2012 Dodge Journey

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(4.2) 95 reviews
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2012 Dodge Journey
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Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
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Key Specs

of the 2012 Dodge Journey. Base trim shown.

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Limited body roll
  • Comfortable ride
  • Easy to maneuver
  • 8.4-inch display's simple interface

The Bad

  • V-6's automatic can be hesitant to kick down
  • Nonlinear braking response
  • Some low-rent dashboard buttons
  • Garmin-based navigation system's rudimentary graphics

Notable Features of the 2012 Dodge Journey

  • Lower base price for 2012
  • Seating for five or seven
  • Standard four-cylinder engine
  • optional V-6
  • FWD or AWD
  • Optional 8.4-inch touch-screen entertainment system

2012 Dodge Journey Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview

Dodge heavily revised its Journey crossover for the 2011 model year. Changes included a restyled front end, an all-new interior and a new V-6 engine option. Available in five- or seven-seat configurations, the Journey is also offered with front- or all-wheel drive. Competitors include the Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Nissan Murano.

New for 2012
With the addition of an American Value Package, the Journey's base price is $3,250 lower than last year. The Uconnect Touch 8.4 multimedia system with navigation gains voice-recognition technology, song-tagging capability and an eco-routing feature.

Exterior
With its crosshair grille, lower bumper styling and flared fenders, the Dodge Journey has an aggressive-looking front end. The R/T trim level has a monochromatic exterior appearance and 19-inch aluminum wheels. Other exterior features include:

  • Standard 16-inch steel wheels; 17- or 19-inch aluminum rims optional
  • Standard power heated side mirrors
  • Dual exhaust tips with optional V-6
  • Optional roof rails
  • Optional LED taillights
  • Optional front fog lights
  • Optional power sunroof

Interior
Higher-quality materials were added to the Journey's dashboard last year. All Journey trim levels have a touch-screen stereo, but the optional Uconnect Touch 8.4 system features a large 8.4-inch touch-screen interface for functions like air conditioning and audio, and it can incorporate a Garmin-based navigation system. The R/T model boasts black leather seats w...

Vehicle Overview

Dodge heavily revised its Journey crossover for the 2011 model year. Changes included a restyled front end, an all-new interior and a new V-6 engine option. Available in five- or seven-seat configurations, the Journey is also offered with front- or all-wheel drive. Competitors include the Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Nissan Murano.

New for 2012
With the addition of an American Value Package, the Journey's base price is $3,250 lower than last year. The Uconnect Touch 8.4 multimedia system with navigation gains voice-recognition technology, song-tagging capability and an eco-routing feature.

Exterior
With its crosshair grille, lower bumper styling and flared fenders, the Dodge Journey has an aggressive-looking front end. The R/T trim level has a monochromatic exterior appearance and 19-inch aluminum wheels. Other exterior features include:

  • Standard 16-inch steel wheels; 17- or 19-inch aluminum rims optional
  • Standard power heated side mirrors
  • Dual exhaust tips with optional V-6
  • Optional roof rails
  • Optional LED taillights
  • Optional front fog lights
  • Optional power sunroof

Interior
Higher-quality materials were added to the Journey's dashboard last year. All Journey trim levels have a touch-screen stereo, but the optional Uconnect Touch 8.4 system features a large 8.4-inch touch-screen interface for functions like air conditioning and audio, and it can incorporate a Garmin-based navigation system. The R/T model boasts black leather seats with red stitching. 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 illuminated cupholders
  • Standard CD stereo with 4.3-inch touch-screen, MP3 jack 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 Journey's base engine is a 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder that works with a four-speed automatic transmission. A 283-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 is available, and it 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
  • 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 with electronic roll mitigation and trailer-sway control
  • Standard front active head restraints
  • Optional rear parking sensors
  • Optional backup camera

 


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Latest 2012 Journey Stories

See all 2012 Dodge Journey articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.2
95 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.4)
Performance
(4.2)
Interior Design
(4.4)
Comfort
(4.5)
Reliability
(4.2)
Value For The Money
(4.2)

What Drivers Are Saying

(4.0)

Just purchased my Dodge Journey

by Dovesrun from Lincoln, NE on August 28, 2018

After driving pickups for several years I was reluctant to buy anything else. However my buget wouldn't allow for the purchase of a pickup. Working with a great dealer that suggested the Dodge Journey... Read full review

(5.0)

Great car for the price

by Renee from Burr Oak mi on August 26, 2018

Car is great. Performs above expectations love it would buy another one. Would tell everyone I know to buy one. One of the best card i ever owen Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2012 Dodge Journey currently has 0 recalls

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2012 Dodge Journey SE/AVP

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
good
Driver Torso
good
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranties

Backed by Dodge
New Car Program Benefits

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    36 months / 36,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    60 months / 100,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    36 months / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned Program Benefits

  • Maximum Age/Mileage

    5 model years or newer/less than 75,000 miles

  • Basic Warranty Terms

    3 months/3,000 miles

  • Powertrain warranty

    7 years/100,000 miles

  • Dealer Certification Required

    125-point inspection

  • Roadside Assistance

    Yes

  • View All Program Details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs or visit the manufacturer's website .

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Journey received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker