We say Well-priced seven seat MPV that undercuts rivals but lags behind in terms of engines and interior quality.Performance There are just two engines in the Journey’s line-up, made up of a 2.0-litre diesel unit and a larger, more powerful 2.4-litre petrol engine. The petrol drivetrain is worth 168bhp and offers some excellent performance figures for such a large MPV, clearing 60mph in 9.8 seconds. The 138bhp diesel is slower to 60mph than the petrol option but provides more low-end torque which is more useful for a car of its size.Emissions The diesel engine is the powertrain of choice for the Journey because as well as providing more grunt, it’s also more efficient than the petrol unit. On a combined cycle it returns 44mpg and emits 165g/km with a manual transmission. That’s decent in the segment and a vast improvement on the petrol unit which emits 209g/km in CO2 and returns 32mpg.Driving Compared to similarly sized models from Ford, the Journey is poor to drive. It’s big so there’s lots of body control to contend with and with light, woolly steering, it requires plenty of steering corrections.Feel The Dodge is a heavy car so whilst that means it’s poor around corners it’s planted and smooth at motorway speeds. The suspension setup is a mystery on the Journey it manages to feel too stiff but prolong bumps, making for a bouncy ride.Space There’s plenty of head and legroom for all passengers in the Journey with the exception of those travelling in the rearmost seats – something that’s typically amongst seven-seat MPVs. With those back seats flattened, there’s a massive 716-litres of space and with both rear rows of seats lying flat on the floor there’s a whopping 2,117 litres of load space. There are plenty of storage options throughout the cabin including under-floor cubby holes.Equipment The Journey comes with plenty of equipment. All models come with triple-zone climate control, a tyre pressure monitoring system and CD player with MP3 compatibility. Higher up the range and cruise control, trip computers and a clever stain-resistant cloth upholstery.Price Pricing for the Dodge Journey seven-seat MPV starts from a very respectable £16,995, undercutting the list price of its mainstream, more established rivals.Quality One of Dodge’s major failings in the UK is its interiors which insist on being drab, dull and littered with poor materials. The Journey’s cabin is better than other Dodge models but – with the exception of its non-stain upholstery – is still way behind other models. There are cheap, hard plastics throughout and it feels alarmingly fragile for a car that’s likely to be used as a family car with children hammering the surfaces.Safety All Journey models come with electronic stability control as standard as well as a brake assist system, roll mitigation technology and an extensive range of airbags for all passengers in all seats.Pros The Journey provides good value in terms of price and comes with a decent diesel engine and a large, practical interior.Cons The ride and handling of the Journey fall short of the standards set by its mainstream rivals, as does the quality and design of its interior which is boring and cheap.Alternatives Seat Alhambra, Chevrolet Orlando
