Good to see Dodge moving back to somewhat more graceful designs. I like the thinner A-pillars and larger glass area. the chopped-top and gunport windows in the Caliber and Magnum were getting old. Not everyone wants their car to look like an urban assault vehicle.

Is this replacing the Caliber? I hope not for long. Dodge needs to produce a viable Neon replacement soon.

I agree, there is definitely some grace to this vehicle, unlike the hulking monsters Dodge normally produces.

Radio controls ALWAYS before HVAC. Maybe I'm being a little anal, but why can't they get little things right?

Radio controls ALWAYS before HVAC. Maybe I'm being a little anal, but why can't they get little things right?

That is one of the worst dashboard designs I've ever seen.

D@MNI!! This is NOT a crossover! This car is about as station-wagon as they come!!

People, get over it. Hatchback/5-door/wagon/crossover all mean the same thing!! Hatchbacks are great vehicles, but do we really need another car classification just to avoid idiotic social stigmas?

It's so bad in this country that people will turn their nose up to a car that says wagon simply because of the classification, yet go to a dealership next door and buy a Vibe or a Rogue because those are what idiots call "crossovers."

http://www.stationwagon.com/gallery/1984_Dodge_Aries.html

Modernize this car and what do you get? This is far from Dodge's first attempt at a crossover, just the first time they decided to call a wagon a crossover. Throwing some windows and a hatch on a car isn't anything new, it's just hip now because of the SUV trend.

Make a car look like an "SUV" and you get a successful crossover. Add a few extra inches to the cargo area and it's doomed as a station wagon.

Don't stop...believin...hold on to that feelin!

Being a diehard Journey fan I am always intrigued by things named Journey to see if there will be a tie-in to my favortie band...maybe Dodge will run commercials with 'Higher Place' as the background music...that would be great.

Good looking car but being a Dodge fan means I give them preferrential treatment. I would pick up the R/T AWD...but for that price I will drop another 1-2K and get an Avenger R/T AWD.

from the rear it reminds me of an audi Q7 HVAC before radio is just wierd an unergonomic

Another rental car interior...WTF is wrong with this company?

Is it me, or do the seats look like the flattest, hard plastic this side of Kansas? I mean, the seats look flat as a board. And the vinyl just looks like you will slide off of the seat. It could be leather, but it looks cheap.

The body design is OK. They could round off the front clip a little and make the grill a tad smaller. That would make it less truck like, but I feel it's a good start for their new wagon (no stigma with me).

The A/C before the stereo comments are valid. It looks as if the designed it like this to be different. So how is the viewing angle to the radio display on a sunny day? With traffic? Might be a little bit more time with the eyes away from watching the road.

When all is said and done, it's an effort that they should be happy with. And then their execs should read this forum and car magazines and take some hints.

ciao

Is it me, or do the seats look like the flattest, hard plastic this side of Kansas? I mean, the seats look flat as a board. And the vinyl just looks like you will slide off of the seat. It could be leather, but it looks cheap.

The body design is OK. They could round off the front clip a little and make the grill a tad smaller. That would make it less truck like, but I feel it's a good start for their new wagon (no stigma with me).

The A/C before the stereo comments are valid. It looks as if the designed it like this to be different. So how is the viewing angle to the radio display on a sunny day? With traffic? Might be a little bit more time with the eyes away from watching the road.

When all is said and done, it's an effort that they should be happy with. And then their execs should read this forum and car magazines and take some hints.

ciao

Hey look everyone! A station wagon!!!

Two thumbs down...the exterior is kinda boring, and the interior looks like really cheap plastic. I feel like if I left it out in the sun too long it would all crack apart. I think Dodge needs to try again on this one.

Way to go Dodge!!!....

Now lets see how long it takes for them to discontinue this one....

That dash is fugly !!! The gauges remind me of my first brand new car, a 1985 Dodge Omni. 20 some years of progression....

How the hell are you supposed to access the passenger seat storage with a passenger on board?!

You buy a bigger car for more room so more people 'n stuff can fit in. The LAST place to put "handy access" storage would be under a seat! Why not use that space for proper padding so the passenger's butt doesn't ache after 5 minutes of riding.

I don't really hate the HVAC before stereo. Of course my Cavalier was laid out like that, so I got used to it. The pedal/foot well seems small. Maybe it's just something about a close up wide angle shot that makes it seem that way.

so, they have a station wagon. Last years Mitsu's Outback, no doubt, what is so great about that?

