2003 Chryslers, Dodges, and Jeeps: Changes from 2002

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

Essential links: Dodge SRT-4 - Ram Truck - Chrysler Pacifica

Contents: Dodge - Dodge Truck - Jeep - Chrysler

Highlights

• New Neon appearance - Porsche meets Caravan - along with other Neon improvements (and of course the SRT-4).
• New Stratus appearance makes Stratus and Neon look almost identical from the front; other improvements as well.
• Dakota finally gets the five-speed automatic!
• Hemi engine finally available on the Ram 1500!
• 3.8 engine available on Town & Country eL. Voyager de-emphasized, plethora of Town & Country models to expand the Chrysler brand. Maybe by 2020 it'll be as large as Plymouth in 1998?
• The 2.5 liter engine inherited from AMC, once used in the Wrangler, Cherokee, and Dakota (confusing many people since Chrysler had a lower-power 2.5 liter of its own), is finally gone, eliminated in the Dakota and Cherokee, and replaced by the 2.4 in the Wrangler - which also gets the four-speed automatic.

Across the board

• Color changes, of course!
• Six-disc in-dash CD changer replaces four-disc in-dash CD changer
• CD-changer controls added to AM/FM stereo radio with cassette in most cases
• Safety and security upgrades where needed to meet 2003 Federal standards (mostly head impact protection and LATCH system for child seats).

Dodge

Viper

• Redesigned. Click here for details.

Neon

• New front end styling with Caravan-style grille area and lowered hood for a more racy look. The Neon now looks just like the Stratus sedan, and is just about the same size, too. So why spend about $6,000 more for the Stratus? Apparently, based on sales figures, most customers are asking the same question...
• Automatic transmission thankfully retuned, with a new engine/transmission computer and new engine mounts for a quieter interior.
• Model lineup makes more sense, albeit with no connection to any Dodge history, with the base model (SE), optioned-out SXT (replacing ES), sporty R/T, and high-performance, limited-edition SRT. The ACR is gone.
• Dodge says 83 percent of first-time buyers would buy another Neon.
• The SRT-4 boasts a refined 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 215 horses (160 kW) and 245 lb.-ft. (332 Nom) of torque with 0-60 times reportedly under six seconds for under $20,000. The standard heavy-duty T850 manual transmission helps acceleration while the interior boasts "a satin silver center stack, shift knob and door handles. Performance seats modeled after those in the Dodge Viper and carbon-fiber texture leather on the steering wheel and shift boot all hail to the car�s racing-inspired heritage."
• Mildly revised rear with new taillamps. New steering wheel with an aluminum Dodge medallion, new wheels and wheel covers, six-disc in-dash CD player available on 2003 SXT and R/T models.
• It took virtually forever, but the fifth gear ratio on manual Neons has finally been changed to greatly reduce highway noise and increase gas mileage.
• Sentry Key makes it hard to start the engine without the "real" key.
• R/T gets new fog lamps, 16-inch aluminum wheels, non-gathered optional leather seat and door trim, body color center stack bezel.

Stratus Sedan (made by Chrysler)

• The SE Plus package, which few people even knew about, has been dropped. Come to think of it, the Stratus itself almost seems to be a well-kept secret.
• Flexible fuel vehicle version with V6 / automatic that can deal with alternative fuel.
• SE and ES models remain even though Neon drops ES.
• This is not new, but the Stratus sedan was given a five-star rating by NHTSA for both the driver and front passenger in a frontal impact and for rollover resistance. In addition, Dodge Stratus achieved "Good" ratings from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) on 40-mph frontal offset performance.

Stratus Coupe (made by Mitsubishi)

