Dodge Journey test drive since 2008 SUV

Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Journey: First Test in Russia

Following the Russian premiere at the Moscow Car Salon, Chrysler made a test drive of two new products: Dodge Journey crossover-minive and Cherokee SUV. The task was to get along the Novorizhsk highway from Moscow to Lake Seliger on a spacious Journey, after which we moved to a new Cherokee and went on a run along the ground roads by Lake Peno, where they arrange the stage of the Russian rally championship.
Dodge Journey is a real American car. An impressive look, a huge salon that can easily be turned into a bedroom, and the mandatory presence of a low-compiled six-cylinder engine feeding on 92-Benzine. Despite the large size of the Journey is built on the platform of the compact Caliber crossover. To be frank, then Caliber and Journey can be called crossovers with a big stretch. In the classical sense, a crossover is a station wagon of increased cross -country ability, however, all -wheel drive for these two doja cannot be ordered even for a surcharge. You can classify Journey as a crossover only with an eye on abroad. In America, an all-wheel drive option is available with a 3.5-liter V6 with a capacity of 235 hp, in Europe with a two-liter diesel engine. For Russia, a four -cylinder engine of the World Engine series is offered with a volume of 2.4 liters, its power is 170 hp. The more expensive version of R/T is equipped with a V-shaped 2.7-liter six with 185 hp.
Acquaintance is starting with an economical four -cylinder version. I am comfortable, look around and remain confused. It seems that the Chrysler interior are aliens from the past. The plastic is booming and hard, the steering wheel is ugly, it is inconvenient to use deflectors, and the instrument panel was so-so represented in the 80s. A substrate printed on a printer with a large rack and green matrix hours a la Electronics. Perhaps this is the most conservative interior in cars I tested by me. Of the advantages, plastic will be easy to wash from the spilled coca-kola. After all, Journey is a car for travelers, so you can easily arrange a picnic in it. To do this, there are an incredible number of hidden boxes, many cup holders and a cooled niche in the glove compartment. Expanse! True, the glove compartment itself is very small, the atlas or A4 folder will not fit into it. The basic configuration has everything you need (air conditioning, an audio system capable of satisfying most customers, ABS with an emergency braking system) and even more (six airbags and the Traction Control system with overturning and trailer stabilization). By the way, in April, Journey earned the maximum five stars according to the testing methodology for passive safety NHTSA (National US Road Safety Administration). For small passengers, Journey offers a transformable Child Boosteer children's seat, allowing older children to do without a special chair, and a panoramic intra -sulfate mirror/glass, with which a child is always under supervision. The soft driver's chair has unhurried trips, but for tall people, the pillow is short, as a result of which the legs get tired.
The suburban highway is the true element of our traveler. All kinds of waves, joints and ruts remain invisible, comfortable riding is also promoted by excellent sound insulation. At a speed of 120 km/h, you can talk in an undertone. True, overtaking our economical version is difficult to blame for this, a sluggish machine, which has only four programs. In addition, acoustic accompaniment at high speeds is so angry that the motor becomes a pity. Despite the fact that the box has the Autostick function, the reactions to manual switching also lasts an eternity. On the highway with uneven movement, the box begins to fool, now and then including the third gear, apparently trying to guess overtaking. In general, the tandem of the four -cylinder engine and the four -band box is tuned for compliance with the speed limit.
On half the way we change with colleagues to the R/T version with bells and whistles. It differs by a engine that develops by 15 hp. More with spectacular 19-inch wheels, fog, roof religions, climate control, leather salon with heated and electric-regulations of a driver's seat. As an option, a hatch and an advanced multimedia system with a hard drive are available. She knows how to read from almost all carriers, and in the future she will also get a navigation system.
You can already look at the interior R/T without shudder. The steering wheel and handle of the checkpoint are trimmed with skin, and the central console can no longer be called the standard of tastelessness.
Unfortunately, acceleration with version V6+a five -speed machine was not much more fun. Passport winning in one second is actually poorly noticeable, first of all you pay attention to the best elasticity. But the comfort decreased, first of all due to low-profile wheels and motor, which increased the mass. But the car holds the arc better. I would call the version of the R/T urban, this is facilitated by a quick machine, and a spectacular appearance, and more understandable handling, sharpened for good asphalt. And the four -cylinder version is the choice of long -range: a comfortable suspension, low fuel consumption and maximum speed of 14 km/h higher than that of a six -cylinder version! The cost of Journey starts at $ 34300, for R/T, get ready to pay $ 10,000 more. Journey options are available as expensive packages, for example, for a third row of seats, more than $ 2500 should be paid. Warranty for two years without mileage restriction.
