower chin fascia on V6-endowed models is more aggressive. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels are now available.
Heavily criticized in the past for their poor quality interiors, Chrysler is now embracing cabins across their lineup with loving care. Created by the same team responsible for the interior of the much-lauded new Grand Cherokee, the Journey's cabin is a study in good quality materials and craftsmanship. There are plenty of premium-look soft-touch materials in place of the infamous cheap plastics. The flowing dash features curved undersides for better knee clearance, and houses a new instrument pod with a full-colour centre information display. The centre stack contains the new Uconnect Touch media centre, and the centre console is larger, and features repositioned upholders and soft armrest. In five, or seven-seat configuration, the Journey boasts redesigned, more comfortable seating.
Better sound-deadening and insulation throughout the vehicle greatly reducing any noise, vibration and harshness felt in the cabin.
The handy crossover was one of an onslaught of new and refreshed models, unveiled by Chrysler featuring its all-new 3.6 litre V6 Pentastar engine. Rated at 283 horsepower, with 260 lb-ft of torque, its output is a twenty percent increase over the Journey's previous V6, but with better fuel economy. It's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Base SE models are still powered by the 2.4 litre 4-cylinder world engine with four speed automatic. All Journey models have standard front-wheel drive, but an all-wheel drive system is also available on SXT and R/T.
Improvements to the suspension geometry and steering rack have provided a ride that's more energetic, yet composed and steering that's responsive and precise.
As they say, it's not supposed to be about the destination, but the journey – and the all-new Journey should ensure that it's more fun getting there.
In a segment that includes the Toyota RAV4,Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape, the Journey can't afford to rest on its laurels.
 |
| Photo: Chrysler |
According to Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles, the somewhat anonymous Journey had never really lived up to its potential. But after being almost completely rethought, Gilles considers it to be "a crossover to covet".
Exterior changes are minimal. There's a new front clip wearing the Dodge split-crosshair honeycomb grille and larger fog lights, and a reworked rear end featuring "ring of fire" LED taillights. The lower chin fascia on V6-endowed models is more aggressive. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels are now available.
Heavily criticized in the past for their poor quality interiors, Chrysler is now embracing cabins across their lineup with loving care. Created by the same team responsible for the interior of the much-lauded new Grand Cherokee, the Journey's cabin is a study in good quality materials and craftsmanship. There are plenty of premium-look soft-touch materials in place of the infamous cheap plastics. The flowing dash features curved undersides for better knee clearance, and houses a new instrument pod with a full-colour centre information display. The centre stack contains the new Uconnect Touch media centre, and the centre console is larger, and features repositioned upholders and soft armrest. In five, or seven-seat configuration, the Journey boasts redesigned, more comfortable seating.
Better sound-deadening and insulation throughout the vehicle greatly reducing any noise, vibration and harshness felt in the cabin.
 |
| Photo: Chrysler |
The handy crossover was one of an onslaught of new and refreshed models, unveiled by Chrysler featuring its all-new 3.6 litre V6 Pentastar engine. Rated at 283 horsepower, with 260 lb-ft of torque, its output is a twenty percent increase over the Journey's previous V6, but with better fuel economy. It's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Base SE models are still powered by the 2.4 litre 4-cylinder world engine with four speed automatic. All Journey models have standard front-wheel drive, but an all-wheel drive system is also available on SXT and R/T.
Improvements to the suspension geometry and steering rack have provided a ride that's more energetic, yet composed and steering that's responsive and precise.
As they say, it's not supposed to be about the destination, but the journey – and the all-new Journey should ensure that it's more fun getting there.
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