2007 Chrysler Aspen First Drive

Chrysler Aspen -- First Drive: Read the classifieds in your local paper and you’re sure to find a Dodge dealer advertising Durangos for rock bottom prices. Chances are, in fact, that if you were to offer to wash the thing – maybe spring for lunch – there’s a starving salesman out there who might let you take one home for free. Given this, it makes little sense to trot that Durango out as a rebadged Chrysler Aspen, without significant upgrades. It’s all about timing, after all, and in the case of the Aspen bad timing has turned this quiet and comfortable SUV into an afterthought.

The Basics: Origins

Among automotive circles, the Aspen will forever be recalled fondly as the SUV that caused a blizzard inside Cobo Hall at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. Truly, it was the most amazing experience, to have thousands of tiny tissues blown in your direction at a high velocity. The dramatic effect was impressive, with the SUV standing proud on the stage as the storm blew over. Then the assembled crowd saw that it was just a Durango with hood strakes. Too bad. The memory of the conference will last far longer than the vehicle, even though it’s their first SUV.

The Basics: Model Mix – Aspen Standard Features

Available in one trim with an optional 4x4 configuration, the 2007 Chrysler Aspen starts at a sticker price of $31,490 including a $745 destination charge. Don’t be fooled; much of what you’ll probably want on your Aspen comes as an option, and my, my, the price can climb. For the base price, you do standard fare such as a 4.7-liter V8 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED interior lighting, express up and down windows, a leather-wrapped center console lid and steering wheel, YES Essentials fabric, plus more. Safety treats include an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), anti-lock brakes and front and side curtain air bags and a tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system.

The Basics: Model Mix – Aspen Options

This is where Chrysler’s gonna get you back for all that rebate cash that comes with the Aspen. Many of the things you’d want your upscale SUV to have are listed here, like rear seat DVD entertainment, power liftgate, and more. For example, that power liftgate on the Aspen comes as part of a power package that includes a rear backup sensor and runs $665, while rear seat entertainment adds $1,200 to the price you pay. Other options include an engine upgrade to the 5.7-liter Hemi, running boards, six-disc CD player, Sirius satellite radio, navigation system, dual-zone automatic climate control, adjustable pedals, heated seats, second-row bucket seats, power sunroof, trailer tow package and 20-inch wheels.

The Basics: Pricing

With a starting sticker of $31,490 – including $745 destination – the Aspen ain’t cheap. Then again, it’s not named Barstow, so keep that in mind. Adding four-wheel-drive tacks on an additional $2,775, and increasing power output up to that sweet 5.7-liter Hemi adds $1,000. The options menu climbs fast as well, so watch out for upgrades such as rear seat entertainment for the kiddies ($1,200), navigation ($1,595), running boards ($445) and Chrysler’s Power Convenience Package – including a needed power liftgate and backup sensor for $665. If you want leather, factor in $900 more, and a 60/40 split third row will cost $300. Ahhh … nothing says you got a good deal like a $40,000 Chrysler suv.

What’s New: Outside

Start with a Durango, rip off the hood, rear doors, panels and taillights and add a few Chrysler wings and a bunch of chrome. Presto! You’ve got an upscale Durango, now known as the 2007 Chrysler Aspen. Other exterior features of the all-new Aspen are optional 20-inch wheels – 18-inch alloys are standard – and what seems like a universal light blue paint job. The chrome, by the way, is on the grille, the roof rack, lower molding, door handles and side view mirrors.

What’s New: Inside

There’s more fake wood and bad leather inside the Aspen than should be allowed by law. Really – take a Durango and rip out its interior – already an improvement – and put in all that bird’s eye maple wood grain, soft touch surfaces and rubbery Chrysler textures. What’s good about the Aspen is the large cargo capacity and storage design. This is one big SUV that has plenty of smart areas to put small things. Other highlights inside include the use of LED lighting, which gives the cabin a distinctly upscale feel, along with plastic surfaces that have a nice finish and feel.

What’s New: Under the Hood

There are two available engines: the standard 4.7-liter V8 (235 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque), and the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 (335 horsepower and 370 lb.-ft. of torque). Both are mated to a five-speed automatic transmission sending power to either the rear wheels or all wheels via Chrysler’s full-time four-wheel-drive system. On 4x4 models, the Aspen gets a manual locking diff. The Aspen is based on the Durango’s ladder frame chassis, so it comes with the same brakes and independent, double-wishbone front with a solid axle rear, which tows up to 8,950 pounds. The Aspen comes with 18-inch wheels; 20-inchers are available.

Driving: Test Car, Location

It took about a week of driving the 2007 Chrysler Aspen all over southern California to empty the bank account. Not to say that it’s a thirsty beast, but the kid’s college fund now belongs to Chevron, Mobil and Arco stations around the southland. Station managers came out to shake hands, slap backs and offer free coffee whenever we pulled up to the pump, and one station actually reserved a pump for our use alone. The Aspen we drove was fitted with a 5.7-liter Hemi and virtually all of the power and interior upgrades – including liftgate and navigation. All told, our Aspen had a sticker price of $38,880.

Driving: Performance

You can be a cynic and call it a rebadged version of an old SUV. Or you can be an optimist and point out that at least the folks at Dodge/Chrysler made some upgrades to the old dog. For example, the new engine mounts make things quieter, and once you get up to speed, it’s comfortable and quiet, even handling capably for a large SUV. The trouble comes in getting up to speed. Throttle tip-in is hard to modulate, the five-speed transmission feels rough and has trouble holding gears, shifting constantly and making for a thrashy uphill climb. The 5.7-liter Hemi, while lovely with all its power, is nonetheless a gas hog: We registered just over 11 mpg in combined driving.

Driving: Ride and Handling

It’s a big SUV, so it handles like a fat, friendly drunk at a wedding: a little sloppy, but with good intentions all the way around. Unlike the drunk, however, it’s pretty quiet and comfortable, a near-luxury ride with loads of fake wood grain. Hit a corner hard and there’s body lean, but it’s expected, and in fact the Aspen trims out nicely, regaining its stride quickly. On the highway, it’s got the confidence of 5,000 pounds in motion, and the upgraded chassis elements make for a composed ride and handling experience. Lowlights include a brake pedal that’s soft and hard to get a feel for, along with stopping distances that are long and ponderous.