Overview Family-friendly SUV is a fantastic minivan alternative
Pros Huge cargo capacity, seating for seven, great value, smart packaging, user-friendly infotainment system
Cons Wonky transmission, cramped third row, dated looks, fuel economy could be better
Value Great
What would I change? A more refined transmission
How would I spec it? Topline Crossroads AWD model
The Dodge Journey is the most ridiculously family-friendly car I have ever seen that’s not a minivan. If you need a minivan, but can’t live with the inherent “uncoolness” it comes with, this crossover with seating for seven is a great pick.
Besides the enormous value the Journey offers — fully loaded and with all-wheel drive, it still rings in under $40,000 — the Journey is so smartly packaged as a family hauler that I’m hard-pressed to think of an SUV more suitable for a young family on the move.
The 2015 Dodge Journey offers a lot of value.
PHOTO: Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
2015 Dodge Journey AWD
PHOTO: Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
2015 Dodge Journey AWD
PHOTO: Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
The 2015 Dodge Journey gets top marks for versatility and family friendliness.
PHOTO: Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
The 2015 Dodge Journey gets top marks for versatility and family friendliness.
PHOTO: Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
The 2015 Dodge Journey feels a bit like a sensory deprivation chamber – there isn't much feedback from the outside world.
PHOTO: Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
The 2015 Dodge Journey has a massive cargo capacity.
PHOTO: Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
2015 Dodge Journey AWD
PHOTO: Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
The blacked out grille is special to the topline 2015 Dodge Journey Crossroads model.
PHOTO: Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
Let’s start with how much space there is inside. There are three rows of seats (two rows is standard, but three rows is a handy option to buy into). The first and second row are comfortable and roomy, but the third row, like most other SUVs with a third row, is very cramped and can really only be used for small children. Most people won’t use the third row often and keep it stowed away, which means you have 1,122 L of cargo space behind the second row of seats.
Also read: We test 9 popular family CUVs under $40K head to head
With the third row of seats in use, trunk space shrinks to 303 L. But with the second and third row stowed away, it opens up an enormous 1,915 L of cargo space. We bought a giant storage unit and a new 65-inch TV that was wider than a person is tall and the Journey swallowed both of them whole with space to spare.
2015 Dodge Journey AWD
Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
By the way, the second row of seats actually comes with optional built-in booster seats for children that can be stowed away when not in use. This just goes to show you how family friendly this crossover is.
Accessing the third row and flipping down all the seats is also remarkably easy. All the levers are clearly labelled and the seats flip down or slide forward/back with relative ease. What this means is whether you’re hauling a gaggle of kids or your latest purchase from Canadian Tire or Ikea, the Journey can be configured to fit your needs. Full points for versatility here.
One of the highlights of the Journey (and all Fiat/Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep cars) is its user-friendly UConnect infotainment system. Regarded as one of the best systems in the entire market, UConnect is one of the most intuitive systems you can get in a car and there is barely a learning curve required to master it. Its huge touchscreen, quick response times, clearly labelled icons, and user-friendly and logical interface make using it a breeze. You will be able to connect your smartphone via Bluetooth, find music, use the Garmin-powered navigation system, and make calls without ever having to reference the user manual.
The 2015 Dodge Journey Crossroads AWD's interior is comfortable and logically laid out.
PHOTO: Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
UConnect is an excellent infotainment system. There is barely a learning curve required to use it.
PHOTO: Handout, Dodge
The 2015 Dodge Journey has a comfortable, spacious cabin.
PHOTO: Handout, Dodge
The 2015 Dodge Journey's interior isn't at all cheap-looking.
PHOTO: Handout, Dodge
Take something as simple as changing the volume of the voice guidance on navigation, for example. In other cars, they make you go through a variety of convoluted menus to change the guidance volume. With the UConnect, all you have to do is turn the volume knob while it’s talking. So dead simple and ridiculously intuitive. All infotainment systems should be this easy to use.
The logical nature of the infotainment system carries on to the rest of the interior. Everything is clearly labelled and all the buttons and functions are exactly where you’d expect them to be.
Besides being logical, the interior is also comfortable and feels like it has a solid quality to it. Materials are soft and don’t look cheap. Finding a comfortable seating position is easy, the sightlines are good, and the backup camera and parking sensors help you park like a pro. Fit and finish is also top-notch and from the inside, the Journey feels like a more expensive car.
2015 Dodge Journey AWD
Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
The Journey Crossroads AWD is powered by a 3.6L V6 with 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. A four-cylinder is standard, but I can’t see how that engine can properly deal with a car this heavy, especially if you plan on towing. The V6 has ample power and is the better pick, but that means your fuel economy will suffer. My average for the week has hovering around a high 14.5 L/100 km with about 70% urban use and 30% highway use. The fuel economy is definitely lagging behind some of the Journey’s competitors. Besides weight, AWD is the other culprit for the high fuel economy, but it’s still a worthy investment: I drove the AWD Journey through a snowstorm and it felt sure-footed and solid.
The V6 is hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission will suffice for most people’s needs, but I found it to be unrefined and a bit confused. It doesn’t seem very well-sorted and has a bit of trouble figuring out which gear to be in. When it finally does change gears, it’s clunky. The Journey would benefit from a smoother, more refined transmission, but everything else mostly works together to give the SUV a calm and confident drive. No, it’s not sporty, but it doesn’t need to be. The Journey also feels like a smaller car when you drive it: It’s doesn’t feel ponderous and is actually easy to manoeuvre in tight spots.
2015 Dodge Journey AWD
Clayton Seams, Driving.ca
The other gripes I have about the Journey are its dated looks (it looks too much like a Dodge Grand Caravan), and that other SUVs in its price range offer more safety equipment like blind spot monitoring. Otherwise, the Journey matches or exceeds what others crossovers in its price range are offering.
In the end, the Dodge Journey isn’t a sexy car. It is actually closer to an appliance, but what it lacks in sex appeal, it more than makes up for in versatility and family friendliness. As a minivan alternative, you can’t get better than this.
Also read: Let’s stop calling it a minivan – it’s an adventure vessel!
The Specs for 2015 Dodge Journey Crossroad AWD
Type of vehicle All-wheel-drive seven-seat mid-sized crossover (five seats is standard)
Engine 3.6L DOHC V6 (base model comes with a 2.4L four-cylinder)
Power 283 hp @ 6,350 rpm, 260 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,400 rpm
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Brakes Four-wheel disc with ABS
Tires P225/55R19
Price (base/as tested) $35,395/$39,885 (base model begins at $19,495)
Destination charge $1,695
Natural Resources Canada fuel economy (L/100 km) 14.5 city, 9.9 highway
Standard features Parking sensors, cruise control, garage door opener, remote start, keyless entry, automatic headlights, leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated steering wheel, power locks, heated mirrors and windows, UConnect, 8.4-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, satellite radio, CD/DVD/MP3 player, USB and auxiliary input, heated front seats, fog lamps, black grille, 19-inch aluminum wheels, air conditioning and more
Options Flexible seating package (for third row), trailer tow package, navigation, back-up camera, rear seat entertainment package, power sunroof, build in second-row booster seats