2017 Dodge Journey
If you need a minivan but don't want a minivan, the Dodge Journey is for you. Except for the doors, that's basically what it is. It's the most affordable seven-seat crossover on the market. It's also the longest running without a redesign. It hasn't gotten the attention of Chrysler in the way that the Dodge Durango or the Jeeps have. Base engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder making just 173 horsepower, mated to an obsolete 4-speed automatic transmission. That powertrain is inexpensive but outdated.
Chrysler's fine 3.6-liter V6 is the upgrade engine and is necessary to move the 5000-pound Journey. It makes a that's-more-like-it 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive available.
Without modern technology, the four-cylinder engine gets 19/25 mpg City/Highway, or 21 miles per gallon Combined, while the much more powerful V6 gets an EPA-estimated 16/24/19 mpg.
Because of its ancient design, the Journey doesn't score all that well in crash tests. It gets an acceptable four stars overall from the NHTSA, but scores a Poor on the IIHS's difficult small-overlap frontal crash test.
Still, the thing is, the base Journey SE is special. There's nothing like its affordability and utility. The Hyundai Santa Fe with three rows is a better car than the Journey SE, but it's more costly. The upper-scale Journey models with the V6 are better, but no better than their competition.
For 2017, the R/T models have been rebadged as GT.
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Full Review
Base engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder making just 173 horsepower, mated to an obsolete 4-speed automatic transmission. That powertrain is inexpensive but outdated.
Chrysler's fine 3.6-liter V6 is the upgrade engine and is necessary to move the 5000-pound Journey. It makes a that's-more-like-it 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive available.
Without modern technology, the four-cylinder engine gets 19/25 mpg City/Highway, or 21 miles per gallon Combined, while the much more powerful V6 gets an EPA-estimated 16/24/19 mpg.
Because of its ancient design, the Journey doesn't score all that well in crash tests. It gets an acceptable four stars overall from the NHTSA, but scores a Poor on the IIHS's difficult small-overlap frontal crash test.
Still, the thing is, the base Journey SE is special. There's nothing like its affordability and utility. The Hyundai Santa Fe with three rows is a better car than the Journey SE, but it's more costly. The upper-scale Journey models with the V6 are better, but no better than their competition.
For 2017, the R/T models have been rebadged as GT.
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| Engine | 2.4L I-4, 3.6L V-6 |
| MPG | Up to 19 city / 25 highway |
| Seating | 5 Passengers |
| Transmission | 4-spd w/OD, 6-spd w/OD |
| Power | 173 - 283 hp |
| Drivetrain | all wheel, front-wheel |
| Curb Weight | 3,818 - 4,327 lbs |
