Many Dodge Journey trims offer a third-row bench for two, bumping capacity to seven, while some versions keep a five-seat layout.
If you’re shopping a Dodge Journey, the third row is the deal-breaker for a lot of families. You don’t want to drive across town to see a “7-seater” listing, open the liftgate, and find… nothing. The good news: a Dodge Journey can come with a third row. The catch: not every Journey has it, and listings get sloppy.
This piece gives you a clean way to verify third-row seating, spot the five-seat setups fast, and judge whether the back row will work for your real life. No fluff. Just what to check, where to look, and what it feels like day to day.
Does Dodge Journey Have 3Rd Row Seating?
A Dodge Journey is sold in both five-seat and seven-seat layouts. When it’s a seven-seater, the third row is a small, two-person bench. It’s built for kids, short rides, or smaller adults, not long road trips with full-size passengers.
Think of it like a “use when needed” row. Great for school runs, cousin pickups, and the once-a-month group outing. Less fun for a tall adult who draws the short straw for a two-hour drive.
Dodge Journey Third Row Seating Options By Year And Trim
Third-row availability shifts by trim level, drivetrain, and model year. Some years made it easier to find a seven-seat Journey; other years skewed heavily toward five seats. That’s why you should verify the exact vehicle, not the “typical” setup for the year.
Why Listings Get Third-Row Claims Wrong
Online listings often pull default specs from a database. If that database says the model can seat seven, the listing may say “7” even when the actual car on the lot seats five. Sellers do this by accident all the time.
Your goal is simple: confirm the third row in person with two quick checks, then back it up with the vehicle’s own labels and paperwork.
Fast Visual Check In Under One Minute
- Liftgate view: Look for two head restraints at the very back. On many Journeys, the third-row head restraints fold down when stored.
- Cargo floor view: Look for seatback seams and hinge points at the rear cargo area. A five-seat setup usually has a flatter, more open cargo floor with no third-row seatbacks tucked in.
Verification Check That Beats Guesswork
If you want a source that’s tied to the exact car, use the vehicle’s safety and recall record by year and model. The NHTSA vehicle detail pages are built for that. This won’t “prove” the third row by itself, but it helps you confirm you’re looking at the right year/trim record while you match the car’s VIN and paperwork. NHTSA’s vehicle detail page for the Dodge Journey is a solid place to start when you’re matching model-year details.
How The Third Row Is Set Up In Real Use
When a Journey has a third row, it’s a two-seat bench in the back. That usually means:
- Front row: two seats
- Second row: a bench (three spots) or captain’s chairs (two spots) depending on configuration
- Third row: two spots
If the second row is captain’s chairs, you’ll often get easier walk-through access to the third row. If it’s a bench, you’ll rely more on sliding and tipping the second-row seat to climb back.
Access: What People Miss On The Test Drive
Don’t just sit back there. Try getting in and out twice, like a kid would after a sports practice. Check how far the second row slides. Check whether a forward-facing child seat blocks the path. That’s where a “works on paper” third row can turn into a daily headache.
Comfort: Who Fits Back There
The third row in a Journey is tight. Legroom is the first pinch point. Headroom is usually fine for kids, but adults may feel hunched once the seatback angle and cushion height do their thing.
A practical rule: the third row works best for kids, teens on shorter drives, and smaller adults for quick trips. If your plan is to seat adults back there weekly, you’ll want to test with real passengers, not just a quick sit.
Cargo Space Trade-Off When The Third Row Is Up
Seven seats changes the cargo situation fast. With the third row in use, you’re working with a shallow cargo shelf behind it. That can handle groceries and a couple of backpacks. It won’t handle a big stroller and luggage at the same time.
The official fleet buyer’s guide for the Journey spells out cargo volume behind each row. It lists 10.7 cubic feet behind the third row and 39.6 cubic feet behind the second row for the 2020 model-year spec sheet. Stellantis Fleet’s Journey buyer’s guide is handy when you want numbers you can compare across vehicles.
On the test drive, do a quick reality check: put the third row up, then try loading the stuff you carry most. Diaper bag, sports gear, grocery bins, mobility aids, whatever fits your life. If it’s a tight squeeze in the lot, it won’t feel better later.
Third-Row Safety Checks You Should Do On Any Used Journey
Seat belts and head restraints matter more in the third row because the seats are smaller and the space is tighter. If anything is missing, damaged, or stuck, treat it as a real problem, not a “later” fix.
The owner’s manual includes warnings tied to correct third-row head restraint use. For the 2020 Journey manual hosted on NHTSA’s site, you can see guidance that the third-row head restraint should be unfolded and locked in place when someone sits back there. 2020 Dodge Journey Owner’s Manual (NHTSA PDF) is a reliable reference for that kind of detail.
Do These Five Checks Before You Buy
- Head restraints: Present, can fold up, can lock.
- Seat belts: Retract smoothly, latch clicks, buckle isn’t buried under cushions.
- Seatback latches: Seatbacks lock in both the stored and upright positions.
- Floor and hinges: No rust flakes, no bent hinge arms, no loose bolts.
- Rear HVAC and vents: If equipped, check airflow to the rear so the back row isn’t a hotbox in summer.
What To Check When A Listing Claims “7 Passenger”
If you’re scanning listings, your goal is to filter out the bad ones quickly, then verify the good candidates with proof.
