Chrysler lowballs price of its SUV hybrids, starting at $45,340

[Canyonaro]

Even still you are purcahsing an Aspen for $45k+.....I would pass, they aren't that good in hardly any way, nor are they a looker and that would break the deal for me.

Originally Posted by LibertyKJ

Chrysler is not offering a 2WD version of its hybrid. Chrysler's top level 4X4 equipped model starts at $38K (a bit more palatable). If they go the route everyone else has and prepackage uplevel options standard with the hybrid as most manufacturers do, it will be comparable to a $40K+ gasser Aspen, which does make the Hybrid price an enticing deal.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Buick61

What's with the vitriol directed to Chrysler?

All of what you said could be also said of the GM entries into this field: Dubious fuel economy gains? Check. Reduced towing capacity? Check. Poor Resale value (which is true of any Full Size SUV today)? Check. High MSRP? Check. Similar MPGs to slightly smaller SUVs offered by the company? Check.

So.....I really don't understand your post. At least Chrysler put a more realistic price on these than GM did.

No vitriol for Chrysler that wasn't earned (resale value). In general I just find the whole $45-50K 20MPG hybrid SUV thing not the market Detroit should be targeting right now. I don't see this as the kind of huge seller that GM and Chrysler were hoping for. The magic bullet SUV we were promised a couple of years ago.

My "vitriol" is also an extreme disappointment that I feel every time I try to talk a co-worker out of buying a Prius or Civic hybrid --- these are people trading in SUVs - I just rode in a friend's SUV yesterday and he is going to a Civic Hybrid. I discussed GM hybrids and his accurate response was:

"Yeah, but those hybrids don't get Prius like fuel economy."

My snappy reply ' "but for vehicle type X they do!" --- was met with "I just commute with this, and it doesn't make sense to commute with an SUV anymore."

Am I bitter? Yes, because I see my co-workers and friends leaning ever more toward Toyohonda, and I have nothing except Volt promises to offer them as a GM fan. It stinks. And the 'everybody needs an SUV so we'll build expensive SUV hybrids' mindset stinks.

At best these are niche vehicles. And I'm not really sure who they are targeting for the price. Not rural bubbas who'd be better off with a stripper SUV, and not the latte-sipping elites who want to show their environmentalism on their sleeves. Even suburbanites are hurting in this economy with all of the foreclosures, though GM and Chrysler could not have predicted that.

GM still needs an inexpensive high MPG fuel-miser hybrid. I thought they were working on one with Suzuki and Daewoo. But I haven't heard a word on that for 2 years now.

An initially low-volume and hard to get $35,000 MSRP Volt will not be the panacea GM fans are hoping for.

I want to be positive but it gets harder every time I hear water cooler talk of a Prius or Civic, and my interjections with GM alternatives are scoffed at as less fuel efficient.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by Ming

No vitriol for Chrysler that wasn't earned (resale value). In general I just find the whole $45-50K 20MPG hybrid SUV thing not the market Detroit should be targeting right now. I don't see this as the kind of huge seller that GM and Chrysler were hoping for. The magic bullet SUV we were promised a couple of years ago.

My "vitriol" is also an extreme disappointment that I feel every time I try to talk a co-worker out of buying a Prius or Civic hybrid --- these are people trading in SUVs - I just rode in a friend's SUV yesterday and he is going to a Civic Hybrid. I discussed GM hybrids and his accurate response was:

"Yeah, but those hybrids don't get Prius like fuel economy."

My snappy reply ' "but for vehicle type X they do!" --- was met with "I just commute with this, and it doesn't make sense to commute with an SUV anymore."

Am I bitter? Yes, because I see my co-workers and friends leaning ever more toward Toyohonda, and I have nothing except Volt promises to offer them as a GM fan. It stinks. And the 'everybody needs an SUV so we'll build expensive SUV hybrids' mindset stinks.

At best these are niche vehicles. And I'm not really sure who they are targeting for the price. Not rural bubbas who'd be better off with a stripper SUV, and not the latte-sipping elites who want to show their environmentalism on their sleeves. Even suburbanites are hurting in this economy with all of the foreclosures, though GM and Chrysler could not have predicted that.

GM still needs an inexpensive high MPG fuel-miser hybrid. I thought they were working on one with Suzuki and Daewoo. But I haven't heard a word on that for 2 years now.

An initially low-volume and hard to get $35,000 MSRP Volt will not be the panacea GM fans are hoping for.

I want to be positive but it gets harder every time I hear water cooler talk of a Prius or Civic, and my interjections with GM alternatives are scoffed at as less fuel efficient.

Well, your initial post had a very anti-Chrysler tone--as if their entry to this market was utter garbage, while this post has more to do with your disappointment with GM's hybrid approach in general. If that's the place you're coming from, then I can see why you were so down on the Durango/Aspen Hemi Hybrids. But it came across as if you're just another person piling on Chrysler.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Buick61

Well, your initial post had a very anti-Chrysler tone--as if their entry to this market was utter garbage, while this post has more to do with your disappointment with GM's hybrid approach in general. If that's the place you're coming from, then I can see why you were so down on the Durango/Aspen Hemi Hybrids. But it came across as if you're just another person piling on Chrysler.

