The Dodge Journey is Dodge's first car-based SUV; the Journey is built on the Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger platform. The Journey can be optioned with one of two engines: the base 2.4L 4 cylinder or an optional 3.5L 6 cylinder. The 2.4L 4 cylinder engine is a dual overhead cam unit with sequential fuel injection. The only transmission available is a 4-speed automatic with overdrive. The transmission delivers the engine's power to the front wheels;the Journey is currently not available with all wheel drive when fitted with the 2.4L 4 cylinder engine. The engine delivers one hundred seventy-three horsepower at six thousand revolutions per minute, and torque output is one hundred sixty-six pound feet at four thousand revolutions per minute. The engine returns nineteen miles per gallon in city driving, and twenty-five miles per gallon on the highway.
With this in mind, I could barely muster a gnat's whisper of excitement when told I was to be testing the new Dodge Journey. Without ever seeing a picture or footage of this vehicle, I had automatically painted a visual image of how it would look in my mind. It would be a huge, clunking 4X4, with scant regard for neither environment nor pedestrians. It would handle like an incontinent Ox; unrelentingly uncooperative and sluggish at best.
2012 The Dodge Journey is Dodge's first car-based SUV
