New Dodge Models

Chrysler's first foray into the hybrid market affects its two full-size SUV twins, the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango. Using a two-mode hybrid system co-developed with GM, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, the hybrid versions of both SUVs purportedly yield 40 percent better city mileage than their gasoline counterparts. The Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids, which use the same two-mode technology, are the Durango's main competitors. 

The Dodge Journey is an all-new crossover that's available in five- and seven-seat versions. Available with four-cylinder or V-6 power, the Journey can have either front- or all-wheel drive. It hits dealerships in the first quarter of 2008 and faces a number of competitors, including the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Tribeca and Toyota Highlander. 

The redesigned 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 emphasizes aerodynamic styling with a unique "grille-forward" design, ride comfort with a coil-spring rear suspension and storage innovation with the RamBox. Dodge also addressed the basics with more power in the Hemi engine and a radically improved interior.  

Last year, the light-duty Dodge Ram 1500 pickup was overhauled by Chrysler. This year, the Ram 1500's big brothers, the Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups, get their turn. 

Last year, the light-duty Dodge Ram 1500 pickup was overhauled by Chrysler. This year, the Ram 1500's big brothers, the Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups, get their turn.  

The Dodge Avenger shores up Chrysler's midsize sedan lineup. The Avenger succeeds the Stratus and plays a sportier second fiddle to Chrysler's Sebring sedan. Trim levels include the SE, the midlevel SXT and the sporty R/T. The midsize sedan market is populated with dozens of able competitors; comparable Avenger sedans include the Kia Optima and Ford Fusion. 

The Dodge Avenger shores up Chrysler's midsize-sedan lineup. The Avenger succeeds the Stratus and plays a sportier second fiddle to Chrysler's Sebring sedan. Trim levels include the midlevel SXT and sporty R/T. The midsize-sedan market is populated with dozens of able competitors; comparable Avenger sedans include the Kia Optima and Ford Fusion.  

The Caliber, a five-seat, four-door hatchback, competes in a class that includes the Saturn Astra, Toyota Matrix and Volkswagen Rabbit. The Caliber has a high-performance SRT4 model, as well as SE, SXT and R/T trim levels. 

After last year's limited run of high-performance SRT8 models, Chrysler has filled out the Challenger's lineup, including two more trim levels for 2009: SE and R/T. This big, American two-door coupe seats five and is based on Chrysler's underpinnings to the Charger and 300 sedans. Competition includes the Ford Mustang and upcoming Chevrolet Camaro. 

This big, American two-door coupe seats five and is based on Chrysler's underpinnings to the Charger and 300 sedans. Competition includes the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.  

While the Charger name is a throwback to the 1970s coupe, the underpinnings and design are modern. The Charger comes in SE, SXT and R/T trims. There's also a high-performance SRT8 model. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but SXT and R/T models are available with all-wheel drive. Its main competitors are full-size American sedans like the Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus and Pontiac G8.  

While the Charger name is a throwback to the 1970s coupe, the underpinnings and design are modern. The Charger comes in SE, SXT and R/T trims. There's also a high-performance SRT8 model. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but SXT and R/T models are available with all-wheel drive. Its main competitors are full-size American sedans like the Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus and Pontiac G8. 

The Dodge Dakota is the perfect size for many truck consumers; it's not too small or too big. The problem is that incentives on full-size trucks, like the Dodge Ram, put pressure on potential Dakota buyers to purchase larger trucks. 

The Dodge Dakota is the perfect size for many pickup truck consumers; it's not too small or too big. The problem is that incentives on full-size trucks, like the Dodge Ram, put pressure on potential Dakota buyers to purchase larger trucks. 

The Dodge Durango offers a wide variety of engines and transmissions, including a V-6, two V-8s, and four- and five-speed automatic transmissions. There is also a full-hybrid option that uses the Hemi V-8. The vehicle is available in SE, SLT and Limited editions. The Durango competes with the Chevy Tahoe, Toyota Sequoia and Ford Expedition. The Durango can seat up to eight with an optional three-place third row and a bench in the second row. 

The Grand Caravan and Town & Country twins are the last remaining minivans offered by an American automaker. Unlike GM and Ford, minivan-originator Dodge has held its own against the competitive likes of Honda's Odyssey and Toyota's Sienna. These models sit on one end of the minivan spectrum, with low-cost alternatives like the Kia Sedona at the other. 

The Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country twins are the last remaining minivans offered by an American automaker. The minivan-originator, the Grand Caravan, is offered in two trim levels, SE and SXT, with a long list of interior, exterior and mechanical options. 

The Dodge Journey is a crossover that's available in five- and seven-seat versions. Available with four-cylinder or V-6 power, the Journey can have either front- or all-wheel drive. It faces a number of competitors, including the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Tribeca and Toyota Highlander. The Journey comes in SE, SXT and R/T trims.  

The Nitro, which is related to the Jeep Liberty, features Dodge's distinctive crosshair grille and comes in base SE, midlevel SLT and high-performance R/T versions. Nitro competitors include the Nissa Xterra and Suzuki Grand Vitara. 

The Nitro, which is related to the Jeep Liberty, features Dodge's distinctive crosshair grille and comes in base SE and midlevel SXT versions. Nitro competitors include the Nissa Xterra and Suzuki Grand Vitara. It seats five in two rows of seats. 

The Dodge Ram 1500 light-duty pickup truck emphasizes aerodynamic styling with a unique grille-forward design; ride comfort with a segment-exclusive coil-spring rear suspension; and storage innovation with the RamBox. Dodge also addresses the basics with more power in the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and an excellent interior. 

The Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups will follow their 1500 brother in getting a full makeover for the 2010 model year. For now, however, the Ram heavy-duty trucks are mostly carryovers from 2008.  

The Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups will follow their 1500 brother in getting a full makeover for the 2010 model year. For now, however, the Ram heavy-duty trucks are mostly carryovers from 2008.  

Designed specifically for commercial applications as a passenger, cargo or chassis cab van, the Sprinter can be built on one of two wheelbases with three different roof heights. The Sprinter competes in a class with the Chevrolet Express, Ford E-Series Wagon and GMC Savana.  

Designed specifically for commercial applications as passenger, cargo or chassis-cab vans, the Sprinter can be built on one of two wheelbases with one of three roof heights. The Sprinter competes in a class with the Chevrolet Express, Ford E-Series Wagon and GMC Savana. 

Designed specifically for commercial applications as a passenger, cargo or chassis cab van, the Sprinter can be built on one of two wheelbases with three different roof heights. The Sprinter competes in a class with the Chevrolet Express, Ford E-Series Wagon and GMC Savana.  

The Viper SRT10 is part of an elite group of exotic performance roadsters. The Viper remains a purist's dream, one of the last sports cars that's still yet to offer electronic stability or traction control. The Viper comes in coupe and convertible models. The vehicle's main competition is the Chevy Corvette and the Porsche 911.