The 2011-2013 Dodge Journey crossover (a/k/a Fiat Freemont)
| All wheel drive | Front wheel drive | Reviews | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express (I4) | none | $22,995 | |
| Mainstreet | $26,145 | $24,445 | |
| Crew | $30,145 | $28,445 | Dodge Journey Crew |
| Lux | $33,645 | $31,945 | Journey Lux Review |
| R/T | $30,145 | $28,445 | 2009 R/T AWD Review |
For 2011, the Dodge Journey gained a completely retuned suspension, a new V-6 engine, and a new interior which “wowed” the critics. It also gained a mildly retuned, re-faced Fiat version, with a diesel and manual transmission, dubbed the Fiat Freemont, which immediately started selling at several times the volume of the Dodge Journey, in markets outside North America.
The new PowerNet electrical architecture supports a new, optional touch-screen command center, Uconnect Touch, which includes navigation, dual zone climate controls, and the ability to check gas prices. Four Uconnect Touch models are available with user-friendly touch-key categories, helping to make connecting and controlling personal devices simple, intuitive, and customizable.
The 2011 Dodge Journey is more nimble and composed. Chrysler Group engineers improved routine ride handling by re-engineering the suspension geometry, using better tires, and redesigning the steering for a more precise and coordinated response.
At 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, the 2011 Dodge Journey equipped with the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivers a 20 percent boost in power compared with the V-6 engine it replaces. This capable powerplant can be very smooth, but when pushed, the transmission reacts quickly and the V6 becomes a screamer.
Engineers reduced noise, vibration and harshness by installing new, premium sound-deadening treatments and insulation throughout the vehicle.
A larger instrument cluster has a standard electronic vehicle information center (EVIC) in the center of the new gauges. It’s a full-color display backlit in Dodge red lights, giving it a soft glow unlike any in the segment. New, integrated center stack bezels are less angular and more sculpted, and designers softened the radius to make more room for the driver’s knees. The heating and cooling outlets are also redesigned to make them better looking and better functioning.
The center console has more cushioning on the tilt-and-slide armrest; under the lid is a larger center storage bin with a 12-volt outlet and USB port where owners can hook up and hide their iPod or generic MP3 player.
To increase comfort, the Journey design team changed the seats and moved the shifter and cupholders, making them easier to reach, and added a larger front storage bin with side nets. The new three-spoke Dodge brand steering wheel has integrated controls. Six new interior color and trims complete the makeover.
The climate controls are on the touch screen, but physical controls are also provided underneath it for distraction-free driving. iPods are now much better integrated into the system; and the USB port is lit at night.
On the outside, Journey adds a new front fascia with the signature Dodge “split crosshair” honeycomb grille. The fog lamp bezels are bigger, and Journey models with the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 get a new lower fascia with the honeycomb texture in the grille (late availability). New 19-inch wheels, a new, less angular rear fascia and “ring of fire” LED taillamps wrap it up from front to back.
Journey has safety and security features including active head restraints, electronic stability control (ESC) with all-speed traction control, electronic roll mitigation and brake assist, new driver-side knee blocker air bag, supplemental side-curtain air bags covering all three rows, supplemental front-seat-mounted side air bags, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, LATCH child seat anchor system and trailer sway control.
Dodge Journey R/T and LUX
Allpar exclusive: The Dodge Journey R/T will appear around May 2011; at around $29,000, the R/T model will include 19 inch wheels, unique cloth, body-color front grille and lower “chin bar,” fog lamps, 3-zone auto temperature control, satellite radio, U-Connect™, premium stereo, remote start, and power driver’s seat. AWD will add around $1,000. Overall, it’s around $1,000 less than the current comparable Journey.
The Lux model will start at around $33,000 (with AWD, $34,000). That’s a reduction of around $1,000 from current pricing. In both cases, the price drop was presumably created by eliminating rebates.
