Test Drive - 2012 Dodge Journey
January 31st, 2012 | caradvice.com.au
The 2012 Dodge Journey has benefitted from a significant model-year upgrade, sporting a new petrol engine, a revised exterior and a more sophisticated cabin with added equipment.
The upgraded Journey is now powered by Chrysler Group's 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine. It produces 206kW of power and 342Nm of torque – a huge boost over the outgoing model's 136kW/256Nm 2.7-litre V6. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard.
Despite all the extra power, the Journey's urban cycle fuel consumption has dropped from 15.0 litres per 100km to 14.8L/100km, while its official combined cycle fuel consumption has increased by just 0.1L/100km to 10.4L/100km.
Both the entry-level SXT and top-spec R/T variants are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The 103kW/310Nm 2.0-litre diesel engine – which achieved impressive combined cycle economy of 6.7L/100km – is no longer available.
The 2012 Dodge Journey SXT comes standard with front and rear fog lights, black roof rails, three-zone climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, six-way adjustable power driver's seat with four-way electric lumbar adjust, and a six-speaker audio system with 8.4-inch touchscreen and AUX/USB/Bluetooth connectivity.
Peculiarly, the standard alloy wheel size varies between 16 and 17 inches, which Dodge Australia says it due to availability issues. A space saver spare is standard across the range.
The range-topping Journey R/T adds 19-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, 8.4-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, and a six-speaker premium audio system with subwoofer.
Both models get 60/40 split second-row seats and a 50/50 split third row, both of which fold flat to the floor. The seven-seater's boot space is a tiny 167 litres, but expands to a more accommodating 1461 litres with the seats folded forward.
The Journey will soon be the only model in Dodge Australia's line-up, with the Caliber hatch and the Nitro SUV phased out internationally and soon to be discontinued locally.
