When the Dodge Journey was first unveiled in Frankfurt, Germany at the 2007 International Auto Show, consumers realized that Dodge was giving all it had in the race for the best crossover vehicle. Dodge has claimed that they are "redefining" the CUV genre with their latest addition. The Journey was created as a mishmash of the best parts of a station wagon, minivan, and SUV. However, from the beginning, critics were concerned that Dodge had developed a dud, just another high-promotion low-performance vehicle on the market. Nevertheless, critics were quickly calmed when they discovered that the Journey can be customized to take diesel fuel, gets 173 horsepower, and can reach 19 city MPG and 25 highway MPG (no small feat for a large CUV).

Dodge went through much careful consideration to come up with the name. Journey - what they settled on after much debate - represents the notion that a vehicle can be equipped for any type of journey. If a family needs to haul groceries, the Journey has the cargo space for the bags. If a family needs a vehicle that is incredibly safe and features many child-friendly options, the Journey fits the bill. If a family needs transportation that can get them to all places in all weather, the Journey can be that automobile. In this sense, Dodge has made the Journey appealing to a wide range of buyers, not just large families. The cargo space for hauling, safety features for any type of driver or passengers, and superior handling in all types of weather give the Journey the charm that many other CUVs on the market are lacking.

Michael Manley, the Vice President of International Sales for Chrysler (Dodge's parent company), says that the Journey has the ever-present Dodge attitude. If the Dodge attitude refers to interior and exterior styling, then he hit the mark. The Journey features the recognizable crosshair grille, rounded edges, and the interior technological highlights that have made Dodge a leader in sales. The manufacturer plans to have the CUV on sales lots in the summer of 2008. While so many other makers are developing CUVs that veer away from their signature styles, the Journey is unquestionably a Dodge. It fits in with Dodge's current lineup and doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. With the Journey, Dodge has stayed true to its roots, but updated and refined its design.

Dodge has used its D-segment design for the Journey. This same design can be seen in Dodge's Avenger. And the Journey wouldn't be a crossover if it didn't have seating for up to seven passengers. Also, the now common Dodge feature the Chill Zone is accessibly located in the glove box to keep drinks cold during long trips. Estimates read that Dodge sells almost one quarter of the minivans sold in the United States. Though after the release of the Dodge Journey, their crossover sales may match or even top that number.