OK, so on a whim, I test-drove the Dodge Journey at my local (as in "across-the-street") Dodge dealership.

Specs and options:

- 3.5L V6. 6AT

- MyGIG with video screen (also backup camera)

- Only 5 seats (they didn't have a 7-seater on the lot)

Interior impressions:

- Decent interior, actually one of the best I've seen on recent Dodge offerings

- Shifter has a weird downward angle... it's on an incline away from me instead of flat or toward me

- Couldn't pull up the nav screen for some reason... I don't think the DVD was loaded, and so the option wasn't there... and just now, I realized that the LCD screen goes with the entertainment system and that the nav would have its own screen, which this model didn't

- Looks as spacious as my Pathfinder, and a lot more versatile

- The dash is EXTREMELY long... it makes the nose of the vehicle feel longer than it really is

Driving impressions:

- I only stayed in neighborhoods per the dealer's instructions, so no word on how easily the Journey can take off

- Steering feels nice... real nice... communicative is the word, I believe

- Backing into a space (one of my tests) took me a little while longer than I'm used to doing, because the blind spots seemed kinda big

Verdict:

I probably wouldn't get one in the future, but I wouldn't bash anyone who did. It's perfectly liveable.

.....Just more proof that Chrysler's better off in the hands of Cerberus. And where are those promised revamped Avengers/Sebrings?!

Good review BTW. I saw one in Arizona on vacation, reminded me of a mix between the Grand Caravan and Caliber, but sleek.

my buddy told me he test drove one yesterday. he's had several chryslers in the past, he has a pilot now. he liked the idea of getting one, but he didn't like it enough to consider it for the next vehicle. still, i think the journey is a pretty good deal for a lot of people.

My Neighbor drove one today, and said it was the best Dodge he had driven in years....

This seems to be one of few good vehicles to come from Chysler in last few years

This seems to be one of few good vehicles to come from Chysler in last few years

I agree.

I don't think a decidedly-upmarket Chrysler version would be a bad idea either. Don't know why they axed that one.

.....Just more proof that Chrysler's better off in the hands of Cerberus.

But the new owners haven't had enough time to make their presence known.

I haven't even seen one.

i've seen a lot of commercials for the journey recently. the reviews seem to be pretty good. did you get a look at how much space was in the back? i read there's a lot of room back there.

i've seen a lot of commercials for the journey recently. the reviews seem to be pretty good. did you get a look at how much space was in the back? i read there's a lot of room back there.

I didn't crawl through the whole vehicle, but I did glance back; the 2nd-row was folded down to show all the cargo room. It easily bests my Pathfinder.