The Canadian Champion, Fiday, March 7, 2008 , BI19 Dodge takes their minivan and makes it Iook like a SUV *fromn DODGE on page B18 as] b as.Lt5 Ail sit- lp L Ci asd l t¾1105big. enough for an umbrella or purse. The spare is a compact, but is located just under the cargo floor at the rear and would be easy to use if ever needed. The SXT has larger 17-inch aluminum wheels (16-inch steel wheels on the SE), touring suspension and seats in premium cloth including the YES Essentiafs anti stain/staticlodour material, which, if you have kids or dogs, is worth buying the SXT alonte. The SXT also bas a bost of trim extras like 115V power outiet; fold-for- ward front passenger seat and a removable, rechargeable flashhight. The RIV is tbe style leader of the bunch with I 9-inch alloy wheels, performance tuned steering and suspension, leather seating witb beated fronts, Sirius satellite radio and even more trim enhancements. I did not get a chance to drive the four- cylinder version so 1 dont know how the 2.4-litre topes wth a curb weight of 5,250 kg (2,380 Ibs) let alone with fixe to seven people on board. 1 spent my timne in both a FWD and AVD R/T as a back seat passenger and driver. Nfith 'stadium seating n the sccond row, you do get a good lool, ahead if par- tiaîly bfocked by the quite subatantial beadrcst on tbe front seat. The back dloors open 90 dcgrees making it casier to get in The 2009 Dodge Journey crossover ftlls a big whole in the Chrysler lineup that meets the demand for a short wheelbase minivan along wtth SUV looks, avaiable all-wheel-drive and up to seven passenger seating ail for a base vehicle price starting at $19,995. and out. The second row seat is fulîy foîdable and bas 120 mm (4.7 in) of travel to Ici otbers access the third row seat. [he seat cushitn ts firm to tht pint thai a long drive t wostld lead to huit numibness. The second row bias two interesting ftnctions. it bas what Dodge calîs a child presenter fcattore thiat lets the seat inoVe lorward tsvo nchcs. \\ th thc front pas- senger seat folded flat, the driv er (:an reachi back more easiîy to attend a small chiîd. [lie other feature is cbild booster seats that can be raised four inches (102 mm) so kids are pîaced up in the aduît seat beît zone. The ride in the Pff with ts nmorc sportyr scuspenîsion fcît almosi too liina for wbat I suspect are the majonity of owvncrs. On pari of iny driv e throu.ghi tht Valley of f-ire Park north of ILas Vegas, tht AItopldeloc)s' in the road put tht suspension tos tht test. bo.uevard cruiscr. The 3.5-litre engine was responsive with the six-speed transmission sbowing how far technology bas corne. There was no sensation of gear sbifting, unless you floored the pedal to pass. There was no 'kick-down' feel, but it could have dropped down an extra gear for my tastes. On cruise control heading back to Vegas past Nellis Air Force Base, the engine and wind noise were so slight my co-driver and 1 could actually hear the famed U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds com- ing up from behind before passing over the left and splittung up in an overhead loop. As noted at the top, Chrysler Canada officiais see the Journey as the right prod- uct at the rigbt Dîme. Tbis confidence is buoycd by thec fact Chrysler cîosed out 2007 in second place in sales behind GM, and better, liad 17 straight months of sales increascs with january 2008 on track (at ibis writing) to make it 18 in a row \Vithi sales increases n ithe double dig- its lasi y car. the comnpany is counotng on the 2009 Dodgc journcy ts.tlead its jouîr- ne>, inio 2008. Ciryslrvwarcaar1 Sir #74806 CA an, Stk J143862I Prm- aà'à. Dàlàe. cm ri P&Mm lumPu. s S1 Rai Rà sl,.8B se s a a V6 atraarr PA PAL TiCuise CD Vtîttf io ts Pag tiis'rrrran boards Ar, 542531 V6. autoair wt d-1W tilt, culteCt, atiDyS. 10W, 10W EMSI Stk 602585 WW4x4, VtButaAira P seaitPIW trry rare AV,auoai rr 5t ~J Very etaramical littie car. 4 Cyl. atoait, 1PtL , TLECaseC M tiasatarast fftraAir ty ait rr D At Att A srtat tats s alaS CDlutA pdl, tilt, Crisse, CD, allys, tag Itthts. ChaeW es AMTM CD BaaneaifCarsIerrWarranty St599803 aiOSglitysOa rS SI ArR731917 1Satancer otFartora Warranta Atik 335519 a,,. a(,11, n - eU.». r * m W *l576s ,9 ,1,991,917- s l8 18, 9 9 9sa ses ai0aMme Prie Aras appiaretax aes, admis andrlrresse brtattiag asaiabie BAC, Dee dealer for datails TOj, C,.1WiI, SLESHOaIK.. Steeme Av 81 ONTARIO ST. N, MILTON 101 Point MetPtt Inspector & Peua Asometer Acuracy Atararteet Perirmed y Crasier Tranet Master BOTTER WARRANTS -Diy a Nev Car Anaier Tetyr cars tan tSar you a New Car atory Basket *Car Proaf terira d aGaranreed No Liens No Aarranry Dont rirk acepting ets reptaie Rcidents Il Car r rsary rd aty varrani rannte ctanage WEVlREIN SERViNIYU SmCEMtAND m IEREPATiO Um EIN VOUt, I. a i