Inside, the cockpit is well executed. There is plenty of room (the large exterior dimensions are not misleading), while the environment is versatile and far more refined than the Durango's. However, a couple of little fit and finish imperfections remind us that we're not sitting inside one of those big luxury SUVs.
Behind the wheel, the driving position is commanding and allows great forward visibility. However, the A-pillars are prominent and angled in a way that becomes annoying. As a result, some maneuvers in the city prove to harder than they should.
On the plus side, the Aspen is a true 7-passenger vehicle. It features a comfortable and rather spacious third-row bench. It goes without saying that this area can be easily converted into cargo space when there's no one to use it -- thanks to a power-folding mechanism. Speaking of cargo, the Aspen impresses with its 2,897-liter total capacity (behind the second row). For those who wish to use the Aspen for towing duties, you'll be happy to hear that Chrysler included a standard towing package almost good enough to pull your entire house. The maximum towing capacity is rated at 3,969 kilos.
All about power
Chrysler could not have created an SUV like the Aspen without offering the all-world power of the legendary HEMI engine. Under the hood is a standard 5.7L HEMI V8 engine that produces 335 hp at 5,200 rpm and 370 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Thusly equipped and despite a fairly slow 5-speed automatic transmission, my tester was able to sprint from 0 to 100 kph in a reasonable time of 10.6 seconds.
Some might see the Aspen as another big gas-guzzler, but they would be wrong. My trip to Detroit and then back to Montreal, mainly on the highway but accompanied by four large men and their luggage, resulted in an average fuel economy of 12.6 L/100 km. I even made a few passing maneuvers with my right foot aggressively depressing the throttle.
Obviously, there were a few (actually, several) irritating aspects about the Aspen. First, the mere fact that the Durango exists makes me wonder if the arrival of the Aspen is really necessary. And then there's the high price, the numb steering and the outrageous size of this Chrysler SUV. Nevertheless, the Aspen is nicely fulfilling its large SUV mission. Will it be able to leave its mark on the Canadian market? Consumers will have the last word, but let's just say that the margin of error is thin.
photo:Philippe Champoux
Behind the wheel, the driving position is commanding and allows great forward visibility. However, the A-pillars are prominent and angled in a way that becomes annoying. As a result, some maneuvers in the city prove to harder than they should.
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| The Aspen can accommodate up to 7 passengers. |
On the plus side, the Aspen is a true 7-passenger vehicle. It features a comfortable and rather spacious third-row bench. It goes without saying that this area can be easily converted into cargo space when there's no one to use it -- thanks to a power-folding mechanism. Speaking of cargo, the Aspen impresses with its 2,897-liter total capacity (behind the second row). For those who wish to use the Aspen for towing duties, you'll be happy to hear that Chrysler included a standard towing package almost good enough to pull your entire house. The maximum towing capacity is rated at 3,969 kilos.
All about power
Chrysler could not have created an SUV like the Aspen without offering the all-world power of the legendary HEMI engine. Under the hood is a standard 5.7L HEMI V8 engine that produces 335 hp at 5,200 rpm and 370 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Thusly equipped and despite a fairly slow 5-speed automatic transmission, my tester was able to sprint from 0 to 100 kph in a reasonable time of 10.6 seconds.
Some might see the Aspen as another big gas-guzzler, but they would be wrong. My trip to Detroit and then back to Montreal, mainly on the highway but accompanied by four large men and their luggage, resulted in an average fuel economy of 12.6 L/100 km. I even made a few passing maneuvers with my right foot aggressively depressing the throttle.
Obviously, there were a few (actually, several) irritating aspects about the Aspen. First, the mere fact that the Durango exists makes me wonder if the arrival of the Aspen is really necessary. And then there's the high price, the numb steering and the outrageous size of this Chrysler SUV. Nevertheless, the Aspen is nicely fulfilling its large SUV mission. Will it be able to leave its mark on the Canadian market? Consumers will have the last word, but let's just say that the margin of error is thin.
 |
| A stately and capable SUV. |
photo:Philippe Champoux
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