Dodge Journey gets new $24,895* SE V6 AWD model

Wed, 12 Mar 2014

While the Dodge Journey crossover remains largely unchanged for the 2014 model year, there are two new flavors of the seven-passenger CUV on offer: the butch-looking Crossroad, and the SE V6 AWD, pictured right, which makes its debut today. As its name suggests, this new Journey model features the automaker's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, and offers all-wheel drive, which, with a starting price of $24,895 (*excluding $995 for destination), reduces the cost-of-entry for an AWD-equipped Journey by $1,800 versus the SXT AWD model. Scroll down for the official press blast.

DODGE INTRODUCES NEW 2014 DODGE JOURNEY SE V-6 ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE

- New Dodge Journey SE V-6 AWD features a starting U.S. MSRP of $24,895 (excluding destination), reducing the entry-price for a Journey equipped with AWD by $1,800

- Journey's on-demand all-wheel drive delivers confidence in all-weather driving conditions – even the next polar vortex

- New Journey SE V-6 AWD comes to market as Dodge builds on Journey's all-time record-setting year in 2013

March 12, 2014 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - America's most versatile mid-size crossover – the 2014 Dodge Journey with available seven-passenger seating -- is upping its capability and value quotient by offering the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine and all-wheel drive (AWD) on SE models for 2014, with a U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $24,895 (excluding $995 destination). The Dodge Journey SE V-6 AWD makes all-wheel drive more accessible within the Journey lineup by $1,800 compared to the SXT model.

"The Dodge Journey set an all-time sales record in the United States in 2013," said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. "We want to build on that sales momentum, offering levels of performance – 283 best-in-class horsepower, 24 miles per gallon, all-weather capability – our competitors can't touch at this price point."

The Dodge Journey SE V-6 AWD is generously equipped with standard features such as 17-inch wheels, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), seven airbags, 4.3-inch touchscreen Uconnect Media Center, Keyless Enter 'n Go with push-button start, power windows, power door locks, power heated mirrors, remote keyless entry, tilt-and-telescoping steering column, cruise control, deep-tint sunscreen glass, black side roof rails and distinctive LED tail lamps.

The 2014 Dodge Journey SE V-6 AWD is arriving in U.S. dealerships now.

Pentastar V-6

The award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, now optional on Journey SE, SXT and Crossroad and standard on Limited 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. In addition to excellent power, it delivers up to 24 mpg on the highway in AWD Journey models (25 mpg for front-wheel-drive models).

All-wheel drive delivers confidence in all-weather driving conditions

The 2014 Dodge Journey's all-wheel drive system is perfect for drivers who want 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. All-wheel drive also is activated on dry pavement between speeds of 25 and 65 mph to enhance handling during performance driving. This system provides added traction on snow, ice and other low-traction surfaces without having to be switched on and off.

When traveling faster than 25 mph, Dodge Journey's all-wheel-drive system sends torque to the rear wheels when cornering with the throttle open to make the car turn more easily, which makes the handling more neutral. This is more readily accomplished with Journey's electronically controlled coupling (ECC) than with viscous-coupling or gerotor systems that require some degree of front-to-rear slip before torque is transferred to the rear wheels. At speeds greater than 53 mph, the control strategy provides minimal torque to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions to provide better fuel economy.

Dodge Journey features standard electronic stability control (ESC) and all-speed traction control, which help keep the crossover on path in a variety of road surface and weather conditions. Journey's available all-wheel drive electronic control module works with the ESC and traction control systems, allowing the ESC system to use the ECC to help gain control of the vehicle, reducing the amount of torque that the ECC transmits to the rear wheels. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes and electronic-roll mitigation also are standard on all 2014 Dodge Journey models.

By Steven J. Ewing