dodge journey crew vs sxt

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Dodge Journey Trim Levels Explained

You've made the decision that it's time to purchase a crossover SUV. You like the  Dodge Journey , but you're also not quite sure  which of the Dodge Journey trim levels you should choose . Fear not. Although the 2016 Dodge Journey is an excellent choice no matter which trim level you select, we've compiled this brief guide to help you decide.

2016 Canada Value Package or CVP

Seven-passenger seating is available as an option. The CVP isn't smaller than any of its brothers, but two rows of seats are the norm. If you're looking for two rows plus cargo room, this won't be a problem. If you're looking for three rows of seating for seven people, either pick the option or consider the SE Plus.

Journey SE Plus

The  Journey SE Plus  provides some upgrades in comfort as well as seating.  If you're looking to transport people on a regular basis, the vehicle can handle this well with its 2nd row 60/40 tilt 'n slide easy-entry seats and 3rd row 50/50 folding reclining seat system.  It's easy to get into the 3rd row and it can be done from both sides.

You also get amenities like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, illuminated front cup holders to ensure your drink doesn't end up on the floorboard at night, and air conditioning with tri-zone temperature control so third-row passengers are comfortable too. Exterior heated mirrors, LED tail lamps, and deep-tint sunscreen glass also come standard. If your priority is passenger transport, the SE Plus deserves a look.

Dodge Journey SXT: Increased Power and Conveniences

Move over to the  Journey SXT  and the first thing you'll notice is a choice of engines. You can either have the 2.4-litre four-cylinder, or you can select the optional 3.6-litre V-6 with 283 horpower and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Fog lamps, automatic headlights, passenger assist handles, a security alarm, and a 115-volt power outlet are all standard. So are dual bright exhaust tips if you select the V-6, a trip computer with temperature and compass readout, sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an interior observation mirror just in case your passengers might get a bit unruly. If you're looking for increased power and have children to transport, consider the Journey SXT.

The Crossroad FWD: Leather and Comfort at a Reasonable Price

Slide into the cabin of the Crossroad FWD and you'll immediately notice the upgrades. The seats are leather-faced, have Light Slate Grey accent stitching, and sport mesh inserts. You get a power 10-way driver's seat with four-way power lumbar adjust, Dodge's  Uconnect  system multimedia centre with 8.4-inch touchscreen and six speakers, and SiriusXM satellite radio with one-year subscription.

If you need more space, the Crossroad FWD also comes with Flip 'n Stow forward fold-flat front-passenger seat with in-seat storage. Throughout the compartment, Liquid Graphite accents can be seen.

Outside, your  Journey  has been upgraded to 19-inch Hyper Black aluminum wheels. Black headlamp and tail lamp surrounds. A body-colour fascia with Platinum Chrome insert, front and rear aimable LED lamps, and a gloss black grille are all standard equipment. It also comes with a suspension tailored for touring, meaning you and your passengers are cradled as you drive.

Journey Limited: The Word is Luxury

The 3.6-litre V-6 comes standard on the Limited, along with 19-inch aluminum wheels. It comes with a heated steering wheel and heated seats, remote start, quad halogen headlamps, and a rear window wiper-washer.

Both driver and front passenger have LED lamps, and three 12-volt outlets, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with microphone, and a cargo net.

Options include a Trailer Tow Prep Group if you're looking to transport a trailer or small boat, a Navigation and Back-Up Camera Group if you're looking for additional safety, and a Rear Seat Video Group to keep passengers entertained on long trips. The Limited is for those who need cargo capacity, yet need space for passengers both young and old.

The Journey R/T, R/T Rallye, and Crossroad AWD: Built for Performance

Both the Journey R/T and the R/T Rallye share important characteristics: the V-6 is standard with the six-speed transmission, 19-inch aluminum wheels, and safety features including rear park assist.

But there are some cosmetic and mechanical differences. The R/T's suspension is a performance suspension, while the Rallye version is a high-performance suspension with no side roof rails and crossbars.

The Crossroad AWD

gives you all-wheel drive, keyless entry, remote start, rear park assist, and leather-faced seating. It has platinum chrome side roof rails, body-colour power heated exterior mirrors, and the 3.6-litre V-6 under the hood. If you're looking for top-level comfort combined with horsepower, the Limited should be your choice considering it has almost all the Journey's options as standard.

Of course, reading about the 2016  Dodge Journey  is only part of the puzzle.  Schedule a test drive today  and decide which trim level is right for you. As The Car Connection wrote, "… the Journey is a solid family pick, and one of the least-expensive ways to get a third-row seat.

Categories: Know Your Trim

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• Owner Impressions

JOURNEY CREW OR SXT?

By pilote_38 April 19, 2016 in Owner Impressions

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I bought a dodge journey crew 2013 VIN 3C4PDCCG1DT698902.

I would like to sold it but dealer say me it's only a SXT... On dodge canada Website they write 2013 dodge journey SXT hatchback but it has 28L package and 2DL package.

Is it a dodge journey SXT with orptions or factory crew? It's not the same about canadian black book and this is not the same for sale.

You can find dodge SXT with the same options that CREW ( 19" aluminum wheels, heated sterring Wheel, heated front seat... ) but it isn't the same vehicule. It' just a SXT with options!!!

I'm lost about all this explanations between dodge canada, dodge dealer, any else dealer (kia, Honda...) and carproof or carfax report.

JC/5702 vehicule family

FAM: JC TRACKING: 20816S07 MY: 2013

FAM: JC TRACKING: 20917S13 MY: 2013

FAM: JC TRACKING: 21217S15 MY: 2013

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BlindSquirrel

I was more or less with you until "seem"

• dhh3 , Animal Mother and 2late4u

Why you say that??

Can you help me??

redtomatoman

I think the crew and sxt are basically the same. Just different names for very similar or identical trim lines. There were many options for both trims so any given crew may be identical to an sxt from another year. There is probably no real difference, someone just wants to pay less for the identical vehicle.

I have seen a Durango Crew, but never a Journey Crew. I do not know what your numbers mean.

You have a Crew and your dealer is an idiot - all he had to do was to look up the window sticker: http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C4PDCCG1DT698902 Print it out and toss it in his face - the 'Crew' badge on the rear ought to have been a dead giveaway, too.

• jkeaton , larryl and rolly

Sadly you are being given the runaround try another dealer and present the printout

• jkeaton , dhh3 and rolly

hockey_puck

Let me try to explain this.

