Chrysler Aspen Hybrid SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The Chrysler Aspen Hybrid is a hybrid engine version of the Chrysler Aspen full-size SUV. The Chrysler Aspen Hybrid is available as four-wheel drive only vehicle yet its hybrid engine is designed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.
The features of the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid include those of the J package of the Chrysler Aspen with leather upholstery for the first and second rows, 18-inch chrome alloy wheels, a navigation system with real-time traffic, remote ignition, front seats that are heated with an option for heated second row seats, automatic climate control, a passenger seat that is powered four ways and a driver seat that is powered eight ways, memory functions for the driver seat, power-adjustable pedals, wood trim on the dashboard and doors, an audio system with nine speakers, AM/FM radio in the dashboard, CD.DVD player with the ability to play MP3 files and other multi-media files, satellite radio, and USB and iPod connection, leather and wood steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Specs:
The engine in the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid is a two-mode hybrid gas-electric system with an electrically continuously variable transmission. The system includes a gas engine which is a Hemi 5.7 liter V8 and with electric motors with four fixed gears. The Hemi V8 engine is designed with the Multi-Displacement System from Chrysler which can shut down four cylinders under light loads to conserve fuel. Together the gas engine and electric motors can produce 385 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. At speeds of under 30 mph, the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid can operate on electric power alone and above this speed, the gasoline engine kicks in. One advantage of the hybrid engine is that it is completely stopped when the vehicle is halted which helps to save on fuel economy in the stop-and-go traffic of rush hour. The battery pack is located under the second row of seats and is charged by regenerative braking.
Fuel economy for the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
Safety features for the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid include stability and traction control, head airbags for all three rows of seats as well as side curtain airbags, ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes, front fog and rear driving lights, trailer sway control, and rear door child safety locks. The Chrysler Aspen Hybrid earned a five-star rating for the protection of front occupants in frontal crash testing run by the government.
The interior of the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid is comprised of somewhat inexpensive materials with some wood trim to upgrade the appearance. Space can be on the tight side for those sitting in the second and third rows but storage capacity is as much as 102 cubic feet with the third row of seats folded down. The main feature is the digital entertainment options with television, 30 Gigabytes of storage for multi-media files and satellite radio which is an attraction for kids and tech-savvy parents.
The drive of the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid is different from that of other vehicles, with a truck-like feel but an electric whir at low speeds when the Hemi is not being utilized. The hybrid combination offers a great deal of power and the electric mode at low speeds can serve to maximize fuel economy.
The features of the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid include those of the J package of the Chrysler Aspen with leather upholstery for the first and second rows, 18-inch chrome alloy wheels, a navigation system with real-time traffic, remote ignition, front seats that are heated with an option for heated second row seats, automatic climate control, a passenger seat that is powered four ways and a driver seat that is powered eight ways, memory functions for the driver seat, power-adjustable pedals, wood trim on the dashboard and doors, an audio system with nine speakers, AM/FM radio in the dashboard, CD.DVD player with the ability to play MP3 files and other multi-media files, satellite radio, and USB and iPod connection, leather and wood steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Specs:
The engine in the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid is a two-mode hybrid gas-electric system with an electrically continuously variable transmission. The system includes a gas engine which is a Hemi 5.7 liter V8 and with electric motors with four fixed gears. The Hemi V8 engine is designed with the Multi-Displacement System from Chrysler which can shut down four cylinders under light loads to conserve fuel. Together the gas engine and electric motors can produce 385 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. At speeds of under 30 mph, the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid can operate on electric power alone and above this speed, the gasoline engine kicks in. One advantage of the hybrid engine is that it is completely stopped when the vehicle is halted which helps to save on fuel economy in the stop-and-go traffic of rush hour. The battery pack is located under the second row of seats and is charged by regenerative braking.
Fuel economy for the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
Safety features for the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid include stability and traction control, head airbags for all three rows of seats as well as side curtain airbags, ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes, front fog and rear driving lights, trailer sway control, and rear door child safety locks. The Chrysler Aspen Hybrid earned a five-star rating for the protection of front occupants in frontal crash testing run by the government.
The interior of the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid is comprised of somewhat inexpensive materials with some wood trim to upgrade the appearance. Space can be on the tight side for those sitting in the second and third rows but storage capacity is as much as 102 cubic feet with the third row of seats folded down. The main feature is the digital entertainment options with television, 30 Gigabytes of storage for multi-media files and satellite radio which is an attraction for kids and tech-savvy parents.
The drive of the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid is different from that of other vehicles, with a truck-like feel but an electric whir at low speeds when the Hemi is not being utilized. The hybrid combination offers a great deal of power and the electric mode at low speeds can serve to maximize fuel economy.
