The Dodge Journey is a mid-size crossover SUV^[5] manufactured and marketed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' Dodge brand for model years 2009 to 2020 over a single generation, with a facelift for the 2011 model year. The Journey was styled by Ryan Nagode,^[6] and was marketed globally in both left- and right-hand drive, including as the Fiat Freemont.

Internally identified as the JC49,^[7] the Journey shares FCA's global D-segment platform^[8] with the Dodge Avenger and a nearly identical wheelbase to the outgoing short-wheelbase (SWB) Dodge Caravan.^[9]

Having debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show,^[10][11] the Journey subsequently appeared at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.^[12] All models were manufactured in Mexico at FCA's Toluca Assembly facility, with just over 1.1 million manufactured before production ended in 2020.

As a mid-size CUV, the Journey was available in five and seven passenger configurations and was noted for its overall packaging and seating flexibility—which included a front passenger seat with under-cushion storage and fold-flat capability; second-row for-aft sliding, reclining, fold-flat seating with an H-point 1.6 inches (40 mm) higher than the front row (aka theater seating); latching under-floor storage with removable bins; available twin booster seats and single-hand-operable third row access; available twin fold-flat third-row seats and an aft under-floor storage compartment.^[8] Trim levels varied over model years, to include various options with entertainment/infotainment, cloth or heated leather seats and heated steering wheel as well. Additionally, rear doors opened to 90 degrees, rare for any offerings by the Big Three (automobile manufacturers).^[8]

Production versions of 2009 model year vehicles went on sale in early 2008 for the 2009 model-year in North America, and mid-2008 elsewhere. A version for the Chinese market debuted at Auto China in 2008, marketed as the JCUV. Initial model production began in 2009.^[13] The Freemont went on sale in Russia in 2013.^[14] The Journey was marketed in both LHD and RHD depending on the market.^[9]

From 2009 to 2010, the trim levels in North America were the SE (powered by a 2.4L I4), the SXT, and the R/T (both powered by a 3.5L V6).^[15] The SXT and R/T were available with all-wheel drive (AWD).

Chrysler marketed the Mexican manufactured^[20] Journey in Europe after model year 2011 as the Fiat Freemont, debuting the rebadged variant at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.^[21]

The Freemont launched in Italy at the end of May 2011^[22] with two front-wheel-drive turbodiesel variants the 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and the 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) version of Fiat's 2.0-liter Multijet turbodiesel. Fiat also planned on introducing an all-wheel-drive version of the 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) diesel and the Pentastar V6.^[23]

FCA marketed the Freemont and the Journey in Australia, Brazil and China, with the Freemont available with the 2.0- and 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines in markets other than China, while the Journey is now only marketed with the Pentastar V6 engine (both engines were available before the launch of the Freemont).

The Freemont was originally available in left-hand drive (LHD) European markets only, except The Netherlands, but a right-hand drive (RHD) model was eventually introduced for Australia. The Freemont was discontinued after the 2015 model year.

The available four-cylinder was a 2.4 L (146 cu in) with 173 hp (129 kW) and 166 lb⋅ft (225 N⋅m) of torque. This is a version of Chrysler's GEMA-built World Gasoline Engine class of four-cylinder engines shared with Hyundai and Mitsubishi.^[3][24] Through 2010, the V6 offered in North America was a 3.5 L (214 cu in)^[3] with a six-speed automatic transmission, producing 235 hp (175 kW) and 232 lb⋅ft (315 N⋅m) of torque. For 2011, it was changed to the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, producing 283 hp (211 kW) and 260 lb⋅ft (350 N⋅m) torque.^[25] Other markets offered the six-speed automatic transmission with the flex-fuel (E85-compatible) 2.7-liter V6. All-wheel drive was only available with a V6.

Additionally, through 2010, a Volkswagen-sourced diesel engine was available outside of North America with an automatically shifted dual clutch transmission. Chrysler performed primary engineering for the dual-clutch transmission with support from long-time partner Getrag, which was to build the transmission in the United States. Due to funding issues, this did not happen and the factory was sold and used for other purposes.^[26]

The Dodge Journey (in the US & Canada) includes multi-stage front driver and passenger air bags, front-seat-mounted side air bags, three-row side-curtain air bags, standard four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability program (ESP), and electronic roll mitigation, brake assist.^[9]

More information Test, Points ...

Euro NCAP test results
Fiat Freemont (2011)^[27]

Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	30	83%
Child occupant:	40	82%
Pedestrian:	18	50%
Safety assist:	5	71%

Close

NHTSA 2012 Dodge Journey:^[28][29]

Overall:
Frontal driver:
Frontal passenger:
Side driver:
Side passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover FWD:	/ 18.5%
Rollover AWD:	/ 17.9%

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was safety tested by IIHS in 2009

Dodge Journeys marketed in Japan are known as Dodge JC, to avoid confusion with Isuzu Journey. JCs were qualified by the Japanese government to be included in Subsidy Scheme for Environmentally Friendly Vehicles.^[31]

As part of the vehicle's introductory promotion, Dario Franchitti's No. 40 Dodge Charger carried a "Journey" paint scheme for the 2008 Daytona 500 on February 17, 2008.^[32]