Photo: Chrysler
Despite the fact that the market for big, three-row crossovers continues to grow, it's rather surprising that Chrysler, as an automaker, has never had a vehicle to fill this role. While it’s had small CUVs like the Dodge Journey and bigger SUVs like the Dodge Durango, Chrysler has mainly relied on its popular minivans to compete against efficient, family-friendly people movers.
That is, of course, until Chrysler’s full-size crossover arrives in 2018. Back in May, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced the five-year plans for many of its brands, and the Chrysler brand’s new crossover was mentioned ever so briefly in that report, but Motor Trend talked to Chrysler president and CEO Al Gardner to get a better idea about what could very well become Chrysler’s volume seller.
Rather than a Chrysler Aspen redux, Gardner says this new yet-to-be-named crossover will be roomier than the current Durango and its front-wheel-drive platform will help it go up against bigger three-row crossovers like the Chevrolet Traverse, Nissan Pathfinder and Honda Pilot. This almost certainly means that the new CUV will ride on a platform shared with the next-gen minivan (due out in 2017), and the two distinct models will share powertrain components.
The article says that Chrysler’s duo of Pentastar V-6 engines (3.2-liter and 3.6-liter) are likely to be found under the hoods of both models, and Chrysler has already said that the minivan and CUV will benefit from a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. There are still few details about the next-gen Town & Country or the all-new CUV, but the addition of these two models – and the new compact Chrysler 100 – could help Chrysler become the volume brand of FCA.
Rather than a Chrysler Aspen redux, Gardner says this new yet-to-be-named crossover will be roomier than the current Durango and its front-wheel-drive platform will help it go up against bigger three-row crossovers like the Chevrolet Traverse, Nissan Pathfinder and Honda Pilot. This almost certainly means that the new CUV will ride on a platform shared with the next-gen minivan (due out in 2017), and the two distinct models will share powertrain components.
The article says that Chrysler’s duo of Pentastar V-6 engines (3.2-liter and 3.6-liter) are likely to be found under the hoods of both models, and Chrysler has already said that the minivan and CUV will benefit from a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. There are still few details about the next-gen Town & Country or the all-new CUV, but the addition of these two models – and the new compact Chrysler 100 – could help Chrysler become the volume brand of FCA.
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