It’s a Best Buy because:
Journey offers a lot of features for the money, and is one of the least-expensive vehicles available with a 3rd-row seat and 7-passenger capacity.
But…
The 3rd row is mainly for kids, and Journey lacks some of the latest safety features such as blind-spot and cross-traffic alert.
Worth noting:
Journey is one of the few vehicles to offer built-in child safety seats.
What Is It?
Dodge offers two crossovers that can accommodate up to 7 passengers: the large Durango and the midsize Journey. Journey comes only as a 4-door wagon, and is available with a 4-cylinder or V6 engine in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations.
What’s New?
Journey sees only minor revisions for 2014. Option packages are reshuffled, and a new Limited model replaces the Crew model.
Fuel Economy
EPA estimated fuel economy is 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway with the 4-cylinder engine. Front-drive V6 models rate 17/25 while AWD drops both scores by 1 mpg. Journey uses regular-grade gas; the V6 can also run on E85 ethanol, but using it drops estimated fuel economy to 12 city/18 highway. In Consumer Guide® testing, AWD models averaged 17.5 mpg in mostly city driving and 20.5 mpg with more highway use.
Value in Class
It might not have the overall space and refinement of some of its competitors, but Journey excels in other key areas. Among its strengths are outstanding cargo flexibility, optional built-in child-booster seats, and quiet cabin. Combine this with aggressive pricing, and Journey is a compelling Best Buy.
| BASE PRICE RANGE | $19,495 – $30,795 |
| BODY STYLES | 4-Door Wagon |
| AVAILABLE ENGINES | 173-HP, 2.4-Liter 4-Cyl.; 283-HP, 3.6-Liter V6 |
| DRIVE WHEELS | Front or All-Wheel Drive |
| BUILT IN | USA |
| EPA FUEL-ECONOMY RANGE | 16-26 MPG |
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