The dealer is right. Your "Crew" is actually a Journey SXT with the "Crew" package. 28L This included the deletion of the SXT rear hatch badge and replaceD with the Crew badge. As stated on your window sticker , it was a 2 grand option and included things like heated seats, power seats and so on.... In 2014 the "Crew" name was changed to "Limited" and it was set up the same way. The price went up to about 2.3 grand. On my window sticker it calls the Journey a Limited but it also lists it as a Dodge Journey SXT. with the 28L option package. I did not see that on your sticker but not sure if there is a variation on the French VS English stickers. Even on my Manitoba Vehicle registration papers my Limited is listed as a Journey SXT. Again, you got the Crew/Limited package on top of the SXT model.

The Limited model was discontinued in the US in 2015 (I think) but still exists in Canada even on the 16 model. They market it on the website as a model when in reality it is an add on to the Sxt model.

Confusing, isn't it.

I finally saw a DJ Crew today. It was silver; hard to read the badge.

Let me try to explain this. The dealer is right. Your "Crew" is actually a Journey SXT with the "Crew" package. 28L This included the deletion of the SXT rear hatch badge and replaceD with the Crew badge. As stated on your window sticker , it was a 2 grand option and included things like heated seats, power seats and so on.... In 2014 the "Crew" name was changed to "Limited" and it was set up the same way. The price went up to about 2.3 grand. On my window sticker it calls the Journey a Limited but it also lists it as a Dodge Journey SXT. with the 28L option package. I did not see that on your sticker but not sure if there is a variation on the French VS English stickers. Even on my Manitoba Vehicle registration papers my Limited is listed as a Journey SXT. Again, you got the Crew/Limited package on top of the SXT model. The Limited model was discontinued in the US in 2015 (I think) but still exists in Canada even on the 16 model. They market it on the website as a model when in reality it is an add on to the Sxt model. Confusing, isn't it. H.P.

If you wanted to get technical ALL of the Journeys are simply CVPs or AVPs with a bunch of added option packages - there is no inherent difference between an AVP and an R/T except for the bumpers, suspension components and a host of other bits and pieces.

The MAKE is Dodge. The MODEL is Journey. The TRIM LEVEL is . . . . . whatever. How they code it on your registration is essentially moot - and while consumers may be willing to pay more for an identical vehicle badged as something special, it is all pretty much the same. And, for the record, the suspension components on the Limited/Crew are not the same as those in the SXT - but after a bunch of years and miles you'd never know by driving them - the overt options; heated seats, garage door opener and so on are more visible.

I chose the Crossroad (in Canada it has more base features than the US version(s - now that they have the stripped base Crossroad and the more properly optioned out Crossroad PLUS in the US, go figure) - I wanted my leather seats and mine has heated seats as well - the two options were extra cost paint and the heaters - but mine was on the floor and I decided that if the dealer really wanted to give it to me for cheap who was I to complain?

This being my second Journey, I recall the reaction of a friend who got into the car for the first time and her comment? "It looks just like your last one except for the outside color" The previous one was a basic SE Plus; 2.4/cloth/4.3 and so on.

Ultimately it doesn't really matter whether it is an SXT or a Crew - they are all features loaded onto the basic vehicle chassis and named for purposes related to marketing.

• jkeaton and dhh3

Journeyman425

It's done a little differently here in the US. In 2013 the Crew model was positioned just above the SXT Plus. The US Crew added leather seats, shifter and wheel as standard, along with heated seats and steering wheel, 8.4 screen standard (nav optional) and on the exterior, chrome roof rails, door handles, grille and the Crew badge. This was the only model in 2013 that you could get chrome-clad 19" wheels also. The vehicle sales code is JCDM49.

HockeyPuck - thank you for clarifying. I ran the vehicle report using the VIN he listed, and it shows as an SXT model. Nowhere in the options and equipment list does it denote that it is a Crew model except for the Crew badge that's listed amongst the equipment. I would have gone ahead and told him that he did indeed have a SXT had you not clarified how they are equipped for the Canadian market. Good info!

Here's a shot that shows the Crew badge. This was day one, at my dealership, just before I drove it home.

• dhh3 , hockey_puck and Trains123

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• SXT 4dr All-Wheel Drive

SXT 4dr All-Wheel Drive 2013 Dodge Journey Review

2013 journey new car test drive, comfortable crossover suv offers value., introduction.

The Dodge Journey is a midsize sport-utility that offers the smoother ride and better fuel economy of a car with the cargo space and roominess of an SUV. It seats five or seven, depending on options. And with a significant price reduction, Chrysler claims the 2013 Dodge Journey to be the most affordable seven-seat crossover sold in the U.S.  Dodge Journey offers lots of choices: four or six cylinders, five or seven seats, basic trim or full-lux leather. And like most crossovers it offers front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.  Journey is considered a crossover vehicle because it straddles the line between car and SUV. It uses a lightweight unit-body structure similar to that used by cars, instead of a body-on-frame truck chassis. Available all-wheel-drive traction adds confidence in bad weather.  Up-level models are powered by the same modern 3.6-liter V6 that's becoming ubiquitous in Chrysler Group vehicles. It has plenty of power but is ill-matched to the 6-speed automatic transmission, making it feel less powerful than it actually is. The V6 produces 283 horsepower at 6350 rpm, 260 pound-feet of torque at 4400 rpm.  The Journey's standard motivation is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine of 173 horsepower. We found the four-cylinder engine rough and noisy, with too little power for a vehicle of this size. The V6 is the one to get, in our view.  Inside is where the Journey shines. Its interior design and materials give it one of the nicest cockpits in the class. It comes standard with seating for five, with a two-passenger third row optional. Either way it has useful, though not class leading, cargo space. Filling the Journey with adults won't make all your passengers happy, but the rear seat should work well for children. Seats flip and fold to provide ample versatility for hauling people, cargo, or both. The Journey offers a fold-flat front passenger seat that will allow loading items up to nine feet long. It features some unique storage solutions owners will find useful. Among them: a bin under the front passenger seat, storage under the floor in the second row and behind the last row of seats, a dual glove box with Dodge's Chill Zone that cools soda cans, and all the usual cubbies up front, including a fairly deep center console. Entertainment options are plentiful, as the Journey has a CD player standard and offers a rear DVD entertainment system and a hard-drive radio.  2013 Journey R/T models come with new perforated leather seats, a dimpled leather heated steering wheel and dimpled shift knob, red accent stitching on the steering wheel and a new performance suspension for even more responsive handling.  New for all 2013 Journey models is the addition of a max air conditioning setting for the climate controls, and an instantaneous fuel consumption indicator in the color Electronic Vehicle Information Center screen.  With prices starting at $18,995 the Journey offers affordable utility. We recommend the V6 engine, which provides that extra margin of power that many buyers will want, as well as much more refinement. Be careful when it comes to options, though, as it is easy to get the Journey over $30,000, money that can buy larger and/or more premium SUVs. 

