Three-row crossovers give buyers the flexibility of all the passenger room they need or great cargo room by folding the seats. The 2019 Dodge Journey and 2019 Ford Flex offer this, but they have significant differences. Which of these three-row crossovers is best for our Glendale Heights area buyers? Keep reading to find out.
Exterior
The Dodge Journey rolls in with a relatively simple look that fits many buyers’ taste, giving it a wide base of fans. It also has a smattering of premium features, like chrome trimming and 19-inch wheels to satisfy buyers looking for something more. The 2019 Ford Flex takes a more dramatic take on the crossover look by adding a wagon design that some buyers love and some hate. Ultimately, the benefit of this design is its cavernous cabin.
The 2019 Journey is 192.4 inches long, 75.9 inches wide, and 66.6 inches tall. It rides on a 113.8-inch wheelbase. The 2019 Ford Flex is longer and taller at 201.8 long and 68 inches tall, but it is narrower at 72.2 inches wide. Its wheelbase is also longer at 117.9 inches.
Advantage: 2019 Dodge Journey
- Inoffensive crossover looks
- Premium wheels optional
Advantage: 2019 Ford Flex
- Functional design
Interior
Inside, the 2019 Dodge Journey is very simple with its flat dashboard, but it has a touch of character with its contrast insert that spans the width of the dash and in the gauge cluster. Tech is light in the base model, but its optional Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system boasts all the features most buyers would need.
The Ford Flex’s cabin is more upscale than the Journey’s, but it is not the mantra of modern tech. Its SYNC infotainment system offers the same level of tech as the Journey’s Uconnect system, but the Flex takes luxury a step further with more premium leather seating.
In its front seats, the 2019 Journey has 40.8 inches of headroom, 40.8 inches of legroom, 53.8 inches of shoulder room, and 58.4 inches of hip room. The 2019 Ford Flex has an extra 1 inch of headroom, 1.8 inches of legroom, and 1.7 inches of shoulder room. The Flex’s 58.4 inches of hip room match the Journey’s.
In its second row, the Journey offers 39.9 inches of headroom, 36.1 inches of legroom, 56.9 inches of shoulder room, and 54.4 inches of hip room. The 2019 Ford Flex wins out in headroom by 0.6 inches, legroom by 8.2 inches, shoulder room by 1.2 inches, and hip room by 0.6 inches.
In its third room, the 2019 Journey has 37.7 inches of headroom, 23.4 inches of legroom, 43.5 inches of shoulder room, and 40 inches of hip room. This beats the Flex by 2.4 inches in shoulder room, but the Flex wins by 1 inch in headroom, 9.9 inches of legroom, and 10.8 inches of hip room.
Cargo room is where it’s at in crossovers, and the Journey is respectable with 10.7 cubic feet behind the third row, 37 cubic feet behind the second row, and 67.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Flex is hard to beat in this class with its 20 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 83.2 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.
Advantage: 2019 Dodge Journey
- More youthful interior
- Large optional infotainment screen
Advantage: 2019 Ford Flex
- Massive cabin with tons of room
- Huge cargo area
- Tons of premium materials
Performance
The 2019 Dodge Journey has a pair of engine options to fit the needs of a wide range of buyers. Its base engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 173 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with a four-speed automatic transmission and comes exclusively with front-wheel drive.
The Journey’s optional engine is a 3.6-liter V-6 with 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission. This V-6 engine pairs with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
The 2019 Ford Flex gets a big base power advantage with its standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine that cranks out 287 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
The 2019 Flex has an extra pop of power from its 3.5-liter turbocharged V-6 engine that injects 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. This engine also pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission, but it tosses in standard paddle shifters. All-wheel drive is also standard.
While crossovers are not huge on towing, it can still play a role in the decision-making process. The Journey with the four-cylinder engine can tow up to 1,000 pounds, and the V-6 engine pushes that capacity to 2,500 pounds. The Flex has a big advantage with its 4,500-pound towing capacity,.
On the fuel-economy side of things, the Journey delivers up to 19 mpg city, 25 highway, and 21 combined with the base engine, and up to 17 mpg city, 25 highway, and 19 combined with the V-6 engine. The Ford Flex’s more powerful V-6 engine are thirstier at up to 16 mpg city, 23 highway, and 19 combined with the base engine, and up to 15 mpg city, 21 highway, and 17 combined with the turbocharged engine.
Advantage: 2019 Dodge Journey
- Better fuel economy
- Powerful optional V-6 engine
Advantage: 2019 Ford Flex
- Big power advantage
- 4,500-pound towing capacity
Pricing and Features
The 2019 Dodge Journey comes in just three trim levels — SE, Crossroad, and GT — and their starting prices range from $23,495 to $33,295.
The Ford Flex also has three trim levels — SE, SEL, and Limited — and their starting prices range from $30,575 to $38,790.
