2002 Chryslers, Dodges, and Jeeps
"Official" List of Changes from 2001

We are not responsible for errors or omissions. Source: Chrysler press materials.

Essential links: 2002 Dodge Ram | 2002 Jeep Liberty | News | Squads | 2001 Changes

Contents: Dodge - Dodge Truck - Jeep - Chrysler

Highlights

Neon finally getting four-speed automatic - and a surprise (but optional!) 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty!
New Stratus R/T Sedan with five-speed/V6 combination! It's for real!
New Sebring Convertible GTC with five-speed manual / V6 combination!
Intrepid gets 3.5 liter engine instead of 3.2
Special Edition 300M
Grand Cherokee Overland with high-performance 4.7 and real wood trim
5-speed automatic in Durango
New Caravan/Voyager option packages include substantial price cuts

Across the board

Substantial price cuts to avoid the need for constant incentives
New engine computer combines engine and transmission controls
Models and options juggled: "price classes" replace option packages
Location of badging changed on many models
3.2 liter engine replaced by 3.5 as part of a standardization drive - in 2002, the 3.2 and three-speed automatic are both eliminated. When the Wrangler is next revised, the 2.5 and 4.0 liter AMC engines are expected to be eliminated as well. We expect and hope that the current four speed automatic is also quickly phased out.

Dodge

Neon

Finally gets the four-speed automatic! (41TE, 3.75:1 final drive ratio) - the three speed seems to be gone, no doubt as part of DCX's "cost savings through parts reduction" effort (not unlike Lee Iaccoca's standardization drive of the 1980s).
- Gas mileage now 24 city, 31 highway (automatic), 27 city, 33 highway (manual) - still fairly low due to power-oriented gearing
"New grille" turns out to be mainly a revised Dodge insignia
"Standard option" packages changed. SE includes CD, a/c, power everything, Sentry Key™.
Five-year, 60,000-mile zero-deductible warranty with towing allowance, roadside assistance, rental car allowance
Optional side airbags, remote keyless entry, security alarm
New rear view mirror with compass and outside temp indicator—Optional SE, ES and R/T with Leather Group - a nice touch
Rear seat Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system standard! That should save a few lives.

Caravan

Grand Caravan EX and ES both get 3.8 V6
EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center) with customer programmable features - if this is like the one on the Grand Cherokee, it's a real plus.
Tire pressure monitor—low/high-pressure indication for all tires
Rear seat courtesy reading lamps and overhead passenger assist handles
Slight change to front fascia
Power-adjustable pedals option (not on EX)
Minor changes to options
Fancy new rear seat audio system with cassette, CD, wireless remote, and dual wireless headphones (Sport and ES)
Optional steering wheel radio controls added to the power accessory delay feature (ES)

Intrepid

New options including cargo net, remote keyless entry
Two 3.5 liter engine options - the SOHC 3.5 replaces the 3.2 liter engine and produces 234 horsepower, 241 lb-ft of torque. The higher-performance 244 horsepower version, with an electronically controlled manifold tuning valve, is on the R/T. Again, this is probably part of a standardization drive, since the 3.2 pretty much disappears.
ABS now includes electronic distribution
Rear Spoiler included on R/T along with adjustable lumbar support
Rear Seat includes LATCH Child Seat Anchorage System—Lower anchors and tether-ready upper anchors
Natural Vacuum Leak Detection (NVLD) Evaporative Emission Control Monitoring to enhance fuel vapor emission control
Intrepid squad car to be produced - this has been known for some time, and a prototype was tested by the Michigan State Police (this item not provided by Chrysler)

Stratus

New Dodge Stratus R/T sedan! (mid-year introduction), with 2.7 liter V-6 and - we reported this but did not believe it - a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic! AutoStick® will be available. The R/T will have a hydraulic clutch release system, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, unlimited top-speed engine controller, performance suspension with front and rear stabilizer bar, 0.6 inch lower height, P215/50R17 Michelin Pilot® HX MXM4 all-season performance tires, and Vertex 17-inch aluminum wheels.
Stratus Coupe: optional AutoStick® on R/T; P205/60HR16 standard on SE; Battery Saver.

Dodge truck

New Dodge Ram
No changes to Ram Van, Ram Van Wagon, Ram 2500, Ram 3500

Dakota:

New SXT model with regular and Club Cab® bodies includes sixteen inch tires, aluminum wheels, rear stabilizer bar, appearance package
Increased payloads on some models
Larger P235/75R15 Tires standard on two-wheel-drive Quad Cab™
Electronic brake apportioning on rear wheel antilock brake systems
Optional three-channel garage door opener
AM/FM Stereo Radio with cassette player, changer controls and three-band equalizer made standard
Door structure revised for dynamic side impact protection
Brake-shift interlock (automatic transmission only)—must depress brake pedal before shifting out of Park

Durango

New SXT model includes sixteen inch tires, aluminum wheels, appearance package, roof rack
Five-speed "Grand Cherokee" automatic coupled with 4.7 liter automatic. Believe us, this is a nice combination. Lower noise, increased responsiveness. Standard on Sport, SLT, SLT Plus.
Electronic brake apportioning on rear wheel antilock brake systems
Wiring and brackets for rear DVD video system optional on some models
Curtain airbags for front and second row seats (side airbags)
Brake-shift interlock - must depress brake pedal before shifting out of Park

