The Dodge Journey is a

mid-size crossover SUV A crossover, crossover SUV, or crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is a type of automobile with an increased ride height that is built on unibody chassis construction shared with passenger cars, as opposed to traditional sport utility vehicles ( SU ...

manufactured and marketed by

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA), now part of Stellantis, was an Italian-American multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of Car, automobiles, commercial vehicles, List of auto parts, auto parts and production systems. ...

Dodge Dodge is an American brand of automobiles and a division of Stellantis, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Dodge vehicles have historically included performance cars, and for much of its existence, Dodge was Chrysler's mid-priced brand above P ...

brand for

model year The model year (sometimes abbreviated as 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 intended to give a more youthful facial appearance. There are ...

for the 2011 model year. The Journey was styled by

Ryan Nagode Ryan Nagode is an automotive designer and chief interior designer at Stellantis. In 2014, he was named to the Automotive News "40 under 40." A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art Industrial Design Program in 2003, Nagode designed the exte ...

, 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 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-wheelbase (SWB)

Dodge Caravan The Dodge Caravan is a series of minivans manufactured by Chrysler from the 1984 through 2020 model years. The Dodge version of the Chrysler minivans, was marketed as both a passenger van and a cargo van (the only version of the model line offe ...

. 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 trade fairs. I ...

, 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 as w ...

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) In the Automotive industry in the United States, United States automotive industry, the term ''Big Three'' is used for the country's three largest motor vehicle manufacturers, especially indicating companies that sell under multiple brand names. ...

. Production versions of 2009 model year vehicles went on sale in early 2008 for the 2009 model-year in

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

, and mid-2008 elsewhere. A version for the Chinese 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. Types The most common forms of all-wheel drive are: ;1x1 : All unicycles Reflects one axle with ...

(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 Infotainment (a portmanteau of ''information'' and ''entertainment''), also called soft news as a way to distinguish it from serious journalism or hard news, is a type of media, usually television or online, that provides a combination of inform ...

systems with either 4.3-inch (4.3") or 8.4-inch (8.4")

LCD A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat-panel display or other electronically modulated optical device that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals combined with polarizers to display information. Liquid crystals do not em ...

color

touchscreen A touchscreen (or touch screen) is a type of electronic visual display, display that can detect touch input from a user. It consists of both an input device (a touch panel) and an output device (a visual display). The touch panel is typically l ...

displays, and a full-color

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 **Nitro ligand ...

. SE and SXT trims returned 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 (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

market that is priced below the SE. For the 2013 model year, Dodge released a "Blacktop" trim option, with 19-inch aluminium wheels and center caps, grille, bezel headlamps, lower front fascia accent, and exterior mirrors, all in a gloss black color. 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. For the 2017 model year; the R/T trim was 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 File:2020 Dodge Journey interior.jpg, Interior

2020 model year changes

For the 2020 model year, the

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 (AT) or automatic gearbox is a multi-speed transmission (mechanics), transmission used in motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving conditions. The 1904 ...

, and available with

front wheel drive Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a form of internal combustion engine, engine and transmission (mechanics), transmission layout used in motor vehicles, in which the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel-drive vehicles feature ...

. 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 Gasoline ( North American English) or petrol ( Commonwealth English) is a petrochemical product characterized ...

Variable Valve Timing Variable valve timing (VVT) is the process of altering the timing of a Poppet valve, valve lift event in an internal combustion engine, and is often used to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions. It is increasingly being used in combina ...

(VVT) V6 gasoline engine, six-speed

, and the option for all-wheel drive 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 America ...

) were not available in states with

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

emissions requirements for the 2020

. 2020 was the final

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

Second generation

Although the Journey was discontinued in the United States after the 2020 model year, a second-generation Journey, a rebadged GAC GS5, was sold in Mexico starting in 2022.

Fiat Freemont

Chrysler marketed the Mexican manufacturedFiat will rebadge Dodge Journey in Europe
-- Autoweek (Retrieved December 27, 2010 Journey in

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

after model year 2011 as the Fiat Freemont, debuting the

rebadged In the automotive industry, rebadging (also known as badge engineering, an intentionally ironic misnomer in that little or no actual engineering takes place) is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. T ...

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 Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

and

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

, 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 , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

, but a right-hand drive (RHD) model was eventually introduced for

. The Freemont was discontinued after the 2015 model year.

Engines

The available

four-cylinder The engine configuration describes the fundamental operating principles by which internal combustion engines are categorized. Piston engines are often categorized by their cylinder layout, valves and camshafts. Wankel engines are often categoriz ...

was 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. The initial design of the engine block and cylinder head was handled ...

'' 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 offered the six-speed

with the flex-fuel ( E85-compatible) 2.7-liter V6. All-wheel drive was only available with a V6. Additionally, through 2010, a

Volkswagen Volkswagen (VW; )English: , . is a German automotive industry, automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. Established in 1937 by German Labour Front, The German Labour Front, it was revitalized into the global brand it ...

-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 from 1970 to 2021. The range was primarily available as a city bus and a tourist coach. In Japan, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middl ...

. 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 George Dario Marino Franchitti (born 19 May 1973) is a British motorsport commentator and retired motor racing driver from Scotland. Franchitti won the IndyCar Series Drivers' Championship in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the Indianapolis 500 in ...

's No. 40

Dodge Charger The Dodge Charger is a model of automobile marketed by Dodge in various forms over eight generations since 1966. The first Charger was a show car in 1964. A 1965 Charger II concept car resembled the 1966 production version. In the United Sta ...

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 ...

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 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 Latin NCAP large MPVs Cars introduced in 2008