The 2013 Dodge Journey is offered in five trim levels: AVP (American Value Package), SE, SXT, Crew, and R/T. The AVP and SE are only available with front-wheel drive and the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 4-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6-liter V6 and 6-speed automatic are standard on Crew and R/T. The mid-range SXT can be ordered with front-wheel drive and the four-cylinder or V6, or with the V6 and AWD.  All five models provide seating for five in their standard configuration, or for seven with the optional Flexible Seating Group ($1,050) which adds not only a 50/50 folding and reclining third seat, but a 60/40 tilt-and-slide second seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a cargo compartment cover.  Journey AVP ($18,995) comes with cloth upholstery; cruise control; dual-zone manual air conditioning with air filtering; tinted glass; Uconnect 4.3 with AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA stereo with six speakers, 4.3-inch touchscreen, auxiliary input jack, and USB port; power windows; power heated exterior mirrors; power door locks; remote keyless entry; tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls; driver's seat height adjustment; 60/40-split-folding second-row seat; headlights with time-delay off; a grille with bright accents; and P225/65R17 all-season touring tires on steel wheels.  Journey SE ($20,995) adds LED taillamps and a longer list of available options.  Journey SXT ($22,995) adds deep-tint sunscreen glass, SiriusXM satellite radio, floor mats, fog lamps, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. Mirrors are body color rather than black, and the front fascia is more elaborate. The front-drive SXT can be ordered with the V6 ($1,600). Journey SXT AWD ($26,395) comes standard with the V6, which also gets bright exhaust tips, black roof rails, a performance-tuned suspension and a slightly larger fuel tank.  Journey Crew ($27,995) upgrades further with the V6 engine as standard; fully automatic halogen headlamps; dual-zone automatic climate control; Uconnect 8.4 with 8.4-in. touchscreen, AM/FM radio, SiriusXM radio, CD/DVD player, MP3/WMA/AAC, audio input jack, remote USB port and SD card slot; six-way power driver's seat with four-way lumbar support; fold-flat front passenger seat with in-seat storage; leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; illuminated vanity mirrors; one-touch control for power windows; 115-volt power outlet; and new 225/55R19 all-season touring tires on 19-inch Satin Silver aluminum wheels. Door handles, exhaust tips, and roof rails are all chromed. Journey Crew AWD ($29,795) includes all-wheel drive.  Journey R/T ($28,995) and AWD ($30,795) are the sporty models. They add firm-feel power steering; high-performance suspension; heated front seats; black leather upholstery with red stitching; dimple-leather wrap for the steering wheel with matching red stitching; Infiniti 368-watt premium sound; and 19-inch alloy wheels finished in Satin Carbon. Door handles revert to body color, matching the body color trim in the grille; and roof rails revert to optional status ($125).  The Navigation and Sound Group ($995) includes Garmin navigation with audible turn by turn directions, POI and Lane Guidance, Uconnect Voice Command, Bluetooth streaming audio, hands-free texting and preprogrammed response, SiriusXM Travel Link, HomeLink universal garage door opener, rear park assist, and rearview camera; Rear DVD entertainment ($795) comes with a 9-inch screen, remote control, and two wireless headphones. Stand-alone options include the six premium Infinity speakers with subwoofer and 368-watt amplifier ($395); an engine block heater ($95), sunroof ($895), heated front seats ($295), integrated second-row child safety seats ($225), and a Trailer Tow Group ($145) with an engine oil cooler and a four-pin connector. Many more options are available, and the model you order and the combination of options you order can affect option prices.  Safety features on all Journey models include advanced multistage front airbags; torso-protecting, seat-mounted front side air bags; head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover all seating rows; driver's knee bag; front-seat active head restraints; a tire-pressure monitor; traction control; electronic stability control with rollover mitigation; ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist; and Dodge's trailer sway control. Available all-wheel drive improves stability in slippery conditions. 

On the outside, the Journey announces its presence with the familiar Dodge crosshair grille. The look might be described as bold. But the upright shape of the grille and its relation to the aluminum hood and windshield is very reminiscent of the current Dodge Grand Caravan, and no SUV ever earned sales by looking like a minivan.  That said, the Journey's front end is somewhat simpler than the Grand Caravan's, with more straight lines and straightforward shapes. Journey AVP and SE breathe through a full-width lower air intake, superficially resembling the Grand Caravan's but again more decisively shaped and divided into three segments. Upmarket SXT, Crew, and R/T Journeys sport a more aggressive front fascia with a single, centered lower opening arched at the top and defined by a faux skidplate below. Flanking it are round fog lights set into ersatz brake ducts.  Around the sides, the Journey features pronounced wheel arches and a creased character line that starts at the top of each headlight, angles upward, and wraps completely around the vehicle. The roofline flows nicely from the windshield, curving down slightly front to rear. The B- and C-pillars are blacked out to, as Dodge puts it, give the look of a car-like greenhouse and an SUV-like lower half.  At the back, the Journey's taillights wrap around the sides of the vehicle and continue into the tailgate, which opens upward. The taillights themselves are LEDs on all but the base model. The rear bumper has an integrated step pad that matches the height of the load floor. Models with the V6 engine can be distinguished by their dual chrome exhaust tips.  The Dodge Journey is bigger than it looks. In overall dimension, it is actually longer than such seven-passenger crossover competitors as the Toyota Highlander and Subaru Tribeca (although the Journey is just an inch longer than the 2013 Honda Pilot). The Journey's size translates to plenty of interior cargo room, but the design isn't as space efficient as some of its competitors. 

