A combined 19 MPG isn’t going to impress anyone, and it’s certainly not a highlight of the 2015 Dodge Journey FWD 3.6L 6-cyl. This number should be understood in context. The Journey isn’t designed for maximum fuel efficiency; it’s an affordable, three-row crossover for families who value space and practicality. For Journey buyers, particularly those buying used models, the lower price can compensate for its gas consumption, especially considering its utility and passenger capacity.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2015 Journey gets 17 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. The city number reflects typical stop-and-go traffic conditions and the engine working to move a vehicle weighing over 4,000 pounds. The highway number is better, suggesting the Journey is reasonably efficient on long trips when the engine cruises at a more consistent speed. Expect that 19 MPG combined to be a realistic average in mixed driving, but aggressive driving will reduce it.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2015 Dodge Journey FWD 3.6L is $2,300. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. The actual cost will change depending on your driving, local fuel prices, and the proportion of city versus highway driving. This provides a useful comparison point to other cars; remember that it’s an estimate.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides a standardized test, but actual fuel economy will vary. Some drivers report numbers close to the EPA estimates, but variations are normal. Factors like tire pressure, vehicle maintenance, and cargo weight affect efficiency. Expect MPG to decrease when the vehicle is full of passengers and luggage, especially on hills. Using accessories like air conditioning also uses more gas.

How it compares

The 2015 Journey’s fuel economy isn’t as good as some competitors. The Honda CR-V, a smaller crossover that’s more fuel-efficient, gets about 29 MPG combined in its front-wheel-drive version. The Toyota RAV4 also performs better than the Journey, with an EPA-estimated 26 MPG combined. Even the larger Toyota Highlander, with its base 2.7L four-cylinder engine, can get around 22 MPG combined. The Journey is often less expensive when new or used, so the trade-off is acceptable to some buyers. There are certainly better choices if fuel economy is the most important thing to you. You can see all Dodge fuel economy data at FuelEconomyHub.com, or explore JOURNEY MPG across all years.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Avoid accelerating and braking hard. The Journey’s 3.6L V6 is responsive, but constantly accelerating quickly reduces fuel economy. Anticipate traffic and drive at a consistent speed to use less gas.

Keep tires properly inflated. Tires with low pressure increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and using more fuel. Check your tire pressure often and inflate them to the PSI listed on the doorjamb sticker.

Avoid idling. Letting the engine idle for a long time wastes fuel. Turn off the engine if you’re stopped for more than a minute or two. Modern engines warm up quickly once you start driving.

Maintain your car regularly. A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently. Change the oil regularly, replace air filters, and maintain the spark plugs to improve fuel economy. Ignoring these things can decrease performance and increase fuel consumption.

Reduce weight. Carrying extra weight in the car strains the engine. Remove unnecessary items to improve fuel efficiency, especially if you often use all three rows of seats.