2007 Chrysler Aspen Review

Specifications

A 300C for SUV Lovers?

Talk about late to the party. This SUV didnt even show up in the right decade let alone in time for cocktails and hors-doeuvres. Truly, it seems to be last call in the full-size SUV segment, with most buyers in this class looking to car-like crossovers instead of traditional, body-on-frame four-by-fours.

So, is there a place for Chryslers new Aspen amongst the likes of GMCs Yukon and Fords Expedition? Thats a tough call, being that buyers of large SUVs tend to be a loyal bunch, but considering the Aspen targets Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator buyers with an interior thats about as upscale as domestic sport utilities come, and does it for entry-level brand prices, well, there might be room after all.

Timing is everything, though, and while the Aspen might have seemed like a good idea four years ago when the Chrysler designers, engineers and product planners put the wheels in motion, they couldnt have imagined todays high fuel prices and the resultant decline in interest in this class.

On the other hand, it wasnt like they had to start from scratch. Underneath the heavily chromed Chrysler body work is a Dodge Durango, easy to see from its familiar side profile. And come to think of it, the very fact that the Aspen is based off of the popular Dodge just might be what gives it an edge up on its competition. After all, the Durango is smaller than its main rivals, the Tahoe/Yukon twins and the Expedition, not to mention the Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada, yet it can do most anything these larger, more cumbersome and thirstier alternatives can with greater efficiency. Maybe Chryslers on to something here.

With regards to its donor vehicle, theres certainly much thats different when putting it side by side with Chryslers latest. Pretty well every body panel, from its big chrome grille to its large, slightly rounded headlamps and unique front fenders is new. Its rear end design is different too, with more than just a big, wide Chrysler logo fixed to the liftgate. Most noticeable are the taillights, not featuring the Jeep Liberty-like lenses that the Durango adopted, but rather more classically designed, rectangular lamps.

While Chrysler dubs it the “300 of SUVs”, the Aspen doesnt quite measure up to that cars daring road presence, and therefore probably wont be snatched up as quickly by the rap stars and sports personalities for tuning purposes. No, the SUV of choice for this crowd is Cadillacs Escalade. The Aspen is more likely to become a conveyance for the trailer pulling retiree or mature professional with older children, its classy styling fitting into the clique that has already gravitated towards the Pacifica crossover. Still, those Crossfire inspired strakes that run the length of the hood are pretty radical, and give the Aspen some unique presence all its own.

Likewise, my testers optional 20-inch chrome plated alloy wheels were pretty bling, matching the grille, of course, the thick swab of chrome that runs down the side and meets up with more chrome at the back, plus the chrome mirror caps, chrome bumper trim, and… well… theres chrome almost everywhere, and more inside.

When I first stepped up and into this particular vehicle it was at night, and I was greeted by soft blue-toned LED lights unlike any other SUV Ive experienced this side of Land Rovers six-figure Range Rover. On that note, the Aspens interior quality might not be as top-grade as the British-brands top-line model, but then again few luxury cars can match that as it is, still the Chryslers environmentally friendly woodgrain is gorgeous, satin finished metallic surfaces divine and interior plastics almost entirely of the soft-touch variety… very, very nice. Items like this analog clock suit the dinner club atmosphere to a T, and theres more features than most people will ever use.

While this top-of-the-line model is covered in soft leather with suede-like inserts on the seats, you can actually get it with two-tone mid-grade leather as well, or a base model with an easy-care, soil resistant anti-microbial fabric called YES Essentials.

At first glance the Aspens dash design doesnt look all that different from the Durangos, but there are some significant variances. For instance, the similarly shaped instrument binnacle only caps the gauge package with the new Chrysler, while arcing all the way across the center stack in the Dodge. This allows for a modified center stack, the Aspens alternatively reaching up and over the top of the dash. Is it more elegant than the Durangos? Not necessarily, at least if you were to strip away the wood and metal trim. But such features come standard with the Aspen, giving it a more upscale appearance than Dodges large SUV.