2019 Dodge Journet Key Features and Pricing by Trim
SE: $23,495
- 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine
- Four-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Cruise control
- Normal-duty suspension
- Body-color door handles
- Automatic headlights
- Daytime running lights
- Black-colored power, heated mirrors
- Black roof side rails
- 17-inch steel wheels with covers
- Variable intermittent wipers
- Dual-zone manual climate control
- Cargo tie-down loops
- Power door locks
- Front and rear floor mats
- Front map lights
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Three 12-volt power outlets
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Steering-wheel-mounted controls
- Power front windows with one-touch-down driver’s window
- Cloth seating
- Easy entry 40/60 Tilt ’n Slide second-row seats
- 50/50 flat-folding third-row seat
- 4.3-inch touchscreen
- Six-speaker AM/FM audio system with USB port
- Keyless entry
- Push-button ignition
- Rearview camera
Crossroad: $27,995
- All SE features, plus
- Fog lights
- Body-color mirrors
- Platinum chrome roof-rack side rails
- LED taillights
- 19-inch Black Noise aluminum wheels
- Three-zone automatic climate control
- Cargo net
- Overhead console with sunglasses holder and conversation mirror
- Premium door panels with contrast stitching
- Front and rear swiveling LED interior lighting
- Leather-wrapped shift knob
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Leather seating with sport mesh inserts
- Six-way power driver’s seat
- 8.4-inch touchscreen
- SiriusXM
- DVD player
- Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth
GT: $33,295
- All Crossroad features, plus
- 3.6-liter V-6 engines
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- 19-inch Satin Chrome aluminum wheels
- Remote ignition
- High-performance suspension
- Premium door trim panel
- Interior observation mirror
- 115-volt auxiliary outlet
- Dimpled leather-wrapped shift knob
- Heated steering wheel
- One-touch-down front windows
- Leather seats with perforated inserts
- Heated front seats
- Six premium speakers with subwoofer and 368-watt amplifier
- Security alarm
2019 Ford Flex Key Features and Pricing by Trim
SE: $30,575
- 3.5-liter V-6 engine
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- 17-inch Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum wheels
- Halogen headlights with autolamp
- Intermittent speed-sensitive front windshield wipers
- Power door locks with auto-lock feature
- Bright dual-exhaust tips
- Black beltline molding on sides and liftgate
- Body-color door handles
- Body-Color liftgate applique
- Power heated mirrors, manual folding with integrated blind spot mirrors
- Molded-in black mirrors
- Manual climate control
- Rear climate control
- Ford MyKey
- Leather-wrapped shifter knob
- Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror
- Power windows with one-touch up/down front windows
- Laminated front door glass
- Overhead console with dome/map lights and sunglass holder
- Reading lamps for second- and third-row passengers
- Four 12-volt power points
- Manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel
- Carpeted floor mats in first and second rows
- AM/FM stereo with single-CD player
- SYNC infotainment system
- Cloth seating
- Six-way power driver’s seat
- 60/40 split-folding second-row
- 50/50 split-folding third-row seat
- Rearview camera
- Perimeter alarm
- Keyless entry keypad
- Reverse parking sensors
SEL: $33,290
- All SE features, plus
- 17-inch Sparkle Silver-painted aluminum wheels
- Fog lights with bright bezel
- Stainless-steel bright beltline molding on sides and liftgate
- Chrome door handles
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- San Macassar wood appliques
- Cargo net
- Heated front seats
- Remote ignition
- Intelligent access with push-button start
- Two smart-charging USB ports
- SiriusXM
- SYNC 3
- 10-way power driver’s seat
- Six-way power passenger’s seat
Limited: $38,790
- All SEL features, plus
- Power liftgate
- HID headlights
- LED taillights
- Satin-aluminum grille
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Satin-aluminum liftgate applique
- Power, heated mirrors, power-folding side-view mirrors
- Mirror-integrated security approach lamps and memory
- Ambient lighting
- Perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel with wood inlay
- Charcoal Black leather seats with perforated inserts
- Yoho maple cross applique on dashboard and door inserts
- Memory feature for driver‘s seat, exterior mirrors and power-adjustable foot pedals
- Universal garage door opener
- 110-volt power outlet
- Chrome scuff plates with aluminum insert
- Power-adjustable pedals with memory
- 12-speaker Sony audio system with HD Radio
- Navigation
- Perforated leather first- and second-row seating
- 10-way power driver’s seat
Who Should Buy the 2019 Dodge Journey?
The 2019 Dodge Journey is for the more budget-oriented buyer looking for a low-cost three-row crossover and doesn’t care about much else.
Who Should Buy the 2019 Ford Flex?
The Ford Flex is best for a deeper-pocketed buyer who’s willing to pay extra for room and the standard V-6 engine.
Ready to hit the streets in the 2019 Dodge Journey? Head down to Garber Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM to take it for a spin through the streets of Wheaton. If you can’t make it in today, you can also check out our online inventory to see if we have a 2019 Journey in stock that meets your needs.
