By Bill Zervakos & Cathy Droz
Bill Z. I’ve often wondered how manufacturers come up with names for their new vehicles. Case in point, Chrysler’s all-new 2007 Aspen full-size sport utility vehicle. For me, when I hear the word Aspen, I think about swooshing down ski slopes or sitting on a deck overlooking the mountains in Colorado while sipping a glass of Pinot Noir.
Cathy D. – First of all Bill, you don’t ski or drink wine, and secondly manufacturers don’t always name cars with a particular visual inspiration in mind but rather a function. I suppose Chrysler decided to build a strong SUV because it was a segment of their business they were missing. Sure, they have a mini van but not all women with car pool duties and entrepreneurial careers want to drive a mini van.
Bill Z. – Good point Cathy. The new Aspen is in fact, an up to 8 passenger SUV that offers a pretty nice mixture of form and function. Back in the days, when my children were of car set age, we were faced with having only two choices. There was the dreaded station wagon to haul the kids around in or buy a cool performance car and squeeze the kids in whether it was the safest thing to do or not.
Cathy D. – That is true, my firstborn’s car seat was tethered into the passenger seat of a MGB convertible. After only one week of that, we bought a station wagon. I hated to give up the fun car, but as you said, there were few choices. That’s why I liked the Aspen; Chrysler was able to combine power and safety and put it into a stylish SUV.
Bill Z. –There aren’t a lot of vehicles like the Aspen, with the 5.7 HEMI engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, that offer 330 hp which is a healthy dose of performance. Even thought the word HEMI garners thoughts of a gas guzzler, the Multi Displacement System, deactivates 4 of the 8 cylinders at cruising speeds, helps with fuel economy. Chrysler actually states a fuel economy savings of 20%.
Cathy D. - Besides the fuel savings, the Aspen offers some important features moms want and need in their family vehicles. The convenience of the power-rear lift gate and the remote start for heating up or cooling down the SUV before we even get in, is fantastic. The rear-seat DVD entertainment system is a wonderful way to keep the kids occupied, huge cargo space and the rear backup system, which I believe goes hand in hand with the importance of seatbelts, is standard on the Aspen. Standard as well are side air curtain airbags for all three rows, antilock brakes and ERM which stands for Electronic Roll Mitigation. This system attempts to predict rollovers using information from the stability system, and it can apply individual brakes in an attempt to keep the Aspen on all fours. All three rows of seats are constructed for easy car seat access and tethering.
Bill Z. – All of those features are important when you’re transporting a family on a daily basis. However I, like many other men, I want a vehicle that can really move down the highway, look good and handle confidently, as well as safely transport people. I think Chrysler was listening when they built the Aspen. Its formal design makes it undeniably a Chrysler product, and Chrysler even calls the Aspen the 300C of SUVs. There is a sibling similarity with the grille and the winged Chrysler badge and of course, the ubiquitous 20” tire and wheel combo one often sees on the 300 series cars. The Aspen is big on amenities, but it is in fact smaller than many of the other full-size SUV’s on the market.
Cathy D. – Well then Bill, the Aspen in perfect for you and me and other moms and dads who want to own a family vehicle and not give up the performance and good looks of their one-time couple transporter. Or, empty nesters like you and me who transport our grandchildren on occasion and wish to do so with safety and style.
Bill Z - You didn’t have to let people know I’m a grandfather.
Cathy D. - Sorry, but I think everyone knew how old you were when you said the station wagon was your only choice “back in the day”. Age doesn’t matter with the Chrysler Aspen, I only wish it had been around when I was carpooling and raising my family.
Specifications:
Engine:
5.7 liter V8 HEMI 345hp @ 5400
370 lb-ft torque @ 4200
Curb Weight 5043
Tow Capacity 8750
Price:
Base 2wd $30,720
Limited 4X4 J package as tested, $39,160
EPA Est. 14/20
Base Warranty 36 months 36,000 miles
