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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