The Dodge Journey compact crossover carries on into 2018 with no changes, making it one of the oldest designs in the Dodge lineup. It's also a dated design in a class whose competitiveness means most of its competitors have been redesigned at least once since the Journey's last update in 2011.
Another dubious distinction is that this is one of just two vehicles left that comes with a four-speed automatic transmission (the other being the Toyota Yaris) in trims fitted with the 2.4L four-cylinder engine (173 hp/166 lb-ft of torque). The upgrade is a six-speed included with the move up to the Pentastar 3.6L V6 (283 hp/260 lb-ft).
The Journey is available in five trim levels, including the Canada Value Package, SE Plus (FWD, 2.4L), SXT (FWD/AWD, 3.6L), Crossroad (FWD/AWD, 3.6L), GT (AWD, 3.6L).
In the Journey, a no-nonsense design houses a nicely-packaged, family-friendly interior that can be configured to seat five or seven with a third row (optional in all trims) best suited to kids or short adults. That three-row arrangement puts the Journey in a small sub-class of compact crossovers that can accommodate seven people; direct competitors in that regard include the Nissan Rogue, Mitsubishi Outlander and the larger, second-generation 2018 VW Tiguan VW. Dodge and Mitsubishi both offer V6 engines, but the Journey's is the most powerful by a wide margin.
The Pentastar makes this a quick vehicle, and an available performance suspension lends the Journey a firm ride that will appeal to family drivers resigned to only having the budget or space for a single vehicle that isn't a sporty compact.
While the Journey is a strong value in many ways, one of its main deficiencies is a lack of any active safety kit: items like forward collision warning/automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning/lane keep assist are nowhere to be found here, despite being available in most of Dodge's competitors here.
The entry-level Canada Value package is called that for a reason, as it carries a starting price comparable with subcompact crossovers. For that money, you get air conditioning with manual dual-zone temperature control, six-speaker stereo with 4.3-inch multimedia touchscreen, cruise control, tilt-and-telescopic steering, second-row in-floor storage bins, three 12-volt power outlets, 17-inch aluminum wheels and passive keyless entry. SE Plus adds heated side mirrors, floor mats, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter and LED taillights.
SXT brings 17-inch wheels, 115-volt power outlet, auto-dimming rearview mirror, fog lights, observation mirror, passenger assist handles, performance suspension (with AWD) or touring suspension (FWD) and a trip computer with outside temperature and compass readouts.
Crossroad gets dual-zone automatic climate control, black exterior trim, 19-inch wheels, 8.4-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth streaming audio and satellite radio, leather seating, 10-way power driver's seat and upgraded interior door trim.
GT adds a 368-watt stereo with subwoofer, bright exterior trim, aimable LED interior lights, rear park assist, remote engine start and heated front seats and steering wheel.
Navigation and a backup camera are bundled as an option in SXT trims and up, and a sunroof is a standalone extra in the same trims.
Fuel consumption estimates are 12.7/9.2 L/100 km (city/highway) with the four-cylinder engine and FWD, and 14.2/9.5 with V6/FWD and 14.5/10.0 with V6 and AWD.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