• Freshened exterior and interior with improvements in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH)
• New SXT package adds remote keyless entry and 16-inch aluminum wheels to the base SE model. R/T continues but ES disappears. New 17" wheels for R/T with chrome wheel option. SE and SXT get 16" wheels.
• Almost all of the Stratus coupe�s exterior has been updated for 2003, including front and rear fascias, grille, headlamps, taillamps, fog lamps and side sill moldings, hood, and trunk lid designs. The Dodge grille gets chrome inserts. The exterior "draws from classic muscle car design cues," according to Jim Julow, Vice President - Dodge Division Global Brand Center. Funny, we see Porsche, first-generation Tiburon, and Caravan more than anything else.
• Two new interior color schemes (Dark Taupe with Medium Taupe and Black) and new trim bezel accents featuring a geometric carbon-fiber look. A instrument panel with white gauges on the cluster is welcome to those who found the original panel to be poorly conceived.
• The Stratus retains unusually good cargo and interior volume. Seat fabrics are new, as are door trim panels. An auto-dimming rear view mirror with compass and thermometer are added, along with garage door openers and readin glamps. The center console has been improved, and the R/T includes wheel-mounted radio controls.With cargo volume uncommon for coupes, the Dodge Stratus holds its own and then some, with 102.6 cubic feet of total interior volume. The 60/40 spilt-folding rear seatbacks also allow for stowing long items including skis or snowboards.
• The base engine is at 147 horsepower (158 lb-ft), not up to the Chrysler 2.4 engine in the Stratus sedan. The Mitsubishi 3.0 V6 puts out 200 horsepower, just like the Chrysler 2.7 V6 in the Stratus sedan. AutoStick is now optional with an automatic-equipped Stratus R/T, but it's based on the Mitsubishi transmission.

Intrepid

• The R/T is gone, the ES package L is gone, and the ES now gets the STX package standard. Confused yet? We're sorry to see the R/T go. The SXT package, with its cheesy interior, doesn't do it for us, even though it has a 244 horsepower V6. (A manual transmission would help it against the sub-seven-second Accord).
• Momentum 16-inch chrome wheels and 16-inch all-season touring tires on Intrepid SXT.

Caravan and Grand Caravan

• eC model discontinued
• SE Value Package has Remote Keyless Entry and AM/FM stereo radio with cassette and CD player optional
• Grand Caravan SE models now offer three-zone manual air conditioning
• eL adds 3.8-liter V-6 engine — Optional
• Sport Caravan package named Popular Equipment Package
• Grand Caravan Package H named Family Package and K named Popular Equipment Package
• 3.8-liter V-6 included with Grand Caravan Popular Equipment Package
• ES adds power liftgate, removable center console, Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), auto dimming mirrors, AM/FM radio with cassette and CD, third-row lamps and grab handles, roof rack, steering wheel radio controls, 16-inch chrome "Ingot" aluminum wheels
• One-touch power sun roof with one of the largest openings in the segment (840 x 532 mm).
• Factory-installed DVD entertainment system. This new feature is available with or without a power sun roof. It�s a flip-down 7-inch diagonal liquid crystal display (LCD) screen and an in-dash DVD unit that plays both DVDs and CDs. The entertainment system comes complete with a wireless remote control and two sets of minivan-first wireless headphones. Auxiliary input jacks allow connections with video games, MP3 players, video cameras, etc. With 130-degree viewing capability, this screen offers comfortable viewing for all rear seat passenger positions.
• Power adjustable pedals. With adjustable pedals, drivers will have the ability to adjust their accelerator or brake pedals up to 2.75 inches (70 mm) rearward.
  

Dodge truck

• New Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500
• No changes to Ram Van, Ram Van Wagon - these are being replaced by the Mercedes Sprinter, built by Freightliner and sold as Dodges and Freightliners.

Dakota:

• The 545RFE five-speed automatic is finally available with the 4.7, for better passing acceleration and an overall superior driving experience. It's optional on the Sport, Sport Plus, SLT, and SLT Plus. The 2.5 four-cylinder AMC engine is finally gone. It was ahead of its time but the Dakota's pretty heavy for a four-cylinder.
• Four-wheel disc brakes with rear-wheel anti-lock (RWAL) are now standard on 4WD models and 2WD models 5350 lbs. GVWR and over
• 16" x 7" cast-aluminum wheels are standard on all models except R/T. Tires have chanced.
• Stampede Ground Effects Group for Regular and Club Cab® Sport models, (standard on R/T and optional on Regular and Club Cab 2WD models) includes body-color front fascia with extension, rocker cladding, rear body color bumper with step pads, and tire and handling group.
• Four-gauge cluster standard on base and SXT models
• Next-generation controller (4.7L engine only)
• New six-disc in-dash CD changer radio is optional (late availability)
• Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery System added to all Club Cab models
• Natural Vacuum Leak Detection Pump added (4.7L engine only)

