2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hybrid on Sale

With the first Chrysler Hybrid sold to Lee Iacocca, Chrysler released their new hybrid SUVs, the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid.

After working together with GM and BMW to co-develop the two-mode hybrid system, Chrysler decided to undercut their GM rivals by offering the Aspen and Durango Hybrids for about $5,000 to $8,000 less than their GM counterparts. Add in the $2,200 in tax credits buyers may be eligible for, and you might see why Chrysler would feel good about their chances in competing in the hybrid SUV field.

The fuel economy in all of the new hybrid SUVs has improved about the same. Both hybrid SUVs from Chrysler have improved their fuel economy by about 50 percent in the city, giving them a 20 mpg city and 22 mpg highway rating from the EPA.

That doesn't exactly make them the most fuel efficient vehicles for 2009 on the road, but it certainly makes them much better than their oversized SUV counterparts.

Along with the electric motor, the new hybrid SUVs come with a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with Multi-Displacement System technology along with an electrically variable transmission. Together, the two engines can produce 400 hp and 380 lb.-ft of torque. That gives them a towing capacity of 6,000 lbs.

The 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid are built in Delaware at the Newark Assembly Plant.  But that plant is scheduled to close sometime next year. 

The new hybrid SUVs from Chrysler were introduced at the LA Auto Show back in 2007 and are on sale now.