2009 Dodge Journey

Introducing the All-New 2009 Dodge Journey Crossover

The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey redefines the expanding mid-size crossover segment, offering seating versatility, safety and security, cargo flexibility and great all-weather driving capability. Add in its youthful, sporty look, fun-to-drive dynamics, great features and a best-in-class and the Dodge Journey gives customers the complete value package.

As the next chapter in the Dodge brand's global expansion, the Journey is designed to meet the needs of customers ranging from young singles, couples and families with small children to mature families who want the capability to do more.

Designed from the ground up, Dodge Journey is a right-sized crossover that combines the versatility of a larger sport-utility vehicle with the efficiency of a passenger car. With available electronic all-wheel drive, a fluid six-speed transmission with Auto Stick, two efficient powertrains, uconnect gps with navigation, 30-gigabyte hard drive and real-time traffic monitoring, ParkView™ Rear Back-up Camera, uconnect phone system that is Bluetooth compatible, a Úniversal Customer Interface (ÚCI) for iPod connectivity, rear DVD entertainment with two wireless headphones and available uconnect studios SIRIÚS Backseat TV, Dodge Journey is equipped with the latest in technology.

Dodge Journey features unique seating and best-in-class storage solutions. With the simple turn of a single lever, the available 5+2-passenger seating system quickly folds the Tilt 'n Slide™ second-row seat cushion upward and slides the entire seat forward, allowing third-row passengers easy in-and-out access. Two available integrated child booster seats, a first in the mid-size crossover segment, quickly pull out from the second-row seat cushion, eliminating the need to transport bulky child seats into the Journey. Spacious storage bins, including the Flip ‘n Stow™ front-passenger concealed storage, Chill Zone™ glove box beverage cooler and dual in-floor bins with liners in the second row are easy to reach and stores gear to increase passenger comfort.

With more than 35 advanced safety and security technologies available and a Five Star government front- and side-crash test rating, Dodge Journey delivers peace of mind for its passengers. With standard advanced multi-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, standard front-seat-mounted (thorax) side air bags, standard three-row side-curtain air bags, tire pressure monitoring, four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), Brake Assist, Trailer Sway Control, structural safety cage with side-door impact beams and an available back-up camera, Dodge Journey features the latest safety and security features.

DESIGN
The exterior design of the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey is unmistakably Dodge with powerful, masculine exterior styling cues that evoke the capable look associated with SÚVs, perfect proportions that make it the right size for city streets and easy garage parking and interior features and flexibility unseen in the segment.

Dodge Journey adapts the company's D-segment architecture, which is also used on Dodge Avenger. In fact, from the B-pillar forward, Journey shares architecture with its Avenger sibling. However, Journey's 113.8-inch (2890 mm) wheelbase is 4.9 inches (124 mm) longer than Avenger's to accommodate its available third-row seating for as many as seven passengers and additional cargo space. Rearward of the C-pillar, the body possesses a unique shape for passengers and cargo. An additional D-pillar reinforcement that spans the floor to the roof enhances occupant protection and reduces noise, vibration and harshness.

From the front, Journey's signature crosshair chromed grille with the Dodge Ram's head stamped in the center hammers home the Dodge brand message that Journey is bold, powerful and capable. Modern-looking quad halogen headlamps provide excellent road lighting. Available fascia-mounted fog lamps strengthen the contemporary look and help boost visibility during bad weather. Body-color fascias provide a monochromatic look that neatly frames the chromed crosshair grille and headlamps.

Setting it apart from the crossover pack, Dodge Journey boasts available 19-inch wheels and tires, which define its strong stance. From the side view, Dodge Journey's horizontal aluminum hood, long daylight opening and low-gloss black appliqués on the B-pillars and C-pillars give the appearance of a long greenhouse. Sculpted wheel arches emphasize Journey's sporty, athletic appearance. Dodge Journey's beltline is more angled in front, but less so toward the rear, mimicking the top of the taillamp shape, which makes it easier for rear-seat passengers to see out the windows — a bonus for smaller passengers. Available high-contrast black cross bars with chromed side rails add capability and complete Journey's side view.

The Dodge Journey's rear view elicits as much excitement as the front. The Journey's lightweight composite liftgate includes an integrated spoiler that delivers improved aerodynamics. A light-emitting diode (LED) center high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) is mounted in the liftgate header above the glass. Like the integrated spoiler above it, the outer surface of the CHMSL is styled for aerodynamics. Four-piece jeweled red taillamps span the width of both the liftgate and the body and feature unique curves that give the Journey added style and sportiness. The rear glass on the liftgate's lower edge follows the curvature of the taillamps to improve visibility through the rear window. Extra shimmer that adds gleam to the Journey's performance capability comes from the chrome-tipped dual exhausts, which are standard on vehicles equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine.

