What style of car is a Dodge Journey?
The Dodge Journey is a mid-size, car-based crossover SUV with flexible seating and cargo space, produced by Dodge from 2008 to 2019. It sits in the crossover segment as a family-friendly option rather than a truck-based SUV or minivan.
Overview and classification
The Journey is classified as a midsize crossover SUV because it uses a unibody platform and typically offers front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive. It was designed to blend passenger comfort with practical cargo space, and to provide configurable seating for families.
Before listing its defining traits, here is a quick summary of its core characteristics:
- Body style: mid-size crossover SUV with unibody construction
- Seating: five-seat standard layout, with optional third-row seating for seven
- Drivetrain: front-wheel drive standard; all-wheel drive available on select trims
- Powertrains: offered with multiple engines over its run, including four-cylinder and V6 options, typically paired with automatic transmissions
- Market positioning: positioned as an affordable, family-oriented crossover in the mainstream market
In sum, the Journey represents Dodge's effort to offer a practical, value-focused family SUV in the mid-size crossover class. Production ended in 2019 as Dodge shifted its lineup toward other models.
Design and engineering
The Journey features a practical, tall-roof crossover silhouette with adaptable seating and a roomy interior. Its unibody construction contributes to a smoother ride and better highway efficiency than traditional body-on-frame SUVs, while still delivering ample cargo space for family use.
Interior and seating options
Depending on the trim, the Journey could accommodate five or seven passengers, with folding second-row and optional third-row seats to expand cargo capacity. Interior materials and available tech varied by model year and market.
Performance and drivetrain
Across its production run, the Journey offered multiple powertrains and automatic transmissions, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available on certain trims. Engine and transmission combinations changed over the years.
Lifecycle and market context
Introduced for the 2009 model year and produced through 2019, the Journey served as Dodge's mid-size crossover option during that period. As consumer tastes evolved toward more refined interiors and newer tech, Dodge gradually focused its SUV lineup toward other models, including the larger Durango.
Summary
In short, the Dodge Journey is a mid-size, car-based crossover SUV designed for families, with flexible seating and cargo options. It was produced from 2008 to 2019 and sits in Dodge's mainstream lineup as an affordable, practical option in the crossover segment.
What is a Dodge Journey comparable to?
Cars similar to the Dodge Journey include mid-size and compact SUVs like the Kia Sorento, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Volkswagen Tiguan, which also offer three-row seating or have a similar family-oriented crossover body style. Other competitors include the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, and Nissan Pathfinder.
This video compares the Dodge Durango and Dodge Journey: 48sAutomobiles MediaYouTube · Oct 17, 2016
Mid-size SUVs (similar size and three-row capability)
- Kia Sorento: A close competitor in the same segment, though a three-row version may require an upgrade.
- Honda Pilot: A popular and well-regarded three-row SUV.
- Toyota Highlander: Another popular and reliable three-row option.
- Nissan Pathfinder: A direct competitor in the mid-size, three-row SUV category.
- Mazda CX-90: A more premium option that also offers three-row seating.
- GMC Acadia: Competes with the Journey in the three-row crossover segment.
Compact SUVs (similar body style but smaller)
- Mitsubishi Outlander: Often cited as a direct competitor, especially in later model years.
- Volkswagen Tiguan: A compact SUV that has been compared to the Journey.
- Nissan Rogue: Another compact SUV that is often compared to the Journey.
- Chevrolet Equinox: A compact SUV that is also considered a comparable option, with different fuel economy figures.
Other options
- Dodge Durango: A larger, more powerful SUV from the same brand, but with a similar family-hauler capability.
- Dodge Grand Caravan: A minivan that is a logical alternative if passenger and cargo space are the priority, given that the Journey is a family-focused crossover.
What is the Dodge Journey classified as?
The Dodge Journey is considered a mid-size crossover SUV. It is designed to blend the practicality of a minivan with the capability of an SUV, and it has been available with two or three rows of seating. It was produced from 2008 to 2020 and is marketed as a family-hauling vehicle that is smaller than a large SUV.
- Crossover SUV: This classification means it has a higher ground clearance than a car but is built on a car platform, unlike traditional body-on-frame SUVs.
- Mid-size: It is a mid-size vehicle, sitting below the larger Dodge Durango in the brand's lineup.
- Three-row seating: Many models offer three rows of seating, which allows for up to seven passengers, making it suitable for families.
- Value-oriented: The Journey is positioned as a more affordable option in the mid-size SUV segment, offering value and space for its price point.
Is a Dodge Journey considered a large SUV?
In conclusion, the Dodge Journey is a midsize crossover SUV that offers a spacious interior, advanced technology, and a powerful engine. With a variety of models and trim levels, there is a Dodge Journey to suit the needs of any buyer.
Is a Dodge Journey an SUV or a minivan?
The Dodge Journey is best described as a midsize crossover SUV, not a traditional van or SUV. It blends characteristics of both, offering the higher ride height and some capabilities of an SUV with the passenger-carrying capacity and practicality of a minivan. It was available with three rows of seating for up to seven passengers.
- Crossover SUV: The Dodge Journey is built on a car-based platform, which is characteristic of a crossover, rather than the truck-based platform of a traditional SUV. This results in a ride that is more car-like than a traditional SUV.
- Van-like features: With three-row seating, it functions as a passenger vehicle capable of carrying more people, a role traditionally filled by minivans.
- SUV-like features: It maintains the higher ground clearance and the presence of an SUV, and was available with all-wheel drive in some model years, although the final 2020 model was front-wheel drive only.
- Not a traditional minivan: While it can function like a minivan, it lacks some features found in traditional minivans, such as the "Stow 'n Go" seating and typically has less overall cargo space with the third row up.
