What type of vehicle is a Chrysler Aspen?
The Chrysler Aspen is a full-size, three-row sport-utility vehicle produced by Chrysler from 2007 to 2009.
It was built on the Dodge Durango platform and uses traditional body-on-frame construction, designed to deliver seating for up to seven and notable towing capability in a large SUV package.
Overview
Design and platform
The Aspen shares its primary underpinnings with the Dodge Durango, using a traditional body-on-frame construction that was typical of large SUVs in the 2000s. It was positioned as a robust family hauler and SUV capable of handling both on-road daily use and light-duty off-road or trail use when equipped with four-wheel drive.
Performance and specifications
Engine options included a 4.7-liter V8 and a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle offered rear-wheel drive as standard with four-wheel drive available, and could accommodate up to seven passengers depending on seating configuration. Towing capacity typically ranged around 6,000 to 7,400 pounds depending on equipment and configuration.
Before the list that follows, readers should note the Aspen's brief production window and its place in Chrysler's late-2000s model lineup.
Key characteristics
- Full-size, three-row SUV with seating for up to seven
- Based on the Dodge Durango platform with body-on-frame construction
- Engine options: 4.7L V8 or 5.7L Hemi V8
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive standard; four-wheel drive available
- Model years: 2007 through 2009
These characteristics illustrate the Aspen's niche as a traditional, if short-lived, large SUV in Chrysler's lineup of the late 2000s.
Production timeline
To map its lifecycle, here are the key production milestones for the Chrysler Aspen.
- 2007: Introduction of the Chrysler Aspen as a full-size, three-row SUV, built on the Dodge Durango platform.
- 2008: Continued sales with available trims and options; the model remains a part of Chrysler's SUV offerings.
- 2009: End of production as Chrysler restructures its lineup following the financial crisis; remaining stock sold through that model year.
These milestones mark the Chrysler Aspen's brief but notable presence in the late-2000s SUV market.
Market reception and legacy
Despite its capability and size, the Aspen struggled to gain lasting traction in a market increasingly leaning toward more fuel-efficient crossovers. Chrysler discontinued the model after the 2009 model year as part of a broader restructuring and portfolio consolidation in the wake of financial difficulties. The Aspen remains a reference point for Chrysler's brief foray into traditional, body-on-frame SUVs in the modern era.
Summary
The Chrysler Aspen is a full-size, three-row SUV produced for a brief period (2007–2009), built on the Dodge Durango platform with body-on-frame construction. It offered seating for up to seven, optional V8 power, and four-wheel-drive capability, representing Chrysler's late-2000s approach to large SUV styling before shifts toward more modern crossovers.
