My impressions: 2012 Dodge Journey SXT

[D-BesT]

After 1250 KM (1 month)

Just a little of my automotive experience. I currently work in a field where I can easily put 500 km's on in one day (using company car), the average is about 200-250 km's depending on work load. These km's can range from average driving, to more spirited driving (outright crazy driving). Currently my work vehicle is a ford and has a 4.6 litre v8. Prior to this I have been involved in the automotive forums for over 15 years. I outgrew my first car, a 2001 Toyota Corolla (lowered, camber kit, performacne struts, cat back exhaust, intake, bodykit, rims, tires, the whole shabang). Went on to a Pontiac Vibe and Acura TSX, and now moved onto a family vehicle as it's going to be in the horizon very very soon. And yes I'm leaving this car in a pretty much stock configuration. I've always been somewhat of a hypermiler with my personal vehicles. Not only it's easier on the wallet, but easier on the vehicle itself.

The bad:

- With an average of 75% highway, 25% city, I've noticed that the fuel economy is.... Horrible. With a tank of almost 80 litres, I manage to get 350-400 km's on a tank, with a LIGHT foot. On an average fill up (I reset mileage calculator every fill up), I get an average of 12.3 l 100 km. and I don't think it corresponds with the true fuel economy I am getting. I'm expecting this to get better after break in.

- Car seems to float a little when going over bumps. Characteristics of a larger family vehicle, or larger SUV. It's no corvette, or performance car; but it handles like a little sloppy. Granted it is bigger than the previous vehicle that I had, suspension could be a little stiffer. Still cautious on entering corners at higher than regular speeds! Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a bad handler, but it could certainly use a little more stiffer springs.

- At idle, engine doesn't feel smooth. I can feel a shutter/jerkyness in the brakes, and how the engine performs no matter if the engine is warm or cold.

The good:

- Roomy! Tuns of cargo space, very comfortable seating position.

- Quiet. I can hear a pin needle drop on the carpet. Engine noise is just about right, even under what I can say is heavy accelleration (haven't got rpms past 2500 yet, getting er broken in and putting synthetic oil / filter .

- Smooth .. Smooth ride..

- Power - Lots of power (from what I tested sofar). I can only assume it gets better through the RPM's.

- Handy Storage -- Not that I've been camping yet with it.. oh but i will...... But storage is amazing.

- Sound system -- I have the nav and sound upgrade. Unlike my previous vehicle (I had 2 12 inch subs and a 1300 watt amplifier), I could get decent bass output without sacrificing storage capacity! (my toy was a 2004 Acura TSX) now sold to brother.

- Looks -- Damn good looking vehicle.

- Interior options -- Again nav and sound upgrade, but it has toys, large touch screen, bluetooth, voice, heated mirrors, abs, all the rest of the goodies. Haven't had the opportunity to do a panic stop, or real performance driving. Dont even need to pull out the keys anymore.

Overall in a percentage of satisfaction, I would say I am about 80% satisfied. I believe I made the right choice with this vehicle, but I do miss a sporty turn hugging vehicle that handles like a dream. I know it's a family vehicle, so it's really me that is the issue! LOL. I think I outgrew the sport rice rocket stage and it's time to think about my later life with the fiancee and plans for a football team of kids.

It is my first Dodge I've ever owned (or my family for that matter), coming from a family of mainly import cars, or pontiacs. I'll do another review after 5000, and hopefully the idle issue and fuel economy issue dissapears!

[Powdered Toast Man]

As for the handling, based on your vehicle history, I'd say you're just not used to a larger vehicle with a softer tuned suspension. It takes a little getting used to, but most larger vehicles handle this way. Actually, the Journey handles quite well for the segment it's in. Try driving the Equinox - that's so disconnected from the road it's almost uncomfortable.

I rode with my friend in her Acura RSX a few weeks ago and that suspension was so stiff I thought it was going to rattle my fillings out.

Fuel economy... welcome to a larger vehicle. Your previous cars were all smaller C-compact class with 4-bangers under the hood. Journey is in the D-midsize class - plus it's a CUV which makes it even heavier. My previous SWB Caravan got about the same mileage as the Journey.

Edited March 26, 2012 by Powdered Toast Man

[tstone]

First, don't trust the EVIC for economy. It gives a good estimate but I've found it to be a little on the pessimistic side. Do the math at the gas pump if you want true mileage.

Also your engine will probably get smoother and the fuel economy will most likely get better as it breaks in. I have a 4 cylinder but this applies to probably any engine. When it was breaking in, the whole driveline was really tight and the engine made this machining type noise as you revved it up, hard to explain. The oil is a type of break-in oil, and once it turned really grey, I changed it to Mobil 1 5W20. Runs smooth (for a 4 cylinder), gets about 19 mpg worst case, 25.5 highway, and just got 22.8 mixed city/highway commuting. In metric, that's 12.4, 9.2 & 10.4 L/100km. WIth the 6 cylinder you should probably be seeing slightly worse than this.

Also make sure your tires are properly inflated. Check them stone cold, first thing in the morning. For some reason the tires deflated a bit for the first month after I bought it, then they leveled off.

I've also found that driving faster than 75 mph degrades economy very quickly. I've read this vehicle has a drag coefficent of 0.37, which is the same as my '83 Ford LTD. That should speak for itself.

[bigtsr]

Today was the very first time I've carried anything

of bulk or consquence in the DJ.

Walmart had a good sale on Scotts treated topsoil

in 42.5 liter bags and with the 2nd row still up

I was still below the headrests with 12 bags(510 liters).

Great space in these machines and it did not drop

height very much.

[Saltydog]

Nice to see and hear good things!

As for ride, I love the floaty/big car feel, in time you will get used to it.

[buckshot7526]

The 2012 SXT I bought is good all around except for the fuel gauges. I was traveling on the highway at a speed of 75 MPH when I ran out of gas. What sucks is the fuel gauge still showed just below 1/4 tank with no low fuel warning showing. Also my DTE showed 90 miles and when i did fill up I calculated that i still had 4 gallons left in the tank. I took it to dodge and they found nothing wrong. If anyone has had the same experience or any answer on why this may have happened please let me know.