Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Dodge Journey

Getting along with the 2013 Dodge Journey means being able to compromise, says Cars.com reviewer Aaron Bragman. The crossover hasn't seen much exterior updating since its 2009 introduction, but its looks have held up well. Its fuel economy lags behind competitors, but it's thousands of dollars cheaper in some cases while offering significantly more standard features. Legroom could be better but cargo space is competitive. If you're OK with giving a little, Bragman says, you might find that the Journey gives a lot back.

2013 Dodge Journey Review

Dodge's People Haulers Get Blacktop Package

More Dodges get the sinister-looking Blacktop Package as the 2013 Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey can now be equipped with the option’s blackened exterior features. The Dodge Charger, Challenger and Avenger were previously the only cars privy to the blacked-out look that includes gloss-black-painted wheels, grilles, headlights and more.

It doesn’t take much to equip Dodge’s people haulers with the Blacktop Package. Pricing starts at $295 on the Dodge Durango Rallye and R/T, which includes a gloss-black grille and gloss-black 20-inch aluminum wheels.

Car Storage Wars: Inventive Places to Stash Your Stuff

Admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery: Hi, my name is Jennifer and I have a lot of stuff. Luckily, so does much of the auto-buying public, forcing automakers to get creative about car storage. A few years ago we saw a console bin that could fit a laptop; now that's almost commonplace.

But carmakers continue to get clever with storage spaces, thoughtfully carving out areas, both small and large, to hold — and better yet, conceal — our ever increasing amount of stuff.

Nothing can touch well-known storage kings like Chrysler's minivans with 140.6 cubic feet of cargo volume once the Stow 'n Go seats are folded. That's why I wanted to look at vehicles with storage places that range from inventive (hidden in-seat cubbies) to excessive (10-plus cupholders).

Dodge Expands Four-Cylinder Availability on Journey

Dodge recently announced that four-cylinder power is now standard on SXT versions of its midsize crossover. It also plans to offer Journey’s Flexible Seating Group Package for free during March.

Newly standard on 2012 Journey SXT is the 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. It was previously standard on base SE and American Value Package models. The 283-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 engine was previously standard on SXT; it's still available. The Journey SXT with the four-cylinder engine starts at $22,995, excluding a destination fee. The V-6 SXT models start at $24,495.

Additionally, Dodge is making Journey's Flexible Seating Group free this month; it's normally a $995 option. Available on all versions of the midsize crossover, the seating package consists of the second-row 60/40-split Tilt 'n Slide bench seat, three-zone heating and air conditioning, and a third-row 50/50-split folding and reclining bench seat. The deal is good through April 2.

What's the Most Affordable Full-Size Crossover?

The full-size, three-row crossover segment is relatively new to the automotive landscape. You need to look back only four or five years to see how quickly the segment has changed from just a handful of models to more than 15 models today.

For folks who find minivans anathema, these large crossovers are the best alternatives. Some — like the Chevrolet Traverse — are roomy enough that there's little tradeoff in terms of passenger room. The unibody architecture of large crossovers makes them generally more maneuverable and fuel efficient compared with three-row, full-size SUVs, like the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition.

Check Out: $37,000 SUV Shootout

Recent converts from SUV to crossover pedigree include the Dodge Durango and Ford Explorer, which are now competing against fairly old stalwarts like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

The full-size crossover market will expand soon, with the three vehicles on the horizon: the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder (which switches to a crossover platform), the 2013 Infiniti JX35 and the upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

2012 Dodge Journey: Car Seat Check

The 2012 Dodge Journey could be an ideal minivan alternative. This crossover comes with up to three rows of seats and the storage solutions and family-hauling abilities of the stereotypical mom-mobile. For our Car Seat Check, we tested the three-row Journey that seats seven and had available integrated booster seats. A two-row version is standard.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

2012 Toyota Camry Earns Five-Star NHTSA Rating

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its first batch of 2012 model year ratings this month. Under the stricter guidelines, only three 2012 models — the Chevrolet Camaro, Cadillac CTS and Toyota Camry — have earned five-star composite scores from the safety agency. In fact, as we previously reported, the Camaro is the only vehicle to earn a perfect rating across the board since the new guidelines took effect for the 2011 model year.

NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

The redesigned 2012 Camry earned a five-star overall rating, getting four stars in the frontal test, five stars in the side-crash test and four stars in the rollover test.

Recall Alert: 2012 Dodge Journey, Fiat 500

Chrysler is recalling 340 2012 Dodge Journey and Fiat 500 vehicles because sealing components in the brake system could degrade, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles, which were built between Oct. 24 and Oct. 26, may have contaminated brake fluid that could cause the components to degrade. This could lead to a loss of braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall is expected to begin next month. Chrysler will replace all brake components that come into contact with hydraulic brake fluid at no charge. Owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Recall Alert: 2012 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Vehicles

Chrysler is recalling about 667 2012-model-year vehicles equipped with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 over an engine issue that can lead to power loss, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2012 models included in the recall are the Chrysler 200, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

In the affected vehicles, which were built between Aug. 25 and Sept. 5, the engine blocks weren’t cleaned properly. The result is hard debris can damage the connecting rod, main bearings and crankshaft, leading to engine failure. If the engine seizes up while driving, the risk of a crash can increase.

The recall is expected to begin in early October. Chrysler dealerships will replace the engine, free of charge. If owners already have repaired the problem, Chrysler will reimburse the expense if it wasn’t covered by the warranty.  Owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

2012 Dodge Journey Shaves $3,250 Off Starting Price, Now $18,995

The 2012 Dodge Journey just got out of the gate, yet Chrysler already has decided to throw a curveball by adding a new low-cost trim package. The 2012 Journey now starts at $18,995, excluding $750 for destination. 

A five-passenger Journey with the new American Value Package (AVP) starts at $18,995, and a seven-passenger model starts at $19,990. The AVP trim comes surprisingly well equipped, too, with things like push-button start and a touch-screen media display. 

The new pricing setup makes the Journey the most affordable seven-passenger vehicle on the market, Dodge says. Even without the third-row price advantage, only two other crossovers in its class start for less money: the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at $18,495 and the Hyundai Tucson at $18,895. Those two vehicles are also smaller and come standard with manual transmissions.

The 2011 Journey finished in second place in our $29,000 SUV Shootout earlier this year. 

The 2012 Journey costs $2,000 less than what Chrysler previously stated when we only knew of the SE trim, which starts at $20,995, and that already was a $1,450 price drop from the 2011 model.

The new Journey also gets new trim designations for the 2012 model year. Gone is the cacophony of lifestyle-based trims, now replaced with just AVP, SE, SXT and Crew and R/T models.