5 Minutes
Digital Revival: The Journey Name Returns
Stellantis’ Dodge brand is back in the headlines again, but this time the buzz comes from pixels rather than production lines. Digital artist and entrepreneur Nihar Mazumdar from San Antonio has released a CGI concept that reimagines a modern 2026/2027 Dodge Journey — positioned not as a three-row Durango rival but as a stylish, five-seat sibling to the all‑new sixth‑generation Jeep Cherokee.
Why the Journey might make sense today
The original Dodge Journey, sold between 2009 and 2020 (and rebadged in Europe as the Fiat Freemont), filled a unique spot as a practical mid‑size CUV alternative to minivans and larger SUVs. Mazumdar’s fresh rendering updates that idea for a market increasingly focused on electrified crossovers and strict emissions rules. Rather than trying to undercut the Durango, this concept slots neatly alongside the new hybrid-only Jeep Cherokee, leveraging the STLA Large architecture.
Powertrain politics: V8s vs. CARB states
Behind the creative exercise is a real commercial tension. Dodge recently doubled down on V8 power for the Durango, dropping the base V6 in favor of a 5.7‑liter Hemi for the entry GT, while the R/T 392 gets a 6.4‑liter naturally aspirated V8 and the SRT Hellcat keeps a supercharged 6.2‑liter Hemi. That strategy maximizes performance and appeal for enthusiasts, but it runs into problems in states that follow California Air Resources Board (CARB) rules.
Seventeen states plus Washington, D.C. adhere to CARB standards. Even if federal enforcement eases, CARB can still block sales of high‑emission variants — meaning Durango R/T and Hellcat grades could be unsellable in a significant portion of the U.S. market. The business headache is obvious: either Dodge engineers work toward CARB‑compliant solutions, or the brand finds regional workarounds — like a separate hybrid five‑seat model — to maintain national coverage.
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How Mazumdar’s concept addresses the gap
Mazumdar’s CGI Journey offers one such workaround — a hybrid crossover based on the same platform as the sixth‑generation Cherokee. In his vision, the Journey returns as a five‑seat, STLA Large‑based CUV powered by a new 1.6‑liter Prince hybrid system producing roughly 213 horsepower combined. That configuration would make the Journey fully acceptable in CARB states and give Dodge a mainstream, compliant model to sell alongside a V8‑exclusive Durango.
Specifications & highlights
- Platform: STLA Large (shared with new Jeep Cherokee)
- Seating: Five seats (no three‑row option)
- Powertrain (concept): 1.6L Prince hybrid, ~213 hp combined
- Positioning: Dodge alternative to Cherokee, cheaper and sportier than Durango
- Target markets: Nationwide sales including CARB states
These figures are drawn from the conceptual exercise rather than an official Dodge release, but they illustrate how a hybrid Journey could protect Dodge’s dealer footprint without compromising the Durango’s V8 halo.
Design: Dodge DNA with Cherokee bones
Mazumdar’s CGI work blends Dodge styling cues — bold grille surfaces, muscular fenders and sculpted haunches — with the contemporary proportions of the sixth‑generation Cherokee. The result is a crossover that reads both modern and recognizably Dodge, while appearing a touch more compact than a full‑size Durango. Interior details in the render remain speculative, but a practical, tech‑forward cabin with standard driver aids would be consistent with current market expectations.
Market positioning and strategy
From a strategic perspective, there are advantages to a two‑pronged approach:
- Keep Durango as the V8 flagship for buyers who prioritize towing and three‑row space.
- Introduce a hybrid Journey to satisfy emissions regulations, broaden appeal and maintain sales in CARB states.
Such a dual strategy would allow Dodge to retain brand performance credentials while expanding its compliance and sales reach across the U.S. and global markets where hybrid crossovers dominate buyer interest.
Comparisons and trade-offs
Compared with the Durango’s V8 offerings, a Cherokee‑based Journey would sacrifice raw power and three‑row capacity for efficiency and regulatory compliance. But that trade‑off could be acceptable and even desirable for many buyers who want Dodge styling and character without the fuel‑consumption downside of a Hemi‑only lineup.
Quote highlight: "A hybrid Journey could be the pragmatic bridge between muscle and mass market demand," says one industry analyst — reflecting how designers and strategists are increasingly blending performance heritage with emissions realities.
Final thought
Whether Dodge ultimately revives the Journey nameplate or finds a technical fix to sell V8 Durangos in CARB states, Mazumdar’s CGI concept offers a useful thought experiment. It shows how modern platform sharing and hybridization can preserve brand identity while adapting to stricter emissions regimes. For enthusiasts and broader audiences alike, the idea of a five‑seat, hybrid Dodge Journey — visually tied to the new Cherokee but stamped with Dodge DNA — is an attractive middle ground between performance and practicality.
What do you think? Should Dodge bring back the Journey as a hybrid Cherokee sibling, or should it push harder to keep V8 Durangos available everywhere? The conversation around performance, platform strategy and emissions compliance is only getting louder.
Source: autoevolution
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