2017 Dodge Journey

With a base price of $21,195 which boasts proudly, it's considerably cheaper than its rivals making it a good value for money car but that's about it. If you want to be a miser but still want the look of an SUV desperately, then the Dodge makes sense for you. In no other circumstance does the Dodge make a good choice for a car. Equipped with two engine options - a 2.4L in-line 4 cylinder and 3.6L V6 with 4-speed or 6-speed gearboxes driving either the front wheels or all of them. The 2017 Dodge Journey has very little to speak in favor for itself. The decade-old car is certainly showing its age now.

The 2017 Dodge Journey comes in 5 trim levels - SE, SXT, Crossroad, Crossroad Plus, and the GT. The first four variants are powered by a 2.4L, in-line 4 cylinder engine which is mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox which drives the front wheels. This engine develops 173 bhp of power and 166 ft-lb of torque. The engine and the gearbox, both belong to a past era and it's advisable to spec the car with the optional 3.6L  V-6 engine which comes mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. This engine develops a healthy 273 bhp of power and 260 ft-lb of torque.

The GT trim comes with the V6 engine and the 6-speed automatic gearbox as standard. When specked with the V6 engine, the car can also be had with an optional all-wheel-drive system. The all-wheel-drive system is however not available even as an option with the four-cylinder engine.

Trims	SE	SXT	Crossroad	Crossroad Plus	GT
MSRP	$21,195	$25,495	$26,995	$27,745	$33,895
Key Features	Heated mirrors Keyless entry and ignition Cruise control Dual-zone manual climate control Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel Sliding and reclining second-row seat	17-inch alloy wheels Foglights A unique front fascia LED taillights Body-colored exterior mirrors.	19-inch wheels Gloss black and chrome exterior trim A leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob An auto-dimming rearview mirror Bluetooth Satellite radio	Tri-zone automatic climate control LED interior lighting Leather upholstery with mesh inserts Six-way power driver seat 8.4-inch touchscreen In-dash DVD player SD card slot Cargo net	19-inch wheels Remote engine start Body-color grille Sport-tuned suspension Automatic headlights Perforated leather upholstery with red stitching Heated front seats Heated steering wheel Premium audio system with a subwoofer

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In terms of features, you get as much as you pay for. The base version gets cruise control, keyless entry and ignition and a rather small 4.3 inch touchscreen infotainment system. The third row of seats and tri-zone climate control are options on all trims. The GT trim is decently well loaded for its money offering all the creature comforts.

"The familiar 173-hp inline-four with a four-speed automatic is still the entry-level powertrain. A 283-hp V-6 with a six-speed auto rounds out the lineup and comes with all-wheel drive." - Car and Driver

Engine and Transmission

The 2.4L in-line 4 cylinder engine that comes standard in the first four trims is lethargic, to say the least. It produces 173 bhp of peak power and 166 ft-lb of peak torque and for a car that weighs near about two tons, that simply does not suffice. This engine comes mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Yes, there's a 4-speed automatic in modern times and it's certainly best avoided. This set of engine and the gearbox drives the front wheels.

The 3.6L V6 engine producing 273 bhp and 260 ft-lb of torque. It can be had in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configuration. Thankfully, Dodge allows you the option of this engine on the lower trims while it comes standard on the GT. This engine has enough oomph to get you through most situations. The 6-speed gearbox still is slow to react when it needs to upshift and is most often reluctant to downshift as well.

Models	Dodge Journey	Kia Sorento	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota Highlander
$21,195	$21,195	$26,900	$25,350	$ 30,630
Engine	2.4L, In-line 4 cylinder engine	2.4L, In-Line 4 cylinder engine	2.4L, In-line 4 cylinder engine	2.7L, In-line 4 cylinder engine
Transmission	4-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	6-speed automatic
Horsepower	173 bhp @ 6000 rpm	185 bhp @ 6000 rpm	185 bhp @ 6000 rpm	185 bhp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	166 lb-ft @ 4000	178 lb-ft. @ 4000 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	184 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm

When compared with rivals, it only falls behind by a small margin in terms of power and torque figures but its weight largely lets it down.

