AZCentral.com's view

The evolution of the people mover has gone from station wagon to minivan to sport utility vehicle. And most recently, the crossover vehicle, which combines attributes of all the others.

Crossovers started out small, but now the car-based, SUV-like wagons come in all sizes and flavors. The crossover concept calls for a practical wagon with the size and presence of an SUV and the drivability of a car.

Chrysler has been behind the curve in crossovers, with the newly minted 2009 Dodge Journey being the automaker’s first midsize model. Based on the platform of the Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger, Journey offers an attractive craft that includes many of the best features of Chrysler’s class-leading minivans.

Chrysler’s mastery of hidden compartments and configurable seating and cargo areas, as well as entertainment features and shopping-trip aids, are evident throughout Journey, making it a true workhorse of convenience and versatility.

Where else would you find an upper-level refrigerated glove box; a passenger-seat cushion that lifts to provide stowage for a purse or small package; covered bins in the floor to hide a variety of items, and which can double as ice chests; fold-flat middle and third rows, plus front passenger seat; and available built-in child booster seats? And, of course, an abundance of cupholders.

Journey would be easy to live with, either for day-to-day errands or road trips. The drivability is not as sharp as some, but the comfort level is high. And the base price for the four-cylinder, front-drive model starts at under $20,000.

The top-end version driven here is dubbed the R/T, which usually signifies Dodge’s performance models. That’s pretty much a misnomer for this modest-driving crossover.

Dodge Journey R/T AWD

Vehicle type: Seven-passenger, four-door crossover SUV, all-wheel drive.

Engine: 3.5-liter V-6, 235 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, 232 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Transmission: 6-speed automatic.

Wheelbase: 113.8 inches.

Overall length: 192.4 inches.

Curb weight: 4,233 pounds.

EPA rating: 15 city, 22 highway.

HIGHS: Interior versatility, highway stability, fold-flat second and third row.

LOWS: Modest drivability, tiny third seat, pricey with options.

PERFORMANCE: The 3.5-liter V-6 provides plenty of motivation for this two-ton crossover, as long as you don’t yearn for hot acceleration. Fuel mileage is average for this class, at 15 city and 22 highway.

Expect better mileage from the four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive version, at an EPA estimated 19 city and 25 highway, but I fear performance may be inadequate.

DRIVABILITY: Journey seemed sure-footed, though neither steering nor handling were terribly responsive. The ride is well-cushioned, even on rough surfaces.

Journey performed best at highway speeds, quiet and unflustered with scant road or wind noise.

Features in the R/T include antilock disc brakes; electronic stability control, traction control and roll mitigation; rear-view camera; and full-length side airbags.

STYLING: A handsome, solid-looking crossover with a bright chrome grille and, on the tester, 19-inch chrome alloy rims. Fit and finish seemed excellent.

INTERIOR: Just about everything imaginable could be found inside this optioned-up R/T. The audio system was impressive, with ports for uploading music, MP3 capability and satellite radio. Sounds good, too.

The center-stack seemed backward, with the video-enhanced audio mounted too low, beneath the climate control. That should be reversed.

The third-row seats were really tight.

BOTTOM LINE: The R/T model seemed expensive with all the goodies piled on. Less-well-equipped versions are priced in the middle $20s.

Base price: $27,670.

Price as tested: $35,150.

SELECTED OPTIONS

Entertainment group, $2,200.

Flexible seating group, $1,220.

Rear-seat video group, $825.

19-inch chrome alloy wheels, $825.

Sunroof, $795.

Convenience group, $695.

Built-in booster seats, $295.

Trailer package, $130.

Shipping, $625.