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2017 Dodge Journey

Starting at $22,290

4/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2017 dodge journey
Alex Conley, Michael Simari, Dodge|Car and Driver
4/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Attractive pricing, comfortable highway ride, spacious interior.
  • Lows Underpowered engines, ponderous handling, lack of technology.
  • Verdict The Journey is a practical choice for families on a tight budget, but rival crossovers beat it in most key areas.

Overview

Introduced nearly a decade ago, the aging mid-size Journey has survived this long thanks to its affordability and practicality, but it’s decidedly lacking in the latest technology and safety equipment. Despite the availability of five trim packages, the choice of inline-four and V-6 engines, front- or all-wheel drive, and five- or seven-passenger seating, the Journey is just not truly competitive with the best family crossovers. It’s only worth considering if there’s a steep discount working in your favor.

What's New for 2017?

Not much. Other than a few new paint colors, the Journey’s biggest update this year was the renaming of its top trim level from R/T to GT.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

  • SE: $22,290
  • SXT: $26,590
  • Crossroad: $28,090
  • Crossroad Plus: $29,835
  • GT: $33,090

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The base Journey comes with an underpowered 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and an ancient four-speed automatic transmission that’s best avoided. We can confidently say that its 173 horsepower isn't enough to adequately power this two-ton SUV. Even the 283-hp V-6 model is slower than most rivals. The bigger engine is punchy enough for everyday driving, but its six-speed automatic transmission is sometimes slow on the uptake when you request more power, hampering the Journey’s responsiveness. Front-wheel drive is standard with either engine; all-wheel drive is optional on the V-6 and not available with the inline-four. The Journey’s numb, ponderous handling leaves it wallowing in corners with lots of body roll and imprecise steering. The benefit of its soft suspension, however, is a comfortable ride on the freeway.

2017 red dodge journey suv on a trail near a wheat fieldView Photos
Dodge

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Journey’s cabin is far from upscale, and fitting anyone in the third row—even children—requires compromises from those in the second row. Cheap-feeling bits, such as a plasticky shifter and hollow-sounding interior door-trim panels, are especially egregious in higher-trim Journeys. Several luxury features, including a power-adjustable passenger seat, cooled seats, and heated rear seats are notable in their absence from the options list. Practicality is one of the few areas where the Journey shines: its interior is easily configurable, and it has tons of cubby storage for odds and ends, even if its total cargo capacity isn’t as large as some rivals.

2017 dodge journey interiorView Photos
Michael Simari, Alex Conley|Car and Driver

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Journey comes with the same easy-to-use Uconnect touchscreen as many other Dodge products. However, only the optional system, with its larger screen, incorporates the latest connectivity features. The Journey’s standard infotainment setup has a small 4.3-inch touchscreen with only the basics: AM/FM radio, a USB port, and an auxiliary audio jack. We’d choose the optional 8.4-inch touchscreen, which has much larger touch zones and more available features, including optional navigation, voice command, and Bluetooth connectivity. Neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto is offered, and there’s only a a single USB port up front.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

For more information about the Dodge Journey’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.

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