The Dodge Journey features an inviting cabin, offering plenty of room for passengers and cargo, available seating for seven, and several smart and convenient storage solutions.  Rich, soft-touch surfaces form an attractive layout. The dash top, door panels, armrests and center console are all soft to the touch. Generous sound-deadening material makes the Journey quiet underway. The look, feel and calm places the Journey at or near the top of the class for interior quality.  The center stack features three low-set knobs surrounded by several buttons. The climate controls are arrayed around the center knob, and they're easy enough to use.  Infotainment choices (Chrysler calls them Multimedia Systems) begin on the base model with Uconnect 4.3, which has a 4.3-inch touchscreen, standard audio input jack and USB port; add SiriusXM satellite radio and this setup becomes Uconnect 4.3S. The next step up (Uconnect 8.4) comes with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 30-gigabyte hard drive that can hold up to 6700 song files. There is also a premium version of this unit (8.4N) that adds Bluetooth streaming audio, voice command, a Garmin navigation system with SiriusXM Travel Link, Lane Guidance and pre-programmed hands-free texting responses. We've had limited exposure to this system but it works fairly well. Given Garmin's reach, more people should be familiar with the navigation system, but we think it looks cartoonish. We also like the idea of hands-free texting.  The Journey offers plenty of entertainment features for all occupants. An AM/FM radio with in-dash CD player and six speakers is standard. An available rear DVD entertainment system has a nine-inch screen and wireless headphones. Dodge's Uconnect phone hands-free cell phone link and a premium Infinity sound system are also offered.  Cabin space in the Journey is good but not great. The driver's seat offers plenty of head and leg room for just about any occupant. The view is generally unobstructed front and rear. The Journey's unique storage and convenience features, however, are what really make it shine. All Journeys have a dual-level glove box with Dodge's Chill Zone up top. Chill Zone uses the air conditioning system to keep up to four soda cans cool.  The center console/armrest has a lid that slides forward three inches. It has enough storage space for up to 10 DVD cases. Two cupholders are located in front of the console, along with a tray for cell phones and the like. An additional, more discreet storage space is standard in R/T and Crew and optional on SE and SXT. The front passenger seat bottom flips up to reveal a storage bin that has about enough room for a good-sized purse. The seat back also folds flat, allowing items up to nine feet long to be loaded into the Journey. And to help drivers keep an eye on the kids, there is a popular minivan feature, a fisheye conversation mirror.  The second row is equally as ingenious. The three-passenger bench seat is 1.6 inches higher than the front seat to give passengers a better view of the road. It slides forward and back up to 4.7 inches in seven-passenger models, and can be ordered with integrated child booster seats for the outboard positions. The Journey also has two in-floor storage bins with removable liners. Each bin can hold up to six soda cans plus ice. The seat backs are split 60/40 and fold flat. When the optional Flexible Seating Group is ordered, the second-row seats fold in a scissors action, with the seat bottoms tilting up, the seatbacks tilting forward, and the seats sliding forward, to provide easy access to the third row. The rear doors also open 90 degrees, making entry and exit easy.  Base seating is for five, but the Flexible Seating Group expands seating capacity to seven. The third row is 0.6 inches higher than the second row, is split 50/50, and folds flat. Dodge says it offers enough head room for a 95th-percentile male. That's all well and good, but leg room is tight and the bottom cushion is low to the floor, so adults sit with their knees up. It will be possible to fit seven adults in the Journey, but the third-row passengers and second-row middle occupant will be none too happy about it. Younger children will have plenty of room, though.  Both the five- and seven-passenger Journeys have a shallow under-floor storage bin that extends from the rear of the vehicle forward to just behind the last row of seats. That means the five-passenger version has considerably more space under the floor than the seven-passenger version. The cover for this bin is reversible, too, with carpet on one side and plastic on the other. The plastic will allow for worry-free stowage of items such as muddy boots.  Cargo space expands to 67.6 cubic feet with all the seats down, which is average for the class but bested by the Toyota Highlander and even the smaller Honda CR-V. Loading cargo shouldn't be tough, as the liftover height is relatively low. It would be nice, however, if the tailgate had a separate opening glass. As an added bonus, a removable, rechargeable flashlight is included in the rear cargo area in higher line models. 

Driving Impression

The Dodge Journey is nondescript when it comes to road manners, even after chassis changes for the 2011 model year that included stiffer springs and shocks, lower rolling resistance tires with more grip, a retuned steering gear and linkage, and modified rear suspension geometry.  Ride quality is generally good, with little pounding over bumps. The head sway that is associated with a high seating position is also minimal. Even with the available 19-inch wheels, the Journey does a good job of ironing out most jolts. But there are plenty of midsize crossovers and SUVs with similar ride characteristics.  While the high seating position affords a good view of the road, it seems to hurt the feel behind the wheel. This is not an off-road oriented SUV, and as such it seems that Dodge could have made it sit a bit lower, which would have made it feel more carlike. The way it's engineered, however, means the Journey leans more in turns than other crossovers. The steering is light, but predictable, and the brakes are easy to modulate.  The engines are comparable to the handling: capable but not as good as the best in the class. The base four-cylinder, Chrysler's 173-hp 2.4-liter World Engine, is loud in the Journey and delivers too little power in this 3800-pound package. The four-cylinder will certainly get you and your kids around town, but passing will require some planning and it's not rated for towing. With a 0-60 mph time of somewhere between 11 and 12 seconds, a four-cylinder Journey is one of the slower vehicles in its class.  The 3.6-liter V6 produces 283 horsepower at 6350 rpm, 260 pound-feet of torque at 4400 rpm. The V6 is plenty modern, equipped with double overhead camshafts (that's four cams) and four valves per cylinder. However, it seems hampered by transmission and throttle tuning.  Power is decent from a start, but the transmission shifts up as quickly as it can, meaning power is no longer readily on tap. It requires a deep stab of the throttle to coax a downshift and you practically have to floor it to get a two-gear downshift needed for highway passing. The problem is exacerbated by numb throttle response. We also found that with front-wheel drive, those foot-to-the-floor blasts can cause some torque steer (felt as a slight tug on the steering wheel) that temporarily disrupts fine steering control.  On the positive side, the 3.6-liter engine should provide 0-60 mph runs in the high seven-second range. Towing capacity is 2500 pounds, but a Dodge Grand Caravan minivan with the same engine can tow 3600 pounds, nearly have again as much.  Fuel economy numbers are decent. With the four-cylinder engine, the Journey is EPA-rated at 19/26 mpg City/Highway. The V6 is rated at 17/25 mpg with front-wheel drive, and with AWD it's rated 16/24 mpg.  The all-wheel-drive system is mainly meant for slippery surfaces, not off-roading. It does not have low-range gearing. It sends the power to the front wheels in most conditions, but when more traction is needed, such as in wintry conditions, rain or on any slippery surface, it can send some of the power to the rear wheels. It can also aid handling, at least a bit. When traveling over 25 mph into a turn, the system sends power to the rear wheels to help the vehicle turn. It's not as sophisticated as systems from Acura and BMW that send the power to the outside rear wheel in turns, but it's a help. 

