The Dodge Journey is a

mid-size crossover SUV Mid-size crossover SUV is an automobile classification used mainly in North America to describe a segment of crossover SUV, a type of sport utility vehicle, between compact crossover SUV and full-size crossover SUV. A mid-size crossover SU ...

manufactured and marketed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' Dodge brand for

model year The model year (sometimes abbreviated "MY") is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured. ...

s 2009 to 2020 over a single generation, with a

facelift A facelift, technically known as a rhytidectomy (from the Ancient Greek () "wrinkle", and () "excision", the surgical removal of wrinkles), is a type of cosmetic surgery procedure used to give a more youthful facial appearance. There are mul ...

for the 2011 model year. The Journey was styled by

Ryan Nagode Ryan Nagode is an automobile stylist and currently the chief designer for RAM/SRT Interior Studio at Stellantis. In 2014, Nagode was named to the Automotive News "40 under 40." A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art Industrial Design Progr ...

, and was marketed globally in both left and right hand drive, including as the Fiat Freemont. Internally identified as the ''JC49'', the Journey shares FCA's global D-segment

platform Platform may refer to: Technology * Computing platform, a framework on which applications may be run * Platform game, a genre of video games * Car platform, a set of components shared by several vehicle models * Weapons platform, a system or ...

with the

Dodge Avenger The Dodge Avenger is a front-wheel drive, mid-sized sedan that was marketed by Dodge. The Avenger made its North American debut in 1994 for the 1995 model year as a coupe that was produced until 2000. The model name was reintroduced to the ...

and a nearly identical wheelbase to the outgoing short wheel base (SWB)

Dodge Caravan The Dodge Caravan (and the long-wheelbase Dodge Grand Caravan) is a series of minivans that was manufactured by Chrysler from the 1984 to 2020 model years. The Dodge version of the Chrysler minivans, the Caravan was marketed as both a passenger v ...

. Having debuted at the 2007

Frankfurt Motor Show The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...

, the Journey subsequently appeared at the 2009

. All models were manufactured in Mexico at FCA's Toluca Assembly facility, with just over 1.1 million manufactured before production ended in 2020.

Design and equipment

As a mid-size CUV, the Journey was available in five and seven passenger configurations and was noted for its overall packaging and seating flexibility — which included a front passenger seat with under-cushion storage and fold-flat capability; second-row for-aft sliding, reclining, fold-flat seating with an

H-point The H-point (or hip-point) is the theoretical, relative location of an occupant's hip: specifically the pivot point between the torso and upper leg portions of the body — as used in vehicle design, automotive design and vehicle regulation ...

1.6 inches (40 mm) higher than the front row (aka ''theater seating''); latching under-floor storage with removable bins; available twin booster seats and single-hand-operable third row access; available twin fold-flat third-row seats and an aft under-floor storage compartment. Trim levels varied over model years, to include various options with entertainment/infotainment, cloth or heated leather seats and heated steering wheel as well. Additionally, rear doors opened to 90-degrees, rare for any offerings by the Big Three (automobile manufacturers). Production versions of 2009 model year vehicles went on sale in early 2008 for the 2009 model-year in North America, and mid-2008 elsewhere. A version for the

Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of ...

market debuted at Auto China in 2008, marketed as the JCUV. Initial model production began in 2009. The Freemont went on sale in Russia in 2013. The Journey was marketed in both LHD and RHD depending on the market. From 2009 to 2010, the trim levels in North America were the ''SE'' (powered by a 2.4L I4), the ''SXT'', and the ''R/T'' (both powered by a 3.5L V6). The SXT and R/T were available with

all-wheel drive An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand. The most common forms of all-wheel drive are: ;1x1 : All unicycles Reflecting one axle with one w ...

(AWD).

