The Dodge Journey offers seating for five or seven passengers, depending on the specific model year and trim level.
Folks often ask me about the Dodge Journey’s seating capacity. It’s a common question for anyone considering a crossover, especially when family needs are a top priority. Getting the right number of seats makes all the difference for daily drives and longer trips.
Understanding the Journey’s setup helps you pick the right vehicle. Let’s break down how this popular crossover handles passenger loads. It’s not always a one-size-fits-all answer.
Understanding the Journey’s Seating Configurations
From its introduction, the Dodge Journey aimed to deliver versatility. It arrived on the scene with options for both a standard two-row setup and an available three-row configuration.
Most Journeys you find on the used market will fit one of these two molds. The specific trim level and model year often determined which seating arrangement was standard or optional.
Think of it like choosing a toolbox: some jobs need a compact one, others demand a larger one with more compartments. The Journey offers both sizes for your passenger needs.
Dodge Journey- How Many Seats? — The Standard Five-Seater
The base configuration for many Dodge Journey models features two rows of seating. This setup comfortably accommodates five occupants: two in the front and three across the second row.
This five-passenger arrangement provides ample space for most families. The second row typically offers good legroom and shoulder room for adults or growing teenagers.
For parents, the second row includes LATCH anchors. These are critical for securely installing child safety seats, meeting federal safety standards for occupant protection.
Choosing a five-seater Journey often means more cargo space behind the second row. This extra room is useful for groceries, sports gear, or luggage for weekend trips.
Key Features of the Five-Seater Journey:
- Two rows of seating.
- Capacity for five passengers.
- Enhanced cargo volume behind the second row.
- Standard LATCH anchors for child seats in the second row.
- Often found on SE, SXT, and some GT trims, depending on the year.
The Optional Seven-Seater: Adding the Third Row
Many Dodge Journey models offered an optional third row, expanding capacity to seven passengers. This was typically part of a package, sometimes called the “FlexFuel Seating Group” or similar.
The third row consists of two smaller seats. These seats fold flat into the floor when not in use, creating a flat load area for cargo.
Accessing the third row usually involves sliding and tilting the second-row seats forward. This mechanism works well, though it requires a bit of effort.
The third row is best suited for children or smaller adults on shorter trips. Legroom and headroom are more constrained back there, as is common in many compact or mid-size crossovers.
When the third row is upright, cargo space behind it becomes quite limited. Drivers often need to choose between maximum passenger capacity and hauling substantial gear.
Considerations for the Seven-Seater:
- Third row adds two seats, bringing total capacity to seven.
- Third-row seats fold flat for cargo versatility.
- Access requires moving second-row seats.
- Best for younger passengers or short-distance adult travel.
- Reduces cargo space significantly when in use.
Here’s a general overview of seating availability across some model years:
| Model Year Range | Standard Seating | Optional Seating |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-2019 | 5 Passengers | 7 Passengers |
| 2020 | 5 or 7 Passengers (Trim Dependent) | N/A |
Practical Considerations for Journey Seating
When you’re looking at a Journey, think about your daily needs. Do you regularly carpool kids, or do you mostly drive yourself and one other person?
Child seat installation is a big factor. The second row in both five and seven-seater Journeys typically has two sets of LATCH anchors. The third row usually does not have LATCH anchors, relying instead on seat belt installation.
NHTSA guidelines provide clear instructions for child restraint systems. Always check your specific Journey’s owner’s manual for precise LATCH locations and weight limits.
Long trips with seven passengers can feel cramped, especially for adults in the third row. For family road trips, the five-seater might offer more comfort with a larger cargo area, or a seven-seater needs careful packing.
The Journey also features clever in-floor storage bins in the second row. These compartments are perfect for stashing small items, keeping the cabin tidy, regardless of seating configuration.
Tips for Maximizing Seating Utility:
- Verify LATCH Points: Confirm the number and location of LATCH anchors for child seats in any Journey you consider.