Acceleration

The numbers clearly indicate how the Dodge fares in acceleration. The engine certainly could do with more power to pull this car. Step your foot down on an open stretch of road and it really feels out of breath. Moreover, the gearbox makes matters worse with its unresponsive nature. The V6 does the 0-60 mph sprint in 7.6 seconds which is still fairly decent.

Models	Dodge Journey	Kia Sorento	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota Highlander
0-60 MPH	10.4 secs	9.1 sec	9.5	8.9 sec
Quarter mile	17.6 secs	17.3	15.5 sec	15.4 sec
Engine	2.4L	2.4L	2.4L	2.7L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.4	7.3	8.0	8.0

When compared to the competition, it's the slowest to 60 miles an hour and by quite a margin being a whole second and a half slower than the Toyota Highlander which is the fastest in the competition here. It is the slowest even with its V6 engine compared to its V6 counterparts.

Ride and Handling

This SUV actually rides quite well. The suspension tunings are on the softer side which gives it impressive ride quality. Be it on broken tarmac or rough roads, you will have no problem going over most surfaces. However, a soft suspension means handling is compromised. The body rolls significantly around corners and does not inspire much confidence. Moreover, it's a heavy car and there's no defying physics here.

The GT trim comes with a sportier suspension but that really does not make a significant difference in the real world to make it a better handler. The steering is a hydraulic-assisted system and is actually well weighted and while you may be able to place the car where you want to, it certainly is not suited to spirited driving. The all-wheel-drive may offer some relief in this regard.

Brakes

The 2017 Dodge Journey SUV looks quite sluggish in terms of acceleration with a brake size o 12.9 inches in the front and 13.0 inches ion the back, this 3818 lbs heavy minivan stops at a distance of 128ft when traveling at a speed of 60MPH. 

Model	Dodge Journey	Kia Sorento	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota Highlander
Brake Front (in.)	12.9	12.6	11.9	12.9
Brake Rear (in.)	13.0	12.0	12.6	12.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3818 lbs	3707 lbs	3624 lbs	4165 lbs
60-0 MPH (ft.)	128	130	122	126

The brakes aren't the best in the competition either scoring only a little better than the Sorento to secure itself the third position in the comparison. The brake pedals feel mushy and then there is the weight acting against the car. The Hyundai comes to dead stop from 60 mph in the least distance at 122 ft followed by the Toyota Highlander. The Highlander weighs a lot but surprisingly impresses with its stopping power.

Towing Capacity

Model	Dodge Journey	Kia Sorento	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota Highlander
Towing Capacity (lbs.)	1000 lbs	2000 lbs	2800 lbs	1500 lbs

There you go again. The SUV can tow only 1000 lbs which is way behind what its rivals can do. The Santa Fe does a remarkable job here having a towing capacity of 2800lbs. The V6 engine in the Dodge can still tow up to 2500 lbs of weight.

The engine is moderately efficient for a car in this segment although the competition still stays ahead. It gives 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway giving a combined fuel efficiency figure of 21 mpg. The underpowered engine has to pull quite some bulk for its size which accounts for its low fuel efficiency.

Model	Dodge Journey	Kia Sorento	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota Highlander
MPG (city)	19\t	21	21	20
MPG (highway)	25	28	27	26
MPG (combined)	21	24	23	22

The Kia Sorento fares the best in fuel efficiency with 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. It's closely followed by the Hyundai. The Toyota just slightly edges over the Dodge in fuel efficiency making the Dodge the least efficient car in the comparison.

"The 2017 Journey's cabin provides generally pleasing materials and textures for the price, while the gauges and dashboard have a functional and contemporary design."-Edmunds

Open the doors and you are greeted with a functional but neat dashboard, but nothing really special. The all-black theme looks dull. Thank god it's accentuated by silver inserts here and there to provide some visual appeal. Most controls are ergonomically placed and fall easily in hand. The cabin scores large in terms of storage spaces as you have space to tuck away your things almost everywhere, even under the floor. An 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system takes center stage in the cabin and it's quite slick. Fit and finish are not good with scratchy materials on most places you touch. The seats and steering, however, come leather wrapped. The second row is quite accommodating. The third row is best suited only for children.

