The 2013 Dodge Journey Crew is the most popular of the four Journeys. And the Crew, at $27,995, is one of the most affordable mid-size crossovers in the industry.
This seven-passenger crossover is available in all-wheel drive and leather-trimmed premium interior with 8.4-inch touch screen and CD/DVD/MP3 radio. Sirius XM radio with a one-year subscription, navigation, and rear-camera are part of an optional package costing $995.
The Journey Crew is powered by a 3.6L 283 horsepower Pentastar(TM) 24-valve VVT V6 engine commanded by a 6-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick.
I found the Journey Crew to be a spirited vehicle that did well on any roadway. There was plenty of power and adequate comfort. The honeycomb grille and highly sculpted front fascia, jeweled wrap-around headlamps, and an athletic stance made Journey most pleasing to the eye.
Beautiful is the best way to describe the interior, with soft-touch surfaces and rich instrument panel. On top of that, simple door locks and handles and auto locking/unlocking smart key fob make entry even easier. On Crew and R/T models, the key fob also has an additional keyless start function. Once inside, feel free to use the 10-way driver’s seats, including 4-way lumbar adjustment.
Outside, the 19-inch x 7-inch satin carbon painted aluminum wheels, plus heated exterior mirrors with manual fold, add to the Journey Crew’s good looks. Foglamps and automatic headlamps light the way, regardless of the darkened depths. Body-colored door handles and dual exhaust tips also add a sense of build-quality.
The wife assigned me the task of moving items out of the rent house we had recently sold. The Journey Crew performed admirably. Rear doors opened to 90 degrees and available Tilt n’Slide(TM) second-row seat (part of an optional package costing $1,150) made loading easy.
There is second row in-floor storage, second row 40/60 split seat with fore/aft adjustment, and rear reclining fold-flat seats that combine for 67.6 cu. ft. of cargo space. Storage pockets are found on all four passenger doors. The fold-flat front passenger seat has an in-seat storage bin, which is revealed by flipping the seating cushion forward - ideal for concealing expensive items like a camera or computer.
The wife’s task is under review and not finished yet, but Journey Crew made for a splendid start.
The Journey Crew carries a 20.5 gallon fuel tank, and gets 17-city and 25-highway mpg. That carries you over 400 miles on a single tank of gas.
The 5-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, 3-year/36,000 mile basic limited warranty, plus roadside assistance combine for some of the best warranty protection in the industry.
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this newspaper or [email protected].
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