2020 Dodge Journey Review

Name: 2020 Dodge Journey Review
Brand: Dodge
Price: 15894 USD

Dodge Journey Crossroad 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Dodge Journey Crossroad 4dr SUV Exterior

+98

The Dodge Journey is an aging vehicle that's been left behind by competitors in terms of technology, performance, dynamics, cargo space, passenger space, fuel economy, comfort and quality. By almost every metric, it's a backmarker in the small three-row SUV class.

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2020 Dodge Journey Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Extra versatility provided by a standard three-row seat
Low price for the segment

Cons

Lacks many modern safety and convenience features even in top trims
Below-average fuel economy
Disappointing and outdated base engine and transmission
Lags competitors in handling and drivability

What's new

Base trim renamed to SE Value
GT trim and V6 engine dropped
Part of the first Journey generation introduced in 2009

Overview

For 2020, the Dodge Journey is sent once more unto the breach in an attempt to woo you over with its low price and ... well, not much else. This small seven-seat SUV was once available in a multitude of trim levels and offered a strong optional V6 engine and available all-wheel drive. Now Dodge has stripped the Journey down and simplified it to only two trim levels and one available engine and transmission. It also can only be had in front-wheel drive.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Dodge Journey SE Value 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$202/mo

$201/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Briefly ahead of its time, the Journey has been largely forgotten by Dodge and left with a low-budget interior, an underpowered engine and subpar driving dynamics. Even its low starting price isn't enough to make much of a case for the Journey since most of its main competitors can be had for similar money.

In its class, the Kia Sorento leads the way with more space, an abundance of features and an excellent warranty, with the stylish Volkswagen Tiguan coming in second thanks to its safety features and user-friendly tech interface. The recently rehabilitated Mitsubishi Outlander is a more distant third but is still a considerably better option than the Journey.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Below Average

5.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

5.5/10

How does the Journey drive? With its four-cylinder engine and ancient four-speed automatic transmission (rivals offer more sophisticated six-or eight-speed automatics), the Dodge Journey accelerates more slowly than many competitors. The steering remains appropriately light, but it also lacks any feeling. A dim bright spot for the Journey are its brakes, which are light and easy to control around town with sufficient stopping power for this heavy SUV. But during panic stops, the pedal is a bit squishy, and the vehicle doesn't always track straight.

The Journey feels downright sloppy, wobbling and bouncing through curves. It never really feels in control of itself the way a modern vehicle should. Overall, the Journey has been left behind in terms of driving dynamics and handling by the new generation of three-row SUVs.

Comfort

6.5/10

How comfortable is the Journey? The Journey is well insulated from road and tire noise, but traffic and wind noise fills the cabin. The soft suspension cushions large bumps well but tends toward exaggerated bounciness especially at higher speeds.

The driver's seat is soft and not very supportive except for the firm lumbar support. The passenger and second-row seats have firmer cushions because of their hidden storage compartments. The third-row seat is stiff and flat.

Interior

6.5/10

How’s the interior? The front is roomy, and the second row has good head- and legroom. But Dodge routed the rear air vents through the roof, which makes the interior feel smaller. Third row space is inadequate for adults. You can slide the second row forward to provide more legroom, but that makes the second row less usable. The seats fold aside cleverly for third-row access, but resetting the second row is a multi-step process that can't be accomplished from the third row.

Most controls are straightforward, as is the simple touchscreen interface. We found the single, combined wiper and turn-signal stalk frustrating to adapt to, and particularly difficult at night. Navigating the trip computer takes more steps than it should because of a poorly thought-out interface.

Technology

5.5/10

How’s the tech? Thankfully, Dodge's 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system is available, and it's the lone bright spot inside a fairly grim interior. It's available with navigation and an upgraded audio system. We think it's worth the extra coin for the improved experience these provide. There are plenty of 12-volt power ports in the Journey but there's only one USB port.

Like the rest of the Journey, the driver aids are fairly basic. The rear parking sensors are useful, but the rearview camera has a disappointingly low-resolution display.

Storage

6.0/10

How’s the storage? With a maximum capacity of 67.6 cubic feet, the Dodge Journey offers less cargo space than competitors. And with the third row in place, there's barely even room for groceries in the trunk. But the Journey makes up for this a bit by hiding quite a few cubbies and compartments around the cabin.

With a towing capacity of only 1,000 pounds, the Journey is put to shame by some three-row competitors. Most can handle between 3,500 and 5,000 pounds.

Fuel Economy

5.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? It will take a light foot to match the Journey's EPA-estimated 21 mpg (19 city/25 highway). That's not an impressive estimate to begin with, falling 3-4 mpg short of many competitors. Part of the blame lies with the Journey's 2.4-liter engine, which needs to work hard to get the Journey up to speed. The rest of the blame falls squarely on the well out-of-date four-speed automatic transmission. Most competitors use six- and eight-speed transmissions.

