2009 Dodge Journey

It’s easier to sell fun than functional. As masters of the minivan—that most practical of vehicles—Dodge knows this. Since inventing the breed in 1983, the company has had more experience in the business of selling sensible than anyone. They’ve also amassed plenty of know-how in the art of wringing every last ounce of space out of an interior design. The collective lessons learned in marketing and cabin layout have been rolled into the new Dodge Journey, which recently made its showroom debut in March, as an early 2009 model.

Platform and Trims

It’s a marketing fact of automotive life—Americans don’t cozy up to cars called station wagons—even if they’re really cool station wagons, like the late, great Dodge Magnum. So, Journey’s efficient, wagonesque nature is known by the wagon’s modern day alias: the crossover. However it’s labeled, the inside story on Journey really is what’s inside. The 2009 Dodge Journey is based on Chrysler’s “D” platform; the same one that the Avenger rolls on. The wheelbase has been beefed up for this application and stretched by almost five inches, with front wheels pulled two inches forward.


Dodge Journey is offered in three trim ranges: SE, SXT, and RT. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions are available, with prices starting at $19,985 for a front-wheel-drive SE, and ranging to $28,295 for an RT with AWD. Base, SE models have five-passenger seating. SXT and RT models have an optional third-row seat. All trim levels share a resoundingly flexible floor plan worthy of a minivan. Dodge’s deep knowledge of this maligned breed has been plumbed to find an impressive number of storage spaces inside Journey.

Interior Features and Cargo

All four doors have molded plastic door pockets, with built-in bottle holders. The front row has a pair of cup holders in the center console (with LED lighting, so you can hit the target in the dark). A small, covered space sits atop the center stack, and a squarish bin (sized for 15 CDs) is found in the center console. Above the glovebox is a chilled shelf, sectioned to hold a couple of 12-ounce cans. The cabin also holds several surprise storage areas. The first is found (optionally) beneath the front passenger’s seat. The cushion tilts forward to reveal a hidden spot big enough for a purse, planner, or the like to hide in plain sight. Beneath the floor in row two are a pair of (standard) covered bins. Fitted with removable liners, the trays are sized to hold a six-pack of cans, plus ice.


The rear doors open 90 degrees for ease of access, and the seats they reveal are suitable for adults, with 4.7 inches of up/back travel to fine-tune legroom. Optional seat boosters elevate the cushions by four inches, improving the window view for kids. Third row access is easy from the passenger side, and the seats can even hold adults, albeit snugly. Cargo capacity ranges from 39.6 to 67.6 cubic feet, depending on how many seats you fold forward. On three-row models, storage space starts at a more modest 10.6 cu. ft. Gear is accessed via one piece, composite lift gate.


A mix of materials and finishes nicely breaks up the dashboard plastics. Seat fabrics include a standard cloth on SE, stain/odor resistant (and strangely named) Yes Essentials cloth on SXT and leather on RT. The option sheet covers all the bases one expects in a modern, highly competitive segment. Leading the list are the aforementioned hidden stowage spots, a rear seat video package, MyGig multimedia entertainment system, rearview backup camera and an iPod interface. The latter allows the player to be accessed through the radio’s controls, with songs displayed on the head unit’s screen.