I have goodwill towards Chrysler in general. I owned a Dakota (with some awful fuel economy), and wanted a Magnum before gas prices went up. I considered a Jeep Patriot, too. Dodge is often on my buying radar - Chrysler, not so much as it often looks like a Mercury-like rebadge brand for Dodge. Seems that Dodge has serious problems with fuel economy in general, however. I recall seeing the sticker MPG's for the Avenger at a local mall and being shocked with the low numbers for what looks like a small car. 17MPG city or something? At least the Caliber and Patriot impressed me. If the Patriot had better standard equipment I might be in one right now.

[prototype66]

Originally Posted by eaton53

How long has the one you've got left been on the lot?

Me thinks a week or two. not sure seeing I work across the street from the main building. Still seems like a short time though. Our dude that does the new vehicle training has had one for awhile now and he says if you dont "learn" to drive it like a hybrid it acts just like a regular Tahoe. I only noticewd the difference in driving "feel" when the regen breaking does it's thing but it was an insignificant difference.

[CrunkedRL]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

How exactly is the Lambda larger if you mean wider...then yes. But the Aspen is longer, taller, has a longer wheelbase, better turning radius, more ground clearance etc. Interior room is pretty close too.

Cost and equipment is speculation at this point.......we don't know what that $45k brings to the table.

I'll give you ride, and looks....Lamba quadrulets will win there.

But mpg is questionable too. If one drives mostly in the city, I would suspect the dual-mode Chysler hybrid will get better fuel mileage than the Lambdas.

The lambdas are actually an inch longer than the Durango/Aspen twins, check the specs.

[vcs2600]

GM has sold less than 1000 hybrid Tahoe/Yukons, these products are curiosities and "green marketing" at best.

[prototype66]

A full blown big boy AWD Acadia/Enclave/Outlook is rated at 16/22.
Vs a Nitro/Patriot ????????
I recently sold a Caliber and a couple of weeks later the dude came back just to say hi and said he has only getting around 20 mpg combined. seems really low for a smallish "car"

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by CrunkedRL

The lambdas are actually an inch longer than the Durango/Aspen twins, check the specs.

Yeah thanks buddy, I did: http://autos.msn.com/research/compar...5125&v=t105116

According to MSN.com the Aspen is one tenth of one inch longer. I'd call it a tie if anything, but I certainly wouldn't say the Lambdas are 1" longer.

Heck Chrysler lists the overall length at 202.1", and GMC lists the Acadia at 200.7". Saturn has its Outlook listed at 201.1"
http://www-5.chrysler.com/vehsuite/VehicleCompare.jsp
http://www.gmc.com/acadia/acadia/specsDimension.jsp
http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicle...ok/pricing.jsp

[prototype66]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

Yeah thanks buddy, I did: http://autos.msn.com/research/compar...5125&v=t105116

According to MSN.com the Aspen is one tenth of one inch longer. I'd call it a tie if anything, but I certainly wouldn't say the Lambdas are 1" longer.

Heck Chrysler lists the overall length at 202.1", and GMC lists the Acadia at 200.7". Saturn has its Outlook listed at 201.1"
http://www-5.chrysler.com/vehsuite/VehicleCompare.jsp
http://www.gmc.com/acadia/acadia/specsDimension.jsp
http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicle...ok/pricing.jsp

Sometimes an inch extra is all it takes!(at leased thats what she said!)
In this case however it is nothing of significance.an inch on a 100+ 4500 lb vehicle..........nothing.

[jry]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Also, aren't the Aspen and Durango smaller than the GM full sizers? Smaller vehicles that cost less than larger ones? Imagine that!

Yes and true.
I'll pass.....

[PhishPhood]

Originally Posted by BMW FAN

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/17/c...ing-at-45-340/

The Aspen/Durango are not in the same size class as the Tahoe/Yukon. They are 'tweeners. Not midsized but not full sized either.

[ColoradoZQ8]

Originally Posted by logansowner

Any mention of the fact that the GM SUV's are 734 times better in every way than the Aspen?

I have seen approximately...1...of these Chrysler SUV's- and I didn't like it. Apparently neither did anyone else because it's a 2007 still on the lot.

Well, I think bias in getting in your way.
The Aspen may not be class-leading -- and its sales volume targets were never set to Escalade levels.... I'd take an Aspen over a Lincoln Navigator -- the available Hemi powertrain still remains an impressive offering, far better than Ford's OHC V8.

Are the Escalade/Tahoe/Suburban better? I hope so, they are considerably newer.

[ColoradoZQ8]

Originally Posted by Ming

I also think the Aspen is an embarassing rebadge for this day that harkens back to the original Escalade, and I can't imagine it's really a strong value when put up against a Durango --- and the resale value on these, last I read, (Aspen and Durango both) is in the toilet. As long as they keep the nameplate they are likely to get the toilet treatment from mags like CR. The hybrids may only fare slightly better in that department.

Give it a rest.
Name one body-on-frame SUV that doesn't its resale value in the toilet.
Chrysler SUV's aren't the only ones suffering from the high gas prices.

[ponchoman49]

They are both about 8 grand overpriced and apparently the public agrees as sales have been far from stellar so it's all a moot point now.