I think I'm going to cry!

I'll give Dodge an "A" for effort but I really think they missed the mark. The car design isn't really fresh, new, or innovative. It looks like the Caliber's big brother or the queer cousin of a Durango.

I agree with the comments made about the HVAC. I do think that the under seat storage is a good idea though. It's standard practice on some trucks and most minivans. Obviously, you wouldn't put things in there that you access on a regular basis though, but a flashlight, first aid kit, owners manual, etc. would be just a few items that it'd be nice to have quick access to when needed w/o tearing up the whole car.

The price point isn't bad for a vehicle of this size and although I believe the design is sub par, I think the consumers that would buy this car are probably used to below average designs and would hail this as cutting edge.

And Dodge sends a big hello from the land of the bland.

Looks ok, but as stated, why the hell aren't US auto manufacturer's getting the message about their sub-korean interiors?

From my past posts, I have been very critical of Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep products. I will state that the Journey has a nice exterior design. I must admit that all automakers fear to classify this as a "station wagon", but it is essentially what it is. As a family man, that is not a bad thing. The starting price point is attractive and I will reserve judgment on the interior until I see it in person.

What do all you people who are complaining about the crossover categoration think a crossover is? It's a car with increased ride height, awd avaialable, and a certain limited degree of SUV appearance affectation.

At least it isn't calling itself an SUV? Look at Honda Pilot and CRV "SUVs" -- they're really just AWD civic and accord on stilts, respectively. You can freakin see the spindly little lengthened civic and accord/odyssey suspension arms when driving behind one. Some with half of Toyota "SUVs" -- based on corolla or camry, even the almost 50k one with Lexus badge on it. Do you guys consider the Forester an SUV, because it's officially categorized as one and any article or comparo you'll read has it being compared to SUVs, not 4cyl station wagons?

If you think car-based SUVs are a joke, I agree -- they handle like shit, get shitty gas mileage, and can't go off road. You should appreciate that this one calls itself a crossover rather than an SUV.

Looks like a mini version of the 08 Dodge Caravan in the front.

A crossover doesn't have to have available awd. hell, half of them don't even look like SUVs. Some don't even have higher suspension lines, just a hatch. There is no set standard for a "crossover," and that's what bothers me.

I don't think a "car-based SUV" is necessarily a joke. A Rav4 can off-road just enough and tow just enough for most people out there, yet it's basically a camry. If built right, there are benefits.

For the most part though, yes, they handle like crap, have bad aerodynamics, get shoddy gas mileage, etc. etc. Just not as bad as a true SUV.

I love hatchbacks, and "station wagons" can have a great level of utility. People should be intelligent enough to realize what a car really is, though. Toyota and Nissan have similar setups - subcompacts, compacts, midsizes, and fullsize cars, all with a hatchback counterpart. This, to me, is a good thing - some people don't like or need the extra cargo space, and others like me just love hatchbacks. The problem comes to play when car manufacturers have to make these station wagons seem like SUVs to sell. More body clearance and "awd" does not an off-roader make.

Hell, a decent suspension setup on ANY car can get you through some dirt paths, and come on people, who EVER really off-roads? The guys with the 10-15 year old jeeps. Not the guys with the crossover AWD sedan on stilts.

I just wish we could step away from this status B.S. that says a car HAS to look like an SUV to sell. Drop these cars back to where they are supposed to be. Spend more money on making a car practical rather than making a car look bigger and badder than it would ever need to be.

Crossover = America's social band-aid for idiots who can't get over the SUV craze/think for themselves.

My thoughts exactly Tony.
If only honda would bring back (to the USA) the Accord wagon and put a 4 or small 6 cyl diesel in it, I would trade today for it.

barf! looks like poo. Dodge must have found this design done 20yrs ago in the trash and decided to use it.

is it me or GM look more and more like japanese car...! ford & mazda more and more europeen...

Nissan half europeen and japanese...

honda more and more american

toyota... hmmm a bit of every region of the world..

The unfortunate thing is, no matter what dodge/chrysler/jeep does, it will fall significantly short due to their current lack of build quality and poor interior materials...i'm sure this is no different

Maybe they should offer a "classic" trim. Which would have lower, more car like suspension with some other modifications designed to make the exterior more aerodynamic vs. suv-ish in appearance?

