The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV that Dodge sold for the 2009 to 2020 model years in a single generation, facelifted for 2011. Styled by Ryan Nagode, it was marketed around the world in left- and right-hand drive and was also sold in Europe as the Fiat Freemont.
Dodge Journey at a glance
| Production | 2009-2020 model years |
|---|---|
| Class | mid-size crossover SUV |
| Platform | FCA global D-segment, shared with the Dodge Avenger |
| Seats | five or seven |
| Factory | Toluca, Mexico |
| Built | just over 1.1 million |
| Engines | 2.4 L four; 3.5 L V6; later 3.6 L Pentastar |
| Trims | SE, SXT, R/T; Express, Mainstreet, Crew, Lux after 2011 |
| Facelift | 2011 model year |
| Also sold as | Fiat Freemont; JCUV in China |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Dodge Journey.
History of the Dodge Journey
The Journey, internally known as the JC49, shared FCA’s global D-segment platform with the Dodge Avenger and had a wheelbase almost identical to the short-wheelbase Dodge Caravan. It debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show and appeared there again in 2009, and all cars were built at the Toluca plant in Mexico. Production ended in 2020 after just over 1.1 million vehicles.
As a mid-size crossover, the Journey came in five- and seven-seat configurations and was noted for its packaging and seating flexibility. The front passenger seat had storage under the cushion and folded flat, the second row slid fore and aft, reclined and folded flat with its hip point 1.6 inches higher than the front row for theatre seating, and there was latching under-floor storage with removable bins. Twin booster seats, single-hand third-row access, fold-flat third-row seats and a rear under-floor storage compartment were available, and the rear doors opened to 90 degrees, rare among the Big Three.
Production cars went on sale in early 2008 for the 2009 model year in North America and in mid-2008 elsewhere. A Chinese version debuted at Auto China in 2008 as the JCUV. From 2009 to 2010 the North American trims were the SE with a 2.4-litre four and the SXT and R/T with a 3.5-litre V6, the latter two available with all-wheel drive.
The 2011 update brought a revised grille and lower front fascia, a redesigned interior, changes to suspension, steering and powertrain, and Dodge’s new 2011 logo, plus LED tail lights on higher trims. Express and Mainstreet replaced SE and SXT, and Crew and Lux were added, along with Uconnect 3 infotainment with 4.3-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens, a colour electronic vehicle information centre and keyless entry and push-button starting as standard. For 2012 the SE and SXT returned, an American Value Package was added below the SE, and the Journey became Dodge’s smallest SUV once the Nitro ended. A black-trimmed Blacktop option came for 2013, the Crossroad with chrome accents and smoked lights in 2014, the Crossroad Plus in 2016 and the GT in place of the R/T for 2017.
For 2020 the Journey was sold only as the SE Value and Crossroad, all cars using the 2.4-litre four with 173 hp and a four-speed automatic and front-wheel drive, with three-row seating now standard; the 3.6-litre V6, six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive were dropped, and the car was not offered in states with California emissions rules. The 2020 model year was the last, with Dodge saying it was moving towards being a performance brand. In Europe, Chrysler sold the Mexican-built Journey as the Fiat Freemont from 2011, launched with 140 and 170 PS versions of Fiat’s 2.0-litre Multijet turbodiesel. A second-generation Journey sold in Mexico from 2022 is a rebadged GAC GS5 and is unrelated to the original.
Design and features
- Flexible seating: five or seven seats with sliding, reclining and folding second-row seats.
- Theatre seating: the second row sat 1.6 inches higher than the front.
- 90-degree rear doors: unusually wide opening for a family vehicle.
- Fiat Freemont: the same car sold in Europe with Fiat badges and diesel engines.
Dodge Journey versions
- SE (2.4 four): the entry model, later replaced by Express.
- SXT and R/T (3.5 V6): the six-cylinder models with optional all-wheel drive.
- Crew and Lux (2011): the new higher trims of the facelift.
- Crossroad (2014): a rugged-looking version with chrome and smoked lights.
The Journey shared its platform with the Dodge Avenger and was Dodge’s family crossover below the Dodge Durango, while it replaced the Dodge Nitro as the smallest SUV in the range. More Dodge models are in the Dodge collection.
Sources
- Dodge Journey, English Wikipedia: platform, equipment, model years, Freemont
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