Durango

• Standard four-wheel disc brakes for increased stopping power
• New 16" x 7" cast-aluminum wheels, standard on Sport models
• P245/70R16 black sidewall on/off road tires, standard on Sport 4x4
• 40/20/40 second row seat is standard
• Four-gauge cluster standard on Sport and SXT
• Woodgrain center stack bezel is replaced by Satin Silver — SLT Plus
• Interior color-key door handles are replaced with Brushed Chrome
• Optional AM/FM stereo radio with six-disc in-dash CD

Ram 1500

• New 2500 and 3500 models with many features including superior Hemi engines (click for details)
• MODELS
  1500 SLT Plus is rebadged as Laramie on Regular and Quad Cab™ models and includes cosmetic touches, seventeen inch aluminum wheels, leather seats with eight-way power driver and passenger seats (the latter only on Quad Cab), four-wheel antilock disc brakes, overhead console with storage bin, map lights, HomeLink® universal garage door opener, compass, outside temperature display and trip computer, sliding rear window, remote keyless entry, theft deterrent system, woodgrain instrument panel bezel, dual zone temperature control, six-CD in-dash changer, wheel-mounted audio controls, and power adjustable pedals.
• "Work Special" Group, includes grey bumpers with rear step pad, grey grille and wheels.
• Off Road Group (4WD 1500 series only), includes 3.92 axle ratio, anti-spin differential, fog lamps, heavy-duty engine cooling, all-terrain tires, 17" x 8" aluminum wheels, tow hooks, transfer case and front suspension skid plates
• Light Group (late availability) is optional on SLT and Laramie and includes cupholder, ashtray, underhood lamp and auto electrochromatic day/night mirror, switchable dome lamp, illuminated vanity mirrors
  
• Tow hooks standard on Laramie 4WD, optional in Protection Group for 4WD ST and SLT, 2WD ST, SLT and Laramie
  
• Adjustable pedals with manual transmission — Optional
• AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD — Optional
• Steering wheel-mounted audio controls are packaged with AM/FM stereo radio with cassette and CD player or an AM/FM stereo radio with cassette and six-disc in-dash CD changer — SLT; both equipped with 11-speaker Infinity system
• Electronic throttle control on 5.7-liter Hemi Magnum V-8 engine
  
• Automatic locking retractor added to passenger seat belts

Ram vans

• Wagons discontinued
• New 16" x 6.5" Steel painted wheels are standard on 1500 Models

Jeep

Liberty (Cherokee)

• Renegade Premium model has dual power leather seats, premium interior, overhead console
• Four-wheel disc brakes standard on all models
• Full-size spare with matching wheel - Standard

Grand Cherokee

• Available roof rack cross rails
• Reduced pressure shocks for improvements in overall ride comfort.
• Reduced brake pedal effort allowing shorter stopping distances during braking maneuvers was accomplished by increasing the master cylinder output pressure for a "lighter" brake pedal feel.
• New brake calipers for 2003 complement lighter brake pedal feel, providing smoother and more linear braking.
• Reduced steering effort both on- and off-center by a very noticeable 20-percent through the use of a revised steering gear torsion bar.
• Standard, multi-stage driver and passenger front air bags are designed to deploy at different levels depending on the severity of the impact.
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo models will feature a new high-back cloth seat for 2003. A low-back version will also be available on Laredo models. In all Jeep Grand Cherokee interiors, a new cubby bin for holding sunglasses or cellular phones is added to the instrument panel, replacing the ashtray.

Wrangler

• New Rubicon model with Dana 44 heavy-duty front and rear axles, rear electronically controlled locking differentials with limited slip. A push-button operated switch allows either both the front and rear axles to be locked or just the rear differential for increased off-road performance. Also:
  • 4.11 axle ratio
  • Rock-Trac™ heavy-duty part-time transfer case with 4.0:1 low range
  • LT245/75R16 MTR 31"-tall tires
  • 16" x 8" Moab aluminum wheels
  • Four-wheel disc brakes
  • Diamond plate sill guards, unique "Rubicon" graphic
• 2.4-liter DOHC minivan engine finally replaces the ancient AMC 2.5.
• 42RLE four-speed automatic transmission with skid plate is optional with 2.4-liter and 4.0-liter engines (replacing the old, old three-speed automatic).
• Four-wheel disc brakes optional on Sport and Sahara
• New side view mirror design
• New interior colors, steering wheels, front seats
• Smoker�s Package optional on all models
• Auxiliary 12-volt outlet
• Speaker Pods replace Sound Bar
• New flush-mounted stereos
• New electrochromic rearview mirror standard on Sahara
• On-Board Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR)

