You are spot-on with your assessment.  My experience over the first 6 months with a 2016 Journey Crossroad AWD confirms everything you say.  The car is comfortable and easy to drive, well appointed, and very utilitarian.  Reliability has been an ongoing concern.  It's a shame I didn't read your article sooner, but then again there are countless other similar reports that I dismissed figuring 'it's cheap.'    More disappointing than reliability has been FCA's approach to problem resolution. Essentially if it isn't falling off the car, or a computer diagnostic indicating a total failure, they treat everything as "normal."  

I am happy I leased this car and won't be stuck with it beyond the factory warranty.