Dodge Journey is available in nine exterior colors; Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Light Sandstone Metallic Clear Coat, Melbourne Green Pearl Coat, Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat, Silver Steel Metallic Clear Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Surf Blue Pearl Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat and Stone White Clear Coat.

Spacious Interior Room for the Entire Journey

Storing things 'under the front seat' takes on an entirely new meaning, thanks to Journey's available Flip 'n Stow in-seat storage. The Journey's front passenger seat cushion is hinged and flips forward to reveal a large 10.75 x 8.75-inch (273 x 222 mm) bin under the seat cushion. The bin is large enough to store a purse, umbrella, camera, planner or headphones. The cushion can remain in the forward position in order to prevent items from sliding onto the floor.

The Journey's center console includes an adjustable sliding center armrest that moves forward and back three inches for driver comfort. It also includes a spacious 305 cu.-in. storage bin that can hold 10 DVDs or 15 CDs for added utility.
The Dodge Journey's glove box serves as a dual utility space for both easy-to-store smaller items, along with the standard Chill Zone™ bottled beverage cooler.

Moving to the back seat, Dodge Journey's rear doors open 90 degrees, making it easier for people to get in and out of the second row and gain access to the available third-row seat. It also makes getting a child in and out of a child safety seat much more convenient.

The all-new Dodge Journey also features stadium seating. This gives passengers in the second and third row the ability to see outside the vehicle, which is especially helpful for keeping kids entertained on long drives. The second row H-point is 1.6 inches (40 mm) higher than the first row. The available third row sits another 0.6 inches (17 mm) higher than the second row and 2.2 inches (57 mm) higher than the first-row seats.

Located in the floor behind the front-row seats are two standard in-floor storage bins that are each designed to hold a dozen 12-oz. (330 ml) cans plus ice or other items out of sight. For added convenience, each bin features latching lids and removable, washable liners, so they're a snap to clean.

Additional thoughtful features that make Dodge Journey more flexible for families is a child presenter seat on all models, which makes it easy for the front passenger to attend to a small child seated in the second row. The child presenter seat works by allowing the 60/40 fold-flat second-row seat to travel forward and rearward a total of 4.7 inches (119.4 mm) in order to bring children closer to the front seats so they may be attended to and provide more cargo room behind the seats or additional third-row leg room.

An available fold-flat front-passenger seat creates nine feet of load capacity, which is plenty of room for hauling home lumber or skis from the slopes.

Dodge Journey also is the first vehicle in the mid-size crossover segment to offer available integrated child booster seats. These boost a child seated in the second row four inches (102 mm) so they're positioned in the adult-belted zone. This makes it easier for the child to see outside the vehicle. The booster seats are designed for children who are as much as four foot, nine inches (1.45 m) tall and between 48 lbs. (22 kg) and 85 lbs. (39 kg).

The integrated booster seat will be much appreciated, both by parents raising a young family or grandparents who take the grandkids for a weekend. With this built-in feature, there's no need to buy extra booster seats or to remember to transfer them between cars.

The center section of the Dodge Journey's second-row seatback folds forward to provide two cup holders and a bin for temporary storage of small electronics, snacks, crayons or other small items.

On five-passenger models, a tri-section load floor is located behind the second-row seat and provides a hidden storage compartment for added utility. The primary side of the folding panel is carpeted.

The available third-row seat is easy to get into, thanks to Journey's Tilt 'n Slide second-row seats. With the turn of a single lever on the side of the seat back, seat cushions easily fold upward and the seat slides forward. Journey's available 50/50 split-folding third-row seat provides room for two passengers on an as-needed basis. The seatback reclines six degrees to make the ride even more comfortable. A rear in-floor hidden storage bin located behind the available third-row seat is standard on seven-passenger equipped models.

In addition to seating and storage features, Dodge Journey's versatile and functional interior features soft, directional LED lighting and many soft surfaces. LED lights provide illumination for front-seat passengers and high-intensity pinpoint lighting lets passengers read maps or books without distracting the driver.

A combination of Dark Slate Gray and Medium Slate Gray materials is available on SE model seats. A two-tone combination of Dark Slate Gray and Light Graystone or Dark Pebble Beige and Light Pebble Beige is available on SXT and R/T model seats. A premium soft-skin instrument panel provides a sense of quality and craftsmanship. Satin silver accents the upper center bin latch, door handle, shifter bezel and door lock knobs. Journey R/T models have chrome touches on the instrument panel center stack bezel and glove box trim.

