Dodge Journey Recognized by Road & Travel Magazine

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Dodge Journey named a Road & Travel "Top 10 Pick" in its 2012 SUV Buyer's Guide
• Journey cited for its storage, design and technology features
• New 2013 Dodge Journey is the fastest growing and most affordable mid-size crossover with a starting U.S. Manufacturers' Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $18,995

America's most versatile crossover – the Dodge Journey -- is also one of Road & Travel Magazine's top picks in the competitive crossover/SUV segment. The magazine has named the Journey one of its top 10 vehicles in its 2012 SUV Buyer's Guide.

Road & Travel editors praised the Journey's ability to carry seven passengers without looking oversized in the process, its class-leading storage, including the front passenger in-seat bin and the dual rear seat floor bins, its interior design and the available class exclusive built-in rear child booster seats, as well as the overall driving experience.

"With so many new innovative SUVs from which to choose each year, it's always a challenge for Road & Travel Magazine editors to agree on which will make the final cut for RTM's annual SUV Buyer's Guide Top 10 Picks," Courtney Caldwell, Road & Travel's editor-in-chief, said. "The 2012 Dodge Journey was one of our first and unanimous choices for being such a family functional, well-built and attractive SUV."

Sales of the Dodge Journey are up 42 percent year to date and had a 58 percent increase for the month of August, setting a new all-time sales record, making it the fifth time in seven months that the Journey has established a new monthly or all-time sales record.

"The Dodge Journey continues to gain momentum in the marketplace, becoming the fastest growing crossover in the U.S., and the ultimate utility infielder," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO, Dodge Brand. "With class-leading storage, the ability to seat seven and the choice of front- or all-wheel drive, no other vehicle offers such a combination of versatility, style and value, starting at just $18,995."

The Dodge Journey is also a "Best Buy" according to Consumer Guide magazine and has been rated an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" for four consecutive years.

To view all of Road & Travel's Top 10 Picks for the 2012 SUV Buyer's Guide, visit http://www.roadandtravel.com/roadtests/buyersguides/2012-buyers-guide/sport-utility-vehicle-buyers-guide/dodge-journey.html.

2013 Dodge Journey
The versatile Dodge Journey crossover moves into 2013 with new features and even more value with a starting U.S. Manufacturers' Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $18,995 (excluding destination), which makes it the fastest growing, most affordable seven-passenger crossover in the industry.

Dodge Journey offers a premium interior with soft-touch materials throughout. The available Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine delivers a best-in-class 283 horsepower, and Journey continues to deliver the latest and greatest in vehicle connectivity and customization with the Chrysler Group's Uconnect 8.4 Media Center. Featuring an 8.4-inch touchscreen, now available as a stand-alone option on the SXT for only $595 MSRP, standard Keyless Enter-N-Go with push button start and available heated steering wheel, Dodge Journey offers a lot of features for the money. With best-in-class storage space, fold-flat second and third rows, and available fold-flat front passenger seat, second-row in-floor storage and front-passenger "Flip-N-Stow" in-seat storage, the Journey is a true utility infielder.

The 2013 Dodge Journey is available in AVP, SE, SXT, Crew and R/T models. AVP, SE and SXT models come standard with new 17-inch wheels, while 19-inch alloy wheels adorn the Crew and R/T. Premium leather seating is now standard on Crew models, while R/T features a new perforated leather interior with heated front seats and heated steering wheel.

The Journey AVP, SE and SXT models are powered by a 2.4-liter 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine that produces 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque, and delivers 26 mpg on the highway and more than 500 miles of driving range. This four-cylinder engine delivers 26 mpg on the highway. The award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, optional on SXT and standard on Crew and R/T models, produces a best-in-class 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a smooth shifting six-speed automatic transmission. This Pentastar V-6 engine was recognized as a Ward's "10 Best Engines" for 2012. In addition to excellent power, it delivers up to 25 mpg on the highway.

The 2013 Dodge Journey's chassis architecture delivers an exhilarating driving experience coupled with precise steering for maximum control. R/T's more aggressive suspension tuning – new for 2013 – gives a sportier ride and even greater handling precision for when the roads turn twisty.

Dodge Journey also offers all-wheel-drive capability, perfect for drivers who want some extra grip for a more performance feel, or who live in the Snow Belt or rainy parts of the country and appreciate the extra traction Journey's all-wheel-drive system provides. Journey's all-wheel-drive system works on demand, driving only the front wheels until power to the rear wheels is needed to maximize fuel efficiency.

With a 5-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, owners can rest assured knowing their powerful and efficient Journey is well covered.

About the Dodge Brand
For nearly 100 years, Dodge has defined passionate and innovative vehicles that stand apart in performance and in style. Building upon its rich heritage of muscle cars, racing technology and ingenious engineering, Dodge offers a full-line of cars, crossovers, minivans and SUVs built for top performance – from power off the line and handling in the corners, to high-quality vehicles that deliver unmatched versatility and excellent fuel efficiency. Only Dodge offers such innovative functionality combined with class-leading performance, exceptional value and distinctive design. With the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart offering up to 41 mpg, the all-new Dodge Charger paired with the ZF eight-speed transmission that achieves a class-leading 31 miles per gallon on the highway, the new Durango and the significantly revamped Grand Caravan – inventor of the minivan – Journey, Avenger and iconic Challenger, Dodge now has one of the youngest dealer showrooms in the United States.

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SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC