The Dodge Journey stands as one of the brand’s biggest bargains, offering plenty of space at a reasonable price. But with all of that value, is there enough room for safety? Recently debuted, the 2020 Dodge Journey offers more tech than ever before. But how safe is the Dodge Journey and how does it stack up among the safest SUVs out there?

What safety features are available?

The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Group calls the 2020 Dodge Journey “America’s most affordable midsize crossover and the only crossover in the segment to offer standard seven-passenger seating.”

But while the Journey may be affordable and boasts “more than 40 available safety and security features,” its standard safety falls behind the expectations of today’s market. While Dodge upgraded the 2020 Journey‘s interior and available packages, it seemed to have forgotten a variety of safety tech.

The majority of standard safety features include everything you should already expect, like electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, a variety of airbags, trailer-sway control, and all-speed traction control. Rear park assist and brake assist are also standard.

According to Dodge’s Press Kit, fog lamps are only standard on Journey Crossroad models, while a rear backup camera becomes standard on all models.

How well the Dodge Journey performs in safety testing

In testing performed by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the 2020 Dodge Journey performed decently. According to the NHTSA, it scored four (out of five) stars in the overall frontal crash category, five overall stars in side crash testing, and four stars in the rollover category.

The NHTSA measures the Journey’s rollover risk at 18.50% but also notes that the Dodge Journey carries none of its current recommended safety technologies.

Scores provided by the NHTSA appear to be ok, but upon further inspection, the Dodge Journey’s safety seems concerning. The IIHS’ (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety) own testing raises questions on the Journey’s safety, especially when compared to the high safety-bar set by today’s SUV brands.

The 2020 Dodge Journey received a “Good” rating for its crashworthiness in moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint categories, but received a “Poor” rating for its results in small overlap front/driver-side testing. It also received a “Poor” rating for its headlights.

Is the Dodge Journey a “safe” choice?

According to The Car Connection, “the 2020 Dodge Journey is one of the least safe new vehicles you can buy.” Giving it a score of just one (out of 10) in the safety category, The Car Connection’s experts find that the newest Journey just doesn’t match up to modern safety standards. Combined with its lack of safety equipment and quality powertrain options, the Dodge Journey’s value doesn’t seem valuable at all.

Though Consumer Reports hasn’t given the 2020 Journey its own rating yet, the “sub-par safety ratings” are certainly noted. In addition to giving it just a two-out-of-five rating in predicted reliability and owner satisfaction, Consumer Reports experts have found its “poor performance” in crash testing to be just one of many concerns.

According to Consumer Reports, the 2020 Dodge Journey “may sound compelling,” but has “a confining interior, lacks agility, and delivers miserable fuel economy.”

There are many other midsize SUVs in the segment that offer superior safety features and ratings. According to IIHS, six new SUVs have earned its Top Safety Pick+ award and earned perfect ratings in safety.

These SUVs also come loaded with standard and available safety features. For the safest SUVs on the market, you might want to turn to the Subaru Ascent, Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai Santa Fe, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sorento, or Mazda CX-9.