The 2009 model-year Dodge Journey also features three types of seat upholstery. Cloth seats are standard on the SE model. Stain Repel Seat Fabric is available on the SE model and standard on the SXT model. Leather seats are standard on the R/T model.

ENGINEERING


Fuel-efficient Powertrain Options Deliver Driving Excitement, Low Fuel Costs

Dodge Journey SE's standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder World Engine is coupled with a standard four-speed automatic and provides best-in-class fuel economy. With an estimated 19 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 25 mpg on the highway the Dodge Journey provides efficient, yet solid performance. The 2.4-liter 16-valve engine features dual variable valve timing, intake manifold flow control valves, acoustic cylinder head covers, dual counter-rotating balance shafts and an acoustic oil pan. This engine produces 173 horsepower (129 kW) and 166 lb.-ft. (225 N•m) of torque.

Dodge Journey SXT and R/T models feature a standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 235 horsepower (175 kW) and 232 lb.-ft. (315 N•m) of torque coupled with a six-speed automatic transaxle that comes standard with Auto Stick. SXT models feature a touring suspension and R/T models feature a performance suspension. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine on front-wheel-drive models delivers an estimated 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg city and 22 mpg on the highway on AWD models. The combination of the 3.5-liter V-6 engine coupled with the six-speed automatic transaxle delivers excellent performance and fuel efficiency, as well as quiet operation.

Six-speed Transaxle Provides Quick Acceleration, Quiet Ride

The 2009 Dodge Journey SXT and R/T models feature a fluid six-speed automatic transaxle, which provides quicker standing-start acceleration than a four- or five-speed transaxle because of a numerically higher first-gear ratio. A more robust differential with increased torque capacity enhances launch performance by requiring less torque management, electronically limiting the torque that is available during initial stages of standing-start acceleration. Smaller steps between ratios also make for a smooth, quiet ride as the engine speed doesn't change as much with each shift. In addition to more ratio choices, more appropriate ratios for quicker acceleration and a lower overall top-gear ratio provide a quiet ride and improved fuel economy at highway speeds.

AWD Works When Needed, Providing Enhanced Handling, All-weather-driving Peace of Mind

Dodge Journey SXT and R/T models also offer AWD capability. Journey's all-wheel-drive system works on demand, driving only front wheels until power to rear wheels is needed. During performance driving, AWD is used on dry pavement between speeds of 25 and 65 mph to enhance handling. This system provides added traction on snow, ice and other low-traction surfaces without having to be switched on and off.

When traveling faster than 25 mph, Dodge Journey's all-wheel-drive system sends torque to rear wheels when cornering with the throttle open to make the car turn more easily, which makes the handling more neutral. This is more readily accomplished with Journey's Electronically Controlled Coupling (ECC) than with viscous-coupling or gerotor systems that require some degree of front-to-rear slip before torque is transferred to rear wheels. At speeds greater than 53 mph, the control strategy provides minimal torque to rear wheels under normal driving conditions to provide better fuel economy.

Dodge Journey also features standard ESP and traction control, which help the driver maintain vehicle stability and control in a variety of road surface and weather conditions. Journey's available AWD electronic control module interfaces with the ESP and traction control systems, allowing the ESP system to use the ECC to help gain control of the vehicle, reducing the amount of torque that the ECC transmits to the rear wheels.

Two-box Design Results in Added Reinforcements, Structure

Dodge Journey's two-box design, as well as its many functional requirements for seating, cargo, storage and safety, define its structure. Journey is built on the same platform as Dodge Avenger, and in fact, from the B-pillar forward, the two vehicles share the same architecture. However, structural commonalities differ from there.

High-strength and ultra-high-strength steel encompass more than one-third of the 2009 Dodge Journey's body structure, providing drivers and passengers a safe, solid vehicle that delivers excellent impact performance, a smooth ride and solid handling.

By mass, 36 percent of Dodge Journey's structure contains hot-stamped and high-strength steels for optimized weight and structural performance. Úse of dual-phase steel in front and rear rails, tunnel reinforcements and sills permit components to handle greater loads than conventional steels.

Hot-stamped steel A-pillars and B-pillars reduce upper body weight in the Dodge Journey by 30 lbs. compared with conventional steel equivalents. Dodge Journey also features a composite liftgate, which is an alternative to traditional steel and reduces weight by 20 percent compared with steel. This lightens the overall weight of the vehicle and makes the liftgate easy to close.

