The 2008 Chrysler Aspen is a big, traditional sport utility vehicle capable of towing substantial loads. The Aspen is in the same class as the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Ford Expedition, but it has more luxury amenities than most of those vehicles.
Introduced for the 2007 model year, the Chrysler Aspen is based on the Dodge Durango. Aspen shares Durango's size and mechanicals, the main differences being styling, interior and tuning. Both use truck chassis and engineering, giving them the advantages of a cavernous interior and the ability to tow trailers (up to 8,900 pounds).
Aspen's electronic stability control system incorporates a new feature designed to control trailer sway.
Two V8 engines are available, a 4.7-liter flex-fuel V8 that gains 68 hp for 2008 for a total of 303 horsepower, and a 335-hp 5.7-liter V8. The 4.7-liter can run on regular gasoline or E85 (a blend of 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol). The 5.7-liter Hemi uses Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System, which conserves fuel by shutting off half the cylinders when the engine is running under a light load. Buyers can choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive with either engine.
Both powertrains earn decent fuel economy ratings by the federal government, either matching the competition or at worst giving up no more than one or two miles per gallon, even in the revised system the EPA uses for the 2008 model year.
Aspen is a nice-looking SUV with styling that features Chrysler's traditional but subdued egg-crate grille, mildly curvaceous bodylines reminiscent of the Dodge Durango, and an attractively sculpted tailgate. The wheel wells are filled with good-looking 18-inch alloy wheels or optional 20-inch chrome rims.
Aspen accommodates seven or eight passengers, depending on the seating configuration. Three rows of seats are standard, starting with front buckets, a second-row bench and a third-row bench. Buckets are optional for the second row to reduce seating to seven.
The interior blends elegant-looking, satin-finish metallic accents with woodgrain trim on the dash and center console. The standard upholstery is Chrysler's trademarked Yes Essentials fabric that resists stains and odors. Leather trim is optional and all of the usual power and personalization features are available.
In addition to the upgraded 4.7-liter V8, Aspen gets new safety and entertainment features for 2008. Chrysler's MyGIG radio, which includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive that holds songs, pictures, and navigation system map information, is available, as is a rear backup camera.