Thanks to its utilitarian, easy-to-clean interior and general CUV capabilities, the 2010 Dodge Journey may now add another distinction to its list of accolades: man’s best ride for man’s best friend. During the Pet Safe Choice Awards at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show this year, both the Dodge Journey and the 2010 Chrysler Town and Country were bequeathed the Bark Buckle UP 2010 Pet Safe Choice Award for pet-friendly vehicles.
“Most people don’t think about it, but in only a 35 mph accident with a 60-pound pet it becomes a 2,700 pound projectile,” said Bark Buckle UP founder Pet Safety Lady Christina Selter. “This will injure the pet, passengers, driver or the pet may escape the vehicle and cause a second accident or become agitated and bite the first responder that is on scene doing their job.” Thus, Bark Buckle UP considered a variety of non-traditional factors when evaluating each vehicle, including how easily a pet can navigate in, out, and around the vehicle and how pet-friendly (read: stain-resistant) the interior surfaces were.
Although the needs of pets are often similar to those of small children, the family-friendly Journey’s win with Bark Buckle UP was no fortunate accident. According to Dodge Brand President and CEO Ralph Gilles, the Journey was engineered to comfortably accommodate every member of the family – including those with four legs. Explained Gilles, “Pets are an extension of every family, and the Dodge Journey’s best-in-class seating and storage solutions meet the needs of all family members from kids to pets. With features like the available integrated booster seat that accommodates children comfortably, to in-floor storage that keeps all the pet-essentials organized and easy-to-reach, the Dodge Journey makes every trip better for the entire family.”
We say: congratulations Dodge on a doggone good job! (You knew it was coming, why fight it?)
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
It should be the easiest interior to clean because it is the simplest and cheapest looking interior on the market. I like the two tone fabrics, but you need to look at the interior of a GMC Acadia or any GM interior. This looks like the interior of the old K-cars from the 80s. You could sell a boat load of these Journeys if you made the interior look classier. You really need to go out and look at your competition. I am a loyal mopar fan, but after looking at all of the other vehicles on the market, this doesn’t cut it. The storage bins, chill zone, etc. are great, but the overall look of the interior is not appealing. It just looks cheap. Hire some unemployed GM interior designers and you will be good to go. I really think the interiors drive off most of your new customers. Even the Challenger’s interior looks cheap. You need more chrome touches, soft touch textured plastic molded with sweeping smooth lines without the big gaps. You have a lot of clever ideas that are head and shoulders above your competitors, however, sex appeal sells and your interiors don’t have it.
March 2, 2010 @ 12:05 am
El cheapo interior, that’s what drove me away from the Journey. Couldn’t stand it. Reminded me of an old cavalier. I’d say the pets are the only ones who’d want to spend time in it.
I passed on purchasing this year. I’ll wait until next year, and if Chryslers’ still in business,
I’ll take another look. Can’t wait forever for Chrysler to get their act together. Do you guys even
look at what the competiton is offering?
March 2, 2010 @ 11:55 am
I think RLD attracts mostly muscle car people and many don’t much car about cars like this. I know I don’t
March 2, 2010 @ 4:53 pm
Well, I am a muscle car person, and I also buy Chrysler products for my daily drivers. I’ve been
driving them since I got my license. I’ve never once had a brand X. But with the current offerings,
I am not so sure anymore. They look O.K. on the outside, but unless you buy an upscale model,
the offerings on most are just bland. I know what I am not gonna do, and that’s buy a $30K Journey R/T to get a decent interior. Because there is nothing R/T about that car.
Maybe the R/T now stands for Resale/Trade?
March 2, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
The Dodge Journey is the best selling crossover in Canada….have you guys actually looked at some of its competition,the competitions interiors are not as nice as the journelists say they are..Yeah the base model is not as nice ,but hench…..base model,the SXT and R/T look good for a crossover,remember the Journey replaced the short wheelbase Caravan..hell,most crossovers are butt ugly..I dont mind the Journey SXT or R/T with the 3.5 and awd !!! Yes,of coarse they can upgrade the interior,performance,looks even better,lets hope they do,but the current journey is the best selling crossover in Canada as is Chrysler is the 2nd best selling brand..What is up with the U.S ? U.S/Canada have the same makes and models,same h.p,everything is the same…
March 3, 2010 @ 5:27 am
I can see why Chrysler keeps their plants in Canada. Those Canadian workers are loyal to them and purchase a lot of their vehicles. Those cheap plastic interiors probably hold up well to the ice and snow. At any rate, Dodge/Chrysler has to do something to stave off all of the negative press. They need to be the leaders in everything again so they can earn back some of that marketshare. Ford is doing it, so can Dodge.
March 3, 2010 @ 3:36 pm
Actually, the interior in those pictures posted are not too bad.
The 25+ cars I looked at on the dealers’ lot were not that nice.
Yes, us Canadians love our Mopars! Ever been to MoparFest
in August, in New Hamberg, Ontario? Awesome event!
Ralph Gilles has stated that Chrysler Canada is way more aggressive
in their advertising campagne than the U.S. So he figures that’s
why Chrysler Canada has higher sales. BTW, Chrysler Canada didn’t
declare bankruptsy, although it did recieve money from the Province of
Ontario, and the Canadian federal government, but a lot less than was
given in the U.S.
March 3, 2010 @ 6:08 pm
Actually the interiors on all the Chrysler products have been upgraded. No more plastic and cheapo seats. Check out the new Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ramm product. They’ll impress.
March 11, 2010 @ 2:36 pm