The Dodge Journey is a midsize SUV that seats seven. The first one came out in 2008 as the 2009 model, and Dodge upgraded the styling in 2011. The modifications in 2011 involved a better lower-front fascia, a sport suspension, a redesigned interior and a more powerful engine.
This is also the model that came out with Dodge’s new logo. It was also during this time that Dodge added the Uconnect infotainment system that is available in most of the trims. Some models sport a 4.3-inch LCD color touch screen while others have an 8.4-inch screen.
The Journey is available in a number of configurations. You can choose it in a front-wheel or an all-wheel drivetrain and in a choice of four-cylinder or six-cylinder transmission systems.
Price and Value
The Dodge Journey has a low starting price, beating its competitors such as the Honda CR-V, Kia Sorento and Ford Explorer. For example, a 2017 Journey ranges from $15,000 to $21,000. Dodge uses faux leather or cloth upholstery in most of the Journeys, but you can get leather with interior packages. The range of features in the Dodge Journey is limited compared to the competition, but you still have all the basic functions and comfort features.
If you are looking for an affordable three-row crossover SUV, the Dodge Journey offers great value.
Size and Seating Capacity
The Dodge Journey can seat seven passengers in its three rows. Its front seats offer support and comfort for the driver and front passenger. Its second-row seats offer sufficient headroom and legroom for adults. The third row can be tight but fits children comfortably.
The cabin sports an upscale look with a variety of soft-to-touch spaces. You can choose a used Dodge Journey in cloth or faux leather features.
Optional seating features include leather seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and a power-folding front passenger seat. If you need to secure a child car seat, the SUV features two LATCH connectors on the second-row seats.
The SUV offers 10.7 cubic feet of storage space behind the third-row seats. The Journey also offers 37 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 67.6 cubic feet of space behind the front row with the second and third rows folded. The front passenger seat also folds flat for when you need to tow longer items.
The Dodge Journey is 16 feet long and has a curb weight of between 3,818 and 4,238 pounds, depending on the model you choose. Its gross vehicle weight rating is between 5,250 and 5,600 pounds.
Battery, Range and Engine Specs
The Dodge Journey is available in a choice of two powertrains. Its standard engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that generates 173 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. The optional engine is a 283-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 that generates 260 pound-feet of torque. These engines pair with a standard front-wheel drivetrain or an optional all-wheel-drive system.
The Journey offers a standard four-speed automatic transmission, which has not changed for many years. You can, however, choose the optional six-speed automatic transmission. The base four-cylinder engine provides a 19/25 mpg city/highway fuel economy. Its optional 3.6-liter engine offers a 17/25 mpg city/highway fuel economy when paired with a front-wheel drivetrain and 16/24 mpg with an all-wheel drivetrain.
Trims and Features
Used Journeys are available in four models: SE, SXT, Crossroad, and GT. The three lower trims sport a four-cylinder engine paired with the standard front-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line GT trim features a standard 283-hp V-6 engine. This engine is optional in the three lower trims.
The base Journey SE comes with only basic features for enhanced drivability, and this makes it one of the most affordable crossover SUVs. If you need more comfort features, go for the Crossroad as Dodge packed it with a host of comfort and convenience features. Below are some of the features in each trim.
SE: Besides having the standard engine, this model has standard features such as a 4.3-inch LCD touch screen, Uconnect infotainment system, USB port, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, and a six-speaker stereo. Optional features available for the SE model include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite radio, and Bluetooth.
SXT: This has most of the features in common with the SE model. It doesn’t have any additional standard features, but it has a long list of optional features, including a flat-folding front passenger seat and adjustable driver’s seat.
Crossroad: This is a more luxurious Dodge Journey. It features dual-zone automatic climate control and an 8.4-inch LCD touch screen. It also has all the options available for the SE and SXT models. Other optional features include tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, leather seats, a navigation system, a 9-inch rear-seat entertainment system, sunroof, rearview camera, and rear parking sensors. If you choose a model older than the 2018 Journey, a few of the features might not be on the Crossroad and are only available as options.
GT: This trim has the powerful V-6 engine. It also has standard high-performance suspension, a six-speaker premium stereo, remote start, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and leather upholstery. Most of the optional features in the Crossroad are available as options on the GT (except those the manufacturer made standard).
Safety
The IIHS gave the 2017 Dodge Journey an overall rating of Good for overlap front, roof strength, and side safety. This is the best rating the IIHS gives.
The NHTSA gave the 2018 Journey an overall safety rating of four stars out of a possible five. Some of the safety features include ParkSense Rear Park Assist, which warns the driver of obstructions when reversing, and ParkView Backup Camera. The latter shows a live video feed from behind the vehicle. There are also air bags for the driver and the passengers for safety in case of a crash.
Reliability
According to J.D. Power, the 2016 model of the Dodge Journey has a quality and reliability score of 72% and an overall performance rating of 73%. There have only been few recalls for the Dodge Journey, all of which Dodge addressed to get the SUV back to operation. These recalls included the cruise control, which couldn’t disable in some models, rearview camera, and voltage regulator fails. Besides these, there are no major reliability issues.
The Takeaway
The Dodge Journey is one of the largest crossover SUVs. It offers a host of basic features, unique styling, and solid performance on and off the road. It is available in a host of configurations from the base SE without the optional features to the all-powerful GT with all the optional features. If you choose a used model 2019 Journey, you will have fewer trims but more basic features for comfort, drivability, and sleeker styling. The Journey appeals to most people looking for an affordable crossover SUV.