The Dodge Journey is built in at Chrysler Group LLC’s Toluca Assembly Plant in Toluca, Mexico. It will arrive in U.S. dealerships in fourth quarter of 2010.
The rumors
Reliable source JRS200x wrote (correctly) that the Pentastar engine (whose use was predicted by oh2o) is rated at 283 horsepower in the Journey, with the usual 260 lb-ft of torque; that’s enough to propel the crossover from 0‐60 mph in 8.9 seconds (9.1 seconds with AWD), similar to its current acceleration, but with less noise and somewhat better gas mileage (17 city, 25 highway, ironically the same as the large minivans). He also wrote that only the base Express model would retain the four cylinder engine and four speed automatic. (The 0-60 figures may be changed later.)
“Dart” wrotem: “In front, it has the same headlights and bumper, with a new segmented cross hair grill. In back, it has new tail lights with a different shape, particularly on the side, like the old Jeep Grand Cherokee; when the driver applied the brakes, a circle of red LEDs appeared. The current dual, white bands housing turn and backup lights are now one thick horizontal band.” The forthcoming R/T will have a more aggressive lower front fascia.
Dodge claims an all-new interior for the car. Pricing will reflect a higher level of luxury and a more capable V6 engine (see chart, above right), as well as the newly standard stability control with traction control, roll mitigation, brake assist, and trailer sway control. It also includes a new radio with an 8.4" touch screen, with and without navigation, which includes climate controls; the interior includes new, more comfortable seats and standard steering wheel audio controls. (Note: the large touch screen may only appear on R/T, Crew, and Lux packages, and climate controls may be duplicated on the steering wheel to avoid distraction; thanks, JRS200.)
| Journey | 2.4 Four (2010-2011) | 3.5 V6 (2010) | Pentastar V6 | 2.0 diesel (2010) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | SE model | SXT and R/T models | All but Express | Outside North America |
| EPA mpg | 19/25 (FWD) | 16/24 FWD 15/23 AWD | 17/25 mpg (est, FWD) | (7 l/100 km) |
| Power | 173 hp / 129 kW | 235 hp (175 kW) | 283 hp | 140 hp DIN (103 kW) or 170 hp |
| Torque | 166 lb-ft / 225 Nm | 232 lb-ft (315 Nm) | 260 lb-ft | 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) |
K. Oellinger pointed out that the Fiat Freemont V6 (version of the Journey) would be the most powerful standard-production (e.g. not Tuning or Abarth) Fiat ever. It will have a manual transmission with either 140 or 170 horsepower diesel, or an automatic with either 170 hp diesel or 276 hp gasoline engine. It is, as Dan Minick predicted, to be marketed as the successor to the Fiat Ulysse. See our metric converter.
Yet to be discovered:
oh2o wrote that the “late entry” Dodge Journey R/T will include, among other features, AC power outlet, rear power outlet, 19 inch aluminum wheels, second row seat with fore/aft adjustment and in-floor storage bins, 368 watt amp, subwoofer, active head restraints, dual-zone automatic climate control, air filter, AutoStick, body color mirrors and fascia, bright door handles and grille, cargo net, LED interior lighting, fog lights, heated front seats, illuminated cupholders, interior observation mirror, leather, LED taillamps, overhead console, performance steering and suspension, folding power mirrors, remote start, cruise, satellite radio, tilt/telescope steering column, all-row side airbags, trip computer, and garage door opener.
See Fiat Freemont
2011-2012 Dodge Journey reviews
Dodge Journey Crew Review • Journey Lux Review
Specifications
| Width x Height: 72.2 x 67.7 Overall Length: 192.4 Overhang - Front, 38.9; Rear: 39.7 Track - Front: 61.8; Rear: 62.3 Cargo - Behind 2nd Row: 39.7 Cargo - Behind 3rd Row: 10.5 Cargo - Behind Front: 67.7 | Head Room: R1, 40.8; R2, 39.2; R3, 37.7 | Base Curb Weight: 3907 lb |