Pros • Cabin, load space • Fuel economy • Dash presentation
Cons • Noisy suspension • Flat seats • CVT characteristics The Koleos did what it was intended to do. It gave Renault a foothold in a hitherto unrepresented segment and, more importantly in Australia, it quickly became Renault’s biggest-selling model.If there was a major shortcoming with the second generation Koleos it was the lack of a diesel engine. The newcomer was exclusively powered by a hard-working 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine producing a reasonable 126kW/226Nm and returning, in AWD form, a combined fuel consumption average of 8.3L/100km.But that’s all changed now. The long-awaited turbo-diesel option arrived in August 2017 to immediately bring more power and (a lot more) torque. At 130kW/380Nm it’s a true grunter which, at 6.1L/100km, also offers better fuel consumption, plus lower exhaust emissions (150g/km against the petrol version’s 192g/km).
Pros Noticeably more torque and better fuel economy from the diesel engine Big size equals excellent second-row space inside Competitively priced Good ownership credentials
Cons Powertrain not as seamless and effortless as the numbers suggest No quicker than cheaper front-drive petrol Koleos variants Wieldy SUV to manoeuvre and park Ho-hum infotainment system Lower braked towing rating than petrol versions The diesel clatter is also quite noticeable, though nothing like a deal-breaker, but it does harness the on-demand all-wheel-drive system's tractive talents better and more noticeably than the petrol engine does. And by maintaining fuel economy within a ballpark of its maker’s 6.1 combined cycle claim, it’s markedly more efficient by a couple of litres per hundred, particularly around town.
Pros Great exterior looks Nice enough to drive Good level of equipment
Cons Doesn't come with a seven-seat option Prices are a bit high Manual gearbox isn't the smoothest
The 2018 Dodge Journey ranked #19 in Midsize SUVs. Currently the Dodge Journey has a score of 7.0 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 55 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Smooth ride User-friendly infotainment system Extremely low price
Cons Unimpressive engines Below-average cargo space Lower safety score than rivals Fewer tech features than competitors
The 2018 Dodge Journey should be available at big discounts, which is the only way we’d consider it over far more polished rivals.
Pros Low price Seven-seat capability Good optional infotainment Versatile interior
Cons Bad safety scores Limited features Dated feel Underwhelming in almost every way
For 2018, the Journey's third-row seat is now standard on all trim levels.
Pros Extra versatility provided by standard three-row seat Low price for the segment
Cons Handling and drivability lag behind competitors Disappointing and outdated base engine and transmission Below-average fuel economy Lacks many modern safety and convenience features, even in top trims