From an automotive point of view, it has traditionally meant limited options. That has changed to a certain extent in recent years as people movers have got cleverer and large SUVs have grown extra seats.

However a seven-seater that isn't a semi-offroad SUV and actually looks pretty tough? Well that's a journey some large families would be happy to take.

The Dodge Journey comes from America, a land where people movers (or "minivans" as the Yanks call them) are considered somewhat desirable rather than a simple necessity.

MORE ROAD TESTS HERE.

While styling is purely subjective, we think the Journey is a genuine looker. It has a bold, muscular stance which offers something a lot more interesting than most other people movers, being neither bus nor truck.

It looks virtually the same as the Fiat Freemont because it is virtually the same as the Freemont apart from different engine options and specification levels (they both come out of the same factory in Mexico). We were booked in to pick up a Freemont from Peter Stevens Fiat Alfa Romeo and ended up taking the Journey from Peter Stevens Chrysler Jeep Dodge (the same place because Fiat and Chrysler are now one big happy family too). 

In the case of the Journey, the power plant is Chrysler's 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 through a six-speed conventional automatic. The Pentastar is one of the best things Chrysler has going for it at the moment with 206kW peak power and 342Nm of torque, and is likely worth the price upgrade over the 2.4-litre four in Freemont (apart from the top of the range Crossroad) even if it is a bit thirsty. The interior is quite airy and spacious, the instruments are easy to read and quite stylish, and an enormous 8.4-inch touch screen controls most entertainment, communication, navigation and climate functions. The buttons and knobs are big and boofy though in that typically American way.

The seating position sits (pardon the pun) somewhere between a station wagon and an SUV. They are very decent seats too (leather in the RT) for the driver and front passenger. 

The second row of seats are flatter and more bench-like but they make up for it by being versatile. They can be folded down to create more luggage space or rearranged to create two booster seats. The third row are useful for kids but an adult wouldn't want to trek more than an hour in them.

It's not just the seating which is clever, there are some pretty nifty storage ideas, including a hand bag-sized bin built into the passenger seat. 

Ride and handling also sits midway between a wagon and an SUV. While cornering is not as precise as a well sorted sedan the Journey is still more nimble than most heavy seven-seater off roaders. We drove the Journey with more urgency than we needed, out through Miners Rest and Mount Rowan and found it capable enough. On the Western Highway the Journey lopes along at 110kmh at just over 1500 revs. While it is not exactly quiet it is still quieter than a couple of kids. 

Speaking of kids, the plastics and materials suggest durability rather than luxury, which probably makes sense. 

The Journey is the only member of the Dodge family currently available in Australia and it survives because it offers something different. It is certainly practical and we feel it has enough appeal to be adopted by people who want to move in style, not just move. 

Your local dealer is Peter Stevens Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge: 5336 8777

Dodge Journey RT

ENGINE: 3.6-litre petrol V6

POWER: 206kW at 6350 revs

TORQUE: 342Nm at 4350 revs

TRANSMISSION: six-speed conventional automatic

DRIVE: front-wheel-drive

FUEL: petrol, 10.4 l/100km combined cycle (ADR81/02)

BRAKES: ventilated discs front, solid discs rear, with ABS, brake assist and stability control

ANCAP SAFETY RATING: not tested

FEATURES: 8.4-inch touchscreen audio-infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, rear-view camera, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, 19-inch alloy wheels

PRICE (RRP): $36,500 plus on-road costs

OTHERS TO CONSIDER

Fiat Freemont Lounge: from $32,500

Ford Territory RWD: from $36,990

Kia Rondo Platinum: from $39,740

Holden Captiva 7 LT: $36,490