09 dodge journey rt

2009 Dodge Journey

• Crash Tests

The Car Connection Expert Review

• Snappy styling
• Wide range of features.
• Interior styling and materials
• Steering feel on all-wheel-drive models
• Pricey if you don't watch it.

features & specs

As a smaller crossover, the journey's a good alternative to the saturn vue and subaru forester, maybe even to a dodge grand caravan--just don't pile on the expensive options..

The 2009 Dodge Journey is a crossover vehicle, which means it marries a wagon body to available all-wheel drive, and has some sport-utility styling cues, though it’s largely based on car components. It also features gear you’d expect to find in the company’s Dodge Grand Caravan minivans.

The Journey comes in SE, SXT, and R/T trims; offers front- or all-wheel drive; can be ordered with either a 2.4-liter, 173-horsepower four-cylinder (SE versions) or a 3.5-liter, 235-hp V-6 (SXT and R/T models); and has seating for five or seven.

Dodge's first shot at the crossover market competes well with small and mid-size crossovers, from the Saturn Vue and Subaru Forester up to the Chevrolet Equinox, mainly on the strengths of its exterior styling, good ride quality, braking, and excellent blend of features and functionality.

But the Journey’s interior styling is below par, and its handling can be sluggish. And if you're shopping for the next larger class of crossovers--Highlander, Edge, Murano, and Pilot--the Journey will seem tighter and somewhat pricey when equipped with all the bling.

2009 Dodge Journey Styling

Good-looking on the outside, the 2009 dodge journey needs a styling intervention with its dated dash design..

The 2009 Dodge Journey’s exterior styling isn’t controversial, but reviewers across the Web came up with varying opinions on its interior.

The Detroit News says the Journey is relatively tame compared with some other Dodge vehicles: “its profile is less polarizing than other Dodge vehicles. Nondescript isn't a bad thing either.” Edmunds.com says that “the overall impression is of a bright, reasonably spacious, straightforward family hauler.”

Step inside, though, and the Journey’s interior takes its blows from a wide range of writers. Edmunds.com says “its interior is less refined than those found in competitors,” while TruckTrend half-praises it as “kind of nice.” They also liked the center stack design but didn’t care for the “brushed-chrome-look plastic on the SXT and SE.” In contrast, Road & Track says “the interior execution, which, while an improvement for Dodge, is still a far cry from being superb. The gauges have a 1980s look with square housings and glass partitions.” In either case, the Detroit News says, “the lines of sight are good, you sit higher than a car and controls are all easily and intuitively within reach,” though it notes the gearshift sits on the center console in a slightly awkward spot.

TheCarConnection.com’s editors think the exterior shape is a reasonably sleek combination of SUV and wagon. But the interior is far below the rich standard set by the Saturn Vue and the Honda CR-V, or even that of the Dodge Grand Caravan. Not only does the instrument package look inexpensive, it vaguely resembles the old Dodge Omni hatchback. And because it’s designed to be built in left- and right-hand drive, the gauges are set slightly askew from the horizon of the dash, all in the name of easier manufacturing. It’s a glaring error.

2009 Dodge Journey Performance

Don’t buy the 2009 dodge journey for its performance, though it has a comfortable ride..

It offers a 173-hp four-cylinder or a 253-hp V-6. But the 2009 Dodge Journey failed to impress reviewers from the major enthusiast and consumer car sites with either drivetrain.

Edmunds.com felt “the standard four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission aren't quite up to the task of motivating the hefty SE's 3,800 pounds with anything close to authority.” ConsumerGuide said the four-cylinder Journey “keeps up with urban traffic acceptably well,” though. The Detroit News compared it to the Little Engine That Could: "I think I can, I think I can make it up this hill."

Even with the available V-6 engine and six-speed automatic, the Journey’s performance doesn’t rate higher than average, reviewers felt. “The V-6 has decent power but isn't the quickest thing on the road,” Cars.com notes, “and fuel economy is a paltry 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway mileage with AWD (16/23 FWD with V-6).” However, both the Detroit News and ConsumerGuide thought the V-6 provided plenty of power; the News “never felt a need for more juice,” but ConsumerGuide said V-6 versions “were prone to overly abrupt downshifts during brisk acceleration.”

