Dodge Durango and Dodge Journey – Miami Lakes Automall Dodge

Dodge is one of the original players in the American automotive market. First formed in 1900 and known as the Dodge Brothers Company, Dodge was originally a supplier or assemblies and parts for other Detroit-based automotive makers. Starting in 1915, Dodge made the transition, and began building their own vehicles. Over time, the Dodge automotive brand has been under the ownership of different companies, including the Chrysler Corporation. Today, Dodge is still manufacturing reliable cars, trucks, and SUVs right here in America, and selling all over the United States, including at your very own * Miami Dodge dealership *

Two of Dodge’s most practical vehicles are the Dodge Durango, and Dodge Journey. Both vehicles seem similar to the naked eye, but each one offers its own unique take on the ever-expanding SUV segment. Despite some confusion, the Durango and Journey are both distinctly different vehicles, and each bring their own unique talents to their respective segments. Here at Miami Lakes Dodge, we are committed to bringing you information regarding the latest in automotive news, and information. Today, we are exploring the ways in which the Dodge Durango and Dodge Journey are different, and why one may appeal more strongly to you than the other.

Who Came First? The Durango or the Journey?

It’s an age old question. Who came first? Well, in the case of the Dodge Durango and Dodge Journey, the answer is simple. The first generation of the Dodge Durango was sold for the 1998 model year. Originally classified as a mid-sized SUV, the Durango offered drivers a different take on the full-size SUV segment.

Now that it has been established who came first, the subsequent model is obvious. The Dodge Journey was first unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The 2009 Dodge Journey was the first model to be offered to the public, and it went on sale in late March of 2008. Classified as a mid-size crossover vehicle, the Dodge Journey came to market around the same time that that particular segment was first introduced in the United States.

When Size Matters

Whether you are in search of a crossover that is on the smaller end, or a full-size SUV, one thing is certain – when it comes to cars, size does matter. One of the most obvious differences between the Durango and the Journey are their sizes. The Dodge Durango is currently classified as a full-size SUV, with seating for up to seven passengers. The Dodge Durango is still grouped into the crossover segment, which would give drivers reason to believe, that it does not offer the same amount of room. In fact, the Dodge Journey offers the option of either a five, or seven passenger seating configuration.

With both models offering essentially the same amount of passenger seating, where is the size difference? A good question, and a equally good answer. The Dodge Durango features a impressive cargo capacity of up to 84.5 cubic feet with the back seats folded down. The Dodge Journey can only offer a maximum cargo capacity of 67.6 cubic feet, with the seats folded down.

The Dodge Journey offers drivers a Best-in-Class storage system, which includes a under-floor cooler in the second row, optional in-seat storage under the passenger seat, and in-floor storage under the cargo area. This unique cargo area helps the Dodge Journey make up a little bit of the extra room that the Durango has over it.

Price

The Dodge Durango has a higher starting MSRP than the Journey. The current 2015 Dodge Durango has a starting MSRP of $30,495, while the 2015 Journey comes in nearly ten thousand dollars less expensive, and starts at $20,695. Why such a large gap in their prices? Keep reading, we will get to that.

Exterior

At first glance, the Dodge Durango and the Dodge Journey seem fairly similar. The two SUVs, while built by the same automotive brand, are indeed, very different. The Journey features the look of a true crossover, with a lowered roofline, lower ground clearance, and the profile that more closely resembles a hatchback or station wagon. On the other side of the spectrum, the Durango gives a more traditional SUV appearance. With taller sides, a larger overall shape, and a bigger grille, the Durango is unquestionably, an SUV.

These differences might be subtle, but when a side-by-side comparison is given, their differences are unmistakable.

Interior

While the exterior of both vehicles looks somewhat similar, the interior is an entirely different story. Since we already discussed the size difference, it is important to note that along with the extra cargo capacity, the Durango also adds noticeably more legroom than the Journey.

The interior cabin is also where you will see where most of the money goes. The Dodge Journey is more basic than the Durango, and also more affordable. While the quality of materials are good, the Journey just doesn’t offer the same premium amenities as the Durango. The Durango comes loaded with standard features, while the Journey has a slightly more modest list of included amenities and technology.

Aside from standard features, the Durango also has an overall better cabin quality, including a more advanced steering wheel, gauge cluster, higher-quality air conditioning vents, and premium door panels. That’s not to say that the Journey is cheaply made, it is just manufactured in a more economical way, in order to give drivers a more affordable option.

Power and Performance

The Durango is larger in size, and therefore comes with a larger engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine on the Durango, makes 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. This large engine can tow up to 6,200 pounds, giving it even more practicality for drivers. If that amount of power just won’t suffice, drivers can choose a hefty 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, that can tow up to 7,400 pounds.

The Dodge Journey, being smaller in size, comes standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which gets 173 horsepower. This smaller engine is also more efficient than the Durango, giving it up to 26 miles per gallon on the highway. The Journey can also tow, but has a smaller towing capacity of 2,500 pounds. For drivers who like everything else about the Journey, but need more power, can opt for the V6 that comes standard on the Durango.

Safety & Technology

In-vehicle technology is another area that distinctly separates the two Dodge vehicles. The 2015 Dodge Journey is missing out on some of the advanced safety technology that the Durango features. The Journey does not offer blind spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, rear-cross traffic alert, forward-collision system, or adaptive cruise control. If having these advanced safety features on your vehicle is important to you, the Durango might be a better choice.

On a technology note, the Dodge Durango includes more standard in-vehicle technology than the smaller Journey. A few of the noteworthy features that the Journey does not offer include, a power-operated liftgate, mirror memory settings, or ventilated seats. One thing that both the Journey and the Durango do offer, is Chrysler’s award-winning UConnect infotainment system.

Deciding between either purchasing a Dodge Durango or a Dodge Journey, simply comes down to two things: Budget, and preferences. Explore each model, and make the decision that is right for your family, lifestyle, and wallet.

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