2012 Dodge Journey

Flip 'n Stow Storage
The 2012 Dodge Journey's front passenger-seat cushion flips forward to expose a big storage bin that can hide valuables from prying eyes, or just keep things in place.

In-Floor Storage Bins
Behind the front seats are two bins in the floor that can accommodate up to a dozen 12-ounce cans and ice – or whatever else you can put in there. The bins have locking lids and are removable for easy cleaning.

If you're all about good design and a handsome, smart interior, we think you'll like what Dodge has done with the 2012 Journey SUV. Of the five trims, the SXT and Crew are the most flexible, with various interior color choices in rich fabrics or plush leather. Soft-touch surfaces and material cover just about any spot where you'd want to rest an arm or hand, and the properly sized 3-spoke steering wheel is fitted with redundant controls for the audio and cruise control. R/T and Crew models feature an advanced 8.4-inch touch-screen audio system featuring the Uconnect suite of communication and connectivity options. Highlights include voice-activated controls for the Bluetooth, navigation, audio and iPod, as well as "Eco-Route" guidance and song tagging. There's even a subscription option to Sirius Travel Link, which can provide updates for traffic, find the cheapest gasoline prices, plus report on sports scores, weather conditions and even movie times. On the versatility front, the 2012 Dodge Journey midsize SUV features a flush-folding third-row seat and second-row seats that can slide fore and aft (making access to the third-row seat a bit easier). Upper-level trims also have a flat-folding front seat that increases the cargo floor right up to the dashboard.

As midsize SUVs go, the 2012 Dodge Journey is on the larger side of the scale. Its tall stance and long profile give the Journey the look of a big wagon, similar to the old Chrysler Pacifica. The 2012 Dodge Journey SUV is so long, in fact, that it dwarfs the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape by nearly 10 inches. To keep the exterior from looking too family-wagonish, Dodge has dressed up the Journey with a chrome-trimmed cross-hair grille, flashy alloy wheel choices and, on V6 models, a more aggressive lower air intake. The R/T trim takes things up another notch with a monochromatic exterior, 19-inch wheels, and R/T badging.

Engineered for commuting and good gasoline mileage, the 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine provides a sufficient amount of power for the weight of this crossover, but the potent 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, which pumps out 283 horsepower, is really the engine you'll want. Coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the 3.6 liter never fails to deliver power when asked, and once up to speed, requires only minimal fuel to keep the Journey cruising. The Journey's V6 is also E85-compatible.

2.4-liter in-line 4
173 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
166 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26

3.6-liter V6
283 horsepower @ 6,350 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 4,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25 (FWD), 13/18 (FWD, E85)
16/24 (AWD)

The 2012 Dodge Journey AVP SUV has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting just under $20,000. The SXT starts closer to $25,500, while a loaded AWD Crew tops out around $34,000. All-wheel drive (AWD) adds another $1,700 to the Dodge Journey's bottom line. Before you buy, be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what the Journey is typically selling for in your area. The 2012 Dodge Journey sport utility vehicle is expected to hold residual values comparable to the Ford Escape and Hyundai Santa Fe, remain slightly below the Chevrolet Equinox, and fall far below the 5-year values set by the Toyota RAV4 and Honda Pilot.

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