To the untrained eye, Dodge’s 2011 Journey may not look very different from the version that hit roads in 2008. Don’t let that fool you.
The changes that Dodge has made for 2011 (inside and out) transform the Journey from a forgettable crossover into a worthy competitor.
The Journey distinguishes itself easily among competitors with a quiet cabin and smooth ride that rival entry-level luxury cars.
Trim levels start with the Express and move up to the Mainstreet, Crew and top Lux trim level. (Don’t be alarmed; the trim names don’t make sense to us, either.) An R/T trim will be available later but few details have been announced at the time of this publishing. I tested a front-wheel-drive Mainstreet Journey. Engine options include a four- and six-cylinder, though only the Express is available with the four-cylinder. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional.
The Journey fits somewhere between the compact and midsize crossover SUV segments — it's larger than a Honda CR-V but smaller than a Toyota Highlander. Competitors include the Kia Sorento, Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota RAV4, which, like the Journey, have standard seating for five and optional third rows that increase capacity to seven.
On the Inside
The Journey’s interior has been thoroughly redesigned for 2011. After seeing the new version, you’d be hard-pressed to recognize the 2010 version. Just about everything has been restyled and upholstered with soft-to-the-touch materials. The new interior has a much higher-quality feeling than the old, with significantly improved fit and finish.
The plush interior is enhanced by the ultra-comfortable front seats. I drove the 2011 Journey on a West Coast excursion from Los Angeles up to Napa Valley and back to San Francisco, for a grand total of 644 miles.
Comfort is crucial when you're driving long distances, and even after eight-hour stints behind the wheel I could have continued driving, thanks to the supportive seat bolstering, cushy backing and cushioned armrests that kept my elbows comfortable.
Helping make the Journey a road-trip hero is its quiet interior. Dodge added sound-deadening material to improve resistance to noise, vibration and harshness, and it works. Road and wind noise are at levels I’d expect in a luxury car, not in an SUV that starts at $22,245.
The Journey’s optional backup camera is well worth the money. Our tester didn’t have one, and its belt line and small rear window don’t offer much rear visibility. I had to ask passengers to get out and spot me while parking, because I didn’t have a clue how close I was to filing an insurance claim. A backup camera can be optioned but requires the Safe and Sound Group for $1,395 plus Popular Equipment Group for $1,295 on the Mainstreet trim I tested. The camera’s image is displayed on the 8.4-inch screen that comes with the Safe and Sound package. A backup camera is standard on the most expensive Lux model but not available on the base Express.
Looks
The Journey’s interior may be a home run, but the exterior seems a little outdated, despite getting a few tweaks for 2011. Not helping were the refrigerator white paint and uninteresting five-spoke wheels. The outside doesn’t scream “look at me” or have any feeling of uniqueness. It was easy to glance past the Journey in parking lots.
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