![]() ![]() Unlike the Kia Sorento, though, the third row is available even on base models. My 5-year-old’s booster fit well next to a small adult, and both were comfortable for a short ride. A lever on the second-row seat collapses the seat bottom and slides the whole seat forward, quickly creating an adult-sized opening. Lastly, kids will enjoy the optional DVD entertainment system’s 9-inch overhead screen, remote control and wireless headphones, though it’s not Blu-ray compatible.Ī third-row bench is standard on the Crossroad model, and getting back there is a breeze. That’s a higher minimum weight than many traditional boosters, and because my 5-year-old weighs around 40 pounds, she was unable to test the Journey’s booster. They’re not for every kid, though they can be safely used only with children weighing between 48 and 85 pounds. The $225 option sounds steep compared with a $30 backless booster from Babies R Us, but you’re paying for convenience - integrated boosters make carpooling with extra kids safer and easier. They pop up easily and are quickly ready for use. The bench seat has two sets of lower Latch anchors in the outboard positions, as well as an extra single anchor in the middle position, an uncommon feature that makes the row more flexible for child-safety-seat placement.Īnother family-friendly feature is a pair of integrated boosters, positioned in the outboard seats. I had a full house during my test and was able to fit two rear-facing infant seats in the second row with room for a small adult beside them. Front seat headroom and legroom are adequate, but one taller editor didn’t have enough knee room against the large, bulging steering-column housing. There’s a button to power the driver’s seat forward and back, but a manual lever to recline it. The seats are long-drive comfortable but annoying to adjust. The overall look is sharp, thanks to some matte chrome trim with light gray contrast stitching, plus black leather seats with a sporty mesh insert. ![]() There’s a lot of black plastic in the cabin, but much of it is nicely padded. The brakes are also disappointing the pedal has a mushy feel, and the brakes pulse unsettlingly even during normal braking. It lacks composure over even the smallest bumps, and larger ones ripple through the cabin like rocks tossed into a puddle. The Journey’s ride could also use some polishing. The CR-V and RAV4 don’t offer V-6 engines. In front-wheel-drive V-6 trim, the Journey is rated 17/25/19 mpg, a smidge under the V-6 Sorento (18/26/21). The four-cylinder is EPA-rated 19/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined, which is embarrassing against base versions of the CR-V (27/34/29), RAV4 (23/30/26) and Sorento (21/29/24). Four-cylinder models have front-wheel drive only V-6 versions can have front- or all-wheel drive.īoth engines have disappointing fuel economy. We haven’t driven the four-cylinder, but it’s hard to imagine that its 173 hp could satisfy when the V-6 is already borderline. It sounds and feels very crude at highway speeds competitors have much more refined road manners.Ī 2.4-liter four-cylinder with an ancient four-speed automatic is standard. Shifts are often delayed, and you can really hear and feel the powertrain straining to keep up with power demand for passing and merging. The unresponsive, clunky six-speed automatic holds it back. Power from a stop is respectable, but the Journey feels slow on the highway, even with the optional 283-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6. The package gives the conservative, suburban-looking Journey a kick of edgy, urban attitude. Changes on the outside for the Crossroad include black chrome trim on its grille, headlights, roof rails and front bumper, which complement the smoked headlights and taillights and the 19-inch Hyper Black wheels. I tested a Crossroad trim that slots above the midlevel SXT model. The Journey should look pretty familiar it hasn’t changed much since it was introduced for the 2009 model year and then lightly revised for 2011. The Journey straddles the compact and midsize SUV classes competitors include compacts like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, as well as the Kia Sorento, a midsize SUV with an optional third row. I want to like the 2015 Dodge Journey - with its affordable price, available third row and refreshingly simple multimedia system - but major ride and powertrain refinement issues sap a lot of its likability.Īgain for 2015, the Journey is available in five- or seven-seat configurations with front- or all-wheel drive. The 2015 Dodge Journey is a low-cost, relatively family-friendly alternative to other people-movers, but you get what you pay for. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |