The 2012 Dodge Journey just got out of the gate, yet Chrysler already has decided to throw a curveball by adding a new low-cost trim package. The 2012 Journey now starts at $18,995, excluding $750 for destination.
A five-passenger Journey with the new American Value Package (AVP) starts at $18,995, and a seven-passenger model starts at $19,990. The AVP trim comes surprisingly well equipped, too, with things like push-button start and a touch-screen media display.
The new pricing setup makes the Journey the most affordable seven-passenger vehicle on the market, Dodge says. Even without the third-row price advantage, only two other crossovers in its class start for less money: the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at $18,495 and the Hyundai Tucson at $18,895. Those two vehicles are also smaller and come standard with manual transmissions.
The 2011 Journey finished in second place in our $29,000 SUV Shootout earlier this year.
The 2012 Journey costs $2,000 less than what Chrysler previously stated when we only knew of the SE trim, which starts at $20,995, and that already was a $1,450 price drop from the 2011 model.
The new Journey also gets new trim designations for the 2012 model year. Gone is the cacophony of lifestyle-based trims, now replaced with just AVP, SE, SXT and Crew and R/T models.
The base AVP trim comes with seven airbags, air conditioning, power accessories, heated power mirrors, a 4.3-inch touch-screen, satellite radio, USB controls and a passive entry system with push-button start. The model is only available with a four-cylinder engine, with a four-speed automatic transmission, in either five- or seven-passenger seating. You can add the third row for $995. The SE trim starts at $20,995 and adds tinted glass, roof rails and LED taillamps — seven-passenger seating is still a $995 option here. The SXT trim starts at $24,495 and gets a 283-horsepower V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission standard. There’s also a different front bumper design, dual exhaust, fog lamps and 17-inch alloy wheels added, standard. The Crew trim starts at $28,495, and it adds 19-inch wheels, an 8.4-inch touch-screen, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic temperature controls, security system and remote start. The R/T trim will come later in the year — it will add a sportier look to the crossover.
Models that come with the 8.4-inch touch-screen also get a new voice recognition system that allows you to select songs by voice, similar to Ford’s Sync system. Besides the American Value Package, all other trims see modest price increases. The 2012 Dodge Journey is on sale now. Continue reading below for more details.
2012 Dodge Journey (2011 pricing *equivalency)
- AVP: $18,995 (new)
- SE: $20,995 ($22,245 Express)
- SXT : $24,495 ($24,445 Mainstreet)
- SXT with all-wheel drive: $26,295 ($26,145 Mainstreet)
- Crew: $28,495 ($28,445 Crew)
- Crew with all-wheel drive: $30,295 ($30,145 Crew)
- R/T: $29,995 ($28,445 R/T)
- Destination: 750
