First Look: The All-New 2012 Dodge Journey

28/March/2012

The Dodge Journey arrives in 2012 in style with a host of significant upgrades to styling and equipment.

Probably the greatest addition to the vehicle is the adoption of the muscular, refined 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 employed in the SXT model – where it earned the title of most powerful vehicle in the Australian MPV segment - which further consolidates the Dodge Journey as a multi-seat vehicle with a distinct difference.

As can be seen by any car enthusiast, the Journey has hit 2012 with a fresh new exterior look to compliment the Journey’s already standout styling. this includes redesigned, muscular-look fascias at front and rear, as well as a revised grille and LED taillights.

Don't forget a new interior featuring a dramatic all-new dash including a premium instrument cluster with colour TFT display, along with restyled trim and upgraded equipment that invites  up to 7 passengers to enjoy an even classier driving experience.

Let's introduce a feature of the interior design : stadium seating. This gives passengers in the second and third row the ability to see outside the vehicle – an especially helpful feature for keeping young passengers entertained on long drives. The second-row H-point is 40 millimetres higher than the first row, while the third row sits another 17 millimetres higher than the second row and 57 millimetres higher than the first-row seats (The back row seats are easily accessible by a tilt and slide feature).

Over and above that, the Journey R/T model enhances customer appeal with an array of new features adding up to more than $3,000 extra value over the previous model.

Other equipment coming standard with the new Journey R/T includes leather seats, an 8.4-inch touch-screen satellite navigation, second-row overhead video with wireless headphones, a reversing camera, heated front seats and 19-inch alloy wheels. Must admit, sounds pretty appealing.

The Journey’s Euro V-compliant, 24-valve VVT Pentastar V6 claims 206 kW of power and 342 Nm of torque. This high performance V6 engine demands driver satisfaction and we will see throughout 2012 whether that remains true.

A standard six-speed automatic transmission, which assists driveability, refinement and fuel economy round out a classy, modern vehicle with low a Co2 count.

Standard safety features include active, anti-whiplash front seat head restraints, multi-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, front seat-mounted side air bags, three-row side-curtain airbags, ESP Electronic Stability Programme, ERM Electronic Roll Mitigation, all-speed traction control, trailer sway control and ABS anti-lock braking.

With more than one-third of its body structure comprising high-strength or ultra-high-strength steel, the Dodge Journey provides drivers and passengers a safe, solid structure that delivers excellent impact performance, a smooth ride and solid handling.

Standard equipment in the Journey SXT includes remote proximity keyless entry and Keyless Go, four-way power lumbar adjustment on the driver’s seat, new generation Uconnect Touch multimedia radio, Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth, remote USB port, a premium instrument cluster with centre colour TFT display and dual bright exhaust tips.

The Journey R/T goes even further by adding 19-inch aluminium wheels, leather upholstery – including heated front seats - satellite navigation with an 8.4-inch touch screen, second-row video with roof-mounted nine-inch screen and wireless headphones, Parkview reversing camera, Parksense rear parking sensors, a premium six speaker audio system with sub woofer and 368-Watt amplifier, and a rechargeable torch.

The Journey also comes with spacious storage bins, including the Flip ’n Stow™ front-passenger seat concealed storage bin, Chill Zone™ glove box beverage cooler and dual second-row in-floor storage bins.

For added convenience, the bins feature latching lids and removable, washable liners making them easy to clean. The second row also slides rearward 60 millimetres for 120 millimetres of total seat travel, providing extra legroom for taller passengers.

The Journey’s rear doors also open 90 degrees, making it easier for people to get in and out of the second row and gain access to the third-row seat – which reclines by six degrees to make travel more comfortable.

Extensive use of dual-phase steels in the front and rear rails, tunnel reinforcements and sills permit these components to handle greater loads while still being relatively easy to stamp and control dimensionally. Hot-stamped steel A and B-pillars reduce upper body weight in the Journey by 13.6 kilograms compared with conventional steel equivalents. The Dodge Journey also features a composite tailgate, which is an alternative to traditional steel and reduces weight by 20 per cent. This lightens the vehicle and makes the tailgate easy to close.

The two-box design of Dodge Journey, as well as its many functional requirements for seating, cargo, storage and safety, defined its structure. The Journey utilises next-generation elastic adhesives to add strength to joints. Effective joint designs create a rigid structure, minimising noise, vibration and harshness inputs to the passenger compartment and increase body stiffness.

The new Dodge Journey will be available in a choice of seven distinctive colours: Brilliant Red Tri-Coat, White, Storm Grey, Blue Pearl, Pearl White Tri-Coat, Brilliant Black and Bright Silver.

“The new Dodge Journey represents not only exceptional good looks, outstanding on-road capabilities and multi-passenger versatility, but is also brilliant value for money,” said the Managing Director for Chrysler Australia, Clyde Campbell.

“The new features alone in the new Journey R/T add up to more than $3,000 of extra value, and that is before you consider the driveability, fuel economy and exhaust emissions advantages that also come with its adoption of the new Pentastar V6,” he added.

The 2012 R/T Dodge Journey is landing soon at a Manufacturers list price of $43,500.