Make it an entry level model, I'm fairly sure the lower suspension and lack of extra panels to make it look like an SUV would save some costs.

Then offer options (V6, dual zone climate, etc.)

Another idea would be a "touring" or "traveling family" upgrade. Sacrafice the storage space and make the seats and interior more appealing,

On a side note... for less then 20k starting on any vehicle there is only so much you should expect from the interior.

I've seen the interiors of the newest models of the Honda Accord and Toyotta Camery. I'm not impressed with them either, to me they look boring.

I have a 2006 Hyundai Tiburon, the interior looks fine (if you want charcoal/black with silver accents) I especially liked the material the seats were made of. But the car its self has some problems. No car is perfect.

People will buy this Dodge who need cheap space to carry large families or smaller familes and their childrens friends to events....

Is this just a down graded Chysler Pacifica or is it a totally different car? If I had the choice a 2009 Dodge la di da vs. a 2005 or 2006 Chysler Pacifica for roughly the same price I'd buy the Pacifica.

I'm not tring to be harsh, until I brought the Hyundai Tiburon I always had GM models.

This thing looks ok, appears to have what it needs to get the job done... Anyone who needs family moving capabilities on a budget should consider testing the car at least.

I am tired of everyone complaining about the interior of cars that start under 28k. I do agree though manufacturers should consider offering "upgraded" interiors.

I belive they could make obscene profits if they did.

Think about this...

Oh sir, you want the premium upgrade interior? That'll be another 3k plus you need to get the V6 + 6 speed auto for 1800 more...

I think that approach would settle everyone down.

Just my ideas and rants.

-Jeff

I think having the HVAC controls up higher is better... Call me boring but, I change the heater/ac settings MUCH more often then I change the radio station...

-Jeff

They are claiming innovation but I do not see a hybrid option or a diesel option. Everybody has a different view of what innovation or "technology" means but I do not think it is seats that swivel.

The US companies really need to get serious and replace some lawyers with engineers.

The new higher fleet fuel efficiency standards will have to be met and as fuel prices drift up into the five + dollar per gallon range people will care more and more about MPG, not swivel seats.

I like this car,I find it 's very practical . I like the crossovers.

I prefer the Journey than the Caliber who is ugly.

I prefer the Journey than the Caliber who is ugly.

@Jettto:
is it me or GM look more and more like japanese car...! ford & mazda more and more europeen...

Nissan half europeen and japanese...

honda more and more american

toyota... hmmm a bit of every region of the world
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Actually, you are not far off the mark. I know that Ford higher some designers from Audi (The Ford 500/Taurus has similiar lines to Audi) . GM has been ona pace to create stylish cars (using Honda/Toyota as a benchmark). Nissan products are exhibiting more european styling thanks to Renault. Honda and Toyota have US design centers to style models exclusiively to the US market. Car companies are pooling from world wide resources to create and produce new models.

Personally, I would much prefer if American car companies started designing more sports wagons/hatches. Better aerodynamics, handling, performance, mileage, less weight, and the interior size is the similar.

To me this design seems very dated, especially the interior. A Corolla has a better interior, and it's cheap too. Cheap doesn't have to mean ugly or dated-looking. Plastic chrome on the console cluster? Come on, just leave it black. You're not fooling anyone, and it just makes it cheaper looking IMO.

Ah well, I'm a sports car guy anyway, so I'm biased. Just my $0.02.

I don't understand all the negativity towards this vehicle. I pick my Journey up at the end of the week and I couldn't be more excited! I test drove it and it drives so smooth and has great handling. It has comfort and a ton of storage space! I can still cart half the neighborhood around and not have everyone be cramped. Let me say going from a van (which I cried over when I had to get one) into something like this sure makes a soccer mom feel cool again! And...it sure beats driving a huge gas guzzling Suburban or Tahoe.

THIS WEBSITE SUCKS RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE NO USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CARS CARBON EMISSSION I HOPE YOU ROT IN HELL!!!! YOU STUPID MOTHER PUPPY!!!

THIS WEBSITE SUCKS RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE NO USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CARS CARBON EMISSSION I HOPE YOU ROT IN HELL!!!! YOU STUPID MOTHER PUPPY!!!