2010 Journey compared to 2011 Grand Caravan

[djsxt]

Well 24k on the 2010 Dodge Journey SXT now, 6k (Road trip!) on 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Plus. Alot of the observations here are basically CUV vs. Minivan, as well as "old" 2010 Chrysler design versus the "new" 2011 Chrysler design, with a couple of other observations thrown in. The redesigns Chrysler has put out for 2011 are simply amazing.

We like both of these vehicles, granted we haven't had either of these vehicles too long, and technically they're a "step down" in trim (Mid vs. Top of the Lines) from our older vehicles (c2004 Ford's). First a note on the newer vehicles vs. older vehicles. The new technology / engineering in the past couple of years have really improved. Once you go with a newer vehicle it's harder to go back. The 2004's have the anti-grind on the keys. (Don't grind if you try to start a running vehicle), however tip-start is nice). In colder climates the older vehicles would crank longer (even when new) to start, maybe taking 10 seconds to turn over. These newer Dodge's make a loud sound (I guess the starter turns really really fast) and turn over in a matter of a couple of seconds. Also the heater in both of the newer Dodge's are MUCH faster then those in the older Fords.

When it came to getting the Dodge Journey, it was basically a value proposition decision, the Dodge Journey compares to 7 Passenger CUV's (GM Lambda/ Honda Pilot / Ford Flex / Toyota Highlander etc), but is priced more towards the smaller 7 Passengers (Platform mate Mitsubishi Outlander / Kia Sorrento / Rav 4). It was an easy sell as it met all needs and has a handsomely conservative appearance. As a side note we looked at both the 2011 Kia Sedona and 2011 Toyota Sienna before getting the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. The 2011 Sienna is simply a much better vehicle then the Sedona. The Sedona feels like it belongs in the late 90s (Seat Fabric, Green LCD displays, old fashioned starter, etc) If we could get the long slide 2nd rows of the Sienna in the Dodge and maybe some side skylights on the side of the Entertainment console down the middle of the Dodge Grand Caravan's roof you'd pretty much have the ultimate minivan.

Dash Design and controls-> 2010 Journey's problems have been addressed in the 2011. The 2010 dash may look utilitarian but is relatively nice (padded) like the dashboards you had in your typical 80s/90's early 2000 cars). The instruments are simple but legible. The 2010 dash wouldn't have been half as bad if they made the gauges a little more modern and if they swapped the HVAC and Entertainment controls, the Radio should be on top. The cool zone will be missed when we get a newer Journey. The 2011 Chrysler's share a common gauge layout, the difference is in the execution between models. These gauges are hands down excellent. They're very bright and easy to read. The EVIC display screen is very easy to read (the 2010 Journey had a small green letter screen that was hard to read). Love the quick adjusting Digital speedometer. Media Center 430 is a bit slow, I hear the unit in the 2011 Journey's is very quick to respond. Transmission location on dash and floor console. This is a wash both are much nicer then column shifters. Can't wait for the 9 Speed ZFs though!. New 2011 Dodge Steering wheel design is much more handsome, the rim is nice and thick and the leather is very grippy yet comfortable. The rear audio controls are deceptively simple and the same on both the 2011 DGC and the 2010 DJ. Love the front of wheel mounted cruise controls on the 2011 DGC, the little stalk on the 2010 DJ is something only a Toyota fan boy could love. Wish both had a handbrake for the parking brake though, the 2004 Ford Freestar managed this. Buttons on the 2011 DGC feel very nice and seem to be of a high quality black plastic, but this could just be in my head. The glove box doors on the 2011 DGC feels more robust then those on the 2010 DJ. I prefer the dash mounted light controls on the 2011 DGC over the stalk on the 2010 DJ. Also as a note the wiper stalk is on opposite sides (left on the 2011 DGC vs right on the 2010 DJ). Also a note is that the rear wiper controls are "backwards" from each other with the 2011 DGC off and mist positions flipped from the 2010 DJ. A weird quirk. The 2011 DGC has LED door lights that look very nice and do a good job of illuminating the ground. Also the padded armrests feel SO nice on your arm.

