2012 Dodge Journey Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Dodge Journey overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Journey, and includes Dodge Journey safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The Dodge Journey is a midsize crossover SUV with an optional third-row seat. Based on the Dodge Avenger platform, the Journey is on the small side compared to other three-row SUVs, which means its seven-passenger seating capacity is a benefit when compared to vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, GMC Terrain, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-7, Nissan Murano, and Subaru Outback.

Dodge resets the Journey lineup for 2012. Gone are Express, Mainstreet, and Lux trim levels, replaced by a roster that includes American Value Package (AVP), SE, SXT, Crew, and R/T models. The R/T model gets new red-stitched leather for 2012, and both it and the Journey Crew models can be outfitted with a rear entertainment system this year. The new Journey AVP features a starting price of less than $20,000. Additional upgrades for 2012 include voice command control for Bluetooth with the optional Uconnect Touch navigation system, which now offers an “Eco Route” function designed to save fuel. Uconnect Touch also features a new song-tagging capability for satellite radio. Copperhead is a new color for 2012.

To bring the price of entry down to less than $20,000, Dodge introduces the new Journey American Value Package model. This version is basic but not stripped of equipment, and includes dual-zone manual air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power heated side mirrors, cruise control, and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. A Uconnect touchscreen entertainment system includes a CD player, a USB port, and an auxiliary audio input jack, and the Journey includes Keyless Enter ‘N Go with push-button ignition. A driver’s seat height adjuster, a second-row seat with fore/aft and recline adjustment, LED footwell lighting, a vehicle information display, and automatic-off headlights are also standard. The main telltale that this is the entry-level model is the set of 16-inch steel wheels and plastic wheel covers.

Options for the Journey American Value Package include upgraded fabric upholstery, a power driver’s seat, a fold-flat Flip ‘N Stow front passenger’s seat, integrated second-row child booster seats, and a third-row seat with triple-zone air conditioning. Uconnect Voice Command technology, satellite radio with a one-year subscription to service, and a security alarm are also available, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, floor mats, and an overhead console with a conversation mirror.

The Journey SE includes just a few upgrades in the form of LED taillights, a roof rack, and dark tinted rear glass. Options mirror the American Value Package model, but the SE can also be equipped with automatic climate control, remote engine starting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, and an upgraded sound system. Also available on the SE: a ParkView reversing camera, ParkSense parking sensors, Uconnect Touch with satellite radio and an SD card slot, a HomeLink universal remote, and 17-inch aluminum wheels.

If you want a V6 engine or an optional all-wheel-drive system, the Journey SXT is the least expensive model in the lineup. In addition to the far more powerful V6, the SXT is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, dual exhaust outlets, and body-color side mirror caps. Uconnect Voice Command technology is standard on the SXT, along with a year of satellite radio service, upgraded interior trim, LED map lights, floor mats, a cargo compartment cover, and a cargo net. The overhead console includes a conversation mirror and a sunglasses holder, the front windows feature one-touch operation, and remote engine starting allows owners to pre-warm the Journey on cold days. Upgraded suspension tuning, a security alarm, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a removable and rechargeable flashlight are included.

Many of the same extras offered on the SE model can be installed on the SXT. Exclusive options for this model include heated front seats, a navigation system, a rear seat entertainment system, an Infinity premium sound system, and Uconnect Touch with hands-free texting and Bluetooth music streaming capability. All-wheel drive and trailer towing equipment are also offered on the Journey SXT.

The Journey Crew is the most luxurious model, as one can discern from its extra chrome trim, 19-inch wheels, and premium cloth seats. Dual-zone automatic climate control, Infinity sound, and a Uconnect Touch system with a bigger in-dash screen and an SD card slot are also standard on the Crew, along with a six-way power driver’s seat with four-way power lumbar support, a 115-volt power outlet, and illuminated visor vanity mirrors. The Journey Crew also has a standard Flip ‘N Stow fold-flat front passenger’s seat. In addition to SXT options, the Crew is available with leather seats and chrome wheels.