Photos That Signal A Real Third Row
- Photo taken from the cargo area looking forward, showing the third-row seatbacks
- Photo of the third-row seat cushions and head restraints
- Photo of the second-row access path (seat tipped or slid forward)
Text Clues That Mean “Ask For Proof”
- Listing says “7 passenger” but shows a flat cargo floor with no seat seams
- Only stock photos, no interior photos
- Interior photo set skips the rear cargo area entirely
When you message the seller, ask one direct question: “Can you send a photo of the third-row seats folded up, taken from the liftgate?” That request is hard to fake and easy to answer.
Third-Row Checklist Table For Buyers
Use this checklist in the lot or while reviewing photos. It keeps you from getting distracted by paint, wheels, or a shiny dashboard while missing the stuff that matters for a seven-seat setup.
| What To Check | What It Means | Where To Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Two rear head restraints | Strong hint the vehicle has third-row seating | Look through the liftgate window or open the hatch |
| Third-row seatback seams | Shows seatbacks fold and store in the rear area | Cargo floor and rear seatback area |
| Third-row seat belts present | Confirms the back row is meant for passengers | Rear side panels and seat cushions |
| Second-row slide and tip action | Controls how easy it is to reach the third row | Operate the seat release handles in person |
| Car-seat placement impact | Some car seats block third-row access | Test with your own seat, or measure space and latch points |
| Cargo space with third row up | Tells you whether daily gear will still fit | Load your usual items; compare to official cargo numbers |
| Head restraint lock function | Needed for safe seating in that row | Fold up and lock both rear head restraints |
| Seatback latch engagement | Loose latches can cause rattles and unsafe seating | Raise seatbacks and check for a firm “locked” feel |
| Interior wear patterns | Shows whether the third row was used hard | Look for torn fabric, crushed foam, or missing trim covers |
How To Decide If The Journey’s Third Row Fits Your Life
“Has a third row” and “works for my household” are two different questions. The Journey’s third row is best treated as a flexible option, not a full-time adult seating plan.
If You’ll Use The Third Row Every Day
Daily third-row use means daily climbing, sliding seats, and loading around raised seatbacks. If you do school drop-offs with a mix of kids and car seats, test the exact routine before you commit. Try buckling a child in the third row. Try loading backpacks with the third row up. See how long it takes. Small hassles get old fast when they happen twice a day.
If You’ll Use It Once In A While
This is where the Journey can feel like a smart buy. Keep the third row folded most days, enjoy the extra cargo room, then pop it up for extra passengers when plans change.
If You Need Adult-Comfort Three-Row Space
If adults will ride in the third row often, set your expectations early. You may end up happier with a larger three-row vehicle where the back row has more legroom and the cargo area stays usable with all rows up.
Quick Configurations Table For Seating And Cargo
These common layouts help you picture how the space shifts. Try them in the lot so you’re not guessing at home.
| Setup | Seats Available | Cargo Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Third row down, second row up | 5 | Most usable cargo space for daily life |
| Third row up, second row up | 7 | Shallow space behind third row for small loads |
| Third row up, second row partly slid forward | 7 | More third-row leg space, less second-row comfort |
| Third row down, second row folded | 2 | Large flat load floor for bulky cargo |
| One side of third row up | 6 | Mixed passenger and cargo use, depends on split design |
What To Ask Before You Pay
Once you’ve confirmed the seats are physically there, shift to questions that protect you from hidden headaches.
Ask About Seat Mechanisms And Missing Parts
Third-row seats have latches, hinges, trim covers, and head restraints that can go missing on used cars. Ask if any parts were replaced. Check that both head restraints are present. If a seller shrugs it off, price that hassle into your offer.
Ask For The VIN And Match It To Records
Use the VIN to match the exact year and trim and to check recalls. Even when a recall isn’t about seats, it still tells you whether the car has open safety work that needs attention. NHTSA’s vehicle pages and VIN recall tools make this step straightforward.
Final Lot Walkthrough For Third-Row Confirmation
Before you sign anything, run this fast walkthrough:
- Open the liftgate and locate the third-row seatbacks.
- Raise the third row fully and confirm both head restraints lock upright.
- Sit in the third row and buckle the belt to confirm it latches and retracts smoothly.
- Move the second row through the access motion twice and check for binding or stuck handles.
- With the third row up, load the stuff you carry most and see what still fits.
If a Journey passes these checks, you can feel confident you’re buying a real third-row setup, not a listing mistake. From there, the decision is less about “does it have it” and more about “will we like living with it.”
References & Sources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).“Vehicle Detail: 2020 Dodge Journey SUV.”Helps confirm model-year records and safety context when matching a vehicle by year and VIN.
- Stellantis Fleet.“2020 Dodge Journey Buyer’s Guide (PDF).”Lists seating capacity and cargo volume figures tied to row positions.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).“2020 Dodge Journey Owner’s Manual (PDF).”Provides manufacturer instructions and warnings for third-row seating equipment such as head restraints.
Certification: BSc in Mechanical Engineering
Education: Mechanical engineer
Lives In: 539 W Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75208, USA
Md Amir is an auto mechanic student and writer with over half a decade of experience in the automotive field. He has worked with top automotive brands such as Lexus, Quantum, and also owns two automotive blogs autocarneed.com and taxiwiz.com.