What Is It?
2007 Chrysler Aspen
What's Special About It?
Chrysler did the impossible at the reveal of the 2007 Chrysler Aspen. It made it snow inside Cobo Convention Hall. All it took was a few hundred pounds of tissue paper, a 10-foot-tall fan and the willingness to spend a big chunk of money to get its first SUV noticed.
Referred to as the "Chrysler 300 of SUVs" by Frank Klegon, vice president of product development, the Aspen, which will go on sale this fall, is essentially a high-end Chrysler version of the Dodge Durango. It shares the same platform, engines and suspension design along with most of the Dodge's basic features. With room for eight, the Aspen is expected to compete against other luxury full-size SUVs like the GMC Yukon Denali and Eddie Bauer Ford Expedition.
Base models get a 4.7-liter V8 with 235 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Top-of-the-line models get the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 335 hp and a maximum tow rating of 8,950 pounds. Both engines use a five-speed automatic transmission and can be equipped with either two- or four-wheel drive.
According to Mike Donoughe, vice president of the body-on-frame vehicles product team, the Aspen was retuned with a different customer in mind than the Durango. "Aspen customers expect the ride of a luxury vehicle, but they want more than just a soft suspension." His team not only revised the springs, shocks and bushings, they also changed the door seals, mirrors and side glass to keep noise and vibration down. "It has a very smooth ride, but it doesn't float down the road. The ride is precise and should appeal to luxury SUV customers," he said.
Chrysler's stylists did their part to put some distance between the Aspen and the Durango with a few exterior changes like a chrome grille, optional 20-inch wheels and a sculpted hood similar to Chrysler's Crossfire coupe. The Aspen also gets unique quarter panels front and rear and chrome door handles and mirrors. We could do without the fancy hood, but the rest of the changes make it look better than the odd-looking Dodge.
Interior upgrades are minimal. There's wood trim on the doors, steering wheel and dashboard. Metallic trim brightens up the steering wheel, gauge cluster and door handles. Standard side curtain airbags protect all three rows of seats. A DVD navigation system is optional along with a backup protection system and a rear-seat entertainment system.
What's Edmunds' Take?
It looks better than the Durango and probably drives better, too. As long as it doesn't cost significantly more than the Dodge, Chrysler could have a solid entry in the luxury SUV segment. — Ed Hellwig
2007 Chrysler Aspen
What's Special About It?
Chrysler did the impossible at the reveal of the 2007 Chrysler Aspen. It made it snow inside Cobo Convention Hall. All it took was a few hundred pounds of tissue paper, a 10-foot-tall fan and the willingness to spend a big chunk of money to get its first SUV noticed.
Referred to as the "Chrysler 300 of SUVs" by Frank Klegon, vice president of product development, the Aspen, which will go on sale this fall, is essentially a high-end Chrysler version of the Dodge Durango. It shares the same platform, engines and suspension design along with most of the Dodge's basic features. With room for eight, the Aspen is expected to compete against other luxury full-size SUVs like the GMC Yukon Denali and Eddie Bauer Ford Expedition.
Base models get a 4.7-liter V8 with 235 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Top-of-the-line models get the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 335 hp and a maximum tow rating of 8,950 pounds. Both engines use a five-speed automatic transmission and can be equipped with either two- or four-wheel drive.
According to Mike Donoughe, vice president of the body-on-frame vehicles product team, the Aspen was retuned with a different customer in mind than the Durango. "Aspen customers expect the ride of a luxury vehicle, but they want more than just a soft suspension." His team not only revised the springs, shocks and bushings, they also changed the door seals, mirrors and side glass to keep noise and vibration down. "It has a very smooth ride, but it doesn't float down the road. The ride is precise and should appeal to luxury SUV customers," he said.
Chrysler's stylists did their part to put some distance between the Aspen and the Durango with a few exterior changes like a chrome grille, optional 20-inch wheels and a sculpted hood similar to Chrysler's Crossfire coupe. The Aspen also gets unique quarter panels front and rear and chrome door handles and mirrors. We could do without the fancy hood, but the rest of the changes make it look better than the odd-looking Dodge.
Interior upgrades are minimal. There's wood trim on the doors, steering wheel and dashboard. Metallic trim brightens up the steering wheel, gauge cluster and door handles. Standard side curtain airbags protect all three rows of seats. A DVD navigation system is optional along with a backup protection system and a rear-seat entertainment system.
What's Edmunds' Take?
It looks better than the Durango and probably drives better, too. As long as it doesn't cost significantly more than the Dodge, Chrysler could have a solid entry in the luxury SUV segment. — Ed Hellwig
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