What do you want from your SUV? You want space to put stuff, people and have the ability to transform the vehicle to haul whatever it is you need. This is versatility, one of the key characteristics of the Dodge Journey. This SUV also gives you a great deal of value from the aspect of being an SUV that is more affordable than most in its class, making it easier to live with and fully enjoy. Not only does the Journey start out with a lower price than many of the competitors it also offers the ability to move across a wider variety of trim levels to be an SUV you can nearly customize for yourself.
Speaking of features, the Journey offers you five trims and the ability to have up to seven passengers in the SUV. At the base, SE model, the Journey offers dual-zone climate controls, a 4.3-inch touch screen media center, keyless entry, push button starting, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power windows and locks, a six-speaker audio system with auxiliary port and USB inputs, electronic traction and stability control, ABS and airbags. These features give you an SUV that is great for driving and has some equipment that makes it enjoyable to drive.
As for the optional features, these are spread across packages and four trim levels to give the Journey a full five trim levels. The optional features you can enjoy are three-row seating, AWD, an 8.4-inch touch screen Uconnect infotainment system, a navigation system, leather upholstery, Infinity speakers, a rear seat video entertainment system with a nine-inch screen and wireless headphones, an in vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, automatic braking and other advanced safety features and driver assistance aids to make the drive more enjoyable and informative.
In order to carry all this along with you the engine has to be able to do its job and there are two engines to choose from. While the Journey is one of the only SUVs in its class to have a four-cylinder engine it’s a good one as a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder that will give you 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is attached to a four-speed automatic transmission that will bring in fuel mileage of 19 city/26 hwy mpg. This powertrain even gives you the chance to tow up to 1,000 pounds for some lightweight duty.
The larger engine does add a bit more of everything so if you feel the four-cylinder is not for you step on up to the V6 for some added power. This 3.6-liter V6 engine offers you 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque and is attached to a six-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain allows you to experience 17 city/25 hwy mpg in FWD and 16 city/24 hwy mpg for AWD in the fuel mileage realm. Adding more to the powertrain means a towing capacity to 2,500 pounds which is enough to bring a light workload home from the hardware store.
As mentioned the Journey does come in at a lower price point than most in its class which is a starting price for the base model of just $22,000. Moving up to the SXT and Crossroad trims you will be asked to pay in the mid-$20,000 range while the R/T will as for a mid-$30,000 when fully equipped. This puts the Journey ahead of some models and those that feel they compare at certain price points just don’t seem to have the same level of equipment that the Journey can offer you for your driving enjoyment.
What is new for the Journey? This new Journey dropped the AVP trim off the lineup and now only has five trims to choose from all with lower base prices than before. The Crossroad Plus trim adds to the Crossroad trim with standard leather seating and the Uconnect system with the 8.4-inch display screen. The Journey is a great SUV for those who need the versatility and compartments that are found in this SUV which actually makes cargo flexibility one of the favorite features of the Journey, with the second one being the V6 engine for those who just have to get more power from their SUV.
The outside of the Journey is an attractive shape and style that is not overly done. Simple lines around the perimeter of the bottom of the doors and fenders give the SUV some great character. The front fascia even slopes downward in a gentle way that is comforting and stylish. There is something very enjoyable about an SUV that knows what it is and isn’t trying to be something more and that is exactly what the Journey is. What is the Journey? An SUV that is perfect on any road and knows that’s where it’s going to be driven most of the time.
The interior is laid out in two ways either a two-row setting with five seats or one that offers three rows and seven seats. The second row is comfortable enough, but if you have the three-row model the back seat is best for smaller children. Up front you can see a fully connected and engaged set of controls along with a great infotainment system that comes out of the 8.4-inch touchscreen. With attractive materials and trim elements the 2016 Dodge Journey is an SUV you want to drive and enjoy whether you are heading to work or you need to drive to the grocery store.
Driving this SUV gives you the feeling you get when driving a sedan with the size and elements of an older SUV. This vehicle offers some of the most confident ways to drive along any road and gives you a pleasure cruise from behind the wheel or in any of the seats. When you know you need and SUV for the versatility and want one that gives you great value as well, the Dodge Journey is the right choice. With a low price and some awesome equipment you can’t go wrong with this beautiful vehicle.
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