Chrysler

Voyager

• Power adjustable pedals will now be available in Chrysler Voyager LX. With adjustable pedals, drivers will have the ability to adjust their accelerator and brake pedals up to 2.75 inches (70 mm) rearward. Optional (late availability).
• Driver and passenger air bags with multi-stage inflators to deliver appropriate restraint for the severity of impact
• Available supplemental side-impact air bags for front outboard occupants
• The eC model which almost nobody has heard of is gone, leaving the LX (why even name it if it's the only one, we wonder?) with two option packages: Value and Popular Equipment Packages
• Fold/recline feature added to second- and third-row seats on Value Package

Town & Country

• All wheel drive is no longer available on the LX. The eL now has an optional 3.8 V6. The eX gains a standard driver-side power sliding door, steering wheel audio controls, Security Alarm, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. The LXi adds power liftgate, Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), auto-dimming mirrors, AM/FM radio with cassette and CD, third-row lamps and grab handles and roof rack. The Limited adds heated front seats, AM/FM radio with cassette and six-disc CD changer and Quad-Command® seats with 50/50 rear bench.
• One-touch power sun roof with one of the largest openings in the segment (840 x 532 mm).
• Factory-installed DVD entertainment system. This new feature is available with or without a power sun roof. It�s a flip-down seven-inch diagonal liquid crystal display (LCD) screen and an in-dash DVD unit that plays both DVDs and CDs. The entertainment system comes complete with a wireless remote control and two sets of minivan-first wireless headphones. Auxiliary input jacks allow connections with video games, MP3 players, video cameras, etc. With 130-degree viewing capability, this screen offers comfortable viewing for all rear seat passenger positions.
• Power adjustable pedals. With adjustable pedals, drivers will have the ability to adjust their accelerator and brake pedals up to 2.75 inches (70 mm) rearward.
  

300M

• Sirius Satellite Radio introduced on 300M (Late Intro.)
• Next-generation driver and front-passenger air bag, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with low-speed traction control, a vehicle theft deterrent system with the Sentry Key™ engine immobilizer, internal emergency trunk release and optional side air bags for front seat occupants.

PT Cruiser

• 215 horsepower turbocharged models with AutoStick or Getrag manual
• "The Chrysler PT Cruiser model lineup offers customers good value, as evidenced by a perfect score in the 2002 Consumer Reports annual automobile reliability ratings.
• New 15-inch bolt-on wheelcovers with bright lug nut caps are standard on the entry-level PT Cruiser. New accent color bodyside moldings are also standard, as are a fold-flat front passenger seat and rear seat head restraints.
• Sixteen-inch painted cast-aluminum wheels are standard on Touring Edition vehicles, as are new body color monotone front and rear fascias. A 16-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheel treatment also is available as an option on the Touring Edition.
• The 16-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheel treatment is standard on the PT Cruiser Limited Edition. This model�s long list of standard features also includes body color monotone front and rear fascias in 2003. An AM/FM radio with cassette and CD player also is standard on the Limited Edition model.
• An AM/FM stereo radio with integrated six-disc CD changer is optional on all 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser models.
• The 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser offers several safety features, including available remote keyless entry and a Sentry Key® Engine Immobilizer that makes it almost impossible to start the engine without a customized owner�s key. A rear seat trapped occupant release, rear door child protection locks and a LATCH (Lower Anchors and upper Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchorage system also are standard safety equipment on all PT Cruiser models, as are front and passenger side air bags. All PT Cruiser models include a unique transverse beam in the vehicle�s body structure to protect occupants in the event of a side-impact collision. Front sup-plemental side seat-mounted air bags are also available. All three PT Cruiser backseat positions include shoulder seat belts. The PT Cruiser�s available four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes with low-speed traction control also help prevent wheel lockup in hard braking situations.
• New exterior colors for the PT Turbo and all 2003 PT Cruisers include Electric Blue Pearl Coat and Onyx Green Pearl Coat.

Sebring Convertible

• 2.7-liter SOHC V-6 Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) engine with ATX
• 15-inch painted 10-spoke Chrysler wheelcover — Standard on LX

Concorde

• No discernible changes