The Dodge Journey has one of the nicest interiors in the class, as well as an intelligent design with family-friendly entertainment and versatility features. Its handling is controlled and reasonably carlike. The four-cylinder engine lacks refinement, but the V6 doesn't, though it could use better transmission programming. Still, for the young family on the go, the Journey offers a pleasant ride, plenty of room, and enough space and entertainment options to keep the kids comfortable and occupied.  Kirk Bell filed this NewCarTestDrive.com report after his test drive of the Dodge Journey in and around Las Vegas and Sonoma, California. Additional material by John F. Katz. 

Model Lineup

Dodge Journey AVP ($18,995); Journey SE ($20,995); Journey SXT ($22,995); SXT AWD ($26,395); Journey Crew ($27,995); Crew AWD ($29,795); Journey R/T ($28,995); R/T AWD ($30,795). 

Assembled In

Toluca, Mexico. 

Options As Tested

Flexible Seating Group ($1,050) with third-row 50/50 folding/reclining seat, second-row 60/40 Tilt 'n Slide rear seat, and three-zone automatic temperature control (including the rear), cargo cover; Popular Equipment Group ($1,095) with upgraded cloth upholstery, 6-way power driver seat with lumbar adjustment, fold-flat passenger seat with under-cushion storage bin, leather-wrapped steering wheel, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, remote engine starting, LED map lights, overhead console, alarm, daytime running lights; Trailer Tow Group ($145) includes engine oil cooler, four-pin connector and wiring harness. 

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2013 Dodge Journey trims (7)

(SE) 4dr Front-Wheel Drive

(SXT) 4dr Front-Wheel Drive

(SXT) 4dr All-Wheel Drive

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2011 Dodge Journey

But easily lost behind tip-of-the-spear debuts such as the all-new Grand Cherokee and Dodge Charger are foot soldiers like the Dodge Journey , which is merely overhauled. To transform the rental-fleet darling Journey, Chrysler has granted the crossover more power, a sharper chassis, and a vastly improved interior for 2011.

Priorities Inside Out

Dodge focused less on the Journey’s styling and more on its interior and chassis, a decision we support. And so the exterior changes are minimal. Up front, all models get a new grille and V-6 Journeys a square-jawed front bumper. Circular LED taillights and a revised rear bumper soften the rear end’s previous angularity, and new 19-inch wheels enter the range on higher trim levels.

Open any door, however, and the Journey is virtually unrecognizable. No longer is the cabin a hard-knock blend of Fisher-Price and ugly. Shiny plastic is as scarce inside the 2011 model as soft-touch materials were in the 2010. The cabin’s centerpiece is the new dashboard, wrapped in a low-gloss, one-piece padded panel with bezeled components, zero-gap tolerances, a new steering wheel, and classy black-on-white instruments set within Mercedes-like angled wells. Six interior color themes boldly embrace chroma and contrast like no other crossover in the class—one striking combo features ivory leather and orange stitching against black carpets—making the gray-scale misery of the previous Journey a hazy memory.

With the prior model’s most loathsome interior characteristics banished, the Journey’s innately sensible traits—the comfortably elevated seating position, standard underfloor bins in the second-row, and reasonable space for the occasional carpool in three-row form—are vastly more appreciable. Over-the-shoulder vision remains at a premium due to the Journey’s high waistline and chunky pillars, but the sightlines can be enhanced by dropping the revised second- and third-row headrests forward onto the seatbacks when they’re not in use.

An Interesting Journey

Two engines are available for 2011. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder carries over with 173 hp and 166 lb-ft of torque and is still mated to a four-speed autobox. It is the exclusive domain of the base Express trim level. The rest of the Journey lineup—Mainstreet, R/T, Crew, and Lux trims—features Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, tuned for 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and mated to a six-speed manumatic. All-wheel drive is an option for all but the front-wheel-drive-only Express. Our brief stint in a Journey Lux with all-wheel drive, estimated to weigh somewhere north of 4200 pounds, proved that the 2011 Journey isn’t a total slug. The V-6 has a far easier time with 4200 pounds than with, say, 5000 pounds of Dodge Durango , and we estimate the Pentastar-powered Journey should hit 60 mph in the low-seven-second range.

The squiggly, bucking coastal roads north of San Francisco provided as appropriate a venue as one could find to evaluate the Journey’s heavily reworked chassis, which benefits from revised rear-suspension geometry; larger, retuned shocks; new spring rates; new jounce bumpers; and beefier steering components. Within a few miles, we were impressed with the Journey’s composure and feedback. Our tester was shod with the top-dog 225/55-19 all-season tires, which handled our flogging with remarkably little protest. Additional credit for the planted feel goes to a partnership between the electronic all-wheel-drive and stability-control systems; they conspire to send power proactively to the rear wheels while cornering at speeds between 25 and 53 mph, roughly the same range of speeds we could safely explore on those bumpy ribbons of asphalt.

Competitive, but Will Anyone Believe It?

Within its competitive set, which includes mid-size vehicles like the Hyundai Santa Fe and larger three-row trucks like the Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-9, the Journey is aggressively priced at $22,995. The bump of $1400 over the 2010 model is more than worth it given the 2011’s newfound competence. The $24,995 Journey Mainstreet represents $2000 well spent for the stronger engine and transmission alone, although Dodge tosses in larger wheels (17 inches), dual exhaust tips, body-color mirrors, cargo area accessories, Sirius satellite radio, and more. From there, Journey prices leap to $28,995 for the R/T and $29,990 for the Crew, which are mechanically identical and laden with roughly the same smattering of creature comforts (remote start, premium audio with a hard drive, automatic climate control, and more) but delineated by specific paint schemes and 19-inch wheel designs. The Lux piles on heated leather seats, multiple parking assistants, a premium instrument cluster, and shiny chrome-clad wheels, for $33,490.