- Test Third-Row Access: If you need the third row, try getting in and out. See how easy it is for your passengers.
- Consider Passenger Size: Assess who will occupy each seat. The third row is definitely kid-friendly.
- Fold Seats Often: Practice folding the second and third rows. This helps you understand the cargo flexibility.
Balancing Passengers and Cargo
The choice between five and seven seats impacts more than just passenger count. It directly affects the amount of gear you can carry. It’s a classic trade-off in many crossovers.
A five-seater Journey offers a generous cargo area behind the second row. This space is comparable to many mid-size SUVs, allowing for strollers, luggage, or large shopping trips.
With the third row in use, the cargo area shrinks significantly. It becomes a compact space, suitable for a few backpacks or small grocery bags, much like the trunk of a compact sedan.
Even with the third row folded, the floor isn’t always perfectly flat or level with the second-row folded seats. This is a design characteristic to be aware of when loading long items.
Think about how often you need both maximum passengers and maximum cargo. If it’s a frequent requirement, you might need a roof cargo carrier or a different vehicle class.
Here’s a look at approximate interior space differences:
| Dimension | Second Row (Approx.) | Third Row (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Legroom | 37.8 inches | 23.4 inches |
| Headroom | 39.9 inches | 37.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room | 56.9 inches | 43.5 inches |
Maintaining Your Journey’s Interior
Regardless of how many seats your Journey has, proper interior care keeps it ready for action. Seats take a lot of abuse from daily use, especially with kids or pets.
Regular vacuuming and wiping down surfaces prevents dirt buildup. Fabric seats can benefit from spot cleaning to tackle spills quickly. Leather seats require specific cleaners and conditioners to stay supple.
Check seat belts periodically for fraying or damage. Ensure buckles click securely. This is a simple safety check that often gets overlooked in busy schedules.
The folding mechanisms for the second and third rows should operate smoothly. Keep the tracks clean from debris. A little lubrication can help if things feel stiff.
Floor mats protect the carpet from mud and spills. All-weather mats are a wise investment, especially if you live where weather can be messy. They save your carpet from wear and tear.
Keeping the interior clean also helps maintain the vehicle’s resale value. A well-cared-for cabin makes a big difference to future owners.
Pay attention to the condition of the seat upholstery. Tears or excessive wear can compromise comfort and appearance. Small repairs are easier than large ones.
Dodge Journey- How Many Seats? — FAQs
Did all Dodge Journey models come with seven seats?
No, not all Dodge Journey models offered seven seats. Many base models came standard with a five-passenger, two-row configuration. The third-row seating was often an optional upgrade package, particularly on earlier model years and specific trim levels like the SE or SXT.
Can I add a third row to my five-seater Dodge Journey?
Adding a third row to a Journey that originally came as a five-seater is not practical or recommended. The vehicle’s structure, seatbelt mounting points, and interior trim are designed specifically for its original seating configuration. Attempting such a modification would be complex, costly, and could compromise safety.
Is the third row in the Dodge Journey suitable for adults?
The third row in the Dodge Journey is generally best suited for children or smaller adults on short trips. It offers limited legroom and headroom compared to the front two rows. For extended travel with adults, the third row might feel cramped and uncomfortable, making it more of a temporary solution for extra passengers.
How does the third row affect cargo space in the Journey?
When the third row seats are upright and in use, the cargo space behind them in the Dodge Journey becomes quite minimal. It’s enough for a few small bags or groceries, but significantly reduces the overall hauling capacity. Folding the third row flat restores a much larger cargo area, similar to the five-seater configuration.
Which Dodge Journey trims typically offered seven-passenger seating?
Seven-passenger seating was commonly available as an option on various Dodge Journey trims throughout its production run, including the SXT, Crossroad, and GT models. For the final 2020 model year, the seven-passenger configuration was standard on the Crossroad trim and optional on the SE Value trim. Always check the specific vehicle’s build sheet.
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.