When it comes to handling and ride, the Journey fared a little better. It’s “tranquil enough,” Edmunds.com says, but its body roll in corners is “disconcerting at times.” Cars.com noted that the sport-tuned suspension and 19-inch wheels kept the ride motions damped, “but not body lean in corners. Forget pinpoint handling...” ConsumerGuide said that all versions of the 2009 Dodge Journey “filter out road imperfections with commendable ease,” but said that base SE models “are prone to float over larger dips and swells.” TruckTrend was alone in noting that the Journey can tow 3,500 pounds, not too much less than the much larger Dodge Grand Caravan minivan.

TheCarConnection.com’s editors agree with the comments on ride and handling, and add that the Journey’s steering comes in two flavors. On front-drive cars, it exhibits a little torque steer--a tugging motion under hard acceleration--but otherwise it’s reasonably well tuned, not sportscar-accurate but quick and light enough. The all-wheel-drive Journey requires more muscle and gives less steering feedback.

2009 Dodge Journey Comfort & Quality

The 2009 dodge journey accomplishes as many tasks inside as a saturn outlook--or microsoft outlook, for that matter--but can be noisy and plasticky..

The 2009 Dodge Journey has ample room that’s easy to use, but its interior materials and some switch placements were criticized in most of the reviews researched by TheCarConnection.com.

Though ConsumerGuide liked the Journey’s “generally handsome cabin decor,” it didn’t care for the “excessive use of hard plastics and unpadded materials.” It also took issue with the “thick steering wheel” that “partially blocks view to dials to the far left and right.” And the mainstream car Web site also thought that on Journeys with the base audio system, “all audio controls are set too low for easy access.”

On the other hand, every review TheCarConnection.com’s editors read complimented the Journey on its extreme functionality and use of space. AutoTrader noted its Tip 'N' Fold seats in the second row “provide quick access to the back with the turn of a lever,” and that “both second-row seats and the front passenger seat fold to form a flat load surface.” The Journey’s also available with storage in the front passenger seat, in the footwells of the second row. And the available third-row seat folds flat for expanded cargo room, just as it does in the Dodge Grand Caravan.

There are some hitches in the utility of the 2009 Dodge Journey. Cars.com notes that the third row is “strictly for little kids,” and that with the third-row seats raised, “there isn't a lot of room behind them.” The Web site also found it odd that the “liftgate is manual only,” while many crossovers offer a power liftgate. But The Detroit News gave kudos for the wide-opening rear doors: “anyone who has had to lift up a child and strap them into safety seat will appreciate the second-row doors that open out 90 degrees.”

TruckTrend found the Journey’s “noise, vibration, and harshness characteristics are good,” but thought the four-cylinder was rougher than most modern designs.

TheCarConnection.com’s editors loved the functionality of the Journey’s cubbies, bins, and cargo holds. But the seats felt flat for front and second-row passengers.

2009 Dodge Journey Safety

Not yet crash-tested, the 2009 dodge journey has all the safety gear you’d expect--and then some..

The 2009 Dodge Journey offers an extensive array of standard safety gear, easily among the best in its class.

Edmunds.com notes that the Journey comes standard with anti-lock brakes, stability control, and side and curtain airbags. A rearview camera and built-in second-row child seats are options, they report. The Detroit News adds that trailer-sway dampening and tire pressure monitoring are “refreshing” standard features.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has yet to crash-test a Journey, as does the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. However, the NHTSA has given the Journey a rollover rating of four stars, which means it stands an 18 percent chance of a rollover in a single-vehicle crash. TheCarConnection.com will revisit our safety rating for the Journey when crash-test results become available.

Used Dodge Journey for sale near

2009 dodge journey features, few crossovers come close to matching the 2009 dodge journey’s extensive list of features..

TheCarConnection.com’s editors read reviews of the 2009 Dodge Journey, and all the road tests gave the crossover the highest marks for its standard and optional features -- some of which are borrowed directly from the company’s Dodge Grand Caravan minivan.

The Journey “excels on the inside,” Edmunds.com reports. It’s “loaded with clever, well-conceived minivan-style conveniences,” such as a cooled glove box for sodas, all those storage bins in the floor and door panels, and an iPod holder in the center console.

The Journey’s standard equipment includes a tilt steering wheel; air conditioning; a six-CD changer; and power windows, locks, and mirrors. The SXT version adds a power driver seat, keyless entry, a 115-volt power outlet, and satellite radio. The top R/T edition gets 19-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and remote start.