Value

5.5/10

Is the Journey a good value? Even considering its low starting price, everything about the Journey feels cheap, plasticky and dated. The leather or faux leather trim on the seats and touch points is stiff and plasticky, and the cloth seat inserts feel unpleasantly synthetic. Because of that there's simply not enough value or equipment in the Journey to make it that appealing considering its competition.

The Journey's three-year/36,000-mile basic and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties are common in the class, though a few competitors offer significantly better coverage.

Wildcard

4.0/10

It's difficult to understand the appeal of the Dodge Journey beyond the need for a new vehicle with a full warranty. Driving the Journey, even on short trips, feels tedious. And because of the numb steering and unsorted suspension settings, after a few hundred miles, it proves to be an emotionally draining experience. There are very few new cars left that make a case for buying a used car instead. The Journey is one of them.

Which Journey does Edmunds recommend?

It is difficult for us to recommend the Journey at all. But if you have your heart set on this compact seven-seater, we'd go all in and opt for the Crossroad trim and add on the Popular Equipment Group. That ensures you get Dodge's excellent 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system, with navigation, heated front seats and a more powerful stereo. We used to recommend the V6 engine as a must-have but that's no longer offered.

2020 Dodge Journey models

For 2020, the Dodge Journey has been pared back to just two trim levels: SE Value and Crossroad. Option packages are also kept to a minimum, and their availability is linked to the trim chosen.

All Journeys are powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (173 horsepower, 166 lb-ft) mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive has been available in the past, but all 2020 Journeys are front-wheel-drive.

Selecting the SE Value trim delivers a bare-bones experience, with manually adjustable cloth seats, 17-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, and a basic six-speaker audio system with a 4.3-inch touchscreen. Available to the SE Value trim exclusively are the Blacktop Package, which adds black exterior accents and black aluminum wheels, and the SE Value Popular Equipment Group, which includes a power driver's seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, satellite radio and three-zone climate control.

The Crossroad upgrades the seating surfaces to leather and brings a power-adjustable driver's seat. It also adds a sunroof and a larger 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and dresses up the exterior with body-colored mirrors and 19-inch alloy wheels. The Crossroad's Popular Equipment Group includes navigation, a more powerful audio system, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#19 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Dodge Journey from 2008-2022.}

$569/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.05x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

14.3%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Dodge Journey.

5 (60%)

4 (18%)

3 (7%)

2 (2%)

1 (13%)

4.1

45 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 45 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Tired of All the Negative Press!

Nails, 01/09/2019

2018 Dodge Journey SXT 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

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 …

Dodge Journey SXT FWD 2.4L

Tom, 09/01/2018

2018 Dodge Journey SXT 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

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 …

Great mid size SUV & low price

Kelly, 10/03/2020

2019 Dodge Journey Crossroad 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

I wanted to downgrade from my Ford Expedition Limited, so I looked at the Chevy traverse, the Ford Explorer & even a Nissan Pathfinder. All of those were great SUV’s but the price wasn’t what I wanted to pay. I rented a Dodge Journey to drive from Boston to SC for my nephews graduation from boot camp. It handled so well, got great gas mileage & had enough room for myself & my 2 children …

Honestly Surprised

Danny, 03/14/2020

2019 Dodge Journey SE 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 6A)

My wife and I had to by a new car. Since we have two kids (11&9) we wanted a small SUV. I did research and based on price and availability in our area and went to test out the 19 Ford Escape and 19 Jeep Renagade. They both seemed like fine cars, however, neither felt right. I saw a Black Dodge Journey and actually liked how it looked. But I remember looking at expert reviews online and …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Dodge Journey, so we've included reviews for other years of the Journey since its last redesign.

See all 45 reviews of the Dodge Journey

Write a vehicle review

2020 Journey Highlights

Trim:

SE Value

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$23,675
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$202/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Journey models:

ParkSense Rear Park Assist: Alerts the driver to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when reversing.
ParkView Backup Camera: Displays a live video feed from the rear of the car on the infotainment screen when reversing.
Driver Inflatable Knee-Bolster Airbag: Protects the driver's knees from damage due to impacts with the dashboard during a collision.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover18.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Poor
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 Dodge Journey Review

2020 Dodge Journey Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Dodge Journey SE Value 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Journey does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Dodge Journey models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Tired of All the Negative Press!

Dodge Journey SXT FWD 2.4L

Great mid size SUV & low price

Honestly Surprised

2020 Journey Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Dodge Journey SE Value 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}