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Used 2018 Dodge Journey Consumer Reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
73 reviews

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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Journey, so we've included reviews for other years of the Journey since its last redesign.

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Pros
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5 out of 5 stars

Tired of All the Negative Press!

Nails, 01/09/2019
2018 Dodge Journey SXT 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
94 of 95 people found this review helpful

When you look at a vehicle in this class you are looking for okay looks, good inside room and access, decent handling and gas mileage, and perhaps throw in the third seat. This Medium Sized SUV has all of that, and my three previous Journeys had been very reliable and needed minimal maintenance until I turned each in, at around 70K miles. I must add that the first iteration had some issues with the brakes wearing out prematurely, and not being quite up to the task of stopping this vehicle. The transmission also failed catastrophically at 50K, but was replaced under warranty by Dodge with no questions asked. Since that initial stab at it, Dodge has done major improvements in enlarging the disc brakes and creating a much more dependable transmission! This car is priced right, looks great in the bright red finish, has AWD and I am leaving most other drivers in the dust when I take off from a start or need to speed up at highway speeds (within reason that is!). I usually drive around 25K miles per year, up to 85 miles MPH and this car is stable even in substantial winds, gets a bit over 21 MPG and I am happy with it. No backup camera in my version, which is a company car, but aside from that inconvenience, it has everything that I need. And the Stereo is really something to hear, great bass. All in all, a very nice package and not one that matches the online reviews that I have seen. Let's get realistic and realize that this car is very popular (at least in car happy SoCal!) and is a great deal!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Not a Sports car but fun with room for a big dog.

R.J. Williams, 05/31/2017
2017 Dodge Journey Crossroad 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)
46 of 46 people found this review helpful

I have to go down and pay my auto tax today. Ouch. But I have to say that I enjoy driving this car as much or more than any I have bought including sports cars. Oddly, it is a car without much of a rating because of early problems, especially with brakes until they increased the rotor and brake pads and because will it has been around for a long time as far as the car world is considered. The first production sales were in 2007 with only a few minor changes. Also, not real good in the front side crash test. Hit em head on, I guess. I like the power to weight ratio of the V-6 the better suspension of this model combined with AWD. It makes a difference in cornering and curves as I found in my test drives. Definitely, not a sports car but enjoyable to drive with some cargo room. I do not like where they placed the battery, but guess they ran out of room. I do like all the hidden cargo compartments. After a month no rattles and seats are comfortable. Not as good as the wife's space age seats in Nissan Murano, but good. I just like the car for some reason. (Review-Dodge Journey)

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Dependable, Affordable

Vincent Singer, 11/06/2016
updated 12/27/2022
2017 Dodge Journey SE 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
197 of 203 people found this review helpful

