Transcript: Car Comment - Dodge Journey
|
Hear
"Car Comment" by
Next Car's Stephen Walker during the
"Road Ramblings" radio programme in
Mount Isa, Gympie, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, Wingham, Tamworth, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga and Braidwood. Current
broadcast times are shown here.
|
|
|
Home >
News >
Car Comment
Broadcast date: 19th March, 2011
***** START *****
It's a station wagon, it's a people mover, it's
elevated like an SUV ... in fact it is a genuine multi-purpose vehicle. With four conventionally
opening side doors and a conventional one-piece tailgate the Dodge Journey is a seven-seater with many
unique features.
With three rows of seating, the second and third rows can collapse flat to enlarge the load area.
One unique touch is the pop-up booster seat built into the outboard seating position in the second
row. Very suitable for use by the correct sized child. Other unique features in the Dodge Journey are
numerous cubby holes, including one hidden in the base of the front passenger's seat.
At just under 4.9 metres long, the Journey will appeal to those not wanting to be squeezed too
much. And with a 2.7 litre petrol-fuelled V6 providing the power, the 10.3 litre per 100 kilometre
fuel consumption on the often quoted combined cycle is quite reasonable for a vehicle this size. The
performance of the V6 is more than adequate and provides suitable get up and go around town.
We enjoyed the Journey's entry and egress qualities, but didn't like the height that the tailgate
rose to ... it would be good if it rose a little higher. You need to be mindful of this fact when
approaching the Journey's open tailgate, especially if you're parked on an incline.
It may have a low profile on the new car market, but it's a pleasant car to drive and we feel the
numerous qualities that the Dodge Journey offer will resonate well with those who want or need more
than five seats. It's more car-like than many models that feature an elevated driving position, but
yet it offers so much space and a pleasing driving manner. Whilst it may lack the finesse of a
European car, it is quite comparable to the competitors in this category. It has a very reasonable
starting price and is user friendly in every aspect. Although a rear-view camera would certainly be
handy for all the reversing manoeuvres we drivers attend.
The manufacturer's list price, which excludes dealer delivery fees and the various statutory
charges, for the Dodge Journey SXT is from $37,000.
***** END *****
|