Jeep

New Jeep Liberty

Grand Cherokee

New Overland model:
- Four wheel drive only
- Luxury exterior and interior trim including rear redwood burl
- Rain-sensitive wipers
- 4.7-liter high-output V-8 engine with Quadra Drive® and up-country suspension
- P235/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler SR-A all-terrain tires
- Full-size spare tire with matching wheel
- 10-disc CD changer
- Inflatable curtain supplemental side air bags
Optional 4.7 liter high-output V-8 (260 hp, 330 lb-ft torque estimated at this time) optional on Limited with K package, standard on Overland. Comes with Wrangler F1 Ultra all-season performance tires on Limited.
Vari-Lok™ rear differential replaces Rear Trac-Lok® (option on vehicles without Quadra-Drive®
Tire pressure monitor system optional - includes actual pressure readings
Air conditioning improved
New Laredo Seat Fabric and Appearance
Thermal Expansion Valve added to air conditioning system to enhance cool-down
Electroluminescent cluster lighting standard on Limited and Overland
Power adjustment to pedals optional on Limited and Overland (also on Laredo but without memory)
Optional airbags for both front and rear seats; airbags upgraded

Wrangler

All-new climate control unit for faster heating and cooling
Premium Audio System adds front tweeters

Chrysler

No real changes to the Prowler - just added Inca Gold color

Voyager

Four speed automatic standard with 2.4 engine, optional power adjustable pedals, optional front-only power windows, optional rear seat remote audio system. New eC package combines four cylinder with many options at a startlingly low price.

Town & Country

See Grand Caravan under Dodge.

300M

Base and Special Edition models.
Special Model added mid-year with new grille, Xenon arc headlamps (2.5 times brighter), all sorts of body cladding, mirrors including turn signals, tilt-down in reverse, and automatic dimming, 255 hp V6, 3.89 final drive ratio, 18 inch wheels, Higher output premium-fuel 3.5-liter V-6 engine (255 horsepower, 258 lb.-ft. torque)
3.89 final drive ratio
Low-restriction dual exhaust with bright tips
18-inch aluminum wheels
245/45ZR18 Michelin Pilot® Sport ultra-high performance tires, higher performance brakes, performance tuned suspension, .5 inch lower suspension, premium leather seats, Nisha carbon fiber instrument panel and door trim appliques, 150-mph speedometer, tire pressure monitor.
Tire Pressure Monitor—Low-pressure warning for all tires and actual pressure readings for tires on road
ABS Systems now include Electronic Brake Distribution
300M new grille
Rear Seat includes LATCH Child Seat Anchorage System—Lower anchors and tether-ready upper anchors
Natural Vacuum Leak Detection (NVLD) Evaporative Emission Monitoring to enhance fuel vapor

PT Cruiser

New Power Convenience Group option on base model
Power door locks with central locking and programmable automatic operation
Power heated foldaway exterior mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry System
AM/FM stereo radio with CD player and changer controls—Standard on all models
Front passenger under seat storage bin—Standard on all models
New front passenger seat inboard armrest—Standard on all models
New "Low Profile" outboard head restraints on Touring Edition and Limited Edition rear seats
Improved seat cushion lateral support for Limited Edition leather front seats
New emergency seat back release handle accessible from rear cargo area

Sebring Convertible

Sebring GTC to arrive mid-year with either a four-speed automatic or five speed manual transmission! Also includes interior and exterior appearance packages, sport instrument cluster, sportier suspension, P205/60R16 91T all-season tires.
2.4-liter DOHC, 16-valve SMPI I-4 engine now standard on LX
2.4-liter Engine meets Low-Emission Vehicle requirements in all 50 states

Concorde

Concorde Limited replaces the LHS to help customers
New Luxury Touring Group available on LXi includes 10-spoke chrome-clad 17-inch aluminum wheels, anti-lock brakes, low-speed traction control, speed proportional steering.
3.5-liter, SOHC, 24-valve, SMPI regular-fuel V-6 engine with passively-tuned multi-plenum intake manifold replaces 3.2-liter V-6 on LXi
3.5-liter, high-output, SOHC, 24-valve, SMPI V-6 engine with electronically controlled manifold tuning valve and short-runner valves on Limited
ABS now includes Electronic Brake Distribution
Speed Sensitive Steering optional on LXi
Chrome-clad 17-inch 10-Spoke Aluminum Wheels—Standard on Limited, available on LXi
As we reported earlier, LHS interior and exterior appearance replaces Concorde appearance
New six-speaker, 120 watt CD stereo with steering wheel controls standard on LXi, available (without the steering wheel controls) on LX
Automatic headlights standard on LXi along with Sentry Key® alarm
Rear Seat includes LATCH Child Seat Anchorage System—Lower anchors and tether-ready upper anchors

2002 Chryslers, Dodges, and Jeeps "Official" List of Changes from 2001