Dodge Axes Journey for Failing CARB Standards

Shortly after the announcement on the end of production for the Dodge Grand Caravan, the automaker is saying goodbye to another model—in at least 13 states, that is.

For the 2020 model year, the company will no longer offer the Dodge Journey in California and 12 other states that follow the California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions standards.

Apparently, the Journey’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine does not meet CARB guidelines for 2020.

The 2.4-liter engine is the only engine option available for the car’s 2020 model. This despite Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ efforts to reduce orderable configurations as the model gets closer to replacement.

The same reason led to the discontinuation of the Dodge Grand Caravan in the United States.

However, while the Grand Caravan does not use FCA’s 2.4-liter World I4, it is equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, which also has not been updated to comply with the latest CARB standards.

The current-generation Dodge Journey was first introduced in the U.S. market in 2009. The typical lifecycle of a volume production vehicle is only around eight years and the three-row SUV has been around for more than a decade. 

Fortunately, for fans of the Dodge Journey and the Grand Caravan, both models will still be offered in other states, albeit with limited options. The Journey will only be offered with front-wheel-drive option and in two trim levels: the SE Value and Crossroad.

The Grand Caravan, on the other hand, is on its final lap this year and is set to end production after the 2020 model year. It will reportedly be replaced by a budget-minded trim level of the Chrysler Pacifica which will be called the “Voyager.”

Without the Dodge Journey in some states, the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Mitsubishi Outlander become the most affordable three-row utility vehicles in CARB states. The two models, however, are part of the smaller compact segment, so customers looking for more space might go for the Kia Sorento.