The Dodge Journey is known for its comfortable interior, three-row-seating, and excellent value for money.
But how does the Dodge Journey handle winter driving conditions? Continue reading to find out…
Is Dodge Journey Good In The Snow?
Dodge Journey performs better than good in the snow.
It is available with either a 173-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive or an all-wheel-drive with 283-hp, 3.6-liter Pentastar V6.
Both versions are good in snow, depending on what kind of road you are driving on.
With a front-wheel drive, the weight of the four-cylinder engine is directly above the front wheels, which offers greater traction and better fuel economy for driving on unpacked snow or gravel.
The all-wheel-drive of Dodge Journey is excellent for slippery, icy roads as it efficiently distributes power by instantly giving power to the front wheels when needed; and withdrawing it in favor of the rear wheels when required.
Dodge Journey has a ground clearance of 7.2 inches, making it a great car to have for winter driving when compared with its competitors.
What Features Does The Dodge Journey Have For Winter Driving?
Dodge Journey is an attractive car for winter driving because of the safety and comfort features it offers for driving in the snow.
1. Traction Control
Dodge Journey offers Traction Control System, which enhances performance on slippery, snowy roads, making it a reliable car for winter driving.
By minimizing excessive spinning of the front wheels, the Traction Control System makes it easier and safer for Dodge Journey to accelerate on icy roads during winters.
It also allows for accelerated steering performance and makes the car drive with increased force.
However, even with traction control, it is essential to take all necessary precautions while driving on ice or slippery roads.
Remember, the traction control system only helps in improving safety but does not guarantee it.
2. Anti-Lock Brake System
Dodge Journey’s Brake Offerings include an Anti-Lock Brake System, which prevents the car from spinning when the brakes are applied urgently on slippery roads.
The Anti-Lock Brake System can be considered crucial for winter driving as it plays a key role in preventing the car from skidding or slipping upon application of emergency brakes.
Dodge Journey’s Anti-Lock Brake System allows you to maintain control over the car even when you hit the brakes – in other words, you can still steer it after hitting the brakes.
It is worth noting that even though the Anti-Lock Brake System provides greater stability, it does not necessarily mean that the car will stop any quicker.
ABS limits stopping distances to a greater extent on icy or slippery roads than traditional brake systems but it may also result in longer stopping distances on slack snow or loose road surface.
3. Electronic Brake Force Distribution
Dodge Journey offers an Electronic Brake Force Distribution System as a sub-system of the Anti-Lock Brake System.
This maximizes the braking efficacy of the rear wheels and provides a safer braking performance for winter driving.
The electronic Brake Force Distribution System is a welcome feature in Dodge Journey as it enhances braking performance, making the application of brakes smoother and safer over slippery, icy roads.
Like the Anti-Lock Brake System, Electronic Brake Force Distribution System prevents the car from skidding and steadies it when urgent, heavy brakes are applied.
4. All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Dodge Journey comes with an all-wheel drive in the 283-hp, 3.6-liter, Pentastar V6 version.
The all-wheel drive provides stability over icy, slippery roads and makes Dodge Journey an efficient car for winter driving.
It works instantly by giving power to the front wheels when the car is driven over snowy roads until the power is required by the rear wheels.
The greatest advantage of Dodge Journey’s all-wheel-drive feature is that it provides greater traction through all four wheels.
Even if one of the wheels loses traction or grip due to ice or snow, the car is supported well by the other wheels.
5. Comfort and Entertainment Features
Dodge Journey is packed with comfort and entertainment features that make winter driving a pleasurable experience for many.
Dodge Journey offers all sorts of technological and electronic features one might need in the car for entertainment such as Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a WiFi hotspot.
And a six-speaker audio system.
In terms of comfort, Dodge Journey comes with a total of seven airbags, a power sunroof, heated mirrors, keyless entry, and cruise control.
In short, the comfort and entertainment features are more than sufficient for winter driving.
Does The Dodge Journey Have Snow Mode?
Dodge Journey does not have a snow mode.
Many car owners specifically look for snow mode in their cars as it helps in navigating the snowy roads during winters.
The main intent behind snow mode is to reduce power output and adjust engine throttle when driving on snowy roads.
Even though it is helpful, it is not necessarily essential for winter driving.
How Much Snow Can a Dodge Journey Handle?
Dodge Journey has a ground clearance of 7.2 inches of snow but you can expect it to struggle with anything above 5 inches of snow.
It is imperative to have snow tires if you plan on driving Dodge Journey in deep snow as stock tires do not perform well beyond light snow.
Furthermore, the lack of a snow mode and HillStart Assist Control means you cannot depend on Dodge Journey in higher levels of snow as much as other rivals.
Is The Dodge Journey Good On Wet Roads?
Dodge Journey is great on wet roads, thanks to the safety features such as Anti-Lock Brake System, Traction Control System, and Electronic Brake Force Distribution System.
How Does The Dodge Journey Handle Cold Winter Temperatures?
Dodge Journey is well-equipped to deal with low winter temperatures.
With its dual-zone climate control and powered heated mirrors, Dodge Journey is clearly built to sustain comfort during low winter temperatures.
That being said, it is also important to acknowledge that there have been reports about engines failing to start during low winter temperatures.
Can The Dodge Journey Drive On Ice?
With a little care, Dodge Journey can drive well on ice.
If you have the right tires and if you take all the necessary precautions, your Dodge Journey will give you little trouble on ice.
This is because its 7.2 inches of ground clearance, traction control system, and anti-lock brake system all enable it to drive on ice.
Does The Dodge Journey Have 4WD?
Dodge Journey has both 4WD and front-wheel drive options.
Its 4WD enables it to have greater traction and grip on slippery, icy roads, making it an effective car to have for winter driving.
What Are The Best Dodge Journey Years For Winter Driving?
The 2019 and 2020 Dodge Journey models are great for winter driving because they are well-equipped to deal with low temperatures.
What Are The Worst Dodge Journey Years For Winter Driving?
If you go farther back in time, say 2018, you will find many disappointing reviews of Dodge Journey’s winter driving performance.
The previous years have a lower reliability score and there are also significant reports of problems with the car’s electronic systems.
Similarly, the 2016 Dodge Journey has also received low-safety ratings and is often found at the bottom of the list of top cars for winter driving.
Does The Dodge Journey Need Snow Tires?
Yes, Dodge Journey does need snow tires.
This is because the stock tires are ill-suited to driving during winters on snowy or slippery roads. Hence, snow tires are extremely important for winter driving!
Can You Mount A Snow Plow On A Dodge Journey?
Yes, you can mount a snowplow on a Dodge Journey.
Dodge Journey is capable of towing up to 25,000 pounds, which means it has enough power to drive a snowplow.
However, mounting a snowplow is not always worth the money.