What is it?
At first glance you could be forgiven for mistaking Dodge's Journey as one of sister company Jeep's off-roaders. It's not; the Journey is an MPV, a seven seater that's intended to appeal to big families wanting a vehicle with a bigger personality than the norm. Chunky looks are Dodge's signature, as is value, which pitches the Journey between the traditional size categories in the MPV class, competing against both mid-sized and full-sized rivals in the family-hauling market.
Is it any good?
If rugged looks are your thing then there's nothing out there to touch the Journey in the MPV class. SUV-like, two-box styling is unusual in a class that's more used to mono-box monotony. Those off-roader looks might not appeal to all - especially if they attract scorn from ill-informed anti-4x4ists: throw back at them 43.5mpg if they ask. The Journey is spacious inside, Dodge pointing at all sorts of folding and sliding seat options, floor and seat cubbies and cooled glove compartments as if they're something new and unique when in reality almost every rival offers similar space saving and access systems. Where the Dodge really does shine though is on equipment, all Journeys coming with a huge specification list as standard, even base models getting three-zone climate control.
Two engines and three transmissions will make up the range, the VW-sourced turbodiesel mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed twin-clutch automatic. The other engine option, a 2.4-litre petrol unit, is only offered with a five-speed manual. On the road the Journey isn't going to involve or excite in the way Ford's S-Max will, but it rides decently and is nicely hushed at motorway speeds. However, the steering is devoid of any feel and the gearshift is pretty vague - the chrome-topped gear knob also reflecting annoyingly in the sun - but the Journey wasn't designed to appeal to people wanting dynamic delights. At carrying people in relative comfort it's a perfectly capable, decently rounded performer that's well equipped, sensibly priced and - depending on your viewpoint - interesting to look at.
Should I call the bank manager?
Before you call the bank manager you might want to add a few choice extras to the standard specification. The MyGig satnav and entertainment system adds £1,500 to the Journey's price - add another £500 to that if you want child occupying rear seat connectivity and a DVD screen. For all the clever space utilisation the rearmost seats are only for occasional use, while oddly there's currently no luggage cover in the boot; meaning you might want to opt for the privacy glass option if you like to leave things in the rear when you're away from the car. This is an American car too, so don't expect the interior plastics to be up to the quality of European rivals either, even if it's clear that Dodge has made some decent progress here with its soft-touch dash.
Summary
Decent equipment and individual styling mated with competitive pricing have always been selling points for US firms trading in the UK and Dodge is no different with its Journey. It falls short on driver appeal, but this is a family vehicle so it's difficult to criticise it too harshly for that. Especially as it proves a capable and comfortable motorway mile-muncher. We'd be tempted to spend a bit more on Ford's S-Max if we were buying, but we'd recommend a test drive in a Journey too if you're after something a little different.
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