The Dodge Journey used several engines over its lifetime, primarily a 2.4-liter inline-4 and V6 options—initially a 3.5-liter and later a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6—paired with automatic transmissions. This mix gave buyers a choice between base efficiency and stronger performance depending on trim and year.
Across its production span, the Journey (sold in many markets from 2008 to 2019) offered different powerplants and transmissions. Early models leaned on a 2.4L inline-4 or a 3.5L V6, while mid‑generation revisions brought in the more modern 3.6L Pentastar V6 paired with a higher‑gear automatic. Engine availability varied by year and region, with the 3.6L becoming the common upgrade for better acceleration and refinement.
Engine options across the Journey’s production
The following list highlights the main engine choices that were offered in the Dodge Journey in North America, noting general horsepower and transmission pairing.
- 2.4-liter World Gasoline Inline-4 — about 173 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque; typically paired with a 4-speed automatic; offered as the base engine in many trims; front‑wheel drive was standard with optional all‑wheel drive in some configurations.
- 3.5-liter V6 — about 235 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque; paired with a 4-speed automatic; available on higher trims as a performance/comfort upgrade over the base 4‑cylinder.
- 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 — about 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque; paired with a 6-speed automatic; introduced mid‑generation and provided improved acceleration and refinement over the older V6 engine, becoming the more common upgrade in later years.
Engine availability and exact specs could vary by year, trim, and market. The Journey’s production ran roughly from 2008 to 2019 in many regions, with the 3.6L Pentastar replacement for the earlier V6 appearing on more models as the lineup evolved.
2.4-liter World inline-4
The 2.4-liter World engine family used in the Journey is a double-overhead-cam, 16-valve inline-4 designed for broad compatibility across Chrysler‑group vehicles. It delivered modest power suitable for daily driving and family use, and it was typically mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front‑wheel‑drive configurations, with some AWD options in certain trims.
3.5-liter V6
The 3.5-liter V6 provided a noticeable boost in acceleration and towing capability relative to the base 4‑cylinder. It produced around 235 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque and used a 4-speed automatic transmission. This engine was more common on earlier Journeys before the 3.6L Pentastar era.
3.6-liter Pentastar V6
The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 marked a major update, delivering roughly 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a 6-speed automatic and offered substantially better performance and refinement. This engine became the standard upgrade in many later Journeys and reflected a broader Chrysler family shift to the Pentastar lineup.
Summary
In brief, the Dodge Journey offered three main gasoline engine options over its run: the 2.4L inline-4, the 3.5L V6, and the later 3.6L Pentastar V6. Each engine was paired with automatic transmissions (4-speed for the 2.4L and 3.5L, 6-speed for the 3.6L), with availability varying by model year and market. This mix gave buyers a choice between efficiency and stronger performance during the Journey’s production era, which lasted roughly from 2008 to 2019.