2020 Dodge Journey: A (Very) Simplified Lineup
Introduced on the market in 2008 as a 2009 model, the Dodge Journey has been a popular vehicle in Canada. It even came in second place on the SUV sales chart in Canada back in 2011, behind the Ford Escape, and for many years, it was the company’s best-selling utility vehicle, called Chrysler Group LLC at the time.
All good things must come to an end, as they say. Largely unchanged since 2011, the Journey was eventually overshadowed by the Jeep Cherokee at FCA, but since then, many Canadian consumers were attracted by this SUV’s affordable price as well as its versatile interior and the availability of a powerful V6 engine. It’s the lowest-priced seven-passenger vehicle on the market.
The 2020 Dodge Journey offers a simplified lineup, to the point where it’s pretty obvious that this SUV has entered its final year of production. Well, regarding aging FCA products, we should never say never…
The SE Plus, SXT and GT trim levels are gone, as are the 3.6-litre V6 engine and all-wheel drivetrain. We’re left with the Journey Canada Value Package and the Journey Crossroad, both equipped with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine that develops 172 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque. It’s connected to a four-speed automatic transmission and drives the front wheels.
As standard, the VUS offers seven-passenger seating—previously optional—as well as cruise control, automatic headlights, dual zone air conditioning, cloth upholstery, an intelligent key, backup sonar and a sound system with 4.3-inch touchscreen.
We can add a few comfort and convenience items to the CVP version, or step up to the Crossroad that boasts fog lamps, LED taillights, 19-inch alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, a power sunroof, leather upholstery and a Uconnect 3 system with 8.4-inch touchscreen and SiriusXM satellite radio. Heated front seats and a heated wheel are optional, as are navigation, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a remote engine starter.
Forget about Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, blind spot monitoring and pre-collision braking—these features were never offered in the Journey.
Still, we get a spacious vehicle with a maximum cargo capacity of 1,914 litres when the second- and third-row seats are folded into the floor. Only the Honda CR-V, the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Forester can do better in the compact SUV segment.
Pricing for the 2020 Dodge Journey hasn’t yet been announced, and neither has its on-sale date. However, we’re expecting a price range of $25,000 to $33,000 according to chosen trim level and features, freight and delivery charges excluded.