I made it this far without a nav/infotainment system, traction/stability control, or bluetooth. The 4-cylinder engine in this thing has more horsepower than many older V-8s. That said, I think the 2017 Journey is a fantastic buy. I bought a $21,000 "stripper" - which still has, standard: a 173 hp engine (shared with Hyundai and Mitsubishi - buy one of their comparable vehicles and get the same motor), 4-speed OD automatic transmission, traction control, a six-speaker touchscreen audio system, dual-zone air conditioning, front and rear stabilizer bars, automatic headlights, daylight running lights, and a nicely (manually) adjustable driver's seat. They even threw in an outdoor thermometer, and a gadget that lets you monitor your instantaneous and average fuel economy! I traded a 2007 Ford Escape for this, after the transmission grenaded at 146,000 miles. I consider this to be a step up, although still a front-wheel-drive "disposacar". Same ground clearance, same fuel mileage, good looks, with MORE standard features, more horsepower, easier for my wife to get in and out of. a better radio, more room (it's about a foot longer), and a bigger gas tank. Drives just as nice, handles about the same, much quieter, and I don't have to "drive it like I stole it" to get it moving at an intersection or onto the freeway. Controls same quality or better than the Escape. More power ports. Steering has enough feel for the average driver. 4-wheel power disc brakes "stop on a dime and give 9-cents change". Everything you REALLY NEED is included in the base price - this thing has more comfort and convenience items, and a ride and interior that rival a 1990's Cadillac. Good heater, ice-cold air conditioning. Don't option up unless you really need to, as "everybody" says these don't hold their value all that well. At 3800 lbs., it's heavy, and has a long wheelbase - probably why it rides so nice. BTW - if you don't plow your 2017 Journey into anything, it's doubtful you'll ever discover the difference between a 4-star and a 5-star safety rating. The Escape had poorer overall ratings, and in 10 years I never had an occasion to find out. If you're driving a 10 or more year old Escape or other, similar small SUV/CUV, and you are looking for a new vehicle with similar dimensions that doesn't look like every other SUV/CUV on the road, and an improved overall driving experience, you could do far worse than the 2017 Dodge Journey. UPDATE: While I do miss the styling of the 1st gen. Escape, I do have to say that I still like the 2017 Journey. I stand by all I said above, and will add that while the exhaust note makes it sound like you are driving a sewing machine, it has plenty of pickup, as my wife and I aren't closet autocrossers. So far I have had no issues, and have changed the oil regularly, using full synthetic motor oil. Gets 22 MPG in town if you don't drive it like you stole it. On the highway, at 75 MPH with the cruise control and air conditioner on, it gets a solid 26 MPG. Maybe not as good as some other small SUV/CUV's - but you'll make up for it thanks to the low purchase price. I didn't buy the 3rd row seat, and saved a good bit of cash. Lots of cargo space with the fold-flat rear seats folded down - swallowed a storage shed kit with no problems. I plan on bringing home a load of patio blocks tonight... P.S. I LOVE the manual driver's seat in this vehicle - most comfortable I've ever experienced! 1-year update: I still like it. Everything I said above still holds true. The nice thing about the Journey is that you can find these equipped a hundred different ways, at prices from $22,000 to $40,000. Don't believe the hacks on the car magazine websites - the Pentastar V-6 and 8-speed automatic (which I have in my work van) is a ROCKET engine. The Journey is a fine vehicle for the money. The interior hasn't started coming apart, and everything still works. The only problem I've had is that I ran over something on the highway that ruined a tire, and broke a plastic cover under the front bumper cover. I hope the Journey holds up as long as our Escape did. 1.5-year update: Still runs fine, drives great. Windshield washer squirter supply hose came off between hood and hood insulating pad where I couldn't see it, but friendly oil-change tech figured it out and popped it back on quickly. Otherwise NO complaints - quality remains exceptional. 2.5-YEAR UPDATE: 47,000+ miles, and still VERY satisfied with my purchase. Runs and drives great, gas mileage 28 MPG hwy, no breakdowns. Interior still looks great, exterior like new. I've only spent money for car washes, synthetic oil changes and one tire. Towed a U-Haul trailer w/no issues. 5 year update: 80K mi., still runs great, part failing off after road debris impacted under air dam. Paint still looks like new. Does have 1 pending safety recall. Still worth every dime I paid for it. Periodic maintenance will reward you. 5.5 year (June 2022) update: over 85,000 miles now - almost through the 2nd set of tires, brakes may need service soon. Car has performed great, except that sometimes (since new), at moderate speeds (35 - 55 MPH), the car will stumble a bit at a constant speed as the electronically-controlled transmission tries to decide if it wants to lock up the torque converter or not. Interior still in excellent condition, no exterior or paint issues. Final Update: Sold the car with just over 90,000 miles, and moved overseas. Only paid for tires and routine maintenance. A solid performer if you choose the base model as I did. Won't win many beauty contests or drag races, but will deliver solid value if maintained. Paid to have it detailed before selling - looked like brand-new - no paint or interior issues, a testament to the materials it was built with. Today's new cars all feature expensive, high-maintenance drivetrains, whether forced-induction liquid fuel, or electric. Cars like this Journey are already becoming prized by smart drivers who want REAL economy (low maintenance).

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Dodge Journey SXT FWD 2.4L

Tom, 09/01/2018
2018 Dodge Journey SXT 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
111 of 114 people found this review helpful

The Dodge Journey is truly an exceptional vehicle. My wife has the Dodge Journey Crossroad V6 AWD, and that vehicle is a workhorse. I saw how well the vehicle drove especially with a newborn and a toddler traveling on major highways and roads with no issues regardless of any inclement weather. We drove the car cross country, and to Canada, and didn’t feel tired at all. It was time for me to purchase a new vehicle, and I was always a Subaru guy, but I fell in love with the Journey. It has great handling, no road noise, very comfortable ride. Good visibility, and commanding driving position. Many hiding compartments, and very easy to clean (Turtle wax interior, and Turtle wax ICE on the outside). I give this vehicle a 100% coming from owing two previous Subaru Outback’s. Well done Dodge!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Life is a Journey

Karl S., 08/26/2017
updated 03/01/2018
2017 Dodge Journey SE 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
34 of 34 people found this review helpful

The dated body style was at first a bit off putting, but I began to grow fond of it because of its utility. Visibility is great, unlike my Nissan rogues 2009-2012, and it is much more fun and rides better than the Town and Country I traded in for the Journey. Features for the money were unbelievable, and capacity is awesome. Uses the same steering wheel controls as the T&C so it was easy to get used to. I like a Sport Ute to go on the back roads in the national forests near where I live, and the Journey has the ground clearance, suspension and enough power to handle that well. It essentially replaced my '99 Jimmy which was becoming a money pit, and also has the utility of the T&C which I traded. Automatic transmission could use a few more forward speeds, but still much better than the NIssan cvt.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
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