While checking out the second row seats I noticed a few upscale features that will be sure to delight backseat drivers as well, like second-row seat heaters to complement a separate temperature controller for rear passengers, attached to the rear of the center console, that actuate heat or the air conditioning through vents in the roof.

As expected in this class are steering wheel-mounted audio controls, but like with all Chryslers these are among the best in the industry due to being situated on the rear sides of each upper steering wheel spoke, leaving the front sides less cluttered and thus allowing for easier, more natural actuation while the hands are properly positioned at 9 and 3 oclock on the wheel. Cruise control buttons, which are normally used less often, neatly fit into the front of each top spoke.

Those buttons connect through to what is an easy to use infotainment interface boasting an AM/FM radio plus an integrated six-disc CD changer that pumps sound through an eight-channel, 368-watt amplifier with two channels driving an eight-inch separately enclosed sub through eight Alpine speakers, featuring theater-style surround-sound if hooked up to the optional DVD entertainment system. The roof-mounted swing down screen is smaller than some in this segment, but the system is well designed with a remote control nestled above the screen when closed, RCA plugs for external devices and all the controls any kid could want to play around with at the rear of the unit. Speaking of plugs, there isnt one for an external audio device, such as an iPod, although SIRIUS Satellite radio is available. While Chrysler should get kudos for taking satellite seriously (ouch, that was a pun of the lowest order), theres really no possible excuse leaving out the auxiliary jack. At worst Auburn Hills could have rigged something makeshift like Dearborn did with its new Expedition, an ugly but functional add-on positioned on the lower half of the center console. Instead, were left to burn CDs of MP3s or use store-bought CDs… who does that anymore? On the positive, Chrysler did think to include a 115-volt two-prong power outlet at the backside of the center console. Id need to buy an adaptor or drill out a hole for my three-prong laptop, but its the thought that counts, right? Better yet, Chrysler scores a homerun thanks to including voice-activated UConnect for Bluetooth-equipped cell phones and PDAs.

A glass sunroof is optional, with controls integrated into a roof-mounted console that also features a button for the power liftgate and universal garage door opener. Included as optional equipment in this overhead interface is an Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), providing owner-programmable features, such as audio and security settings, as well as access to the trip computer, compass and outside temperature information.

The Aspen gets Chryslers 4.7-liter V8 in base trim, with its near class-dominating (GMCs Yukon Denali delivers more power for much more money, mind you) cylinder-deactivation-equipped 5.7-liter HEMI V8 featuring 335-horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque being optional. After spending a week in my test vehicle I couldnt see how youd want the base engine, although I havent put it through its paces so cant say for sure. Its just that the 5.7Ls MDS cylinder-deactivation makes the engine as thrifty as large V8s get (meeting LEV1 emission requirements in CA, NY, MA, ME and VT,  while managing Tier 2, Bin 10A requirements in the remaining states), and the gargantuan torque released when the pedal hits the floor (negating any benefits of the cylinder-deactivation system, of course) launches the big SUV forward with an authoritative thrust, feeling almost like its spinning all four wheels when set to all-wheel drive high mode… not really the case, however.

On that note the Aspen offers the best of both worlds when it comes to traction. While base models come with rear-wheel drive only, top-line models are real 4×4s, with a four-wheel drive low gear ratio thatll allow you to take it out on some really nasty backcountry trails and come back in one piece… although I wouldnt want to scratch up the fancy paintwork or those gorgeous chrome rims… it defaults to full-time all-wheel drive for distributing even torque to every wheel during dry or slippery conditions.

Being that this will be a popular vehicle for those with large trailers, Chrysler has included the same “Tow/Haul” transmission function that comes with the Durango, which holds lower gears longer and therefore, reduces annoying gear hunting. The smooth operating five-speed transmission also automatically selects a lower gear for engine braking when loaded and going downhill. Altogether the Aspen can manage a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 6,700 lbs, and a max towing capacity of 8,950 lbs.

