Press Kit: 2009 Dodge Journey Launch

2009 Dodge Journey’s Innovative, Clever Seating and Storage Systems Deliver Flexibility and Functionality to Mid-size Crossover Segment

  • Flexible seating makes room for extra passengers and gear 
  • Distinct storage features optimize interior space 
  • Innovative features make for a very pleasant journey
Auburn Hills, Mich. January 31, 2008 - With its available third-row seating for as many as seven passengers and many standard storage features, Dodge Journey blends the capability of a sport-utility vehicle (SUV) and the overall efficiency of a passenger car into an all-new “right-sized” crossover for the Dodge brand. Journey is filled with innovative seating and storage features designed to make life easier for the driver and passengers.

“Every journey requires some amount of planning for adventures, mishaps and stuff. Add a kid or two into the mix, and the need for seating and storage multiplies exponentially,” said Rick Kukucka – Director, Front-wheel-drive Product Marketing. “Dodge Journey has the goods to make even the longest journey a pleasant one. From the beginning of product planning, we built in flexible features and made them easy to use, which results in a vehicle that answers many customers’ questions before they’re even asked.”

Key to Dodge Journey’s seating and storage success is the vehicle’s two-box exterior design, which provides more room for seating people and storing gear on the interior. Journey offers a choice of two seating configurations to balance buyers’ needs for passenger seating and cargo room. Five-passenger seating is standard on all models, while third-row seating for as many as seven passengers is available on SXT and R/T models. The Journey’s available third row gives passengers 2 inches (51 mm) more head room than leading North American competitors and accommodates up to 95th percentile passengers comfortably.

Storing things “under the front seat” takes on an entirely new meaning, thanks to Journey’s available Flip ’n Stow™ in-seat storage. The Journey’s front passenger seat cushion is hinged and flips forward to reveal a large 10.75 x 8.75-inch (273 x 222 mm) bin under the seat cushion. The bin is large enough to store a purse, umbrella, camera, planner or headphones. The cushion can remain in the forward position to prevent items from sliding onto the floor.

The Journey’s center console includes a sliding center armrest that moves forward and back 3 inches for driver comfort. It also includes a spacious 305-cu. in. storage bin that can hold 10 DVDs or 15 CDs for added utility.

Moving to the back seat, Dodge Journey’s rear doors open 90 degrees, making it easier for people to get in and out of the second row and gain access to the available third-row seat. It also makes getting a child in and out of a child safety seat much more convenient.

The all-new Dodge Journey also features stadium seating. This gives passengers in the second and third row the ability to see outside the vehicle, which is especially helpful for keeping kids entertained on long drives. The second row H-point is 1.6 inches (40 mm) higher than the first row. The available third row sits another 0.6 inches (17 mm) higher than the second row and 2.2 inches (57 mm) higher than the first-row seats.

Located in the floor behind the front-row seats are two standard in-floor storage bins that are designed to hold a dozen 12-oz. (330 ml) cans plus ice or other items out of sight. For added convenience, the bins feature latching lids and removable, washable liners, so they’re a snap to clean.

Additional thoughtful features that make Dodge Journey more flexible for families include a child presenter seat on all models that make it easy for the front passenger to attend to a small child seated in the second row. The child presenter seat works by allowing the 60/40 fold-flat second-row seat to travel forward and rearward a total of 4.7 inches (119.4 mm) to give adults seated in the second row more leg room, bring children closer to the front seats so they can be attended to and provide more cargo room behind the seats.

Folding the second row and the available fold-flat front passenger seat flat creates 9 feet of load capacity, which is plenty of room for hauling home lumber needed to assemble playscapes or skis from the slopes.

Dodge Journey also is the first vehicle in the mid-size crossover segment to offer available integrated child booster seats. These boost a child seated in the second row 4 inches (102 mm) so they’re positioned in the adult belted zone. This makes it easier for the child to see outside the vehicle. The booster seats are designed for children who are as much as 4 foot 9 inches (1.45 m) tall and between 48 lbs. (22 kg) and 85 lbs. (39 kg).

“We think the integrated booster seat will be much appreciated, both by parents raising a young family or grandparents who take the grandkids for a weekend,” Kukucka added. “With this built-in feature, there’s no need to buy extra booster seats or to remember to transfer them from car to car. The Journey’s integrated booster seats solve a potential issue before it becomes one.”

The Dodge Journey’s second-row seatback folds forward to provide two cup holders and a bin for temporary storage of small electronics, snacks, crayons or other small items.

On five-passenger models, a tri-fold load floor is located behind the second-row seat and provides a hidden storage compartment for added utility. The primary side of the folding panel is carpeted.

The available third-row seat is easy to operate and get into, thanks to Journey’s stadium Tilt ’n Slide™ second-row seats. With the turn of a single lever on the side of the seat back, the seat cushions easily fold upward, and the seat slides forward. Journey’s available 50/50-split-folding third-row seat provides room for two passengers on an              as-needed basis. The seat back reclines 6 degrees to make the ride even more comfortable. A rear in-floor hidden storage bin located behind the available third-row seat is standard on seven-passenger vehicles.

“Simply put, the Journey’s seating and storage features make life easier and safer for the driver and their family,” Kuckuca added. “That’s what we set out to do, and the Journey delivers.”

Dodge Journey’s many user-friendly features include: 

  • Standard Five-passenger Seating with Available Third-row Seating for as many as Seven Passengers provides flexible seating and cargo capability 
  • Available Occasional Use 50/50-split Third-row Seat with Recline feature folds flat for added cargo space when not in use 
  • 90-degree Rear Door Openings make it easier to load and install child safety seats and provide access to the available third-row seating 
  • Fold-flat Front Seat with Flip ’n Stow provides storage under the seat cushion and a table-like surface when the seat is folded flat for added cargo flexibility. The seat cushion flips forward to reveal a 10.75 x 8.75-inch (273 x 222 mm) bin. The cushion can remain in the forward position to prevent items from sliding onto the floor 
  • Two Second-row In-floor Storage Bins located in the floor behind the front-row seats are designed to hold 12 12-oz. (330 ml) cans plus ice or other items out of sight. The bins feature latching lids and removable, washable liners for added convenience 
  • Stadium Tilt ’n Slide Seat provides easy entry to the third row with one-hand, one-motion operation 
  • Tri-fold Load Floor located behind the second-row seats provides a hidden storage compartment for added utility. The primary side of the folding panel is carpeted for durability 
  • Rear In-floor Storage Bin for Seven Passenger Vehicles includes a hidden storage bin behind the third-row seat. For added utility, a door in the bottom of the bin provides access to the tool and jack storage compartment 
  • Child Presentation Feature allows the second row seat to slide forward and back a total of 4.7 inches (119.4mm), which allows the front passenger to attend to a small child in the second-row seat and gives second-row passengers more leg room 
  • Available Child Booster Seats for children up to 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 m) tall and between 48 lbs. (22 kg) and 85 lbs. (39 kg), raises the child into the adult belted zone 
  • Second row Seatback folds forward to provide two cup holders and a bin for storage of small electronics, snacks, crayons or other small items 
  • Sunglass Bin with Child Observation Mirror features convex glass for a wide field of view that allows the driver and front passenger to conveniently view the rear occupants 
  • Sliding Center Arm Rest moves forward and back 3 inches (76 mm) for driver comfort 
  • Available Heated Front Seats with Leather or Premium Cloth enhance the comfort of the driver and front passenger (segment exclusive in North America) 
  • Molded Map Pockets with Bottle Holders in all four doors enhance storage and convenience

Contact Information

Beth Ann Bayus
Office: (248) 512-0350
Cell: (248) 761-5588
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