Seating and Comfort

The Journey comes in 5 seats on optional 7 seat configuration. While the middle row is well sized for three adults, you need to push it quite back to have sufficient leg room which then compromises the third row leaving it for the kids only. It's still not as good as the competition in the second row as all the other cars offer more leg room and are wider which means they can seat three people more comfortably.

Model	Dodge Journey	Kia Sorento	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota Highlander
Passenger capacity	5-7	5-7	5-7	5-7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.8/57.5/40.8	39.5/59.1/44.1	39.6/59.4/41.3	40.7/59.3/44.2
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.9/56.9/36.1	39.3/58/39.4	39.1/58.3/39.4	39.9/59.6/38.4

The seats can be optioned to come leather wrapped. The second row has sliding and reclining abilities and the front driver seats have a 10-way powered adjustment. The front seats are also heated. Overall, the seats feel comfortable and are good enough to live with. There is also the option of a rear entertainment package which fits on the ceiling of the car.

Interior Features

• Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen Infotainment
• Perforated leather upholstery with red stitching
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Premium audio system with a subwoofer
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• LED interior lighting
• Rear entertainment package

Infotainment

The Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system is one of the best in the industry. It's slick and easy to use with navigation and radio. The graphics are good too. The rear view camera which is a standard feature on most cars these days, however, come as an optional extra. There is also a rear entertainment package which comes as an optional extra and is quite a boon in this segment. It also has a premium Alpine sound system with a subwoofer in the top GT trim. It does not come equipped with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay

Cargo Capacity

Model	Dodge Journey	Kia Sorento	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota Highlander
Cargo Volume with rear seats up (ft.3)	10.7	11.3	13.5	13.8
Cargo Volume with rear seats down (ft.3)	37	38.8	35.4	42.3

Is it any surprise that the Dodge is not the best even in the cargo capacity competition? A little better than the Santa Fe, it comes third in cargo volume. There are some cargo nets and an under the floor storage area in the boot which are some added perks.

"Is it a sport-utility vehicle or the reincarnation of a station wagon? With the 2017 Journey from Dodge, its 192.4-inch length exceeds much of the competition..."-KBB

Dimensions and Weight

The Journey has begun to show its age now. Being a decade old, there is little that has changed over time. It is utilitarian and wagon-like rather than an imposing SUV. It seems as if could belong to fleet cars of taxis maybe. The competition looks far more up to date, modern and stylish. If not being noticed at all is your priority, the Dodge Journey would probably suit you the best. The GT offers some relief however with black allows wheels, black inserts in the headlamps, roof rails, and a black colored grille. Don't be excited because it's still not a head turner.

Model	Dodge Journey	Kia Sorento	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota Highlander
Curb weight (lbs.)	3818 lbs	3707 lbs	3624 lbs	4165 lbs
Length(in)	192.4	187.4	185	192.5
Width(in)	72.2	74.4	74	75.8
Height(in)	66.6	66.3	66.1	68.1
Ground clearance (in)	7.2	7.3	7.2	8
Wheelbase (in)	113.8	109.4	106.3	109.8

The Journey is decently sized for its segment. Well, at least it's not falling short here as it has the maximum wheelbase. It falls just a tad bit behind the Highlander in length followed by the Sorento and then the Santa Fe. It's the least in width at 72.2 inches where the nearest competition is over 2 inches wider. It scores second in height following the Highlander.