2011 update

Revisions for the 2011 model-year include modifications to the grille, lower front fascia, redesigned interior, suspension, steering, powertrain, and use of Dodge's new logo, launched in 2011, as well as LED Taillights (not available on base trims). ''Express'' and ''Mainstreet'' trim levels replace ''SE'' and ''SXT'' respectively, while ''Crew'' and ''Lux'' trims are also added to the lineup. The 2011 Journey received new Uconnect 3 infotainment systems with either 4.3-inch (4.3") or 8.4-inch (8.4") LCD color

touchscreen A touchscreen or touch screen is the assembly of both an input ('touch panel') and output ('display') device. The touch panel is normally layered on the top of an electronic visual display of an information processing system. The display is ofte ...

displays, and a full-color LCD Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the instrument cluster. The Keyless Enter-'n'-Go System, with keyless access and push-button start, became standard on all Journey models. For the 2012 model year, the Journey became Dodge's smallest SUV after FCA stopped manufacturing the

Nitro Nitro may refer to: Chemistry *Nitrogen, a chemical element and a gas except at very low temperatures, with which many compounds are formed: **Nitro compound, an organic compound containing one or more nitro functional groups, -NO2 **Nitroalkene, ...

. SE and SXT trims return for 2012, replacing Express and Mainstreet trims, respectively. An American Value Package (AVP) model is also added for the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

market that is priced below the SE. For the 2013 model year, Dodge released a "Blacktop" trim option, with 19-inch gloss black aluminium wheels and center caps, a gloss black grille, gloss black bezel headlamps, gloss black lower front fascia accent and gloss black exterior mirrors. In 2014, the Journey Crossroad was introduced with chrome accents along the lower part of the body and in the interior, smoked head and taillights, a black grille, rocker panels, rails for a roof rack, and a skid plate simile at the rear. Chrysler added the revised Dodge logo with two slanted rectangles for the 2013 Model Year. For the 2016 model-year, the Journey's AVP and Limited trims were discontinued and the Crossroad Plus trim was added and also for the 2017 model-year; the R/T trim is replaced by the GT trim. Pre-facelift styling File:2010 Dodge Journey RT CRD 2.0 Front.jpg, Front File:2010 Dodge Journey RT CRD 2.0 Rear.jpg, Rear File:Journey Interior.jpg, Interior Post-facelift styling File:2016 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package in Billet Metallic, Front Right, 05-21-2022.jpg, Front File:2016 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package in Billet Metallic, Rear Right, 05-21-2022.jpg, Rear

2020 model year changes

For the 2020 model year, the Dodge Journey was available in two trim levels: base ''SE Value'' and "up-level" ''Crossroad''. All 2020 Journey models were powered by a 2.4-liter inline-four gasoline engine producing 173 horsepower and 166 lb. ft. of torque, with a four-speed

automatic transmission An automatic transmission (sometimes abbreviated to auto or AT) is a multi-speed transmission used in internal combustion engine-based motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving ...

, and available with

front wheel drive Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitu ...

. The optional 3.6-liter

Pentastar The Chrysler Pentastar engine family is a series of aluminium ( die-cast cylinder block) dual overhead cam 24-valve gasoline V6 engines introduced for model-year 2011 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. The engine was initially named " Phoenix ...

Variable Valve Timing In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing (VVT) is the process of altering the timing of a valve lift event, and is often used to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions. It is increasingly being used in combination with var ...

(VVT) V6 gasoline engine, six-speed

, and the option for

All Wheel Drive An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand. The most common forms of all-wheel drive are: ;1x1 : All unicycles Reflecting one axle with one w ...

were discontinued. Journey models featured standard three-row, seven-passenger seating, which was previously optional on base trim levels. Available options and packages have been revised. In addition, the Journey (as well as the

Dodge Grand Caravan The Chrysler minivans are a series of minivans that have been produced and marketed by the American automaker Chrysler since the 1984 model year. Currently in its sixth generation, the model line is marketed worldwide, primarily in North Ameri ...

) are not available in states with

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

emissions requirements for the 2020

. 2020 was the final

for the Journey, Dodge citing the decision to transition to a performance brand.

Fiat Freemont

Chrysler marketed the Mexican manufacturedFiat will rebadge Dodge Journey in Europe
--

Autoweek ''Autoweek'' is a car culture publication based in Detroit, Michigan. It was first published in 1958 and in 1977 the publication was purchased by Crain Communications Inc, its current parent company. The magazine was published weekly and focused ...