Engine / Driving Feel. Our 2011 DGC has the 6 Speed Autostick with the 3.6L "Pentastar" V6, the 2010 DJ has the same 6 Speed Autostick with the 3.5L V6. The 3.5L felt good, strong acceleration, reasonable power delivery. Both V6's easily whoop the i4 models (especially if you travel with 4 to 6 ppl and cargo). The 3.6L Pentastar however feels much nicer then the (albeit older Nissan VQ) it's smooth has a nice V6 sound to it (still nowhere near as nice as a GM Small Block or Dodge Hemi though) and boy oh boy does she "pull" you can get up to highway speeds in a jiffy the acceleration is very strong with no appreciable drop off. She's smooth, the VQ is supposed to be an exceptional engine but the Pentastar puts her to shame. That said a Flex ecoboost can stomp a Maxima into the ground these days. The Pentastar alone is worth the price of admission if you want a vehicle that just feels right. The 2011 DGC feels about as sprightly as an 03 Maxima. No joke. I'm sure she's slower but she feels great. Both the 2010 DJ and 2011 DGC have nice rides. We had a rental 2010 DCG in Florida before and both the 2010 DJ and 2011 DGC put her to shame (the rental had 200mi on it so we were one of the very first to drive her). Both vehicles (FWD) handle the snow well. I prefer the ride of the 17" Wheels and do not care about the "looks" or the expense of the 19" wheels.

Seats and cargo hauling : The 2011 DGC has nicer front buckets and third row, the reclining bench in the middle of the 2010 DJ is more comfortable for adults then the Super Stow and Go's in the 2011 DGC. The flip seat is really nice in the 2010 DJ for hiding small purchases from sight. The stow and go bin in the 2011 DGC second row is almost trunk sized and more useable then the bins in the second row of the 2010 DJ. When it comes to grocery / Wal-Mart pantry loading both vehicles are up to the task. If it comes to dorm moving the DGC wins hands down. The DJ holds 4 adults comfortably, the DGC holds 6. The small under floor compartment in the load floor of a 7 passenger DJ is nice. Miss the side pockets from our 2004 Freestar, the 2011 DGC only has an open bin above the jack on the left. Our 2011 DGC does not have the flashlight, you never realize how much you miss that little detail until you want to find something in the dark.

I may post later with more comments. This seems to be enough for now.

Real Winter Tips

- Deep snow, "Turn off the Stability/Traction control) to allow wheel spinning (momentum forward)

- Manual climate controls, turn on your AC compressor to remove the moisture from the windshield when you first start up, once clear turn it off. (Use maximum heat) the AC will remove all the moisture and make it easy to see. Do not wipe with a cloth / your hands all you'll do is streak your window. Do not use the wiper fluid as it'll frost as soon as the wipers pass.

[Isham3]

Can't I just be loud and brash and assume we're already buddy-buddy? Our current rides are getting a little long in the tooth. This house may house may or maynot middle-agers, college-agers and a teenager. We're a high miler family who normally retires our rides in the 200-300k (km so not too high) range. This means our low and mid 2000's are being replaced. Of course with the economy the "Limiteds/ GLE's" are becoming SXT's or whatever mid-trim the 3rd vehicle will become. That and with new vehicles today there really are no such things as "strippers" anymore, so the only thing really lost that will be missed is leather and power passenger seats.

First Chrysler product was plated in the summer. She's a 2010 Dodge Journey SXT FWD, 7-passenger (for rear AC) and uConnect/Voice Command. Nothing else, she happened to be Bright Silver.

Last month a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan joined our garage. She's an SXT Plus, so she doesn't have steelies, has the rear climate control group, etc. Basically a lower mid-trim jobbie. Regret? front seats only have fore/aft. By coincidence she's also Bright Silver. We could have purchased a 2010 Town and Country for the money but felt the Pentastar worth it. Sadly she doesn't have "fog/driving" lamps but black honeycomb platic in it's place.

As a side note the 2011 Dodge instrument cluster seems easier to read then the 2011 Chrysler products. We're not do-it yourselfers when it comes to our vehicles so once the dealers basic maintenance is finished our local trusted mechanic will take over her maintenance. The 2011 Dodge/Chrysler van is really something you have to experience to believe. Yes the dash is hard (Hey our Journey has a soft top dash!), but the IP layout is great, that Pentastar with 6 Speed is phenomenal for a cargo-schlepper. As good as the 3.5L is wish the Journey was a 2011 (or the 2010 with the Radio and Climate Control flip-flopped and the Pentastar).

I don't think the 2011 Dodge Avenger will win a place in our family. Maybe in a year or two or three a Charger, Fusion or Lacrosse (front runners) will reside in front of those roll-up doors. I'd love a 2011 Dodge Charger now, but need to save up a bit first. Don't really want to be paying for another vehicle at this time.