Vehicle Tested
| 2011 Dodge Journey Crew AWD
Base Price: $30,940
At-Tested Price: $33,160
Built in Mexico.
Options
Navagation and Sound Group
Second-Row Child Booster Seats
Heated Front Seats
Engine: 3.6-liter V6
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Drive Wheels: All-Wheel Drive
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Since its introduction in 2008, the Dodge Journey has been odd man out on crossover SUV shopping lists. It just didn't have to street cred to match up feature for feature with more popular vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-7, Nissan Murano and Toyota Venza. What it did have was an extra row of seats, expanding seating capacity from five to seven passengers. But that wasn't enough to give it a leg up and sales weren't particularly spectacular.
That changes for 2011 as Journey is completely redesigned as part of a product onslaught from Dodge designed to reinvent the brand and place it on consumer wish lists.
The new Journey gets cosmetic changes front and rear, a more-powerful V6 engine option, new features and a completely redesigned interior. Like it's predecessor, the 2011 Journey has seating for five or seven passengers, comes with either a four-cylinder or V6 engine and is available with front or all-wheel drive.
Five trim levels are offered: Express, Mainstreet, R/T, Crew and Lux. The Express model carries over 173-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission. New for '11 is the 283-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 found on Mainstreet, R/T, Crew and Lux models. It replaces a 235-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The new V6 comes with a six-speed automatic transmission with separate shift gate for manual operation. Towing capacity with the four-cylinder engine is 1000 pounds. Towing capacity with the V6 grows to 2500 pounds.
Standard safety features on all models includes antilock four-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, stability control with rollover sensors, tire-pressure monitor, front-seat active head restraints and dual-front, front-side and curtain-side airbags. A rear-view camera and rear-obstacle detection are optional. Blind-spot detection is not offered. Available on all models are integrated child seats for the second-row seats.
The Express comes only with front-wheel drive and lists for $22,245. It includes air conditioning with dual-zone manual controls, tilt-telescope steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, cloth upholstery, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, adjustable second-row split folding seat, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, keyless access and starting, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with digital-media player connection and USB port, variable-intermittent wipers, cooled glovebox, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, automatic-off headlights, theft-deterrent system, roof rails, rear privacy glass, trailer-sway control, 225/70R16 tires and wheel covers.
The Mainstreet model adds to the Express leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite radio, floormats, sport suspension, 225/65R17 tires and alloy wheels. It sells for $24,445 with front drive and $26,145 with AWD.
R/T models lists for $28,445 and $30,145 with front- and AWD respectively. They add to the Mainstreet dual-zone automatic climate controls, six-way power driver seat, four-way power and fold-flat passenger seat, Bluetooth cell-phone connection with voice recognition, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, illuminated visor mirrors, 115-volt power outlet, conversation mirror, cargo cover, automatic headlights and 225/55R19 tires.
The front-drive Crew starts at $28,445 while the AWD Crew lists for $30,145. Crew adds to R.T rear air conditioning and heating with automatic climate control, third-row split folding rear seat and remote engine start.
The line-topping Lux lists for $31,945 with front drive and $33,645 with AWD. It adds to the Crew rear-obstacle-detection system, leather upholstery, heated front seats, rear-view camera and chrome alloy wheels.
Key options include navigation system with real-time traffic information, sunroof, universal garage-door opener, floormats and chrome alloy wheels. The Journey is build in Mexico and has a destination charge of $750.
Get Up and Go Didn't have the opportunity to test the four-cylinder engine, but that's only in the base Express model anyway. Given that Journey weighs more than 4300 pounds and the four comes with only a four-speed automatic, it isn't likely to be much of a fireball.
The V6 on the other hand is a breath of fresh air. It's smooth, refined and best of all energetic. Step on the gas and the V6-powered Journey will run from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds. That's slightly better than class average and more than enough oomph to keep pace with city traffic or to merge onto the highway.
The six-speed automatic changes gears smoothly and downshifts quickly when more power is needed.
EPA ratings for the AWD Journey are 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Dodge says Journey will run fine on regular-grade gasoline. Those numbers match up favorably with other five-seven passenger crossovers.
Daily commuters in Chicago will likely see fuel economy hover below 20 mpg, though if your commute includes lots of relaxed highway driving, you may see as much as 23 mpg overall.
