Pros:
- Many useful storage options.
- Very affordably priced for this segment of vehicles.
- Infotainment system is intuitive and user-friendly.
Cons:
- Interior is unimpressive and with low-quality materials.
- Subpar fuel efficiency for this type of vehicle.
- Neither engine offers a surplus of power.
Would we buy one? Probably not.
Vehicle Type: Four-door, three-row crossover.
Price Range: $23,245 to $33,645, including a $1,495 destination fee but before options.
Powertrain: 173-horsepower, 2.4L four-cylinder with 166 lb-ft of torque, a four-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel-drive.
The optional powertrain is a 282-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 with 260 lb-ft of torque, a six-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel-drive or optional all-wheel-drive.
Competitors: Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Outback, GMC Acadia, Kia Sorento, and Mitsubishi Outlander.
Overall Score: 6.4/10
Safety Features: 7/10
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the 2019 Journey with an overall 4 out of 5 stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a Good rating in crash tests, but most other SUVs of this type rate higher the list of both agencies.
Dodge equipped all Journey models with essential features like active front head restraints, electronic roll mitigation, and six standard airbags. Still, there are not many additional advanced safety features beyond the basics in a new car, and all of its rivals offer. Rear parking sensors are the only thing available.
Value: 8/10
Dropping the SXT model from the lineup left the Journey with four trim levels: SE Value Package, SE, Crossroad, and GT. The SE Value Package is the base model with pricing starting at $23,245 and goes up to $35,295 for a GT that includes a V6 and all-wheel-drive. Even the top end of the Journey lineup is still thousands less expensive than most of its competition.
But the base SE models are still sparsely equipped, lacking features considered essential in a new car, such as Bluetooth. Stepping up to a Crossroad model still requires ticking some option boxes. Ultimately, the GT has a bit more get up and go with its six-speed automatic and V-6 plus higher horsepower.
Tech Features: 6/10
The higher trim levels offer the UConnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. It has handy navigation features that assist with changing road conditions and Bluetooth, satellite radio, a six-speaker audio system, and more USB ports. Base models use a 4.3-inch touchscreen that's far smaller than new cars have these days, so it's worth stepping up to a model with a larger screen. That will mean it has a larger backup camera, too.
The Journey's tech features do a fair job, and the 8.4-inch UConnect models have a straightforward infotainment system with easy-to-use features. But it could be a little more robust with the addition of Apple and Android applications and better connectivity.
Practicality: 7/10
The Journey offers enough passenger seating to get passengers where they want to go comfortably. The front seats have good legroom and are comfortable enough. Up to seven people can be accommodated with the third-row seat.
The cabin has compartments for smart storage and everyday stowing flexibility, and when the second and third rows are folded down, there are 67.6 cubic feet of usable cargo space in the Journey.
Styling & Design: 7/10
The Dodge Journey exterior design is similar to previous years, with only minor changes. It looks staid compared to some newer designs. The Crossroad model features a different bumper and exterior trim treatment to mimic an off-roader, but otherwise, the Journey seems out of step with today's SUVs.
Both the Crossroad and GT benefit from interiors that include leather-trimmed seating, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, three-zone automatic air conditioning, and options for heated seats and heated steering wheel. Yet none of this elevates the interior quality to that of the best SUVs in this class.
Driving Experience: 7/10
What kind of driving experience you get depends on the powertrain in new vehicles. The 2.4L 4-cylinder engine is standard in all trim levels for the Dodge Journey. The 173-horsepower engine lacks power for an SUV this size. Hauling cargo and passengers at highway speeds is challenging, but it should be acceptable for in-town use.
The six-speed automatic transmission and V6 engine in the GT, and as an option for the Crossroads, has a bit more punch than four-cylinder. It has more gusto and is generally smoother and more responsive, though it's still no match for the smooth V6 from the Kia Sorento.
Handling and steering are challenged at highways speeds. The Journey misses the mark on responsiveness when cornering. It can honestly feel a little cumbersome maneuvering due to its size and weight coupled with lackluster power beneath the hood. The GT model has an upgraded suspension to help matters somewhat.
Fuel Efficiency: 5/10
The Journey with the four-cylinder engine is rated at 19 mpg in the city, 25 highway, and 21 mpg combined. The Journey's underperforming 4-cylinder engine lags in fuel economy compared to similar rivals' powertrains in the segment.
The V6 engine has even worse efficiency with an EPA estimate at 17 city, 25 highway, and 19 mpg combined and drops a little with the all-wheel-drive option to 16/24/19 mpg. At least a decent fuel tank capacity of 20.5 gallons does give the Journey some travel time for adventures before refills.
