Dodge Journey Named "Family Car of Texas"

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Recently, the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) named the 2009 Dodge Journey "Family Car of Texas" at the 2008 Spring Challenge, the organization's annual passenger-car competition. Over 60 vehicles from various manufacturers entered the event, all vying for a top award from 40 of the TAWA journalists on hand.

Dodge's new crossover packs plenty of storage and top fuel economy for its class (19 city/25 highway). The all-new model enters the competitive mid-size crossover segment with a starting price of $19,985.

Dodge's Journey combines the versatility of a large sport-utility vehicle with the efficiency of a passenger car. With bold styling and an innovative interior design, its targeted for people who want the prestige of an SUV and the functionality and utility of a minivan.

Storage & Interior
The Journey incorporates unique seating and a storage system to create a spacious and flexible interior ready to handle life's ever-changing challenges. The available Tilt 'n Slide(TM) seven-passenger seating system quickly folds the second-row seat cushion upward and slides the entire seat forward, allowing third-row passengers easy in-and-out access. Two available integrated child booster seats, a first in the mid-size crossover segment, quickly pull out from the second-row seat cushion, eliminating the need to transport bulky child seats into the Journey.

Spacious storage bins, including Flip 'n Stow(TM) front- passenger concealed storage, Chill Zone(TM) glove box beverage cooler and dual in-floor bins with washable liners in the second row offer quick storage and convenience.

High Tech
Dodge Journey has an available MyGIG(TM) multimedia system that provides the driver and passengers 3-D navigation with real-time traffic monitoring, an integrated 30- gigabyte hard drive to store music and pictures, and an auxiliary audio jack to play any MP3 player. Additional features include: SIRIUS Satellite Radio, ParkView(TM) Rear Back-up Camera, UConnect(R) hands-free communication that is Bluetooth(R) compatible, a UCI for iPod connectivity, and rear DVD entertainment with two wireless headphones.

Under the Hood
Dodge Journey SE's standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder World Engine is coupled with a standard four-speed automatic with an estimated 19 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The 2.4-liter 16-valve engine produces 173 horsepower (129 kW) and 166 lb.-ft. (225 N*m) of torque and features dual variable valve timing, intake manifold flow control valves, acoustic cylinder head covers, dual counter-rotating balance shafts and an acoustic oil pan.

Dodge Journey SXT and R/T models feature a standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 235 horsepower (175 kW) and 232 lb.-ft. (315 N*m) of torque coupled with a fluid six-speed automatic transaxle with Auto Stick that provides quick acceleration and a quiet ride. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine on front-wheel-drive models delivers an estimated 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg city and 22 mpg on the highway on AWD models.