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Introduction
Dodge Journey - 2009 First Drive: They say that a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. For the newly independent Chrysler corporation, that first step on a long road back to profitability comes in the form of the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey. As the Dodge brand's first crossover vehicle, the midsize Journey combines attractive styling, a smooth ride, confident handling, and a long list of clever details into a package that bodes well for the brand as a whole. Add a sub-$20,000 starting price and Chrysler's new "lifetime" powertrain warranty and we think this new crossover should go a long way towards attracting buyers that may not have considered the brand's products in the past.
Origins
The story of this Journey begins with the same platform as the recently introduced Dodge Avenger sedan. Dodge engineers took the midsize Avenger's underpinnings and added 4.9 inches to the wheelbase. They also tacked on a unique rear section with a number of structural reinforcements to create a total package that's 2.5 inches longer overall. Where the Journey goes from here remains uncertain as it enters one of the most hotly-contested segments of the automotive industry. There are currently more than two dozen different nameplates in the midsize crossover category, including all-new versions of the vehicles from Toyota and Nissan that helped establish the segment.
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