By David Bonnici
If OJ Simpson had a Dodge Journey during that famous police chase in 1994, he might have increased his chances of outrunning Los Angeles’ finest.
The sprightly Journey looks like an SUV but it has big-sedan like performance that provides a best-of-both-worlds practicality and driveability.
It’s propelled by Chrysler’s 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, which is also found in the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Wrangler. It’s very responsive and makes a nice noise when you put the foot down. It has a firm but smooth ride.
Fuel economy is as expected with an engine this size. Interestingly, it’s a bit more economical than the 2.7L engine it replaced in 2012.
Like most American cars available here, it comes with a host of bells and whistles as standard. The base-model SXT comes with six-way adjustable power driver’s seat with lumbar adjust, six-speaker audio system with 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen, phone connectivity, three-zone climate control, roof rails and front and rear fog lights.
For an extra $4000, you can upgrade to the R/T model I drove, getting leather upholstery, heated front seats, sat-nav, reversing camera and sensors, and a sub-woofer.
One thing it could do with is more USB ports for charging devices – anyone with teenagers will know what I mean.
The R/T has a ceiling-mounted DVD player for the rear passengers that can be controlled via front touch screen or remote control. And it also has bluetooth headphones to save the driver from having to put up with atrocious distractions such as
Dora the Explorer.
The adjustable back seats have built-in boosters that fold upwards to let the little ones see out the window. The vehicle easily turns into a seven-seater via the extra bench seat that folds up from the rear cargo area.
There’s heaps of storage too, including a nifty space under the front passenger seat cushion.Two hatches under the rear foot wells can each store eight drink cans – with ice!
The Journey is the only Dodge in the Chrysler Group’s Australian line-up that suggests that the US car giant recognises that it has something to offer beyond its various Jeep models, not least the extra two seats.
It’s available at Werribee Chrysler Jeep Dodge www.werribeechryslerjeep.com.au
In response to ‘Parking a pain in the pocket’ [Star Weekly, October 8] Im not surprised council is issuing fines, Im more surprised that they continue to do nothing about the problem.
As a shift worker its horrendous trying to get a park anywhere near a station, let alone at the station!
Why doesnt the bus timetable run to the train timetable?
It makes me angry that the 9-5’ers use the car park all day when they could walk or catch a bus.
Its poeople like myself that suffer having to walk half an hour some days from my roadside car park to a station, working 10-12 hour days, getting home at least 1am and then having to walk halfa back to my car!
Ive even bought a parkiteer pass but thats full as well (they should NOT have sold me a pass!!) so that isnt an option either
Ive contacted council repetedly on the issue of the car park thats empty all day and all night next to the Target complex -to possibly make that station parking – but they will not respond.
It needs to be better monitored and considered the needs of shift workers as well.
Im guessing CEO Kerry Thomson has her own designated car park by her office door and is not trying too hard for a solution.
All the revenue fine money should be used to make the parking space available multi story – they dont need to pay someone the big bucks to see that!
Name witheld, Werribee
