Nov. 10, 2006
 
ON THE ROAD: Chrysler Unveils Stylish Aspen for 2007
 
By Richard Williamson
Scripps Howard News Service
 

At Chrysler, design is destiny. To make the new Aspen sport utility vehicle stand out from the crowd, designers borrowed cues from the 300C sedan. Innovation and inspiration abound in the upscale SUV powered, which is powered by a Hemi V8 engine. (SHNS photo courtesy Chrysler)   Click to Enlarge

At Chrysler, design is destiny.
 
Lacking the quality reputation of Toyota or the market share of General Motors, the smallest member of the traditional Big Three, has sought to dazzle the world with breakthrough designs on cars such as the retro PT Cruiser, the cunning Crossfire and the dramatic 300 full-size sedan.
 
Thus, stylists had to come up with something pretty keen for the introduction of the first sport utility vehicle to bear the Chrysler nameplate. Derived from the Dodge Durango, the 2007 Aspen arrived this fall as a luxury version of the seven-passenger SUV known for its capacity and ruggedness.
 
To stand out from the crowd, Chrysler relied on some styling cues from the Crossfire and 300 and added some attention-getting innovations while giving buyers the option of two V8 engines, one of them a Hemi.
 
In a world saturated with SUVs, the Aspen captures attention with its oversize chromed grille accented by jewel-like headlamps beneath a short, contoured hood. Six indented character lines divided by a wider raised line on the hood add a sense of motion. The winged Chrysler emblem on the center of the face completes the elegant image.
 
Aspen's front and rear fenders, rear doors and rear-quarter panels provide a seamless profile. Other cosmetic accents include chromed elements on body-side moldings, door handles, side mirrors, beltline molding and roof rack.
 
With a base price of $33,520, the Aspen competes with Daimler Chrysler's other brands, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
 
A marketing headwind in the form of uncertain fuel-price futures could discourage buyers who wince at the Aspen's fuel economy.
 
Available in rear-drive or 4-wheel-drive, the Aspen is intended for families, outdoors types and people who like to tow things.
 
While the base 4.7-liter, 235 horsepower engine is adequate for most drivers, the 5.7-liter, 335-horsepower Hemi adds a powerful dimension to the Aspen's personality. Capable of cranking out 370 foot-pounds of torque, the Hemi saves fuel by shutting down to four cylinders in low-demand situations such as highway cruising. Both engines are harnessed to a five-speed automatic transmission.
 
The Durango's claim to fame was its seven-passenger seating in a vehicle that lacked the awkward bulk of super-sized SUVs such as the Chevy Suburban. Others, such as Volvo, have joined the competition in smaller, seven-passenger SUV seating.
 
Access to the Aspen's third row requires a bit of gymnastics for full-size passengers, but kids should just be able to hop in. To clear a path to the back, you simply pull one red lever and the mid-section bucket seats fold flat and flip forward. Rear doors open to a wide, 84-degree angle to ease loading.
 
One limitation of the seven-passenger seating is diminished cargo capacity between the back bench and the rear liftgate. A power liftgate is offered as an option.
 
You can equip the Aspen with mid-section bucket seats or a bench. With the bench, the seating capacity increases to eight passengers. Second-row bucket seats include a center console with dual cup holders, covered storage area and adjustable air outlets. Should you need to entertain the crowd in the back an optional flip-down, roof-mounted DVD screen comes with eight Infinity speakers.
 
Two all-wheel-drive electric-shift transfer cases are offered in the Aspen. A single-speed transfer case is standard with 4x4 models that feature the 4.7-liter V8. The single-speed transfer case provides all-wheel drive and four-wheel-drive "high" operating modes.
 
A two-speed transfer, standard with the Hemi, has an all-wheel-drive mode and four-wheel-drive "high" and "low" modes.
 
With a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 6,700 pounds and towing capacity of 8,950 pounds, Aspen's "Tow/Haul" transmission reduces gear searching by holding the lower gear longer. The system will also select a lower gear under downhill conditions to use the engine's braking capability.
 
Aspen's interior is comfortable and luxurious with a blend of metallic and wood accents. One of my favorite aspects of the Aspen is the LED (light-emitting diode) lighting that casts a whiter, brighter light at night. The LED map lights make it noticeably easier to read a map.
 
Options include a full-screen navigation radio, heated first-and second-row seats.
 
Safety features are top-notch. A new one-touch lane-change feature allows the driver to activate a three-blink turn signal when changing lanes.
 
Electronic Stability Program and Electronic Roll Mitigation prevent loss of control. A tire-pressure monitoring system alerts you if a tire is going flat. And side-curtain air bags protect passengers in all three rows.
 
WHAT'S NEW: New model for 2007.
 
PLUSES: Seating capacity, comfort, power options, styling, safety.
 
MINUSES: Fuel economy, cargo capacity with full load of passengers.
 
BOTTOM LINE: Chrysler continues to set standards in styling.
 
Richard Williamson writes about automobiles for Scripps Howard News Service.