The 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid uses an Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT) to put an efficient combination of electricity- and gas-powered drive on the road while making the most of every gallon of expensive gasoline. Oh, the Chrysler Aspen is one heck of a sport utility vehicle, too. With Aspen, your smiles-per-gallon will go up!

The EVT transmission used in the 2009 Chrysler Aspen was jointly developed by BMW, Chrysler, GM and Mercedes-Benz to put hybrid efficiency into large SUVs. The EVT packs two embedded electric motors and a number of variable and fixed gear ratios. It works in two modes, the first at lower speeds on electric or engine power, the second at higher speeds on a combination of electric and eight- or four-cylinder engine power. The transition is nearly unnoticeable. The longer you operate in four-cylinder mode, the more miles-per-gallon you’ll get.

The Aspen Hybrid achieves 19/20 mpg city/highway, versus 13/18 mpg for an equivalent non-hybrid Aspen. With a starting MSRP under $45,000, this vehicle undercuts GM's 20-mpg Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids by $7,000 and handily out-tows the hybrid SUVs from Toyota and Ford.

The Aspen Hybrid comes in a single, well-equipped Limited trim. Four-wheel drive is standard, and power comes from Chrysler's 5.7-liter HEMI V8 coupled with the EVT. As a "full" hybrid, the Aspen Hybrid can operate on electric or gasoline engine power or a combination of the two.

To help you “drive the meter,” Aspen has an information screen showing the flow of power from the V8, the transmission-embedded motors and the high-voltage battery pack. It also monitors the battery's charge. There's a real-time gas mileage readout with an indicator that shows whether you're driving on electric power, recharging the battery or using the engine. On electric-only power or when the V8 is in four-cylinder mode, the display says "Fuel Saver" — a helpful indicator to encourage frugal driving habits. There is an overhead readout above the windshield that shows cumulative gas mileage. Instead of a tachometer, the Aspen has a unique gauge with zones for battery charging, economic driving and stronger acceleration. The economy section has a green zone that indicates the best mix of fuel efficiency and power.

The Aspen Hybrid can accelerate to around 25 mph in electric-only mode. It is possible to go “all-electric” in bumper-to-bumper freeway traffic without calling on the engine, and the Aspen's high driving position helps you manage your momentum within the traffic stream to stay on the batteries. Driving this way is not only fuel-efficient, but also actually fun! Keep in mind that you have a HEMI in there! The Aspen Hybrid's gas/electric drivetrain packs a combined 385 hp compared to the 335 hp in the conventional 2008 5.7-liter Aspen. The acceleration on full gas and electric power is quick and thanks to the “smart” EVT, quite responsive.

On the Aspen, even the brakes chip in to the power equation. Aspen’s standard four-wheel antilock brakes are configured to provide regenerative braking, recovering energy that is used to charge the battery. In low speed braking, the regenerative braking may be sufficient to slow down without calling for the disc brakes.

In the Aspen Hybrid, you don’t give up utility to gain fuel efficiency. The battery pack sits under the second-row seats, so it doesn’t rob you of space. In other respects (not including the hybrid instrumentation), the Hybrid has the same cabin as the conventional Aspen. The interior with its light gray color scheme is bright and roomy. There are three rows of seats to hold eight people. With the rear-most seat folded, there is more cargo room in the Chrysler Aspen than in the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada or Toyota Sequoia. The 48-inch interior cargo width means you can handle a full-size sheet of plywood.

Safety features include repairable crush areas, the largest brakes in its class, standard ABS, an optional side-curtain airbag system that protects all three rows and a system that will not deploy the front passenger airbag at grocery bags or small children. The bumper matches car bumpers’ height and is designed to engage the crash protection structure of a car in an accident, rather than missing a car's crash barriers and hitting the occupants directly. Finally, there is now Electronic Roll Mitigation standard; it prevents rollovers in conjunction with the stability control and can utilize individual brakes as needed.

At an MSRP of $45,570, the Aspen Hybrid comes loaded: leather upholstery, heated power seats and a navigation system are standard. A full range of options and accessories is available including the requisite “infotainment” systems needed to keep the peace when kids are onboard.

Consider the benefits, run the numbers (Chrysler projects a federal tax credit of $1,800) and factor in the size and utility of the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Hybrid.  The package adds up and makes dollars and sense. The next logical step, of course, is the test drive. Give us a call and we’ll put you behind the wheel of a Chrysler Aspen Hybrid.