Journey's all-wheel-drive system doesn't have a low range and isn't intended for severe off-road use. Still, it's become a class necessity for those wanting the added security of AWD traction in the snow. Though, if you live in the city or suburban sprawl, you can save a few bucks and get better fuel economy by sticking with front drive and a set of good all-season tires.
On the Road Thanks to it's large-for-the-class wheelbase, Journey rides with the smoothness and composure of a larger vehicle. Regardless of model, the suspension does a good job of softening large impacts and reducing bounce. The ride does grow firmer with the Crew's 19-inch wheels
Revisions to the suspension, steering and brakes for 2011 give Journey a more responsive and athletic feel behind the wheel. Obviously models with the 19-inch wheels hold the road the best, but all trim levels feel more athletic than before and could almost be considered sporty when compared to others in the class.
Overall, Dodge engineers made significant changes under the skin transforming Journey from on-road also ran to a competent and comfortable cruiser. The new suspension and steering gear give drivers confidence and the subtle shock damping soaks up all but the harshest impacts.
Journey doesn't feel as isolated from road and wind noise as some competitors, but it's still quite quiet inside. Road noise is the biggest culprit--thanks, again, to those beefy 19-inch wheels. The V6 is quiet when cruising and makes a refined growl in hard acceleration.
Behind the Wheel Rarely does a mid-cycle refresh include such an extensive interior makeover. Basically, Dodge engineers keep the storage and versatility features that made the previous Journey appealing and dumped the rest, completely rejuvenating the interior design. Hard plastic is replaced by rich-feeling soft touch materials. Workmanship looks to be greatly improved as well. In addition, control locations are improved for better access.
The highlight has to be the gorgeous and vivid 8.4-inch touch-screen display that comes on models equipped with the available navigation system. It's the command central for Chryslers uconnect system. It's a delight to operate and gives the whole cabin an upscale and modern flair.
Even without the display the controls for the audio and climate system are excellent and the easy-to-read speedometer and tachomer flank a nice information screen behind the steering wheel. Ancillary controls for the windows and locks are placed within easy reach on the driver's armrest.
The front seats are quite comfortable and there's plenty of head and leg room. The standard tilt and telescope steering wheel is much appreciated and makes finding a comfortable driving position easy. Outward visibility is excellent to all directions, helped by large outside mirrors. Entry and exit is amongst the easiest in the class, thanks to a low ride height.
As long as the front seats are all the way back second-row seats have good leg room but head room grows tight for those more than six-feet tall. The third-row seats are really just for kids. They aren't adult sized, but sliding the second-row seats forward does increase leg room somewhat. Getting back there isn't as difficult as in some competitors, but still a twist-and-turn proposition. A nice touch are the built-in available second-row booster seats. They are a snap to operate and don't reduce overall seat cushion comfort at all.
Journey's strong point used to be its versatile interior. With two rows of folding seats and several covered storage bins, it set the standard in the class. That's no different now. There's an under-the-seat storage bin in the front seat and good-sized second-row footwell storage bins and a deep tray beneath the rear load floor. In addition, Dodge adds a pop-out flashlight in the cargo area, which is a nice touch.
Bottom Line With the 2011 redesign, Dodge has transformed Journey from a compact crossover also ran into a class leader. Journey delivers with sporty driving manners, a powerful engine, thoughtful interior design, and impressive versatility. About the only downfall is below average fuel economy ratings.
The price is sure right as well. Sized and priced between five-passenger and seven-passenger crossovers, the Journey finds an interesting niche that makes it appealing on several levels. Even when fully equipped, Journey lists for less than $35,000, a price where many seven-passenger V6-powered competitors start.
Specifications 2011 Dodge Journey Crew AWD
| Dimensions
| 4-door wagon
| Engine
| DOHC V6
| Wheelbase, in.
| 113.8
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 3.6 / 220
| Length, in.
| 192.4 | Horsepower
| 283 @ 6350 | Width, in.
| 72.2
| Torque (lb.-ft.) | 260 @ 4400
| Height, in.
| 69.5
| Transmission
| 6-Speed Automatic
| Weight, lbs.
| 4195
| EPA Estimates, mpg
| 16 city / 24 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 67.6 |
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| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 21.1
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 7
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 40.8
| Powertrain
| 5 years / 100,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 40.8
| Corrosion
| 5 years / 100,000 miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 39.9
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 3 years / 36,000 miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 33.6
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
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