21 MPG combined isn’t going to win any awards, but many Dodge Journey owners accept it in exchange for the vehicle’s affordability, practicality, and space. This isn’t a vehicle bought for amazing performance or best-in-class efficiency. It’s a budget-friendly choice, often for larger families who need three rows of seating but aren’t ready to pay SUV or minivan prices. These buyers prioritize functionality and the purchase price, and for them, the Journey often works, even with its lower fuel consumption.

City and highway performance

The 2015 Dodge Journey FWD with the 2.4L four-cylinder engine gets 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. These numbers show the engine’s limitations, especially when hauling the Journey’s weight around town. The four-speed automatic transmission, while simple and relatively reliable, doesn’t help, as it lacks the gear ratios for best fuel efficiency at different speeds. The highway figure, while better, still doesn’t compare to modern vehicles with six, eight, or ten-speed transmissions that keep the engine in its most efficient RPM range. Hard acceleration and higher speeds will quickly reduce that 25 MPG figure.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates that the 2015 Dodge Journey 2.4L FWD will cost owners about $2,100 per year in fuel. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with a mix of city and highway driving, and using the national average fuel prices at the time. Your actual fuel costs will vary depending on how and where you drive, and current fuel prices. For example, those who live in cities with stop-and-go traffic will likely spend more than $2,100, while drivers who mostly drive on the highway might see slightly lower costs.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA estimates provide a comparison point, real-world fuel economy can be different. Many Journey owners say that getting the advertised 25 MPG on the highway requires a light foot and consistent speeds. Expect the city MPG to drop below 19 MPG, especially during colder months or with frequent short trips. Payload also matters. A Journey that’s full of passengers and cargo will use more fuel compared to driving with only the driver. Drivers should expect an average closer to 20 MPG in mixed driving, understanding that 18-22 MPG is the likely range for most owners. For fuel consumption data across all years, review JOURNEY MPG across all years.

How it compares

The 2015 Dodge Journey’s fuel economy is worse than many competitors. For instance, the 2015 Honda CR-V, a popular compact SUV, gets 29 MPG combined with front-wheel drive. Even the larger 2015 Toyota Highlander, in its base four-cylinder trim, gets around 22 MPG combined, beating the Journey’s rating despite offering more space and power. Another comparison is the 2015 Mazda 5 minivan, which has a similar passenger capacity to the Journey’s optional third row, and gets roughly 24 MPG combined. A key point is the trade-off: while the Journey had a lower price, long-term fuel costs could outweigh those savings. Review all Dodge fuel economy data to put this model into context.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Smooth, predictable acceleration is important for saving fuel in the 2015 Dodge Journey. Avoid fast acceleration and hard braking, as these make the engine work harder and use more fuel. Watch the traffic and keep a consistent speed when you can; the four-speed automatic transmission isn’t as quick as newer ones, and hard driving will cause frequent, fuel-wasting downshifts.

Proper tire inflation is important for fuel efficiency. Check your tire pressure often and inflate your tires to the pressure listed on the sticker inside the driver’s side door. Under-inflated tires create more resistance, which lowers fuel economy. This is important for the Journey, it is often used for family trips loaded with passengers and gear.

Remove extra weight by taking out unneeded items from the vehicle. Extra cargo adds to the vehicle’s weight, making the engine work harder to accelerate and maintain speed. Even small amounts of weight can add up and affect fuel economy, in city driving.

Consider cruise control on long highway trips. Cruise control helps keep a consistent speed, which can improve fuel economy by preventing acceleration and deceleration. Be careful using cruise control in hilly areas, the transmission may downshift often, using more fuel.