Major options, Cars.com adds, include Bluetooth; a rear air conditioner; a rear-seat entertainment system; and Chrysler’s MyGig navigation and entertainment system with a backup camera. It adds that the “third-row seat runs a stiff $1,220.” The available power outlet can be shut off by the driver, which The Detroit News calls a “convenience” that can protect curious children from shocks.

TheCarConnection.com’s editors agree that the Journey offers all the features and conveniences that a family would want. However, those options add up: you can price a Dodge Journey into the $35,000 stratosphere if you're a gadget freak. The sole feature missing seems to be the new SiriusTV system, which Chrysler is using as a come-on for its newly restyled minivans. The three-channel satellite television system will be offered in the Journey later this year.

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2009 Dodge Journey AWD 4dr R/T Specs

# 25 out of 28 in 2009 affordable midsize suvs, awd 4dr r/t.

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Average Price Paid

$ 6,224 - $ 7,963

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Don't buy this car. check engine light came on three times in one month, wiring harness replaced twice, window components, starter and then 2 weeks later the rack and pinion went. Chrysler won't do a thing about it. don't buy this car. I went back to dealer and they wouldn't help either.

Journey To Hell

My "2009" Journey was a beautiful show room car and thats all the good I can say about it. This car is a LEMON! New rotors and brakes every 10,000 miles. Won't start 3 times a week. Every time I turn the wheel I have this loud grinding noise like the wheels are going to fall off but, don't bother taking it in to the dealer because they will have it for days and then tell you they have no clue whats wrong and now that the warrenty is up they don't care if it's an exsisting problem or not, your S.O.L. My advise don't buy a Dodge......

2009 Dodge Journey RT

The biggest problem that I have had with this vehicle is the battery needing to be replaced. Very easy job. 15 minutes if you have tools. Everyone reading the bad reviews on this vehicle, remember is a couple hundred out of a thousands of vehicles. I understand the electrical problems. The starting problems with the key. Try replacing the battery in the remote.. Runs off a chip (needs power). Only complaint is brakes and tires. If your change brakes, spend the extra money and get quality like Brembo and a high quality set of pads. Will save hundreds in future. Tires no answer, suck it up. My family enjoys this vehicle and have owned it for 3 years 30,000+ miles.

DO NOT BUY!!!

So I read the reviews before I bought my 2009 Dodge Journey in May of 2012. I have had this car now for 2 1/2 years and it seems there is always an issue. Multiple batteries, changing the brakes nearly every 10,000 miles, tires are awful, I have had to replace some type of wheel sensor, the key fob doesn't always works so sometimes my car won't crank right away. Electrical problems where the alarm goes off and takes a while to make it stop. This car has been a nightmare.. not to mention, the value. I still owe 15k and it's not even worth 9k. It loses so much value every year.. and for good reason. If you buy this vehicle after reading this review.. don't say you weren't warned!

melted spark plugs

This is my parents car. 1rst problem as with many other vehicles it's the first model year. biggest issue happened while driving them on a moderate trip (a few hundred mile round trip) the car started losing power. All gauges read fine. Eventually the check engine light came on so I got off the highway and pulled into a garage. the mechanic plugged in and checked the codes. Computer showed a misfire on cyl. 2. When he tried to pull the plug it would not come out. After some effort on his part it finally came out. To our surprise the end of the plug was melted away (gone, no electrode, nothing). He checked the other plugs which were fine. After cleaning the threads he put in new plugs and cleared the codes (all 1 of them). Car started and ran fine. A few weeks later it happened again. But this time 2 plugs were melted away and a 3rd showing damaged. They took it to the dealer, who said it was caused by overheating and stated that it would not be covered due to abusive driving, saying they should have shut the car down when the temp gauge went up. Only problem their is that the temp gauge never went up to show overheating nor did the check engine light come on until the plugs were already damaged. {Now for why, the cooling system has 2 thermostats an upper and a lower. The upper regulates the temperature of the head and the lower for the heater and the rest of engine. The upper thermostat went bad and stuck in the closed position, problem here is that the computer only has a sensor for the lower thermostat and the same goes for the temp gauge.} We called dodge and they were sticking to the dealers diagnosis and cause. In the end I had to have a new/used engine in. I explained the issue to the garage that did the work (obviously not the dealer {Browns of Greenfield, MA} and they seem confused or thought I was until I picked it up. They saw what I was talking about and agreed on the poor engineering/design. Buyer Beware.

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