Rearward of the C-pillar, the Dodge Journey has a unique shape to accommodate both passengers and cargo. An additional D-pillar reinforcement spans the floor to the roof, providing occupant protection and reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics. Changes to the floor pan and in the body to reduce NVH and improve impact performance. These include:

• Adding a crossmember in the ladder assembly to support the available third-row seat

• Moving the powertrain 50 mm forward to add more crush space to the engine box

• Mounting the spare tire under the vehicle to accommodate the available third-row seat and optimize cargo room

• Raising the floor for higher ground clearance to allow packaging of the second-row in-floor storage bins and the jack and tool storage bin

• Opening rear doors 90 degrees make it easier to load and install child safety seats, as well as gain access to the available third-row seating for as many as seven passengers

World-class Úse of Structural Adhesives and Sealants Provide Quiet Ride

The Dodge Journey features world-class levels of structural adhesives, which improve stiffness when compared with spot and laser welding. Dodge Journey benefits from the extensive application of pumpable and moldable sealers in the upper body to reduce road, wind and powertrain noise. Seam sealing is applied both inside and outside the body, instead of just inside.

The use of the next generation of elastic adhesives in Dodge Journey adds strength to joints during an impact. Effective joint designs create a rigid structure, minimizing NVH inputs to the passenger compartment and increasing body stiffness through enhanced structural continuity.

Experiencing uconnect

The uconnect gps expands on uconnect tunes by adding navigation and real-time traffic monitoring. uconnect gps features 2-D and 3-D bird's-eye views of roads, multiple route calculation and a voice dialogue system recognizing over 100,000 words. Maps and guidance are displayed on a seven-inch VGA Thin-Filament-Transistor (TFT) display. The TFT screen uses active matrix for viewing from angles up to 180 degrees — perfect for the center of an instrument panel.

All of Dodge Journey's available radio head units feature a 3.5-mm audio input jack for easy connection to any MP3 player. The standard audio system offers six speakers and features an integrated six-disc CD/DVD changer and also can play back CDs with MP3 and WMA files. An available premium sound system with six Infinity speakers plus subwoofer and 368-watt amplifier delivers excellent sound quality and loudness with improved amplification and sound clarity.

iPod Interface

The Dodge Journey offers an available ÚCI connector located in the glove box. This allows an iPod to be plugged into the vehicle's sound system to play music through the vehicle's speakers, charge/recharge the iPod when the ignition is on, display artists and music choices on the radio and pause-play when uconnect tunes receives a phone call. The iPod may be controlled through radio controls and remote steering-wheel switches (if the vehicle is so equipped).
Video Entertainment System (VES®)

Dodge Journey also offers a rear-seat video entertainment system (VES®). This system allows Dodge Journey's rear-seat passengers to enjoy movies, music and external audio/video devices such as video games and MP3 players. Available uconnect studios SIRIÚS Backseat TV adds three streaming broadcast channels including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network (late availability). VES® consists of a console-mounted DVD player with an eight-inch LCD screen, a battery-powered remote control and two wireless, multichannel headsets. The system will play DVDs, WMAs, MP3s and audio and video CDs. Additionally, auxiliary input jacks on the faceplate show video directly from a video device, so Dodge Journey's rear-seat passengers may play games from a video game console or listen to music directly from a portable MP3 player.

When Dodge Journey's VES® system is not playing a video, the video screen displays information in a split-screen format with two audio channels. The VES® remote control is designed to control either channel by the use of a selector switch on the control. Headphones are designed to listen to either channel by use of the selection switch located on the right ear cup. Úsing the included dual-channel wireless headphones allows rear passengers to listen to two different sources simultaneously. The audio from the VES® may be heard through Journey's speaker system, the wireless headphones or both.

uconnect phone

uconnect phone uses Bluetooth technology to provide wireless communication between the customer's compatible mobile phone and the vehicle's onboard receiver. uconnect phone's control buttons are integrated into the Journey's radio head unit.

uconnect phone features include:

• Voice dialing: voice commands may be used to digit-dial the phone or access pre-stored voice tags

• Audio address book: thirty-two names, four numbers per name, for a total of 128 phone numbers may be stored in the system

• Emergency calls and towing assistance: voice command dials 911 or towing assistance

• Audio-system mute: mutes the microphone for privacy

• Call transfer: allows the customer to transfer a call from the vehicle's system to the mobile phone

• Three language options: provides English, French and Spanish language capabilities

• Multi-phone recognition: recognizes as many as seven phones that may be used within one Journey system

Source - Dodge