While Chryslers new SUV isnt small, at just a tad shorter than Chevys new 2007 Tahoe or Toyotas Sequoia, its about half a foot shorter than Fords regular length Expedition. Its a bit narrower than this group of SUVs too, and slightly lower to the ground when comparing overall height, not to mention about  500 lbs lighter than the Tahoe and weighing in at or or 800 lbs less than the Expedition. Its wheelbase, however, is a bit longer than all of them, which is why its third row of seats is pretty decent for regular sized adults. Yes, I climbed back there and its down right comfortable, with room for my shoulders, a spot to rest my outward elbow and ample head and legroom. This is a true seven-occupant SUV, no excuses. So I suppose I can now believe Chrysler when it states that the Aspen has more passenger room than any vehicle in the class.

It also enjoys the most voluminous cargo are in the class, equaling 19.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 67.3 cubic feet behind the second row, or if all seats are folded flat, 102.4 cu-ft behind the driver and front passenger, all accessible via a standard power liftgate. The second row buckets dont only fold forward to make room for gear, but their seatbacks recline by 11 degrees to provide a more relaxing environment and make viewing the entertainment system easier on the neck.

With a 12.2-meter or 39.9-foot turning circle the Aspen is also fairly maneuverable in tight spaces, but I have to admit to liking it best on the open road where its coil springs and time-tested live rear axle soak up dips and bumps with grace and composure while managing corners with reasonable confidence. When really pushing it down a curvy stretch of two-lane highway near my home, in a fairly hairy downpour I might add, it felt a little on the unwieldy side, especially over uneven pavement, but this is par for the course with traditional truck-derived SUVs. And in the same vein, being a large, domestic sport ute plus a Chrysler to boot, the Aspen is ultra-smooth over most any road surface, which, as Im settling into middle age, is more enjoyable day-in and day-out than extreme road-holding.

I should mention that during this exhilarating nighttime drive I was reassured by Chryslers standard Electronic Stability Program, that incidentally I actually felt hard at work on a number of occasions (like I inferred, I was making the HEMI sing), pulling the rear end back inline after the rear tires kept sidestepping toward a long, foreboding cliff. Also confidence inspiring, the Aspen gets a tire pressure monitoring system that automatically checks for correct and even tire pressure, as the name implies, while less critical but still appreciated, its ParkSense rear back-up system made light work of reversing such a large vehicle.

The Aspens long list of safety and security features include ABS brakes with Brake Assist, a child seat anchoring system with LATCH for easily securing new-style safety seats, an energy absorbent steering column, Electronic Roll Mitigation, side-curtain airbags, side-thorax airbags and, of course, dual front advanced multi-stage airbags. I suppose its power adjustable accelerator and brake pedals might be considered safety oriented too, considering they help shorter or taller drivers optimize the position of their bodies, so that they can maintain better control. No matter whether safer or not, they certainly made me more comfortable and together with the supportive seats, made me feel like I was ensconced in the lap of luxury.

Getting back to where I started, Im not going to try and speculate as to whether the timing for a new full-size SUV is ideal, but I can attest that Chryslers done a very good job with its new Aspen. It looks rich, is comfortable and enjoyable to drive and comes equipped with a full slate of luxurious goodies. No doubt, a select group of buyers wont be able to pass up its solid value proposition, especially once they get inside and see how beautifully appointed it is.

I certainly was impressed when I first climbed into the drivers seat and became even more enthralled when I stomped on the throttle, so I can appreciate why someone would want to step up to a large, powerful SUV like this. Then, factor in that an almost fully-loaded Aspen Limited can be had for less than $50,000, when similarly equipped luxury utes cost tens of thousands more, well, comprehending just how the Aspen is going to fit into its shrinking market segment starts to make a lot more sense. I mean, it doesnt take a MOGS (Master of Oil and Gas Studies) degree to figure out that ten to twenty grand will buy you a lot of crude. In fact, if youre planning on spending more on a luxury SUV for towing your boat or camper, you should check the Aspen out first. I think itll measure up to all of your expectations of what a premium sport utility should deliver, and then some.