- suv 129,019
- Arlington, TX
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- autoshopper.com
- suv 129,019 gasoline blue automatic
2009 chrysler aspen review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Power for towing, hybrid for economy. introductionthe 2009 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. For 2009, a new hybrid gas-electric model joins the lineup for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. chrysler aspen is based on the dodge durango and shares its size and mechanical components. Like the durango, the aspen uses a truck chassis and engineering. boasting a cavernous interior, the 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. two v8 engines are available, plus the hybrid. The hybrid is offered only with all-wheel drive. The standard v8 powertrains earn decent fuel economy ratings, either matching the competition or at worst giving up no more than one or two miles per gallon. The 5. 7-liter hemi v8 gains 30 horsepower for 2009. the hybrid boosts city fuel economy by 40 percent and overall fuel economy by more than 25 percent compared with the standard aspen, says chrysler. Fuel economy is epa-rated at 19 miles per gallon city and 20 mpg highway compared to 13/18 mpg city/highway for the regular aspen v8 4wd. We found it very rewarding to silently motor around town and in slow traffic using only the electric motor. Developed with bmw, gm, and mercedes-benz, the chrysler's two-mode hybrid system pairs its 5. 7-liter hemi v8 engine with two electric motors, along with a lot of fancy gearing and electronics. The first mode is mostly for around-town driving and can use battery power alone up to 25 mph. The second mode is meant for highway speeds and always uses engine power. Stop at a stop sign and everything goes quiet. Total output for the hybrid is 385 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, and we found it quite responsive in traffic. the standard aspen models rewards the driver with hearty mechanical sounds from the engine compartment, prompt throttle response, solid gear shifts, and thoroughly competent brakes. Ride and handling are average for the class. The aspen is tall, heavy and narrow. The ride tends to the springy end of the scale, cushioning bad pavement but bobbing at times. the 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- or 20-inch chrome rims. the interior blends elegant-looking, satin-finish metallic accents with woodgrain trim on the dash and center console. The standard upholstery is chrysler's stain-resistant fabric. Leather trim is optional and all of the usual power and personalization features are available. for 2009, the aspen gets available sirius backseat tv for the rear dvd entertainment system. Chrysler's mygig hard-drive radio is now included under the uconnect brand and the hard-drive grows from 20 to 30 gigabytes. lineupthe 2009 chrysler aspen is offered in limited and hybrid models. The limited 2wd 34,230) and limited 4wd 36,615) come standard with a 4. 7-liter v8. Chrysler's 5. 7-liter hemi v8 is optional with 2wd 795) or 4wd 990). The all-wheel drive system has a two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing. Other options available separately include rear-seat dvd entertainment system 1,400) adds sirius backseat tv. The popular equipment group 600) adds power-adjustable pedals, remote engine start, and running boards. also available separately are leather upholstery 780), heated front seats 250), heated second-row bucket seats 950), and a sunroof 850). safety features include front multi-stage airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover all three seating rows and are programmed to activate in the event of a rollover. Missing are side airbags designed to protect the torso in side crashes, a feature increasingly common on cars and suvs. The second-row seats have child safety seat anchors and tethers (latch), but the third row doesn't. Traction control, which limits tire spinning in slick conditions, is standard. The electronic stability program is augmented with a rollover-sensitive algorithm, which extends deployment duration, and trailer sway control, which applies individual brakes to keep the vehicle on its intended path when towing. Electronic brake-force distribution, which optimizes front-to-rear brake application in emergencies, comes standard along with brake assist, which ensures full braking performance in a panic stop. A tire-pressure monitor signals when tires are low on air. Rear obstacle detection and a rear backup camera are also standard. walkaroundthe chrysler aspen looks like a lot of other full-size suvs, but we found it attracted admiring looks and inquiries. Chrysler styling cues set the aspen apart from the dodge durango. The hybrid attracts even more attention as people notice the badges; they also notice the absence of engine noise in certain situations such as when leaving a restaurant parking lot. the grille, with bold crossbars and classic chrysler medallion, attempts to stake a claim for the aspen at the top of the brand's pyramid. Low-key headlamps seem to diminish the claim, however, along with a bland bumper and generic-looking fog lights. embossed strakes in the hood run back to the windshield and carry on the newest chrysler-brand styling motif. The swept-back windshield pays homage to aerodynamics and looks sleek. Mildly creased, visually pleasant blisters circle the wheelwell openings. A chrome-topped, overstated molding strip pulls double duty, breaking up the expanse of metal between the front and rear wheel cutouts while insulating the doors against parking lot dings. Side mirrors proudly perch on brackets extending from the base of the a-pillars (the side frames of the windshield). A slight ridge defining the beltline (where the side windows meet the lower body panels) extends beyond the base of the rear pillars, accenting the graceful outline of the rear quarter windows. A short front overhang and tucked-up lower hindquarters invite thoughts of venturing off the highway to explore an unpaved track. the optional running boards do a better job of dirtying trousers and long skirts than serving as truly functional steps, and the quarter-step from the running board into the car is awkward; we'd delete them. it's the rear aspect of the aspen that has the most presence, the view most will have of it in traffic. A strong rear bumper with a deep, non-skid clad step cups the one-piece liftgate. Chrome-like trim on the bumper's end caps tie into the side molding strip. The medallion-and-wing treatment from the grille repeats above the stylized license plate recess. Gently bowed sides and a rounded top give the back end a smaller, less massive look than the rest of the vehicle. A conservatively sized notch centered in the bumper's lower edge makes room for the optional hitch receiver and junction box. unlike the hybrid suvs fro.
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