AUTO RED BOOK REVIEW: 2012 DODGE JOURNEY

On The Cover Review: 2012 Dodge Journey

As crossovers go, the Dodge Journey is a relatively obscure piece. You aren’t going to stumble over one of these like you would a Toyota Highlander, or a Ford Explorer, or a Chevrolet Equinox, or any of a half-dozen other crossovers this size. There was just too much competition in this segment, and the Journey never did much to stand out. It was OK, if not a little cheap-feeling, and that’s not a dominating position to be in. The latest Journey still looks pretty similar, even after Dodge changed the bumpers and trim. But the big news is in the interior. Unfortunately, if someone was turned off by the old interior, it may be difficult to get them back into a Dodge showroom to see the array of nicer materials and smarter designs. Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter “Pentastar” V6 is also a huge advantage over previous models. The new 283-hp, DOHC engine is much smoother and more powerful than the V6 it replaces. A 173-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder remains the base engine, and will still be a popular choice for the fuel mileage-conscious. Dodge’s seven-passenger station wagon is a pretty solid choice as far as these vehicles go, and you won’t see yourself coming and going if you happen to buy one.