The midsize SUV market has been an extremely competitive part of the auto industry for quite a few years now. They offer a great “middle way” between the smaller size and reduced seating for a small or compact model and the large – possibly too large – size and handling of a full-size model. With so many options available, choosing the right one has been tough, especially if you’re on a budget. While the 2020 Dodge Journey brings its model to its end, it also represents a fantastic opportunity for you to grab one of these vehicles.
Critics have cited a lack of options for this final model year as a drawback or flaw of the 2020 Journey, but this is something that can actually work to your advantage. While it’s true that you won’t find half a dozen trim levels here or a ton of available options, that means it’s a simple choice to get a great Dodge Journey that works well. This is also one of the least expensive, perhaps the least expensive, options on the market if you want a midsize SUV with seating for up to seven people. That makes this final year of the Journey the perfect time to get one if you have a family or need a midsize SUV for a business fleet. Let’s take a look at what it has to offer.
Engine and Performance
There’s one engine available for the 2020 Dodge Journey, which means you don’t have to worry about getting one and then later wishing you had chosen a different option. It’s a solid engine that works well and offers a very good fuel economy for this class of vehicle. Too-often, other manufacturers will give you two or three different engine options, but there’s a clear one that’s really the best choice, and you typically have to pay more for it. Dodge has kept it simple.
The 2020 Dodge Journey is powered by a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine that delivers up to 173 hp, which is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. It has front-wheel drive with electronic stability control and trailer sway control, plus the Journey can tow up to 1,000 lbs behind it. This makes it a great option for taking a boat to the river for the day or pulling a small camper behind you while getting out and having some fun. Plus, it gets an estimated 19 MPG in the city, 25 MPG on the highway, and 21 MPG combined, so you can really enjoy yourself and travel up to 500 miles on a full tank.
Trim Options
One of the things that can be a little bit controversial about the 2020 Dodge Journey, which I happen to like, is just how limited it is in terms of trim options. In general, I tend to prefer having numerous trims to choose from since it gives me the freedom to get just what I want. Sometimes, however, there’s such a thing as “too many options,” and I often look at trims and feel like five or six mediocre options could’ve been reduced to just three really good ones. With the Dodge Journey, you have two trims to choose from, and I really think that works in your favor.
Particularly because the differences between the two trims are not massive, so no matter which one you choose, you’re going to get a great vehicle. They both have the same engine, same transmission, same mechanical systems overall, and same performance. A lot of the time, when you’re trying to figure out which trim is right, you really have to worry that you’ll end up with a version that underperforms. With the 2020 Dodge Journey, however, you don’t have to worry about that: no matter which trim you choose, you’re in great shape.
Instead, most of the differences between the two trims are cosmetic or pretty minor overall. For example, the standard SE trim features black exterior mirrors, while the higher trim, the Crossroad, has body-color exterior mirrors. In either case, the mirrors are heated and have fold-away functionality, so it’s just a matter of aesthetics. Some of the differences between the two trim levels do become more distinct when you move inside the Dodge Journey, however.
Interior Features
No matter which trim you choose, the 2020 Dodge Journey has great features inside, though you certainly get a bit more to enjoy if you go with the higher trim. For example, the starting trim of the Journey, the SE, has a black interior with beige details; it has premium cloth seating and a manually adjustable driver’s seat. The SE also features a 4-inch infotainment display in the center console, with a standard 6-speaker sound system and air conditioning that includes dual-zone temperature control. It has a standard steering wheel and other nice details throughout.
When looking at the Crossroad trim, however, you can see that you get more in terms of features. The Crossroad has a black interior with leather seats that include sport mesh inserts to keep you cool, along with a 6-way power adjustable driver’s seat and available heated front seats. You get an 8-inch infotainment display, with Navigation available, and the Crossroad has an available premium speaker system with a subwoofer and amplifier. Three-zone temperature control is standard, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and premium trim throughout, as well as available heating for the steering wheel.
As you can see, there are some fairly substantial differences between the two trim levels once you look inside. But none of these things are absolutely essential, so even the standard trim gives you a great midsize SUV. Better yet, the safety features really don’t change based on the trim you choose.
Safety Features
There’s something about the auto industry that really drives me nuts. Every manufacturer appears to be tripping over itself to show off its great safety features, bragging about safety ratings, and trying to one-up each other with the latest features. And yet, those same companies then lock numerous safety features away behind a high trim and more money. But, with the 2020 Dodge Journey, the trim you choose has almost no effect on the safety features you get.
Both trims come with electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, daytime running lamps, and a rear park assist system standard. They both have traction control, trailer sway damping for towing, and numerous airbags throughout the interior. The relatively minor differences between the SE and Crossroad trim in terms of safety and security come down to a remote-start system and a Navigation system, both of which are standard only on the Crossroad model.
An Unbeatable Price
If you’re still not sure if the 2020 Dodge Journey is the right midsize SUV for you, then consider this: the starting price on the Journey is significantly less than other midsize models out there. If you choose the standard trim, then the Journey starts at just $23,675 starting. Meanwhile, the Crossroad trim, with excellent additional features inside and out, starts at just $28,595.
By comparison, the popular Chevy Traverse, also a midsize SUV with seating for up to seven passengers, starts at $29,800 MSRP. That’s for the standard trim – the High Country trim for the Traverse starts at more than $50,000. The Kia Sorento starts at $29,390, while the Ford Explorer begins at $32,225. These are all the same general size and class as the Journey, and yet they start at a higher price than the more luxurious trim of the Dodge model. In fact, the Explorer starts at nearly $10,000 more than the Journey’s starting price.
If you have a family or a fleet of vehicles and you need a midsize SUV with seating for seven people, there’s no more budget-friendly option I can think of than the 2020 Dodge Journey. However, you are going to need to act fast to get your hands on one of these models before they are gone. So, visit your local Dodge dealer and drive away in a 2020 Dodge Journey today.
