Back in the middle of the last century, a station wagon was the vehicle of choice when space was needed for hauling kids and cargo. Then the minivan evolved as the choice of many folks for car pools and trips to the hardware store. Along came sport utility vehicles gaining momentum as the practical mover of people and their stuff on trips around town as well as into terrain not accessible in the family sedan.
At the beginning of this century, we began hearing about “crossover vehicles.” Also referred to as crossover SUVs, crossovers combine the versatility of sport utility vehicles with the efficiency and practicality of a sedan.
Dodge’s crossover – the Dodge Journey – is a good example of an alternative to the minivan while incorporating the practicality of a sport utility vehicle and the comfort of a car. All new last year, the Journey can seat seven, includes integrated booster seats and 15 storage bins. The interior space in this crossover is fantastic with clever storage space even under the floor.
My drive of the 2010 Journey made me a believer in the crossover market. Considered a mid-size crossover, the Journey drives more like a car than a sport utility vehicle or van. Entrance is easy and egress does not necessitate a jump down to the ground. Visibility for the driver is excellent.
The Journey is available in three trims: the SE, SXT and R/T. The optional third row seat is available on the SXT and R/T. This seating is great if you are hauling kids, but the third row is hard to access for an adult and the legroom is extremely limited. The R/T AWD model that I drove included the 3.5-liter V6 engine with optional equipment that brought the total price up to mid-$30,000. The beauty of the Journey is that you can begin with the base model priced under $20,000.
Dodge did an excellent job filling the niche between the very popular minivan and a sport utility vehicle with the introduction of the Journey.
Sally Hanson has resided in Kirkland 30 years and is a freelance automotive journalist who has test driven more than 1000 vehicles over the past 20 years. She is scholarship chair for the Northwest Automotive Press Association and co-owns Juanita Bay Pharmacy with her husband, Don.
