More than just a dressed-up Dodge Durango, the 2009 Chrysler Aspen appeals to families looking for an affordable-yet-upscale SUV that will deliver a smoother, more refined ride. With a pricetag lower than the comparably equipped Acura MDX's, the Aspen offers a spacious interior, quiet drive, and V8 power. Oh yes, and for 2009 it has the distinction of offering Chrysler's first-ever hybrid powertrain.
The 2009 Aspen comes in one Limited trim, with a standard 303-hp, 4.7-liter V8 engine that's also E85-compatible. An optional 335-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V8 features cylinder deactivation, which shuts off half the cylinders when they're not needed (such as at cruising speed). This improves fuel economy to a meager 13 mpg. Both engines are paired with a 5-speed automatic and provide confident acceleration power on highways. This year, Chrysler introduces a hybrid Aspen that utilizes the 5.7 V8 in conjunction with two electric motors. This dual-mode hybrid can run on either electric power at light throttle or the gas engine at heavier throttles, or a combination of the two for a total of 385 hp. The hybrid's eCVT (electronic continuously variable transmission) has four fixed gears for more seamless transitions, though Chrysler is still working out the noisy and jolting behavior drivers have noticed when the gas engine kicks in.
The hybrid system features regenerative braking and engine cutoff while idling or stopped, and it uses a 300-volt battery to power the climate control and audio system. While it gets more horsepower, it can tow only 6,000 pounds, compared to 8,700 with the non-hybrid Aspen. Chrysler boasts the Hybrid achieves 40% better city fuel economy ratings, which is a terrific number, until you consider that 40% of 13 mpg is only five extra miles per gallon, for a total of 18 mpg. So although we can applaud Chrysler's efforts at finally joining the hybrid age, the Aspen will not have much of an impact at the gas pump.
Reviewers are impressed with the handling of the 2009 Aspen, which exhibits minimal body lean and a surprisingly small turning radius. However, the brakes seem too small for this large SUV, and the steering feels disconnected. The Aspen comes in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, with the latter offering low-range gearing for capable performance both on and off the road. Standard ABS brakes, traction and stability control, parking sensors, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags for all rows add extra safety. The Hybrid adds a rearview camera and a MyGIG hard drive with its standard navigation system.
The 2009 Aspen seats up to eight in three rows, with ample head and legroom for the first two rows, leaving the third row for children. Both rear rows split-fold nearly flat, expanding the cargo area from 20 to 102 cubic feet. Access to the cargo space is via a power liftgate, and a roof rack adds more capacity, along with plenty of interior storage compartments. Controls are well laid out and the interior feels more luxurious than the Durango's, with wood and leather trim. Power front seats, heated seats, a CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, and remote start are all standard, and the Hybrid adds leather upholstery.
The Chrysler Aspen is a spacious, versatile family SUV with solid handling and performance credentials, and its higher-end interior distinguishes it from the more utilitarian Durango. Although the hybrid is a small step forward, those looking to the Aspen to assuage any environmental guilt or ease pressure on the wallet will likely be disappointed.
I got 2 cars im looking at at a buy here pay here lot but im having trouble picking which one the Outlook is the Base (XE) and the Aspen haves the leather and chrome rims and thats all i remember seeing so I really don't know what trim it is, but the they both have around 167K miles ANYTHING WILL HELP!!!
I just bought a 2009 aspenimited with the hemi. What does "limited" mean??? What does it "include " or signify for the vehicle?
Water leak at back hatch area after rain in my 2009 aspen. What to do. Chrysler wants 120 to look at it for first hour.
I've been driving it for a while with a humming sound, the mechanic said it was okay to drive but the sound will become louder. This week the sound is quite loud, worried I'm going to breakdown. How much is an average repair to replace the rear end?
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Third row side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Hard Drive: 30GB · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Alpine · Alpine premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 276 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.2 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.8 · Rear brake width: 0.9 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: simulated wood · Door trim: simulated wood · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adjustable pedals: power · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front, rear and third row · Memorized settings: adjustable pedals · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 115V · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.92
Engine
Alternator: 160 amps · Battery: 750 CCA · Oil cooler: auxiliary
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: chrome accents · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Paint: pearl · Rear bumper color: chrome accents · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Running boards: body color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3 · Number of third row headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Video monitor location: rear · Video system: TV
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rack color: black · Roof rails: silver · Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: underbody · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Stability and Traction
Traction control: with trailer stability control
Steering
Steering ratio: 18.9 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.40
Suspension
Front Spring Type: torsion bars · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear Suspension Type: watts linkage · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Third Row Seat
Type: 40-60 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome aluminum
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class IV · Trailer wiring: 4-pin
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · USB auxiliary audio input · Hard Drive: 30GB · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Alpine · Alpine premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 276 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.2 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.8 · Rear brake width: 0.9 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: simulated wood · Door trim: simulated wood · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adjustable pedals: power · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Memorized settings: audio system · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 115V · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.55 · Transfer Case: electronic
Engine
Alternator: 160 amps · Battery: 750 CCA · Oil cooler: auxiliary
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color with chrome accents · Paint: pearl · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Running boards: body color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3 · Number of third row headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Video monitor location: rear · Video monitor size: 6.5 · Video system: TV
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: turn off headlights
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Roof rack color: black · Roof rails: silver · Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: underbody · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Stability and Traction
Traction control: with trailer stability control
Suspension
Front Spring Type: torsion bars · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear Suspension Type: watts linkage · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Third Row Seat
Type: 40-60 split bench
Tires
Type: all terrain
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome aluminum
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class IV · Trailer wiring: 7-pin
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: variable intermittent