Is the new Dodge Journey just another crossover? Is it a sawed-off sport-utility vehicle or a stealthy station wagon? Or is it, just possibly, a minivan in disguise?

For 2009, Chrysler has eliminated short-wheelbase versions of its Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans. The Journey, which is being marketed as a crossover vehicle — that is, a car-based sport utility — has effectively taken their place.

Crossovers are the rage, after all, while other types of family-size vehicles now come with stigmas as standard equipment, to wit: station wagons are old-school, SUV’s are planet-killers, minivans are for soccer moms. But it is a compliment, I think, to consider the Journey as Chrysler’s newest minivan.

In terms of size, the Journey is 10 inches shorter than the hulking 2008 Grand Caravan, which is mini in name only, and 11 inches longer than the sensibly small Mazda 5, a Euro-style people mover that also has three rows of seats.

The Journey’s third row is optional, but in both five- and seven-passenger configurations the Dodge has the utility one expects of a Chrysler van. And it is all wrapped in a stylish package — stylish, that is, for a minivan (which is admittedly faint praise indeed).

Chrysler is trying to woo a newly discovered demographic group: minivan shoppers who are in denial — or, more euphemistically, “in transition.” These image-conscious buyers are either new parents who have not come to terms with trading in the Porsche for a people-mover, or empty-nesters unwilling to give up their minivans’ utility even though their kids are grown.

Chrysler unveiled the Journey in Europe last fall — at the Frankfurt Motor Show — because it replaces the Voyager minivan sold there. In Euro-spec, the Journey can be a compelling fuel-sipper with its optional Volkswagen-supplied diesel engine capable of nearly 40 mpg. (Would it be too much to ask for a diesel to be made available in the United States, too? Apparently so.)

In this country, only two gasoline engines are offered. A 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (173 horsepower) is harnessed to a four-speed automatic transmission, which earned a federal economy rating of 19 mpg in town and 25 on the highway. Dodge is promoting this as “best in class,” whatever that means.

There is also a 3.5-liter V6 (235 horsepower) with a six-speed automatic, rated at 16/23.

The Journey has front drive in its base form, but an all-wheel-drive option is available with the V6. With that combination, fuel economy drops to 15/22, mainly because the bigger engine and all-wheel-drive components add nearly 500 pounds to the already substantial 3,800-pound curb weight. (The smaller Mazda 5 weighs in below 3,500 pounds.)

The 4-cylinder provides middling acceleration and is rated to tow 1,000 pounds. The more sprightly V6 raises towing capacity to 3,500 pounds.

Three trim versions are offered: The base SE comes only with the 4-cylinder engine, whereas the midlevel SXT and the R/T have the V6. The R/T includes sportier suspension tuning and larger 19-inch tires and wheels. Regardless of trim level, the Journey remains mostly mild-mannered, with a compliant, bump-absorbing ride.

Lest anyone assume that this is just a tall Avenger-based wagon, Dodge’s minivan expertise makes it better than that. The Journey may lead the industry in cubbies per square inch. There are hideaways galore, including double-decker glove boxes (the upper berth is cooled); a covered dashboard bin, where the screen for the optional navigation system goes; and hidden storage under the front-passenger seat. Oops — now that secret is out.

A cool feature is the waterproof under-floor storage coolers that can hold a couple of six-packs. The bins are portable for moveable feasts.

Other appreciated features are a standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a Bluetooth cell-phone connection and optional multimedia entertainment systems with a rear-seat DVD screen and power outlets for small appliances. Parents of toddlers will adore the integrated booster seat cushions in the second-row bench, which can also slide 5 inches forward and backward.

All of the rear seats have plenty of tilt adjustment and split seatbacks. All seatbacks except the driver’s can be folded flat to create 68 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Negatives include cheap-feeling interior surfaces and a vision-obstructing windshield pillar as thick as a railroad tie.

The SE is attractively priced at $19,985, although a loaded R/T tops out around $35,000 — enough to give one pause. Still, the Journey jams a lot of content into a conveniently sized to-go box. And, of course, it’s not a minivan. Or

is it?