2020 Dodge Journey review
The Dodge Journey was an affordable midsize two- or three-row crossover SUV with seating for five or seven passengers. The Journey was produced in a single generation that stretched from 2009 to the end of production in 2020. It was powered by the buyer’s choice of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a more powerful V6. In all cases, it came equipped with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive was available on higher trim levels. As a family vehicle, the Journey was primarily known for its spacious cabin and family-friendly features.
Explore the evolution of the Dodge Journey
Get our expert take on used Dodge Journey models, or view year-by-year changes.
First generation Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey was unusual among midsize crossovers in that it could be purchased as a spacious two-row vehicle with seating for five or as a family-friendly three-row SUV with seating for seven. Given Dodge’s long experience with minivans, the Journey offered many of the same features, with easy access to the third row and comfortable seating with reclining seatbacks in both the second and third rows.
In its early years, the Dodge Journey could be purchased with a 3.5-liter V6, but by 2011, Chrysler had changed over to the reliable 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder was available in base trims throughout the Journey’s production life. Both engines were paired with different automatic transmissions, and all-wheel drive was available on higher-trim V6 models.
Apart from a refresh in 2011, the Journey was produced largely unchanged until 2020, which meant that major upgrades in chassis and safety technology during that period were unavailable to Journey buyers.
Model highlights
Seating for five or seven passengers
Four-cylinder or V6 engine
Front- or all-wheel drive
Reclining seats in second and third rows
Easy access to the third row
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2009 - 2020
2020 Dodge Journey
Highlights
V6 engine and GT trim discontinued for final year of production
Learn more
2019 Dodge Journey
2018 Dodge Journey
2017 Dodge Journey
2016 Dodge Journey
2015 Dodge Journey
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Reliability
RepairPal gave the Dodge Journey an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Dodge Journey 19th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Dodge Journey is $569, compared to an average of $494 for Midsize SUVs and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Dodge Journey owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.1 times per year, compared to an average of 1.0 times for Midsize SUVs and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 14% for the Dodge Journey, compared to an average of 14% for Midsize SUVs and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Jeff Zurschmeide has been an automotive journalist for more than 20 years, covering the new car business as well as motorsports and industry news. He lives in Tillamook, Oregon, at the confluence of great roads, nice weather, and plenty of space for a collection of strange old automobiles.
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