By John Davis, Host of MotorWeek
(Saturday mornings at 8:00 AM)

by John Davis

There is a very interesting marketing revolution taking place in the world of multi-purpose vehicles. The only problem with it is that most consumers are unaware of it. What we all use to call a sport-utility vehicle, the venerable SUV, is rapidly being displaced by a new people mover, the crossover utility.

Also called a CUV, the crossover utility is essentially an SUV taken down a notch or two. The CUV is usually lower to the ground than an SUV, and thus not ideal for all-road use. It is also likely to be lighter and more fuel efficient. The CUV is still available with an all-wheel drive system suitable for all-weather street use, but it lacks the rugged four-wheel drive systems that allow the traditional SUV to tackle the great outdoors with ease. Still, since most utility owners never tackle much more than a congested mall parking lot, the CUV seems a perfect fit.

So Dodge, a brand that helped make the SUV a household requirement, is shifting with the times and introducing its first CUV, the 2009 Journey.  With a car-like stance, expansive visibility, and three rows of seating for 7-passenger capacity, the mid-size Dodge Journey seems to fit perfectly the updated demands for a utility vehicle.

A trio of engines are available, a 2.4-liter I4, a 2.7-liter flex-fuel V6 that can run on E85 ethanol, and a 3.5-liter V6. Combined with a lighter, more rigid unibody chassis, the Journey crossover delivers fuel economy that is 10-15% higher than a traditional body-on-frame SUV of the same size. 

The interior layout of the Journey is straightforward, but the style and features of this new crossover truly standout. There is a premium look to shapes, materials, and fit that are unexpected for such a mainstream vehicle. The same goes for available features that include 115-volt AC power, rear backup camera, DVD entertainment, and satellite radio. One novel standard feature is a glove box with a Chill Zone that keeps soda cans cold and ready to drink.

The interior is also unusually useful. The rear doors open 90 degrees for easy of entry for both people and cargo. The second row seats move fore and aft for maximum space utilization. When folded flat, along with the available flat folding front passenger seat, the Journey is unbeaten among mid-size crossovers in cargo flexibility. There is also secure storage under the front passenger seat. This new Flip N’ Stow feature reveals a hidden bin that is big enough to accommodate a handbag.

Being primarily a family vehicle, the Dodge Journey also rates high on safety.  All models includes three rows of curtain airbags with roll mitigation, ABS brakes, electronic stability and traction control, and Trailer Sway Control that helps maintain vehicle and trailer stability. The Journey is also the first middle-weight CUV to offer integrated child booster seats.

If you want to know more about this handsome new crossover utility, be sure to catch MotorWeek’s exclusive video road test of the 2009 Dodge Journey on Saturday, March 22 at 8:00 AM.

While not everyone understands the fuss about crossover utility vehicles, the point of the 2009 Dodge Journey is clear. It is a totally contemporary, all-weather and all-road utility that provides the flexibility and safety families demand in a more fuel efficient and exceptionally safe package. That makes the new Journey sound like a trip a lot of families are sure to take.