Exterior Features

• Distinctive front fascia for the GT trim
• Crosshair Grille
• Black Headlamp Bezels on the GT trim
• Sculpted Flared Wheel arches
• Dual Bright Exhaust Tips
• LED Taillamps
• Roof-mounted rails

The Dodge does not score well in safety regulations by both the NHTSA and the IIHS. That is expected given the Dodge's outdated roots and structure. The NHTSA gives it an overall score of 4 stars while the IIHS gives it a poor rating. The NHTSA gives the Dodge a 4-star rating in frontal crash and rollover deeming it particularly unsafe for the driver. This is a matter of concern really as five-star ratings from NHTSA are increasingly common.

A lot of safety equipment do not come as standard and are optional extras which really is a sore. Also, being a family vehicle, Dodge still hasn't offered any advanced safety features such as forward-collision warnings or automatic emergency braking. Where safety should have been the utmost priority considering it's a people mover, such inattention is disappointing.

IIHS Ratings:

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Ratings
Small overlap front driver side	Poor
Small overlap front Passenger side	Not Rated
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good

NHTSA Ratings:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Ratings
Overall Rating	4 stars
Overall Frontal Crash Rating	5 stars
Frontal Crash Rating Driver Side	4 stars
Frontal Crash Rating Passenger Side	5 stars
Overall Side Crash Rating	5 stars
Combined Side Barrier and Pole Rating Front Seat	5 stars
Combined Side Barrier and Pole Rating Front Seat Rear Seat	5 stars
Side Barrier	5 stars
Side barrier Driver	5 stars
Side barrier Rear Passenger	5 stars
Overall Side Pole Star Rating	5 stars
Rollover Rating	4 stars

Safety Features

• Driver Air Bag and Passenger Air Bag
• Front Head Air Bag and Rear Head Air Bag
• Front Side Air Bag
• 4-Wheel ABS
• 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Child Safety Locks
• Traction Control 

Dodge Journey vs Kia Sorento

There are hardly any criteria where the Dodge outruns the Kia. The Sorento is very spirited and lively, quick in its pace too. Being light on its foot, it's the most fuel efficient in the comparison. The Kia certainly looks apart with its contemporary curves and sleek design and if its looks that we are talking about, it would be a shame to put the Dodge beside the Kia. The Sorento scores higher in standard features and build quality on the interior, also offering more legroom and shoulder room to its passengers. Honestly, these cars only share the segment and a similar engine, beyond which the Kia easily rolls over the Dodge.

Dodge Journey vs Hyundai Santa Fe

The Dodge shares the similar 2.4L in-line 4 cylinder engine with the Hyundai too and that is where the similarities end. Even the Santa Fe starts at a higher base price but one has to look beyond price here. It comes with far more standard equipment like a rear-view parking camera, bigger touchscreen infotainment system, stylish looks, better quality interiors, and more space to move its occupants in more comfort. It also comes with a 6-speed automatic gearbox over the Dodge's 4-speed automatic which also allows the Santa Fe to use the engine's power more efficiently.

Dodge Journey vs Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander truly stands out of the competition as this is the only car having the true SUV stance. It looks bold and strong. The only car to have the larger 2.7L 4-cylinder engine, it is also the quickest in spite of it being the heaviest. That's because it has a slightly more torque than the others. It's quite fuel efficient still. Outrunning the Dodge, this car too has better interior space offering more comfort to its passengers. Build quality and features would certainly be the best in class considering it's a Toyota. Also, being a Toyota, it comes with its reliability as well. However, all this comes at a price and the Highlander has the highest base price among the competition at around $30,000.

There is no better way of putting it but the 2017 Dodge Journey scores poor in almost everything that you would look for in a car in this segment. Other than a comfortable ride quality, a smart infotainment system, and a very competitive base price, there is nothing much to like about this car. The competition, though starting from a higher price point, clearly is miles ahead in most regards. It becomes almost pointless comparing the Dodge with its competitors after a certain point of time.

To understand the Dodge as more of a value-proposition, one has to change the perspective a little and look outside the segment it's trying to compete. Look at the Dodge as a people moving minivan masked to look like a mid-sized SUV offering decent features and then the base price too surprisingly makes sense. But remember, it will only move people, certainly not hearts. It's hence advisable to reach deeper into your pockets and look at the competition.