The sporty Journey is R/T model, identified by its body-color exterior trim, Satin Carbon 19-inch wheels, and standard leather seats (heated in front). The Journey R/T is offered with the same options as the SXT and Crew. Highlights include ParkView, ParkSense, Uconnect Touch with hands-free texting and Bluetooth music streaming, rear seat entertainment, navigation, second-row booster seats, a third-row seat, a power sunroof, and AWD.

Journeys equipped with American Value Package or SE trim are equipped with a 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is not available with this powerplant, which is rated to get 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

A far more potent 3.6-liter V6 engine comes standard on SXT, Crew and R/T models. It generates 283 horsepower and a healthy wallop of 260 pound-feet of torque, and is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission that delivers oomph to the front or all four wheels. Fuel economy ratings are 17-city/25-highway with front-wheel drive. The AWD models are rated 16-city/24-highway.

Every 2012 Journey is equipped with four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, trailer sway control, and seven airbags including a knee airbag for the driver. A ParkView reversing camera, ParkSense parking sensors, integrated second-row child booster seats, and Uconnect hands-free texting capability are available.

Designed as an affordable family vehicle, the Journey does a good job of protecting your loved ones according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which named the 2011 Journey a Top Safety Pick for its excellent performance in frontal-, side-, and rear-impact protection assessments, as well as for its roof crush strength. As for ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the only one offered by the government as this review is written is for rollover resistance, and is measures 4 Stars.

As far as reliability is concerned, Consumer Reports is making no predictions as we compile the data for this review. J.D. Power and Associates gave last year’s Journey an average predicted reliability rating, but the SUV also received a below average rating for initial quality.

Hecho en Mexico, the 2012 Dodge Journey can only tow up to 1,000 pounds with the standard four-cylinder engine or up to 2,500 pounds with the available V6. Clearly, if you need to tow, a Dodge Durango is a more suitable choice.

The Journey is also tight on cargo space. If you opt for the third-row seat and actually carry seven passengers, the Journey’s cargo area can handle just 10.7 cubic-feet of cargo. Without the third-row seat, there’s 37 cu-ft of space available. Fold the second-row seats, and you’ve got 67.6 cu-ft to work with. That’s not exactly midsize SUV territory, which is why we think the Journey competes with smaller crossover models rather than bigger ones.

Last year, Dodge significantly upgraded the Journey, fixing just about everything that was wrong with it when it first went on sale as a promising, but half-baked, midsize crossover SUV. The result is a vehicle that remains imperfect, but is likely to prove more satisfying to a greater variety of buyers.

Driving a Dodge Journey is a rather forgettable experience. The new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine offers plenty of pep when pushed, but under most circumstances it, and the six-speed automatic transmission charged with putting the power to the pavement, is geared for fuel economy. We averaged nearly 21 mpg during a weeklong test.

Ride and handling represent a good blend of isolation from bigger bumps and connection to surface textures that provide useful information to the driver. Steering is light and easy, the brakes responsive and effective. There’s nothing here that calls undue attention to itself, in either a positive or negative way, and that’s just how most drivers seeking sound transportation like it.

What’s more impressive about the Journey than driving dynamics is the value it represents. The interior has been utterly transformed thanks to new designs and materials, and the SUV retains all of its useful and practical storage solutions while adding the latest versions of UConnect Touch technology. A Top Safety Pick crash-test rating marries nicely with the Journey’s available integrated rear child booster seats, however, the second- and third-row accommodations remain cramped for adults. Cargo space is tight, too, making the Journey more competitive with compact crossovers than the mid-size models Dodge aims for in an effort to provide a better value equation.

Dodge dramatically upgraded the Journey for 2011, but all the extra effort simply brought the crossover SUV into the realm of acceptability. An average reliability prediction, a below average initial quality rating, tight cargo space, and unimpressive fuel economy ratings don’t convince us to recommend the Journey, even if it is a Top Safety Pick and offers significant value for the price.

By Christian Wardlaw