Most significant changes: Trim levels decreased from four to two (SE Value and Crossroad); rear parking sensors now standard; Popular Equipment Group ($1,595) includes upgrades and convenience features available (and different) for both trims
Price change: $250 increase for both the SE Value and Crossroad
On sale: Now, but with caveats. The 2020 Journey is not available in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington (the 2019 Journey is available nationwide).
Which should you buy, 2019 or 2020? If it’s not available in your state, you’re stuck with a 2019. For others, a 2020 is better if the prices are about equal, but if a 2019 is cheaper, I’d go with that. There isn’t enough additional equipment to justify the price increase.
Related: What’s the Best Deal on a Compact SUV in January 2020?
The 2020 Dodge Journey gets a small set of updates for the new model year, simplified trim levels and a much more limited geographic footprint. See above for the full list of 13 states that won’t be getting a 2020 Journey, though the 2019 remains on sale nationwide.
For those who do get a choice, which one should you buy? Let’s dive into the changes to see, starting with the trim levels: Dodge has axed the SE and GT trims for 2020, leaving only the SE Value and the Crossroad. The GT was formerly the highest trim level, boasting features like leather seats and a household outlet that are no longer available on the Journey.
Added to the standard features list are rear parking sensors for both models and a sunroof for the Crossroad. That’s a small bump in standard features with an equally small bump in pricing. Both the SE Value and the Crossroad trims see a $250 bump in price for 2020, to $24,990 and $30,090 respectively (all prices include a $1,495 destination charge).
The final change of note is a new Popular Equipment Group for the SE Value trim — the Crossroad has a package of the same name (that was available in 2019) but with different features. In the SE Value, the package is $1,595 and adds rear air conditioning (for tri-zone climate control), a power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a security alarm, satellite radio and Uconnect Voice Command. On the Crossroad, the package costs the same amount but the equipment you get is much more upscale: navigation, an upgraded stereo, heated front seats and steering wheel, remote start and a universal garage door opener.
More From Cars.com:
- Compare the 2020 and 2019 Dodge Journey
- More Dodge Journey News
- Research the Dodge Journey
- What Is a Crossover?
- Faster, Clearer FCA Uconnect5 Is Coming
The Journey’s claim to fame is its price — it’s pretty much the cheapest way to get a three-row vehicle that doesn’t involve jamming passengers in the cargo area, and that’s nothing to sneeze at. With that in mind, picking between a 2019 and a 2020 comes down to price: Whichever model year presents more of a bargain is what I’d go with. Rear parking sensors are a nice addition for any SUV because they improve visibility, but a backup camera is still standard, so you’re not totally blind back there. Our choice is whatever you can get for cheaper.
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