Will the Dodge Journey come back?
The Dodge Journey is not slated for a comeback, and there are no official plans to revive the name. As of 2025, Dodge is focusing on current models like the Durango, the Hornet, and an ongoing electrification strategy, rather than reintroducing a legacy crossover. This article examines where the Journey stands, how Dodge is evolving today, and what factors would influence any potential return.
Current status of the Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey was launched in 2008 as a flexible, family-friendly crossover and remained in production in North America until 2019. In Europe, a closely related Fiat Freemont variant shared the platform before being discontinued. In the late 2010s, sales slowed, and Dodge ceased offering the Journey in the U.S. and Canada after the 2019 model year. There has been no official statement from Stellantis or Dodge about reviving the name or producing a direct successor. Enthusiasts and industry observers have periodically speculated about a revival, but no timetable or plan has surfaced in public disclosures.
Timeline highlights
The Journey debuted for the 2009 model year and ran through the 2019 model year in North America, with a European variant (Freemont) present for a portion of that time. Its decline in sales coincided with Dodge’s pivot toward other SUVs and performance-focused models. Since then, the brand has not signaled a return to the Journey name or a similar, traditional 5- to 7-seat crossover in its core lineup.
Key milestones and the car’s current status can be summarized in a few factual points:
- The Journey last sold in 2019 in the U.S./Canada; production ended as part of a broader product refresh.
- There is no official plan announced by Stellantis or Dodge to reprise the Journey name or create a direct replacement.
- The European counterpart Fiat Freemont was retired as part of a broader reshuffling of platforms and branding.
- Current Dodge strategy centers on the Durango, the Hornet, and an electrified future, not reviving older names.
In short, the vehicle's formal revival faces a set of strategic and market hurdles. The absence of an official plan signals that any such move would require a deliberate shift in product planning and branding.
Dodge's current lineup and strategic direction
To understand whether there could be a Journey revival, it's essential to look at where Dodge sits today and where it’s heading. The brand has shifted toward performance-oriented SUVs and electrification, rather than reintroducing legacy models with familiar names.
Key elements of Dodge's current strategy include:
- Hornet: A compact crossover launched in 2023, aimed at expanding Dodge’s reach in the small-SUV segment and serving as a platform for further electrification.
- Durango: The longstanding 5- to 7-seat SUV remains the brand’s main three-row offering, with ongoing updates and performance variants.
- Challenger and Charger: Iconic two-door performance cars that define Dodge’s image, with a gradual shift toward electrified performance options and continued muscle-car heritage.
- Electrification push: Stellantis has signaled a broader strategy to electrify its lineup, including Dodge’s future offerings, emphasizing performance-oriented EVs and hybrids rather than reviving mid-sized crossovers under older names.
Taken together, Dodge’s current lineup emphasizes growth in SUVs and electrified performance, not a revival of the Journey. Any such revival would require a clear business case and a change in branding strategy.
What would influence a Journey revival?
If Dodge ever considered reintroducing a Journey-like model, several factors would shape the decision:
- Market demand and profitability: A modern Journey would need to compete effectively in a crowded space against Grand Cherokee L, Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, and similar models, with margins that justify the investment.
- Platform and production readiness: A revival would require a compatible platform, supply-chain alignment, and the scale to produce a profitable program.
- Brand strategy and naming: Dodge would weigh whether to reuse the Journey name—logo, branding, and dealer network fit—or launch a new model under a different badge to avoid brand confusion.
- Regulatory and safety requirements: Any new vehicle would need to meet evolving safety, emissions, and efficiency standards in key markets.
- Timeline and capital allocation: Product-cycle timing and the company’s capital budgets would determine whether a Journey-like vehicle could appear within a realistic window.
At present, there is no official signal from Dodge or Stellantis indicating that such a project is in development. The decision would reflect a broader assessment of market conditions, brand positioning, and the costs of re-entering a segment with strong incumbents.
What to watch for in the coming years
Fans of the Journey can monitor a few indicators that could signal a shift in the works or the absence thereof. Watch for:
- Investor presentations and official statements from Stellantis about Dodge’s product roadmap and naming strategy.
- New model previews or concept vehicles from Dodge that could hint at a future three-row crossover or a successor to older names.
- Updates to the Durango and Grand Cherokee L lineup, including any new platforms, electrification options, or seating configurations that could fill a similar market niche.
- Regulatory and market demand signals in key regions, particularly North America, where the Journey once competed.
Until such signals emerge, the Journey remains a retired name with no formal path back on Dodge’s calendar.
Summary
The Dodge Journey has not been revived and there is no official plan to bring the name back. Dodge's current strategy centers on the Durango, the Hornet, and a broader electrification effort, with a focus on performance and modern crossovers rather than reintroducing legacy names. A comeback would hinge on a strong business case, a viable platform, and a clear branding strategy. For now, enthusiasts should regard the Journey as a chapter closed, with the brand continuing to evolve its lineup for a changing market.