Three years after its introduction, the Journey is finally the crossover it should have been all along and is perhaps capable of bettering its last-place finish in its only comparison test . But that could be only half the battle. The other half? Since the 2011 looks so much like the 2008–10 Journey, Dodge might have to spend as much money marketing the much-improved crossover as it spent fixing it.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front- or 4-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 5-door wagon

BASE PRICE: $22,995

ENGINES: DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4, 173 hp, 166 lb-ft; DOHC 24-valve 3.6-liter V-6, 283 hp, 260 lb-ft

TRANSMISSIONS: 4-speed automatic, 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS: Wheelbase: 113.8 in Length: 192.4 in Width: 72.2 in Height: 66.6 in Curb weight (mfr-s est): 3800-4200 lb

PERFORMANCE ( C/D EST): Zero to 60 mph: 7.2-9.6 seconds

FUEL ECONOMY (MFR-S EST): EPA city/highway driving: 16-19/24-25 mpg

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• 2013 Dodge Journey

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starting MSRP

Base trim shown

Combined MPG

Seating capacity

View all  2013 Dodge Journey specs .

• Limited body roll
• Comfortable ride
• Easy to maneuver
• 8.4-inch display's simple interface
• V-6's automatic can be hesitant to kick down
• Nonlinear braking response
• Some low-rent dashboard buttons
• Garmin-based navigation system's rudimentary graphics

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2013 Dodge Journey trim comparison will help you decide.

Notable features

• Seating for five or seven
• Standard four-cylinder engine
• optional V-6
• Optional 8.4-inch touch-screen entertainment system

2013 Dodge Journey review: Our expert's take

By Aaron Bragman

The 2013 Dodge Journey is an aging but competitive midsize crossover representing significant value, but the trade-off of more space for worse gas mileage may be too much for more frugal shoppers.

When it was first introduced in 2008 as a 2009 model, the Dodge Journey didn’t really impress, but big changes were made for the 2011 model year that got buyers’ attention. Gone was the hideous dashboard, replaced by a far better one-piece design made of soft plastics and high-quality buttons. Gone was the outdated audio and navigation system, replaced by Chrysler’s excellent Uconnect system, which we’ve praised in other models. The buzzy old 3.7-liter V-6 engine was punted in favor of a more powerful, more efficient 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which now appears in most of Chrysler’s models across its brands. For 2013, Chrysler added more standard content to some of the Journey’s upper trim levels but lowered their prices. See a comparison with the 2012 model here .

On paper, the  Dodge Journey seems to cross competitor boundaries: It’s priced better than a Toyota RAV4, but offers content more in line with the larger, more expensive Toyota Highlander. But does this segment-bending work in the real world? Can an older-but-updated model like the Journey truly be competitive?

A Familiar Face From the outside, the  Dodge Journey looks familiar because it hasn’t changed much since its introduction as a 2009 model. For the 2011 model year, it received a few minor tweaks, like LED taillights and a revised front end, but there isn’t much to visually differentiate an original model from the latest one. Thankfully, it’s a decent design that doesn’t look terribly dated. The upright cabin and squared-off tailgate make for more-than-adequate headroom inside and maximize cargo space, as well. It definitely looks more like a wagon than an SUV, with a fairly low overall height and a seating position that isn’t quite as lofty as some competitors, like the Ford Edge. The R/T trim I drove added 19-inch wheels, body-colored mirrors and grille, and a more aggressive lower bumper with fog lights. It also deleted the roof rack, all of which gave it a sportier look. For Dodge to gain some traction in this segment, however, a styling update wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Powertrain, Ride & Handling Two engines are available for the Journey. Standard is Dodge’s 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder. My all-wheel-drive test vehicle came with the 283-hp, 3.6-liter V-6, as all all-wheel-drive models do. It brings impressive power to the party, combining with the all-wheel-drive system to provide more than adequate motivation, with gobs of reserve power for passing on two-lane roads or confidently entering fast-moving highway traffic. The standard six-speed automatic transmission doesn’t feel quite as sophisticated as the engine, however, alternating between slow and lazy shifts meant to keep fuel economy up, and abrupt gear changes if you suddenly need to floor it. There seems to be little middle ground in its operation — it’s either lazy or aggressive.

The Journey’s gas mileage is only average for an SUV; its big V-6 is estimated to get 16/24 mpg city/highway, 19 mpg combined, with all-wheel drive. Our testing returned an average of about 20 mpg in mostly city driving. Still, while the Journey may be one of the few vehicles in its class to offer a big V-6 and significant horsepower, the tradeoff in fuel economy versus its four-cylinder competitors is obvious. For that matter, the four-cylinder Journey is rated only 21 mpg combined, a mere 1 mpg better than the front-drive V-6 version, which gets an estimated 20 mpg combined.

The  Dodge Journey’s handling is quite respectable. Upgrades made for 2011 resulted in a remarkable change in behavior; it’s gone from being a soft, ponderously handling slug to a taut and communicative vehicle. Body roll is well-controlled in corners, and steering feel is direct, not sloppy. It’s no BMW, but no longer will the Journey embarrass itself when roads get twisty, or scare its passengers in an emergency maneuver. This is especially true in the Journey R/T, thanks to its sport suspension and optional 19-inch wheels and tires, which are unique to the sportier trim level. Unfortunately, the Journey’s brakes are not as improved as the rest of the vehicle, with long stopping distances and mushy pedal feel inspiring little confidence. Heat the brakes up with some aggressive driving and they exhibit significant fade. It would seem this area didn’t receive much attention in the big 2011 upgrade.

Interior Inside is where the new  Dodge Journey really shows how much it has improved. After years of Chrysler — under its previous owners, Daimler and Cerberus — taking content and cost out of its vehicles, Fiat finally gave designers the mandate to put money back in. The results are immediately obvious: Gone is the multi-piece instrument panel, replaced by a stylish one-piece affair that feels more solid, looks fully modern and successfully transforms the Journey from rental fleet filler to driveway dweller. Chrysler’s 8.4-inch Uconnect touch-screen is front and center in the R/T, featuring one of the best entertainment and application systems on the market. It’s easy to use and works reliably well, and its position makes it convenient while driving.

