Used 2019 Dodge Journey SUV

Time has not been kind to the 2019 Dodge Journey. Despite previous refreshes or redesigns to keep pace with changing tides and tastes, it's pretty much the same as when the Journey debuted a decade ago. Dodge designers might have nailed the Journey's purpose from the start, but they've since let others catch up and surpass it in many areas.

Dodge has made some minor tweaks to this year's Journey. There's one fewer trim level, allowing some of the discontinued trim's features to migrate to the base trim. There is, however, the new and exceptionally cool Destroyer Gray paint scheme. The Journey should only come in this color. It might give the car some much-needed attitude.

But it will take more than attitude to bring the Journey back into serious consideration among its newer and more refined Kia and Volkswagen competitors. Even when fully optioned, it lacks most of the safety features today's buyers might expect. Its base four-cylinder engine is truly underwhelming and is paired to an equally uninspired four-speed automatic transmission, a combination that yields subpar fuel economy. There's a stronger, optional V6, but even it can't keep up with other three-row SUVs.

The 2019 Journey will get you where you're going, and it will do so for less money than many competitors. But overall you'll probably be happier with vehicles such as the GMC Acadia, Kia Sorento or Volkswagen Tiguan.

The 2019 Dodge Journey comes in SE, Crossroad and GT trim levels. The base SE is pretty bare-bones, lacking even Bluetooth as a standard feature. Stepping up to the Crossroad gets you more of the standard features you expect from entry-level trims on other vehicles, while the range-topping GT gives you those features plus leather and a standard V6.

All trims come standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an option. Front-wheel-drive SE and Crossroad trims come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder (173 horsepower, 166 pound-feet of torque) paired with a four-speed automatic. Opting for all-wheel drive gets you a 3.6-liter V6 (283 hp, 260 lb-ft of torque) and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Standard feature highlights for the Journey SE include 17-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, foglights, roof rails, heated side mirrors, a height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split second-row seats and 50/50-split third-row seats (both rows slide and recline). Also included are keyless ignition and entry, a rearview camera, and a six-speaker sound system with a 4.3-inch touchscreen interface and auxiliary audio input.

The SE can be upgraded with the optional Connectivity package (Bluetooth, satellite radio, a USB port, voice commands and a leather-wrapped steering wheel), the Comfort/Convenience package (upgraded cloth upholstery and a power-adjustable driver's seat), the Blacktop package (17-inch alloy wheels and blacked-out exterior trim), and the Premium Group (combines the Connectivity and Comfort/Convenience packages). Remote start and an alarm are also available.

Moving up to the Crossroad gets you the features of the Premium Group plus 19-inch wheels, a touring-tuned suspension, leather upholstery, three-zone climate control with rear-seat vents, and an upgraded 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Options available for the Crossroad include remote start, heated front seats, a rear-seat entertainment system, a premium six-speaker stereo system with subwoofer, navigation, a sunroof, and the Driver Convenience package, which brings rear parking sensors and a universal garage door opener.

The range-topping GT trim combines most of the Crossroad's options listed above with unique 19-inch wheels and an upgraded suspension.