Fairfield-Echo

Minimalism is greatly overrated. Still, when a brand-new vehicle arrives at my door in its most basic, stripped-down model, I pay attention.

Turning my head this week was the Dodge Journey, an early 2009 model joining the burgeoning crossover segment — vehicles that look like a combination wagon/sport-utility vehicle perched on a car platform.

The midsize Journey is the first crossover from the crosshair grille brand. It's built on the company's global D-segment platform, and Dodge says it's aimed at a range of folks, from young singles, couples and families with small children to mature families who need flexible seating and cargo space. Seating for five is standard with a pair of low front buckets and a second-row bench seat split 40/20/40. A third-row seat for two that folds and splits 50/50 is part of several seating packages that run anywhere from $920 to $1,295, depending on the model.

Seating flexibility is one thing, but having cunning ways to store the detritus of life is another. The Journey offers some solutions, some of which run across the three trims: base SE ($19,360), mid-rung SXT and top-rung R/T. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive variants are available in SXT (2WD $22,360; AWD $24,905) and R/T (2WD $25,920; AWD $27,670) models.

Bootleggers and pirates would have loved the Journey's pair of novel, covered in-floor bins below the second row's foot space. Each washable, removable 1.6-gallon

liner can hold a 12-pack of 12-oz. cans and enough ice to keep it all cold. A secondary glove box named the Chill Zone uses air conditioning to cool a pair of cans, too. And each Journey comes with these. Just remember to recycle those cans, kids.

SXTs and R/Ts include a fold-flat front seat backed by hard plastic for carrying longer items or acting like a table when folded. Flip the seat cushion forward and a nifty 10.75-by-8.75-inch storage space is revealed that's just right for holding a purse, umbrella or other booty.

Despite being on the small end of midsize crossovers, the Journey offers cargo space aplenty behind the second-row seats in a five-seat-configuration. The load floor is perfectly flat and at a convenient height that won't strain one's back.

Safety systems across the Journey's trim lines are also worth noting for their depth and breadth. They run from electronic stability/antiskid, four-wheel antilock brakes/brake assist and all-speed traction control to electronic roll mitigation, tire pressure monitor and front, front side and curtain side airbags. That's impressive.

Key features on our basic SE tester included air conditioning, cloth upholstery, tilt/telescope steering wheel, power mirrors/windows/locks, AM/FM radio with six-disc in-dash CD changer and iPod connection, automatic-off headlights and 16-inch wheels. SXTs add cruise control, power driver seat, remote keyless entry, trip computer, satellite radio, sport suspension and 17-inch wheels. R/Ts are made deluxe by leather upholstery and leather wrapping the steering wheel with audio controls, heated front seats, universal garage door opener, remote engine start, fog lights, performance suspension and 19-inch wheels.

Two powertrains differentiate the '09 Journey. The base SE engine is a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder with 173 horsepower and 166 lbs.-ft. of maximum torque, tied to a 4-speed automatic transmission. It's a noisy but capable combination and uses 87-octane gasoline. Acceleration isn't thrilling — merging and passing take a bit more consideration and planning — but let's remember the Journey's EPA mileage ratings of 19 mpg/city and 25 mpg/highway. The ride is compliant, but not sloppy. More upscale Journeys are powered by a 235-hp 3.5-liter V-6 tied to a 6-speed automatic transmission and either a sport or performance suspension. Mileage ratings drop to 16/23 with front drive and 15/22 with AWD.

Only a destination/delivery charge of $625 was added to my SE tester's base price of $19,360. That's a total of $19,985. To me, the Journey is a lot of vehicle starting at less than $20,000 and is worth checking out. And it's a Journey some folks may want to take.

Amy Rollins is Wheels editor at the Dayton Daily News and may be reached at (937) 225-6901 or arollins@coxohio.com.

Read this review and others like it at DaytonDailyNews.com/Wheels.