Chrysler Aspen looks like an escalade clone.

[nofinga911]

haa that silly thing dont even compare to the esco!! comee on noww

[EXTadic]

It's like comparing my weener to a claw hammer. There are some similarities, but they're completely different.

[07slade]

it looks like something I just drove through..yea...now its stuck in my 22'' wheel compared to the aspens 20''s it looks like the durango visited doctor 90210.

[peanut]

I don`t know what you are looking at, But the only things i see that looks alike are the chrome on the sides and the door handles. I can see the roof looking the minivan. But look at the new little mini vans like the scion it has a flat roof like the caddy. I think they both look good for the price range. Thanks

[hueterm]

The Aspen doesn't even touch the not-so-attractive miniscule Cadillac emblem in the grill of the original '99/00 Escalade. Plus, it's the namesake of one of the worst cars of the '70s and is one of the worst SUVs of the '00s. And don't get me started on the original Durango...

Until Jeep makes a Ram-sized Grand Wagoneer Woody -- PASS!

[peanut]

My brother and i both have Escalades, But after i read your posting i looked closer at the Chryslers and the GM models and the Caddy and the GMC look just alike on the out side except for the emblems.

[TSS]

Originally Posted by peanut

My brother and i both have Escalades, But after i read your posting i looked closer at the Chryslers and the GM models and the Caddy and the GMC look just alike on the out side except for the emblems.

You know what, in the right light, it even looks a little bit like a Chevrolet Tahoe too.

As for the Aspen: I don't hate it or love it. I am indifferent to it - which is not somehting that can ever be said about the Lade. The Aspen lacks the character and presence. I really don't see the similarities except for the chrome and general box shape. I will say though, that from the rear AT NIGHT FROM A SERIOUS DISTANCE, I confused a black Aspen for a Lade once because of the similar tailgate chrome. Within a hundred feet or in the daytime, never.

[peanut]

Sorry this was in reply to the Aspen looking like the Durango Not the Lade. The posting was hammering it because it looked like the Durango. And said the Lade looked like nothing else. But thanks

[AMGoff]

For starters... the Aspen really is a nice vehicle and to say it isn't either makes you a snob or in denial. I never really took notice before but they do share a lot of similar lines.. then again that's the nature of the segment. I just think it's funny that some Escalade owner think the comparison is downright blasphemous. In reality the two really stack up well against each other:

Handling Aspen Escalade
Turning Circle 37 ft. 39 ft.
Hauling Aspen Escalade
Max. Cargo Capacity 102 cu. ft. 109 cu. ft.
Max. Payload Capacity 1680 lbs. 1435 lbs.
Max. Towing Capacity 8750 lbs. 7700 lbs.
EPA Mileage Estimates Aspen Escalade
City 14 mpg. 13 mpg.
Highway 18 mpg. 19 mpg.
Range in Miles Aspen Escalade
City 378 mi. 338 mi.
Highway 486 mi. 494 mi.
Fuel Data Aspen Escalade
Fuel Tank Capacity 27 gal. 26 gal.
Fuel Type regular unleaded regular unleaded
Exterior Aspen Escalade
Length 202.1 in.202.5 in.
Width 76 in. 79 in.
Height 73.6 in. 74.3 in.
Weight 5043 lbs. 5665 lbs.
Wheel Base 119.2 in. 116 in.
Ground Clearance 6.9 in. 9 in.
Interior Aspen Escalade
Front Headroom 40.8 in. 41.1 in.
Rear Headroom 39.2 in. 39.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room 59.6 in. 65.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room 59.6 in. 65.2 in.
Front Hip Room 58.8 in. 64.4 in.
Rear Hip Room 57.2 in. 60.8 in.
Front Leg Room 41.4 in. 41.3 in.
Rear Leg Room 37.4 in. 39 in.
Maximum Luggage Capacity 20.1 cu.ft. 16.9 cu.ft.
Maximum Seating 8 8

In reality, the biggest difference between the two is $20,000 price gap. I'm not trying to say that the Escalade isn't nice or anything but the fact remains that the Aspen IS a nice vehicle... the exterior styling is nice and conservative and Chrysler did a great job with the interior. When it comes down to it everyone likes what they like... and if one goes to work, pays their taxes, and can afford to do so then they should drive whatever they like. However, just playing devil's advocate here, I'm sure there might be a few Aspen owners who think an Escalade owner payed $20K for what amounts to nothing more than a wreath and a crest.

[TSS]

And the point is? They are both SUVs and roughly the same size? That is what makes them so similar ?

The Aspen is fine. I have driven one. It is no Escalade however . My Chysler LHS was also no Deville despite both being large front wheel drive sedans of similar dimensions .

[Rolex]

I have thought they look very similar for awhile now.

[c4racer]

Interesting thread. I am in the market for an SUV now. I looked at the Aspen when they first came out, but never drove one. I do remember the interior was a significant improvement over the Durango - which I could never live with the rental car plastic inside that thing. I did drive a Durango a couple years ago and they do drive very nice and the hemi / 5-spd is a very nice drivetrain set-up. I noticed in the paper that one local dealer to me is offering $9K off on all 07 Aspen's in stock. I did a quick search around the area and found that a nicely equipped 4x4 Aspen with everything I need (no nav or DVD but everything else) is $40K sticker. So for $31K it seems like a pretty damn good value considering I am comparing it to $40K for a base Denali and $47.5K for a base Escalade - both 07 advertised closeout pricing.

Is the Escalade really worth $16K more than a similarly equipped Aspen, that has higher tow capacity which is also quite important to me? That is a tough one to answer. I plan to go check them out on Monday. I will post what I find out.