(Retrieved December 27, 2010 Journey in

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...

after model year 2011 as the Fiat Freemont, debuting the

rebadged In the automotive industry, rebadging is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. To allow for product differentiation without designing or engineering a new model or brand (at high cost or risk), a man ...

variant at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The Freemont launched in Italy at the end of May 2011 with two front-wheel-drive turbodiesel variants the and the version of Fiat's 2.0-liter Multijet turbodiesel. Fiat also planned on introducing an all-wheel-drive version of the diesel and the Pentastar V6. FCA marketed the Freemont and the Journey in Australia,

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

and China, with the Freemont available with the 2.0- and 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines in markets other than China, while the Journey is now only marketed with the Pentastar V6 engine (both engines were available before the launch of the Freemont). The Freemont was originally available in left-hand drive (LHD) European markets only, except

The Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

, but a right-hand drive (RHD) model was eventually introduced for Australia. The Freemont was discontinued after the 2015 model year.

Engines

The available four-cylinder is a with and of torque. This is a version of Chrysler's GEMA built,

World Gasoline Engine The World Gasoline Engine is a family of straight-4 piston engines, based on the Global Engine Alliance design. Three engines have been produced: a 1.8 L, a 2.0 L, and a 2.4 L. With 1.8 L variant being used on vehicles sold outside of the Unit ...

class of four-cylinder engines shared with Hyundai and Mitsubishi. Through 2010, the V6 offered in North America was a with a six-speed automatic transmission, producing and of torque. For 2011, it was changed to the 3.6-liter

V6, producing and torque. Other markets offer the six-speed

with the flex-fuel (

E85 E85 is an abbreviation typically referring to an ethanol fuel blend of 85% ethanol fuel and 15% gasoline or other hydrocarbon by volume. In the United States, the exact ratio of fuel ethanol to hydrocarbon may vary according to ASTM 5798 that ...

compatible) 2.7-liter V6. All-wheel drive was only available with a V6. Additionally, through 2010, a

Volkswagen Volkswagen (),English: , . abbreviated as VW (), is a German motor vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. Founded in 1937 by the German Labour Front under the Nazi Party and revived into a global brand post-W ...

-sourced diesel engine was available outside of North America with an automatically shifted

dual clutch transmission A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) (sometimes referred to as a twin-clutch transmission) is a type of multi-speed vehicle transmission system, that uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets. The design is often similar to two separa ...

. Chrysler performed primary engineering for the dual-clutch transmission with support from long-time partner Getrag, which was to build the transmission in the United States. Due to funding issues, this did not happen and the factory was sold and used for other purposes.

Safety

The Dodge Journey (in the US & Canada) includes multi-stage front driver and passenger air bags, front-seat-mounted side air bags, three-row side-curtain air bags, standard four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability program (ESP), and electronic roll mitigation, brake assist. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was safety tested by IIHS in 2009

Marketing

Dodge Journeys marketed in Japan are known as Dodge JC, to avoid confusion with

Isuzu Journey The Isuzu Journey (kana:いすゞ・ジャーニー) is a minibus produced by the Japanese manufacturer Isuzu since 1970, and in 1973 in its current somewhat larger format. The range was primarily available as a city bus and a tourist coach. ...

. JCs were qualified by the Japanese government to be included in Subsidy Scheme for Environmentally Friendly Vehicles. As part of the vehicle's introductory promotion, Dario Franchitti's No. 40 Dodge Charger carried a "Journey" paint scheme for the

2008 Daytona 500 The 2008 Daytona 500, the 50th annual running of the event, was held on February 17, 2008 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The race was the 50th to be run since the first in 1959, won by Lee Petty. To commemorate the ev ...

on February 17, 2008.

Sales

Notes

References

External links

Dodge Journey U.S.

Dodge Journey Owner's Manual
{{Fiat Automobiles timeline (Europe) 1980 to date

Journey Journey or journeying may refer to: * Travel, the movement of people between distant geographical locations ** Day's journey, a measurement of distance ** Road trip, a long-distance journey on the road Animals * Journey (horse), a thoroughbred ra ...

Cars of Brazil Crossover sport utility vehicles Mid-size sport utility vehicles Station wagons 2010s cars 2020s cars Front-wheel-drive vehicles All-wheel-drive vehicles Euro NCAP large MPVs Cars introduced in 2008