The venerable Dodge Journey sometimes gets lost in the sea of newer crossovers, but it still outshines them all in one aspect: It's the most affordable seven-passenger vehicle you can buy, which is music to the ears of families on a budget.
The Journey carries on unchanged.
Since the Journey is considered somewhere between compact and midsize, it makes sense that you have a choice of five- or seven-passenger seating and a four-cylinder or V6 engine. The standard 2.4-liter makes 173 horsepower and is accompanied by a four-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The available 3.6-liter V6 gets a six-speed automatic and provides a massive boost to 283 horsepower. The V6 is available with or without all-wheel drive.
The deep model lineup is designed to provide value at every level of equipment:
American Value Package (AVP): Comes with the four-cylinder engine and features such as heated mirrors, keyless ignition, a sliding and reclining second row of seats, 17-inch steel wheels and a six-speaker display audio system.
SE: Spruces up the Journey with roof rails, LED taillights and deep-tinted glass.
SXT: Adds the V6 engine, plus revised front and rear fascias, alloy wheels, fog lamps, satellite radio and a cargo cover.
SXT Plus: Builds on the SXT with extra interior appointments like a power driver seat, automatic climate control, a larger touchscreen interface, a folding passenger seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Crossroad: Carries leather seats with sport mesh inserts and sportier trim inside and out, including 19-inch black-finish wheels.
Limited: Gets the V6 engine and a full leather interior as standard equipment, plus heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, Bluetooth phone and audio, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
R/T: Equipped like the Limited, except with a sport-tuned suspension, more aggressive interior and exterior trim, and an upgraded sound system.
The upper trim levels can get a number of individual options to round out the Journey. Your choices include a sunroof, navigation, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and a rear entertainment system
The smooth and powerful V6 transforms the Journey into a pleasant performer. We consider it almost mandatory if you intend to carry seven passengers on a regular basis. The four-cylinder doesn't offer enough of an efficiency advantage to justify its tepid acceleration.