Large, bright gauges sit behind the heated steering wheel and flank a multicolor trip computer and information display. My tester had a navigation and sound package that included a rear park assist system, backup camera, Garmin navigation system and a year’s worth of SiriusXM satellite radio with Travel Link.

The seats in the R/T feel larger than those of many competitors, with power adjustments for both the driver and passenger, and are smartly trimmed in sporty red and black leather in the R/T. The Journey has an optional third row, as well, making this one of the smallest seven-seat crossovers on the market, but my tester did not come with this option. The audio system was decent for a vehicle in this category, with a six-speaker, premium setup. The rear seats feature an optional 9-inch overhead video screen with remote control and wireless headphones for two, for keeping little ones occupied (and sedated) on longer trips.

Trim Levels & Features Fitting the  Dodge Journey into a category is a little difficult, given its breadth of content options and price. Pricing is also more than a little confusing. The range starts at the SE model but includes a standard “American Value Package” for $19,990 (including a $995 destination charge), which buys you a respectably optioned model that includes the four-cylinder engine, an ancient four-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick, seating for five, Uconnect Bluetooth system, power doors and locks, keyless entry with push-button start, and dual-zone climate control. But you can also add black roof rails, tinted glass and LED taillights for $2,000 more in a model also referred to as the SE, making this one of the worst trim package decisions imaginable. Moving up to the SXT at $24,090 makes a bit more sense, with its optional V-6 engine, all-wheel drive and six-speed automatic transmission, standard fog lamps, more aggressive styling, standard 17-inch wheels and some more niceties inside, like floor mats, cargo covers and satellite radio. The luxury version is the Crew at $29,190, which includes the V-6 and six-speed transmission standard, along with a touring suspension, 19-inch wheels, power driver’s seat, an 8.4-inch touch-screen and automatic climate control. The top of the line is the R/T performance version, which swaps out the touring suspension for a performance suspension and adds a standard sporty black leather interior, starting at $29,990.

Safety The  Dodge Journey earned at least four stars in all National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests, with a scattering of five-star ratings in select tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the Journey Good across the board and named it a Top Safety Pick. The Journey comes with all the requisite electronic safety equipment, including traction control, stability control and antilock brakes. Seven airbags are standard: front, front-seat side-impact, driver’s knee and full-length side curtains.

See all the safety features listed on the Specifications page.

In the Market As for who the  Dodge Journey’s competitors are, that gets a little tricky. At the lower end of the price spectrum, the base Journey undercuts smaller compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4 by thousands of dollars. The entry-level Journey starts a full $4,155 less than a RAV4, making it an exceptional value if you prefer space and people-hauling capacity over efficiency. The Journey’s standard four-speed transmission can’t hold a candle to the five- and six-speed automatics its compact competitors employ; combined with a 300- to 500-pound weight disadvantage, this results in a significant fuel economy disadvantage for the Journey, even in its four-cylinder models. Cargo room behind the second row is surprisingly similar to the compact competition, but legroom both front and rear is inferior despite a significant advantage in length. The Journey is wider and taller than most of its competitors, however, resulting in greater overall interior volume. See how the Journey stacks up to the competition here .

The Journey really makes its play on the value card, however, with Dodge suggesting that the content available in a well-optioned model brings features unavailable in competitors at similar prices. A loaded Toyota RAV4 Limited AWD can top $30,000, as can a loaded Journey Crew AWD — but the  Dodge Journey has seating for seven, a far more powerful V-6 engine and more interior room. As long as you can live with the compromises in fuel economy, the Journey represents a considerable value in the small-crossover class.

Consumer reviews

• Comfort 4.5
• Interior 4.4
• Performance 4.2
• Exterior 4.4
• Reliability 4.3

Most recent consumer reviews

First time chysler buyer ontario canada.

Hi guys: This is my 4th report on this vehicle. The car is now 10 years old and has 140,000 miles on it. Our car has the 3.6 Pentastar, 3rd row seating, 8.4 inch Uconnect system, roof racks, premium sound system, DVD player, rear air conditioning, push button start, heated seats and steering wheel, back up camera and is front wheel drive only. Engine, transmission and air conditioner have been excellent. Never a problem. 30 miles to the gallon on the highway. Many suspension components have been replaced and vehicle is starting to rust around the rear wheel well. Uconnect has had issues. All in all a very reliable and very comfortable vehicle. Highly recommend it.

• Comfort 5.0
• Interior 5.0
• Performance 5.0
• Exterior 4.0
• Reliability 3.0
• Purchased a New car
• Used for Transporting family
• Does recommend this car

Great car, very comfortable, plenty of room

I bought my 2013 journal avp brand new, and now have 123,000 miles on it. Haven't even changed brakes yet. Still original brakes on it. Just regular maintenance, had minor issues, wheel bearing, throttle body, and new battery and tires. Great car, comfortable. 4 cylinder engine is good on gas but very sluggish. Definitely would recommend V6 engine.

• Interior 4.0
• Performance 3.0
• Exterior 5.0
• Reliability 5.0
• Used for Commuting

Reliable and comfortable.

Grate amount of space and compartment room. I fit the hile family and the dogs. It runs smoothly so I am very positive ied get the same model to give my daughter.

• Purchased a Used car

NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings (scores out of 5)

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

Compare the competitors

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All model years for the dodge journey.

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• 2009 Dodge Journey

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Used 2012 Dodge Journey SXT SUV Review

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2012 dodge journey sxt suv., most helpful consumer reviews, (2012 sxt) took a while, but ..., a different perspective, extended warranty 3.6l 2011-2013 journey to 10yr 150,000 miles on left cylinder head, edmunds summary review of the 2012 dodge journey sxt suv.

Pros & Cons

• Pro: Sophisticated interior
• Pro: family-friendly size
• Pro: available built-in booster seats
• Pro: strong V6 engine
• Pro: smart touchscreen interface.
• Con: Overmatched four-cylinder
• Con: less utilitarian than competitors.

Full Edmunds Review: 2012 Dodge Journey SUV

Besides changes to its trim names and structure, the 2012 Dodge Journey is essentially unchanged.

Edmunds says

Though not quite a class leader, the 2012 Dodge Journey has enough positive attributes to make it worthy of consideration.

