![]() ![]() While the Crossroad doesn't add any new tech to the package, it butches up the looks of the mostly inconspicuous Journey body with off-road-inspired front and rear fascias that give the model more of a crossover look (the standard model can still look a lot like a minivan or wagon). Driving Notes The Crossroad builds on the well-equipped success of the mid-level Journey SXT Plus, and includes Chrysler's excellent 8.4-inch UConnect infotainment system with Bluetooth and satellite radio, as well as dual-zone climate control. So which is it? Is its pre-Fiat DNA too much to overcome, or is the Journey Crossroad the ugly duckling that became a less ugly duckling? Naturally, we had to find out. But heavily breathed upon in 2011, it now enjoys a new, 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, a big, critically acclaimed touchscreen display and in the case of today's tester, a new-for-2014 Crossroad spec. The Journey debuted in 2007 as a 2008 model year vehicle, meaning it should fall into the former category. ![]() Increasingly, though, we're seeing vehicles that split the balance between pre- and post-bankruptcy. Think late, last-generation Chevrolet Impala or Chrysler 200. Most suffer from inferior driving dynamics, cheaper interiors, poorer fuel economy and often homely looks (we know, there were some decent cars before the bankruptcy, but they were pretty heavily outweighed by the bad ones). As for the pre-bankruptcy vehicles, they tend to be easy to spot. These vehicles have the freshest styling, with sharp exteriors and well-crafted interiors, as well as advanced powertrains and well-sorted chassis. For GM, there's the Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Impala and Buick Encore, among others. The former, in the case of Chrysler, include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as the 200 and 300. There are the post-bankruptcy vehicles, and the pre-bankruptcy vehicles. This trim also deletes the roof rack, which can be added as an option.Watchers of the auto industry will notice a theme among the formerly bankrupted American automakers, General Motors and Chrysler. R/T Rallye trim adds performance suspension, firm-feel steering, perforated leather seats, 19-inch satin carbon wheels, red accent stitching on seats, doors and steering wheel, dimpled leather steering wheel and shifter, and body-colour grille and door handles. R/T models come with all-wheel drive, leather seats, bright door handles and premium six-speaker stereo with subwoofer. Limited trim gets the V6 engine, 19-inch wheels, heated front seats and steering wheel, six-way power driver's seat with lumbar, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, 8.4-inch Uconnect screen, satellite radio, fold-flat front passenger seat with in-seat storage, remote start, front and rear LED reading lights, Bluetooth, auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone, bright roof rails with crossbars and garage door opener. The SXT model adds a ?performance? front fascia, silver 17-inch wheels, one-touch power front windows, fog lights and automatic headlights, trip computer with outside temperature display and compass, overhead console with observation mirror, cargo net and passenger-assist handles, lighted vanity mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror and a 115-volt power outlet. Next up, SE Plus trim adds leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, body-colour side mirrors, LED taillights, front and rear floor mats and cargo cargo, deep-tint sunscreen glass and black roof rails with crossbars. The entry-level Canada Value Package gets the four-cylinder engine, manually-adjustable cloth seats, reclining 60/40 split-folding second-row seats with fore-and-aft adjustment, Uconnect 4.3-inch touchscreen and six-speaker stereo, auxiliary and USB inputs, two 12-volt power outlets, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, second-row in-floor storage, full-length floor console, dual-zone air conditioning, power locks and power windows with driver one-touch down, vehicle information centre, driver and passenger lower LED lamps, 17-inch aluminum wheels, bright grille and door handle trim, liftgate flood lamp, power heated side mirrors, tire pressure monitoring and intelligent keyless entry. The Journey starts as a front-driver, in Canada Value Package, SE Plus, SXT and Limted trims. Four-cylinder models get a four-speed automatic, and V6 models use a six-speed auto. Power is from either a 2.4L four-cylinder with 173 hp, or the excellent 3.6L ?Pentastar? V6, rated at 283 hp. Implying that what's not broken needs no fixing, Dodge brings the Journey into 2014 with minor trim changes. Dodge is quite keen to remind all of us that the Journey is still Canada's number-one selling crossover. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |