I bought a low mileage 2013 Journey with the 2.4. Getting ready to change the oil for the first time since getting it. Just wondering if it came from the factory with synthetic or regular oil in it.

Manual should say or the oil fill cap.

To the best of my knowledge only SRT's came with synthetic oil. Check your manual for other requirements, Chrysler engines are supposed to get an MS 6395 certified oil. The 2.4 is a "world" engine and has some relationship to Hyundai and Mitsubishi?

Hope its better using oil that the 18 Jeep 2.4 we just traded That thing used 3 quarts in 3000 miles.The old PT with 2.4 and 180K wasnt even that bad.Oh yeah probally just regular oil will work.Rocky

Is it the same 2.4 multiaire engine used in Dodge Darts? I have a 2.4 Dart and the engine spec is 0W-20 which is only available in synthetic.
As stated, it should be on the fill cap, also the owners manual if that hasn't gotten misplaced.
The 2.4 has some sort of a service bulletin or soft recall out for an excessive oil consumption fix.

https://www.dodge-dart.org/threads/2-4l-multiair-oil-consumption-issue-fixed-by-fca.67339/

My Dart has 104,000 miles and I've never had to add more than 1/2 quart between 7000 mile oil changes. The dealer keeps calling me every couple months to bring the car in for an important recall but won't tell me what for. The only thing that comes up when I check the VIN online is the oil consumption service bulletin. Although not as bad as the constant auto warranty spam calls, I am getting tired of asking them why and they won't say, I tell them the only thing I find is the oil consumption issue and my car is fine, doesn't use oil. Thanks but stop calling me. Then they keep calling, for close to 2 years. Irritating!

If it makes any difference, it's an SXT, 2.4 VVT. The manual says ms-6395 5w-20. Just wondered if that was a specific special oil or if good old fashioned Valvoline would work.

I think you're fine

Synthetics

Pennzoil Platinum
Royal Purple
Castrol Edge
Halvoline Synthetic
Quaker State Ultimate Durability

Conventional

Pennzoil (Yellow Bottle)
Quaker State Advanced Durability
Valvoline (White Bottle)

In general a little less than about half the products over the 5w20 multi grade range are MS-6395 certified. For instance, Castrol’s flagship synthetic, blends and conventionals are not MS-6395 certified. Other companies like Pennzoil and Quaker state have taken the approach of having a synthetic and conventional product certified and opting out on niche products like oils for high mileage vehicles. Running contrary to the pack, Valvoline has almost all it’s products under MS-6395 (except NexGen, their recycled oil blend).

The consensus among the experts and enthusiasts alike is if unable to secure MS-6395 product, it is imperative to select an oil of the right grade (5w20 in the case of a 2013 Wrangler, or whats on the filler cap) and of the correct API service category (API SN). And if all else fails, you can visit the parts counter of your local Jeep dealer and go with genuine Mopar.

Same with our 2018 Compass. If they would make the brakes so you didn't go through the windshield when you tap them and fix the oil issue, it wasn't a bad vehicle.