Vehicle overview

Once, the Dodge Journey was only a good idea compromised by half-hearted execution. Slow, ponderous and inefficient on the highway, it was further flawed by an interior that didn't fit the human form and seemed poorly made besides. Usually it takes an entirely new model to turn around such a wayward ship, but Dodge managed to bail out its midsize crossover with a bold makeover last year. The result is a compact sport-utility that suddenly is worth considering as a family hauler.

The 2012 Dodge Journey slots into the crossover SUV fray alongside tweener-sized vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Like the RAV4, the Journey offers a small third-row seat that is useful for occasionally taking on a couple of extra kids. With or without the third row, however, the Journey strikes a right-sized balance for shoppers looking for something to schlep the family around without stepping up to costlier, thirstier and more cumbersome models like the Dodge Durango and Toyota Highlander.

While the base-model Journey's four-cylinder engine remains underpowered and not especially fuel-efficient, the 3.6-liter V6 is one of the more robust engines in this vehicle segment and offers decent fuel economy. Changes made to the steering and suspension last year also make the Journey much better to drive. The most notable improvement to the Journey is within the cabin, where higher-quality materials, a pleasing design and Chrysler's latest (and very good) technology features are on display. Meanwhile, the wealth of good ideas still remains, including clever hidden storage bins and available integrated child seats.

Thanks to its well-rounded nature, the 2012 Dodge Journey easily earns our approval. Of course, its competition remains tough to beat. Both the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are fully redesigned this year, boasting higher fuel economy and more refined driving dynamics than last year's versions. You might also want to check out the Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Forester. But overall the Journey is a smart pick for a small crossover, particularly with the V6 engine.

2012 Dodge Journey models

The 2012 Dodge Journey is available in five- and seven-passenger configurations. It is available in American Value Package, SE, SXT, R/T and Crew trim levels.

The American Value Package comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, heated mirrors, keyless ignition/entry, cruise control, dual-zone manual climate control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a sliding and reclining second-row seat and a six-speaker sound system (with a compact touchscreen interface, a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack, an iPod/USB audio interface and steering wheel controls). The SE adds privacy tinted glass, side roof rails and LED taillights.

Moving up to the SXT adds a V6 engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, foglamps, LED taillamps, a cargo cover and satellite radio. A premium sound system and 19-inch wheels are optional.

The Comfort/Convenience Group available on both the SE and SXT adds a six-way power driver seat with four-way power lumbar adjustment, a fold-flat passenger seatback and a storage bin under the passenger seat. The Premium Group available on the SE is identical, but includes satellite radio as well. The Popular Equipment Group includes all of the above plus remote ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, an outside temperature gauge, a compass, and on the SE, 17-inch alloy wheels. Also available is a larger infotainment touchscreen.

These optional items come standard on the Crew, which also gets automatic headlamps, 19-inch wheels, chrome-like exterior trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a premium audio system and Bluetooth (stand-alone option on SE and SXT). Optional on the Crew are a sunroof, a rear-seat entertainment system and leather upholstery that brings with it heated front seats.

The R/T (which arrives later in the model year) will add a monochrome exterior, special 19-inch wheels and black leather upholstery with red stitching. Otherwise, it is equipped similarly to the Crew.

The Flexible Seating Group available on every Journey adds a folding/reclining third-row seat and three-zone automatic climate control with rear air-conditioning. Integrated second-row child booster seats are also optional on every Journey, while a navigation system is available on all but the SE.

Performance & mpg

The 2012 Dodge Journey SE is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 173 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard. Its EPA-estimated fuel economy is 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined -- not great given its anemic acceleration and thriftier competitors.

The Journey SXT and Crew get a 3.6-liter V6 good for 283 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It gets a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive standard, but all-wheel drive is optional. At the track we recorded a 7.5-second 0-60-mph time for a Journey V6 FWD, an average time for the class. Its fuel economy stands at 17/25/20 with front-wheel drive and 16/24/19 with all-wheel drive. These are on par with the Chevy Equinox, but worse than other V6-powered small crossovers.

Every 2012 Dodge Journey comes standard with antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, active front head restraints, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag. Integrated second-row child booster seats are optional on every Journey. In Edmunds brake testing, a Journey V6 FWD came to a stop from 60 mph in 121 feet, an average performance for its segment.

In government crash tests, the Journey received four out of five stars for overall crash protection, with four stars awarded for frontal impact protection and five stars for overall side impact protection. In crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Journey received the top score of "Good" in the frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength tests.

The four-cylinder engine found in the base 2012 Dodge Journey SE just doesn't have enough power to get this heavy crossover moving. It also doesn't provide the fuel economy to justify its dawdling pace. As such, we'd avoid it and step up to the SXT and its 3.6-liter V6. This engine is quickly spreading throughout the Chrysler lineup, and for good reason: It offers smooth, robust power and decent fuel economy. Unfortunately, its six-speed transmission can be slow to respond when a downshift (or two) is needed. On the move, the Journey is competent for the class, with a smooth ride and secure handling.

The interior wasn't the only thing that was overhauled last year. Changes to the suspension and steering gear completely transformed the driving experience. Handling feels much more confident, and the steering is now much more precise and predictable, with a light but still nicely weighted feel to it. So it's improved, although a Honda CR-V will likely feel more agile around town, while the Chevy Equinox provides an even more comfortable and quiet ride on the freeway.

Last year's overhaul transformed the Journey's interior from one of the worst among compact/midsize crossovers to one of the best. The materials are better in quality and texture, the design is clean and modern, and its up-to-the-minute technology is pretty easy to use. We especially like the extra-large touchscreen interface available on most models.

Ongoing strengths for the Journey are its clever storage bins and integrated child seats that make it decidedly family-friendly. Also helping that cause is a versatile seating arrangement. While the sliding and reclining second-row seat is now the norm for this size of crossover, its optional third-row seat is not. Like the Toyota RAV4's, this seat is far from adult-friendly, but if you need to take a few extra kids to a T-ball game, it should come in handy.

In terms of storage space, the Journey offers a total capacity of 68 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. That's a few cubic feet smaller than the RAV4 and CR-V, but bigger than the Chevy Equinox. For smaller items, the Journey does its best Millennium Falcon impersonation with storage bins hidden under the second-row floor as well as under the passenger seat.

Edmunds Insurance Estimator

The Edmunds TCO ® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2012 Dodge   Journey in North Dakota is:

Related Used 2012 Dodge Journey SXT SUV info

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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