2010 Chryslers, Dodges, and Jeeps: Reported Changes

We are not responsible for errors or omissions. Thanks to oh20 and MooseEater. See Jim Choate’s 2010 fleet test drives.

Powertrain warranty

Chrysler dropped its lifetime warranty from 2010 models, replacing it with a 5 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty which is assigned to the car itself, so that anyone who buys a used 2010 Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep second-hand, third-hand, etc., can get service without having to transfer the warranty.

The new 5/100 plan has no deductible; it is accompanied by the usual basic 3/36 warranty.

SRT vehicles and fleet vehicles (including police, postal, ambulance, and taxi) were not covered by the lifetime powertrain warranty, but will be covered by 5/100. Exceptions to the new warranty plan are the Sprinter (assembled by Freightliner from Mercedes kits), diesel-powered trucks, Sterling trucks, and company car vehicles.

Confirmed: new technologies

Chrysler has introduced iDFSO, Interactive Decel Fuel Shut-Off, software that cuts fuel to the engine while decelerating, to increase gas mileage. The amount of fuel shutoff is increased with certain engine speeds. This system increases both city and highway gas mileage, and lights a Fuel Saver indicator light when active.

The system, which started phase-in during the 2009 model year, will, for 2010 models, be on CVT and manual Caliber, Compass, and Patriot Limited; Wrangler; Charger, Challenger, and 500 (except four-speed automatics); Nitro; 4.0 liter minivans; Grand Cherokee V6; Liberty with V6 automatic; and Dakota and Ram 1500 with automatic transmissions.

oh20 added: the fuel saver indicator light will be added to the minivans, LX cars, Journey, Nitro 4x4, all Jeep 4x4s (except Patriot/Compass), and Ram 1500, with select engines, for the 2010 model year. It will advise people when they have reached the economy target zone and fuel-saver mode target range.

Dodge

If you wanted an SRT4, get a 2009 — there won’t be a 2010.

The 2010 Dodge Avenger continues with new active head restraints and exterior colors; a new instrument panel gauge cluster is used in all models, and four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard across the board.

Dodge Caliber gets an “all new” interior, with active head restraints, center storage bin, bright trim accents, and chromed vents and gauge rings, on all models. The door trim panels and console armrest are new, soft-touch designs. The five-speed manual is now available on the 2.0 (SE and SXT), with the 1.8 dropped. A Sport Appearance package includes 18 inch aluminum wheels and touring suspension (available on SXT).

Still unconfirmed are optional heated mirrors, automatic air conditioning, leather emergency brake handle, and six-way power seats, with a new optic green metallic paint.

Export models gain a 2.2 liter Mercedes turbodiesel which has 16% more power, while cutting fuel usage by 5%. The 1.8 liter engine was be dropped; a possible 2.0 MDX engine might raise highway mileage to 31 mpg late in the year.

The upper instrument panel was restyled and painted; the seat recline handle was lengthened and seat track covers improved; temperature controls are electronic (rather than using cables); and air conditioning performance was reportedly upgraded.

The result is a very different Dodge Caliber than the model that “wasn’t cute.”

The following Dodge models have not yet been checked against the official releases.

The 2010 Dodge Journey’s four-cylinder is only available on the SE, paired with a four-speed automatic (the V6 gets a six-speed). Gas mileage with the V6 rose 1 mpg on the highway, and a fuel-saver indicator was added. Active head restraints are standard for the first row. The video system got a nine inch screen (from eight), four wheel antilock disc brakes with hydraulic boost are standard, remote keyless entry is standard, and a dark slate monotone interior is available.

2010 Dodge Ram 1500: The gross combined weight rating rose to 15,500 pounds with the Hemi, 3.92 rear axle, and 140.5 inch wheelbase, a 1,500 pound increase. A fuel saver indicator was added for the V6, but all engines got Interactive Decel Fuel Shutoff. A trailer brake controller, trailer tow mirrors (folding or power), automatic rearview mirrors, and iPod controller in the glove box were all introduced as options; passive head restraints were made standard. The R/T will gain 22 inch tires (late availability). A 700 amp battery is standard. A Challenger style hood will reportedly be available on Sport models (we could not confirm). Tire pressure monitor display with readouts for all 5-tires will be standard on all SXT and up models (we could not confirm).

