2017 Dodge Journey Pros vs Cons

If you're in the market for an affordable crossover SUV, you might want to consider test-driving the 2017 Dodge Journey. Although largely unaltered from the 2016, the 2017 Journey has an optional V6 engine and hosts a slew of decent technological features to meet your infotainment needs.

What’s New for 2017?

Dodge seems to have left the 2017 Dodge Journey relatively unchanged. The vehicle is starting to seem like a bit of an artifact, but the addition of the top-of-the-line GT trim is a nice new option. The GT pairs a V6 engine with front-wheel drive. Unfortunately, now you can only get this combination if you buy the GT.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2017 Dodge Journey – The Pros

1. Third-row Seating

One of the biggest selling-points of the 2017 Dodge Journey is the spacious and comfortable third-row seating. It's not the most adult-friendly seat, but it is perfect for families with children who need the extra seating.

2. Interior Design

The interior is relative sleek and is constructed of quality materials. The dashboard and gauges are easy to read and have a functional, contemporary appeal. There are an abundance of storage spaces and cubby holes throughout the cabin for passengers to store things. The second-row seating is far enough behind the front seats to allow for sufficient leg room.

3. The 8.4-inch Touchscreen

The 8.4-inch touchscreen is one of the nicest interfaces you can find since it is so user-friendly. The 2017 Dodge Journey's touchscreen has menus that are easy to navigate, icons that are obvious, and easy-to-read font.

4. V6 Engine Availability

The standard engine on the lower-line and mid-line trims doesn't pack much power, but the V6, paired with front-wheel drive and a 6-speed automatic transmission on the GT, performs well. The 3.6-liter V6 gets 260 lb-ft of torque and 283 hp. The acceleration is moderate, getting from 0 to 60 mpg in 7.8 seconds, although this is still sluggish compared to some other vehicles in its class.

5. Affordability

The 2017 Dodge Journey is relatively affordable for the average consumer. The base trim SE has a starting MSRP of about $21,195, and the GT ranges up to about $33,895. For a family on a budget, this makes the Journey a somewhat affordable new option.

6. Five Trim Levels to Choose From

There are five trim levels to choose from, and the addition of the GT makes for a luring top-of-the-line trim choice. The lower-level trims aren't as high-tech as the GT, which boasts the 8.5-inch touchscreen, V6 engine, and an impressive sound system that's hard to pass up for the sound systems on the lower-level trims.

7. The GT's Premium Audio System

The Premium Audio System on the GT really makes the 2017 Dodge Journey appealing. Although the GT only has six speakers, the additions of a subwoofer and 115-volt power outlet are nice touches.

8. Extra Safety Features in the GT

The GT has a slew of extra safety features that make it worth the price tag, including front, rear, and third-row head airbags. There are also front fog/driving lights, auto delay off headlamps, dusk sensing headlamps, and a remote anti-theft alarm system.

9. Smooth Rides on City Streets

Although the ride gets a little bumpy on the highway, the 2017 Dodge Journey gives a smooth ride on city streets. It handles cracked pavement relatively well compared to other SUVs, and it's also pretty quiet at low speeds.

10. Plenty of Cargo Space

If you lower all of the rear seats on the 2017 Dodge Journey, you can get a whopping 67 feet of cargo space. This makes the Journey a great option for those who need to lug a lot of stuff around in the cargo area.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2017 Dodge Journey – The Cons

1. Poor Fuel Economy

To be totally blunt, fuel economy on the Journey stinks. The EPA fuel economy is 21 mpg combined (19 city/25 highway), and the GT only returns about 19 mpg combined on both the front- and all-wheel drives.

2. Sluggish Performance

If you opt out of the V6 on the GT front-wheel drive, you're going to get a sluggish performance. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder gets 166 lb-ft of torque and 173 hp, which isn't going to get this 5,000+ gross-pound vehicle.

3. Lacking Some Safety

The lower trim levels are severely lacking in some new safety features. You can only get rear-view sensors and a camera as add-ons, whereas they come standard on many other new vehicles. Also, the 2017 Dodge Journey did not perform well on all of its safety tests. It received a "Poor" grade on its front-overlap front-impact test, which means a collision could result in severe lower body injuries to the driver.

4. Poor Handling Around Turns

The 2017 Dodge Journey handles turns pretty poorly. It's a large, awkward vehicle with a noticeable body roll when navigating tough turns. Drivers won't feel too confident in the turn angle of this vehicle and will have to make slower, more methodical turns to keep body roll at bay.

How it stacks up to the competition:

 Journey vs. 2017 Chevy Equinox

The Equinox falls into the same price range but handles rough surfaces better and has better acceleration. Gas mileage on the Equinox is also slightly better with its estimated 23 mpg combined. However, the Equinox's interior has lesser-quality materials and less cargo space than the Journey.

Journey vs. 2017 Lincoln MKC

The MKC outperforms the Journey in terms of standard available safety features, and it gives an incredibly quiet ride. Acceleration is also slow on the MKC, and it lacks the generous cargo space of the Journey. You're also going to be paying over $10,000 more for the base trim on the MKC than you would for the Journey's base trim.

Conclusion

The 2017 Dodge Journey struggles to stack up to some of its competitors, but it has some of the best interior design and tech interface for its class. It is also significantly more affordable than many other top-performing SUVs, and the cargo space beats most of its competition, making it a decent family vehicle.