Despite the fact that the world premiere of the new jeep took place last year, Cherokee, like Journey, was presented to Russia at the last Moscow car dealership.
The appearance of the new Cherokee is similar to Nitro, but unlike it, Cheroki is a real rogue. He has a body with an integrated frame, an uncertain rear bridge and a reducing gear. Jeep Cherokee is delivered to Russia in the Limited version, the buyer can choose a gasoline or diesel engine (diesel is more expensive than a thousand dollars). Both engines have similar characteristics. Basin is more powerful by 28 horses, however, inferior in acceleration of 0.2 C and 146 nm of torque. The gearboxes are only automatic, four steps for a gasoline version and five for a diesel engine. There are no mechanics and do not. Contrary to popular belief, the hydrotransformer in difficult conditions looks preferable, the automatic transmission allows you to move in a non -intended clutch. The new SELEC -TRAC II drive system connects the front wheels using a multi -disc coursed and has three modes - a rear -wheel drive, a full, or a complete plus of a decreasing one. As an assistant is a system of maintaining uniform speed during descent from the mountain and an anti -leaving system. Despite the fact that there was no hard off -road on our route, it is safe to say that Cherokee is one of the best in the class according to the ability to overcome complex areas.
The interior of Cherokee is also not distinguished by pleasant materials, here is the same booming plastic, but it creates another mood. In a brutal SUV, such a decoration looks by the way and even emphasizes the functionality and masculinity of the jeep. The machines presented for Russia are well equipped, there is a climate, fog, rain sensor, cast discs, and even the ESP leather interior and the ESP system is already in the database. It is worth noting that as an option you can order such a thing as the folding roof of Sky Slider. A tarpaulin top using electric drives can be folded in two directions at the choice. Thus, you can hunt or even fish (Cherokee can overcome ford to 48 centimeters). By order, the car can be equipped with a multifunctional MYGIG multimedia system equipped with a touch screen and the GPS navigation voice control function. For music lovers, an Infinity audio system with 8-dynamics and a powerful subwoofer is offered.
Climbing to the driver’s place, you pay attention to the crowded in the pedal area. The design solution with large square arches did not benefit the interior, the protruding arch prevents the leg to stretch out the foot on the recreation site.
Sitting in a passenger place, you note an uncomfortable handrail, while driving on bumps it is not very convenient to stay. It would be better if it adapted to the rack. Having overcome the rally route foam in a very dynamic mode, we can say with confidence that the controllability of Cheroka is very good. At first, I was careful, but, feeling how the stabilization system works competently, it was dumb.
The machine is confidently screwed into the turns into the turns, ESP allows small slides, allowing the gas to tie the car into the turn, and you simply do not pay attention to all kinds of bumps and pit. This feature has become fatal for the front tire. Despite the fact that we were traveling in the column, it was for me to break through the wheel. But the emergency did not happen. On the dashboard, an indicator of tire pressure loss caught fire (the pressure sensor for Cherokee is already in the database), I only had to drop the speed, stop on the side of the road and change the wheel.
Despite the uncertain rear bridge, Cherokee behaves well on the asphalt. The speed is not felt, the rolls are low, and the car is very good. Both gasoline and diesel power units disperse it rather confidently, but the last one from all the parties look preferable. A larger torque allows you to feel more confident on the off -road, and on the highway it endows a large jeep (with not the best aerodynamics) with excellent fuel efficiency (according to a passport of 7.5 liters per 100 km).
I would have chosen a gasoline version if the city does not have a gas station with diesel fuel that meets Euro 4: a poor -quality diesel fuel can destroy sensitive fuel equipment. Unfortunately, manufacturers producing modern diesel engines to the Russian market have to take risks. We wrote about the reasons more than once. The Government of the Russian Federation does not want to introduce modern environmental norms in relation to fuel, believing that our oil companies are not ready to spend money on converting plants.
In Russia, the price of a gasoline Cherokee Limited will be $ 51600, a thousand dollars more expensive.
Yaroslav Marshalkin
 

Source: Auto.mail.ru