2011 Dodge Journey: What's New
Vehicle Overview
The Journey arrived late to the crossover segment with its debut as a 2009 model, but Dodge has already heavily revised it for 2011. Changes include a restyled front end, an all-new interior and a new V-6 engine option. Available in two- and three-row configurations, the Journey competes against the Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Nissan Murano.
Exterior
Though the Journey’s more significant changes for 2011 are on the inside, the crossover also gets some subtle exterior updates. They’re primarily centered on the Journey’s front end, which gets new lower bumper styling and the new Dodge crosshair grille. Taken as a whole, the changes make the Journey look more aggressive. Other exterior features include:
- Standard 16-inch steel wheels; 17- or 19-inch aluminum rims optional
- Standard heated side mirrors
- Standard roof rails
- Dual exhaust tips with optional V-6
- Optional front fog lights
- Optional power sunroof
Interior
The Journey gets an all-new dashboard that uses higher-rent materials than the outgoing model. The instrument panel is new, too. Midlevel and higher trims come standard with Dodge’s new UConnect Touch 8.4. The system features an 8.4-inch touch-screen interface for functions like air conditioning and audio, and it incorporates a Garmin-based navigation system. Other interior features include:
- Standard fabric-covered seats; leather-trimmed seats optional
- Optional heated front seats
- Standard manual air conditioning; automatic air conditioning optional
- Standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls
- Standard second-row floor bins
- Standard CD stereo with 4.3-inch touch-screen, auxiliary input and USB port
- Optional Infinity premium audio
- Optional built-in second-row booster seats
- Optional rechargeable flashlight
- Optional storage inside front-passenger seat
Under the Hood
The entry-level Express trim level of the Journey is powered by a 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder that works with a four-speed automatic transmission. All other trims get Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter V-6, which is rated at 283 hp and teams with a six-speed automatic. Mechanical features include:
- Four-cylinder model is front-drive only; V-6 versions can have front- or all-wheel drive
- Both engines use regular gas
- Four-cylinder gets 19/25 mpg
- V-6 gets 17/25 mpg (FWD) or 16/24 mpg (AWD)
- Maximum towing capacity is 1,000 pounds for four-cylinder, 2,500 pounds for V-6
Safety
Safety features include:
- Standard antilock brakes
- Standard side-impact airbags for the front seats
- Standard side curtain airbags
- Standard driver’s knee airbag
- Standard stability system
- Standard front active head restraints
- Optional rear parking sensors
- Optional backup camera
