Dodge's->ke28 attempt to re-inject some life to the Journey->ke2848 looks to have paid off with the 2013 model. Although that's not much of a stretch, given the mediocrity that plagued its past iterations, you have to give credit to Dodge for giving the Journey all the necessary tools - and then some - to be able to properly compete against a competitive market segment.

So, yeah, the 2013 Journey is a lot better than its past namesakes and while it still can't be considered a "class-leader," it's made huge enough strides to be treated with respect and attention.

The 2013 Journey's reasonably sporty feel, combined with impressive looks and refined interior makes it an SUV worth your time and money. And, oh by the way, it now comes with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that produces arguably one of the highest outputs of any SUV in its class.

For those looking to have a family-friendly SUV->ke145 with a hidden thirst for power lurking underneath, the 2013 Journey is as good a choice as any.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2013 Dodge Journey

2013 Dodge Journey

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Dodge Journey
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 173 @ 6000
  • Torque: 166 @ 4000
  • Transmission: Four-Speed Automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Not a lot of drastic changes were done to the exterior of the 2013 Journey. Although it could have gotten some, it's hard to complain with the aggressive and sculpted look of the SUV, a must for a vehicle that's best described as a family friendly ride. The signature "split crosshair" grille is still clearly visible while a more aggressive lower front fascia and a rear fascia with integrated, dual bright exhaust tips are added into the SXT, Crew, and R/T models.

Overall, it's still a clean look and sporty look for the 2013 Journey.

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase in (mm)

113.8 (2889.8)

Overhang — Front

38.9 (989.3)

Overhang — Rear

39.7 (1008.5)

Track — Front

61.8 (1570.8)

Track — Rear

62.3 (1581.8)

Overall Length

192.4 (4887.6)

Overall Width

72.2 (1834.5)

Overall Width with Mirrors

83.7 (2127.0)

Overall Height

66.6 (1692.6)

Vehicle Height including Roof Rack Assembly

69.5 (1765.2)

Drag Coefficient (Cd)

0.368

Fuel Tank Capacity, (gallons / (L)

2.4-liter and 3.6-liter FWD — 20.5 (77.6) 3.6L AWD — 21.1 (79.87)


Interior

The interior of the 2013 Dodge Journey offers plenty of items that can be described as welcome surprises, especially considering the lineage of the SUV. For a change, the interior looks practical and ergonomically friendly, welcome developments for a family friendly SUV that really wasn't worth the price it commanded for its previous models.

This time around, Dodge paid careful attention in making the interior as versatile as ever. Second and optional third-row seats fold flat to create an impressive 67.6 cubic-feet of cargo space. Those second-row seats also have the ability to recline and come with optional class-exclusive integrated child boosters. Stow away compartments also make themselves known inside the cabin of the Journey, particularly the innovative removable storage bins in the floor ahead of the second-row seats, capable of holding a multitude of items.

The center console's design is pretty simple, but whenever you have a infotainment system in there, simple is always better. The soft back-lit red glow is a nice touch too. Even the controls are distributed evenly, providing ample amounts of space to lessen confusion from a driver who doesn't need any of it when he's driving the Journey.

And just to highlight the Journey's stature as a family friendly SUV that offers more premium features than most of its competitors, Dodge went ahead and ramped up on the standard features, giving the Journey a 4.3-inch touchscreen radio, power heated and fold-away mirrors, seven airbags, dual-zone climate control, illuminated cup holders, Keyless Enter-N-Go with push-button start, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls and the aforementioned class exclusive second-row in-floor storage bins.

Interior Dimensions

Seating Capacity (front/second/third rows)

2/3 standard, 2/3/2 optional

EPA Volume Index, cu. ft. (cu. m)

133.975 (3.794) – 7-passenger / 134.552 (3.810) 5-passenger

Total Interior Passenger Compartment Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m)

123.701 (3.503) – 7-passenger / 99.614 (2.821) 5-passenger

Front row

Head Room without Sunroof

40.8 (1036.3)

Head Room with Sunroof

39.2 (995.0)

Legroom

40.8 (1036.3)

Shoulder Room

57.5 (1459.7)

Hip Room

53.8 (1366.5)

Seat Travel

10.23 (260)

Front Compartment Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m)

55.39 (1.57)

Second row

Head Room without Sunroof

39.9 (1013.0)

Head Room with Sunroof

39.2 (994.8)

Legroom

36.1 (916.7)

Couple, First to Second Row

30.5 (773.8)

Shoulder Room

56.9 (1444.4)

Hip Room

54.4 (1381.9)

EPA Rear Seat Volume Index or Third row Volume, (cu. ft. / cu. m)

44.1 (1.2)

Third row

Head Room

37.7 (957.4)

Legroom

23.4 (595.5)

Couple, Second to Third Row

30.1 (765.1)

Shoulder Room

43.5 (1104.9)

