The Dodge Journey is nondescript when it comes to road manners. The ride is generally good, with little of the pounding from bumps that comes with a stiff, sporty suspension. There is also little of the head sway that is associated with larger, truck-type SUVs. Even with the available 19-inch wheels, the Journey does a good job of ironing out most jolts. But there are plenty of mid-size crossovers and SUVs with similar ride characteristics.

When it comes to handling, the Dodge Journey offers little to get excited about. While the high seating position affords a good view of the road, it seems to hurt the feel behind the wheel. This is not an off-road-oriented SUV, and as such it seems that Dodge could have made it sit a bit lower and therefore improve the handling characteristics. The way it's engineered however, means the Journey leans more in turns than better crossovers and is also slower to react in quick changes of direction. The steering is light, but accurate. In short, the Dodge Journey doesn't offer the sporty driving character that can be a strength of crossover SUVs.

We found the brakes worked well and were easy to modulate. Anti-lock brakes with brake assist are standard, and Dodge should be commended for making traction control and electronic stability control standard equipment.

The engines are comparable to the handling: capable but not as good as the best in the class. The base four-cylinder, Chrysler's 173-hp 2.4-liter World Engine, is loud in the Journey and delivers too little power in this 3,800-pound package. The four-cylinder will certainly get you and your kids around town, but passing will require some planning and it's rated to tow 1,000 pounds only. With a 0-60 mph time of somewhere between 11 and 12 seconds, a four-cylinder Journey is one of the slower vehicles in its class.

The 3.5-liter V6, standard in SXT and R/T models, is much better, but it lacks the refinement and flexible power of the V6s offered by Honda, Toyota, Nissan, GM, and even Mitsubishi. With 235 horses on tap, 0-60 comes in about 9.3 seconds, making it adequate but considerably slower than V6-powered SUVs and crossover offered by the aforementioned competitors. Still, the V6 will help you keep up with traffic, pass confidently, and permit towing up to 3,500 pounds.

The fuel economy numbers are decent. With the four-cylinder, the Journey is EPA-rated at 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. With the V6 and front-wheel drive, those numbers are 16/23, and with the V6 and AWD, they are 15/22. Dodge recommends midgrade fuel for the V6.

The all-wheel-drive system is meant for slippery surfaces, not off-roading. It does not have low-range gearing.