2012 Dodge Journey: Car Seat Check

The 2012 Dodge Journey could be an ideal minivan alternative. This crossover comes with up to three rows of seats and the storage solutions and family-hauling abilities of the stereotypical mom-mobile. For our Car Seat Check, we tested the three-row Journey that seats seven and had available integrated booster seats. A two-row version is standard.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

2012 Toyota Camry Earns Five-Star NHTSA Rating

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its first batch of 2012 model year ratings this month. Under the stricter guidelines, only three 2012 models — the Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac CTS and Toyota Camry — have earned five-star composite scores from the safety agency. In fact, as we previously reported, the Camaro is the only vehicle to earn a perfect rating across the board since the new guidelines took effect for the 2011 model year.

NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

The redesigned 2012 Camry earned a five-star overall rating, getting four stars in the frontal test, five stars in the side-crash test and four stars in the rollover test.

Recall Alert: 2012 Dodge Journey, Fiat 500

Chrysler is recalling 340 2012 Dodge Journey and Fiat 500 vehicles because sealing components in the brake system could degrade, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles, which were built between Oct. 24 and Oct. 26, may have contaminated brake fluid that could cause the components to degrade. This could lead to a loss of braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall is expected to begin next month. Chrysler will replace all brake components that come into contact with hydraulic brake fluid at no charge. Owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Recall Alert: 2012 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Vehicles

Chrysler is recalling about 667 2012-model-year vehicles equipped with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 over an engine issue that can lead to power loss, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2012 models included in the recall are the Chrysler 200, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

In the affected vehicles, which were built between Aug. 25 and Sept. 5, the engine blocks weren’t cleaned properly. The result is hard debris can damage the connecting rod, main bearings and crankshaft, leading to engine failure. If the engine seizes up while driving, the risk of a crash can increase.

The recall is expected to begin in early October. Chrysler dealerships will replace the engine, free of charge. If owners already have repaired the problem, Chrysler will reimburse the expense if it wasn’t covered by the warranty.  Owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

2012 Dodge Journey Shaves $3,250 Off Starting Price, Now $18,995

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.

2012 Chrysler 200, Dodge Journey, Dodge Avenger See Prices Drop

For the 2012 model year, both the 2012 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger see their starting prices drop to $18,995, which is a $250 decrease from last year. The 2012 Dodge Journey now starts at $20,995, which is a more dramatic $1,450 price drop. Those prices exclude a $750 destination charge for the sedans and an $800 charge for most Journey trims.

The price changes make the Avenger and 200 the most affordable midsize sedans on the market today, beating out value leaders like the Suzuki Kizashi ($18,999), Ford Fusion ($19,850) and Kia Optima ($19,200).

The Journey is now one of the most affordable midsize crossovers on the market, too, beating competitors like the Kia Sorento ($21,250) and Mazda CX-7 ($21,990). The Subaru Forester still beats the Journey, though, with its $20,495 entry price.

Continue reading below for more trim details.

Reader Review of the Week: 2011 Dodge Journey

“BicycleRider” from Atlanta was a loyal Isuzu buyer until the brand was scuttled. After a long, extensive search, this reader settled on a new 2011 Dodge Journey. The crossover has an excellent ride and a luxurious interior, BicycleRider says. To find out why the Journey beat out other competitors, continue reading BicycleRider’s review below. Once you’re done, you can submit your own car review here.

Chrysler Incentives Focus on Minivans

Chrysler has shifted around some of its incentives for the month of April, deemphasizing trucks but placing more cash on the hood of more models from Chrysler and Dodge.

Chrysler has decided to bring back its 60-day guarantee program for the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan and 2011 Chrysler Town & Country for April. The “Minivan Pledge” works the same way it has in the past — you can return your van back to the automaker within 60-days, no questions asked. While the program may alleviate some buyer’s remorse — few people ended up changing their minds during past promotions — the pledge doesn’t really offer much in terms of cash back or financing incentives compared with March. 2.9% financing for 60 months is the same as last month. Last month Chrysler offered $2,000 — $4,000 in lease bonus cash on its minivan pair, which helps to reduce the capitalized cost of the lease. Those lease deals might turn out to be a better compared with current lease offerings, depending on your credit worthiness.

The new 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible gets its first suit of incentives, just in time for the winter’s thaw. Chrysler is offering $1,500 cash back or $750 back and 2.9% financing for 60 months with Ally Financial on the drop top. The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango now has some retail customer cash on the hood: $1,000 on the base Express trim.

Continue reading below for all the highlighted deals available for April. Most deals expire on May 2nd.

Chrysler Incentives Push Hemi V-8, Leasing In February

Chrysler has added a few cash-back incentives to its new 2011 model lineup, including more cash on the hood for high-output V-8 Ram trucks. More importantly, this time around Chrysler is offering some attractive lease deals. However, most of the cash incentives on the 2010 models are gone with the lone exception of the 2010 Dodge Challenger, which has $2,000 cash back.

The 2011 Dodge Nitro gets another $500 tacked onto its cash-back plan, which now totals $3,000. There’s another $1,000 added on the Caliber, so buyers can get up to $2,500 cash back on that model. Most of the redesigned models like the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango and the Chrysler minivans don’t have any cash incentives, but they do have fairly attractive financing deals.

If you want to get a better deal on one of Chrysler’s newer models, there are lease deals to be had such as $199 a month for the Dodge Avenger or Chrysler 200 or $359 a month for the new 2011 Dodge Charger R/T.

Most of the incentives below expire Feb. 28.

Dodge Unveils Five New R/T Models

Dodge unveiled R/T versions of an array of vehicles today — some of them unlikely candidates for a performance badge the brand has had since the 1960s. The Road and Track group adds sportier styling cues and, in some cases, additional performance. Dodge is renewing it on the Journey, Charger, Durango, Grand Caravan and Challenger.

More 2011 Chicago Auto Show Coverage

The Grand Caravan, Journey and Durango R/Ts go on sale this spring. The Charger and Challenger R/Ts are on sale now.