Hip Room

40.0 (1016.3)

Rear Passenger Volume cu. ft. (cu. m)

22.2 (0.63)

Cargo Width @ Wheelhouse

41.4 (1050.5)

Trunk Liftover Height

30.8 (782.4)

Cargo Volume

Behind First-Row Seat, cu. ft. (cu. m)

67.6 (1.915)

Behind Second-Row Seat, cu. ft. (cu. m) (5-passenger vehicles)

39.61 (1.121)

Behind Second-Row Seat, cu. ft. (cu. m) (7-passenger vehicles)

37.0 (1.0)

Behind Third-Row Seat, cu. ft. (cu. m)

10.7 (0.3)


Performance

The Dodge Journey comes in two unique powertrain options. For the Journey AVP, SE and SXT models, the engine is a 2.4-liter 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine that produces 173 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque while mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, delivering 26 mpg on the highway.

For those looking to get a Crew or R/T model, a 3.6-liter V-6 engine is offered with a best-in-class output of 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque to go with a smooth shifting six-speed automatic transmission. In addition to the impressive power output, this engine also allows the Journey to deliver up 25 mpg on the highway.

Engine

2.4-LITER DOHC 16-VALVE, VVT, SMPI I-4

3.6-LITER DOHC 24-VALVE, VVT, SMPI I-4

Availability

AVP, SE and SXT

SXT, Crew and R/T

Type and Description

Four cylinders in-line, tuned intake manifold with dual counter-rotating balance shafts and dual variable-valve timing

60-degree bank angle, liquid-cooled, three-plenum intake manifold with electronically controlled manifold tuning valve and short-runner valves

Displacement

144 cu. in. (2360 cu. cm)

220 cu. in. (3,605 cu. cm)

Bore x Stroke

3.46 x 3.82 (88 x 97)

3.78 x 3.19 (96 x 81)

Compression Ratio

10.5:1

10.0:1

Power (SAE net, estimated)

173 bhp (129 kW) @ 6,000 rpm (71 bhp/liter)

283 bhp (211 kW) @ 6,350 rpm (67.1 bhp/liter)

Torque (SAE net, estimated)

166 lb.-ft. (225 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm

260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) @ 4,400 rpm

Maximum Engine Speed

6,500 rpm (electronically limited)

6,800 rpm (electronically limited)

EPA Fuel Economy mpg (City/Hwy)

19/26

17/25 FWD; 16/24 AWD


Suspension

The 2013 Journey comes with an independent MacPherson strut front suspension system, complete with coil spring over gas-charged shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar with an isolated suspension cradle. Similarly, the rear suspension of the Journey features a multi-link independent system with coil springs, a link-type stabilizer bar, gas-charged shock absorbers and an isolated rear suspension cradle.

Suspension

Front

Independent MacPherson strut, coil spring over gas-charged shock absorbers, stabilizer bar with isolated suspension cradle

Rear

Multi-link independent with coil springs, link-type stabilizer bar, gas-charged shock absorbers and isolated rear suspension cradle


Pricing

The 2013 Journey comes with a base price of $18,995, a pretty affordable price for a car of its size. Higher trim models like the Crew and R/T models understandably have higher price tags, too. But the good news is that Dodge slashed off the numbers for the 2013 model, resulting in the Crew trim only having a $27,995 MSRP -- $200 lower than in past models.

Similarly, the most potent of the trims, the R/T, also saw its price drop by $1,000 to a starting price of $28,995.

Competition

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander

Mistsubishi's Outlander still looks weird but it does come with some new - and admittedly curious - offerings, including a choice of two engines; a four-cylinder and a V-6 that develops 166 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque and 224 horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque, respectively. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, although it's easy to see why the Journey, with its 263-horsepowr V-6, clearly has the leg up on its Japanese competitor.

2014 Mazda CX-5

It's hard to argue against an SUV that was just rated as a Top Safety Pick from IIHS and a five-star car from the NHTSA. It's new styling is a huge plus too and the choice of engines has more offerings on the table. But where the CX-5 falls woefully short is its lack of a V-6 engine.

Conclusion

Given the plethora of competitors the 2013 Journey has to deal with, it's going to have a tough time in distinguishing itself relative to the other models. But on the bright side, the Journey does have a load of impressive standard features that few others in its class can boast of. That's a huge plus in this segment especially now that a 3.6 V-6 engine is offered for the Journey.

Ratings

Category

Rating

Details

Driving

A-

Smooth And Quiet On The Road

Performance

B-

If Budge Permits, Do Away With The 2.4 And Just Jump On The 3.6

Look

B

Still Looks The Same Outside; Plenty of Upgrades Inside

Value

A

Base Model Is Less Than $20,000

Overall

B+

Family-Oriented Approach Mixed With Sprinkles Of Style And Performance Gives The Journey A Good Card In The Hole