The Dodge Ram R/T will return with production starting in early November. In the 2nd half of the model year, 22-inch forged, polished aluminum wheels will be an available option on the R/T. New exterior colors include Austin Tan Pearl and Rugged Brown Pearl. Mango Tango will replace Sunburst Orange and Bright White will replace Stone White (unconfirmed). 2010 Crew and Quad cab production will begin August 24th while Regular Cab production will start a month later.

2009 Dodge Viper — it will be made for a while longer. No 2010 Viper was in the press book. Four new exterior colors, will be used: GTS Blue Clear Coat, Snakeskin Green Pearl Coat, Viper Race Yellow Clear Coat, VOI X Edition Silver Clear Coat. New features include Premium Tan Interior Package, Nappa leather seats with perforated centers, black and tan two-tone trim, and a tan canvas convertible top (Roadster Only)

2011 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 will feature new styling, interiors, crew cab, advanced multistage airbags, standard side curtain airbags, and an integrated trailer brake controller. For 2010 there are no reported changes.

2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon is coming mid-year with a standard Hemi and 4x4.

Dodge Challenger now comes with a standard five-speed automatic, even on SE; the Hemi has a six-speed manual option which now achieves the same gas mileage as the automatic. Confirmed are a late-availibility Super Track Pack option for R/T, UConnect Multimedia with Sound Group I and II, steering wheel audio controls with Multimedia and Navigation, standard stability control on SE, and automatic headlights with LED cup holder and door-handle lights standard on R/T. Changes to the Challenger SRT8 are a new limited edition Plum Crazy model, serialized dash plaque, and plum accent seat-stripe insert.

The long-rumored 6.4 liter engine may finally show up for SRT, perhaps midyear; if it does, expect it in Charger SRT, 300C SRT, etc. One anonymous source claims Hemi Orange has been dropped. There will reportedly be a new Detonator Yellow color late in the year.

Dodge Charger gets standard side airbags and body-color sill cladding, and a chromed grille with black insert on SE. Charger SRT8 continues with 110-foot 60-0 stops, .89 g on the skid pad, 0-100-0 in under 17 seconds, and under-5-second 0-60 times. There is now LED lighting in the front cup holders and front- and rear-door map pockets.

2010 Dodge Grand Caravan / Chrysler Town & Country gain active head restraints for the front row, three-zone manual climate controls (SE), rear-obstacle detection display in the EVIC (with Security Group), and a new 3.16:1 final drive ratio in the SXT / 4 liter, bringing gas mileage to 17 city, 25 highway, the best for any minivan. One source wrote, “Swivel n Go is available only in leather now, and if you opt for Swivel n Go as well as the Dual DVD package, you will now get swiveling 3rd Row DVD screen so that the second row passengers can still watch a movie and/or Satellite TV.” (This appears to be true.)

The Trazo will be sold in South America with a 1.8 liter four-cylinder (Nissan based?)

Dodge Dakota gets new front shock modules and rear spring assemblies for better ride and handling. Bright white replaced Stone White, Flame Red replaced Detonator Yellow, and Mango Tango replaced Sunburst Orange.

2010 Dodge Nitro got active head restraints, interactive Decel Fuel Shut Off (iDFSO) (3.7/4-spd only), Fuel-Saver with “ECO” lamp indicator in cluster, power heated manual folding mirrors, standard air filtration system, and premium seat trim with stain-repel seat fabric. SXT got new leather trim, standard body-color grille with air dam, standard front-passenger express-up power window, and security alarm. Light Sandstone Metallic replaced Light Graystone outside; a new dark pebble beige is available on SE, with a new pastel pebble beige on SXT.

Jeep

2010 Jeep Wranger and Wrangler Unlimited: tow hooks, fog lamps, full-length center console, front floor mats, and premium cloth trim are now standard on all models. Front seatback map pockets are included with the standard cloth seats. Sahara and Rubicon can now be ordered with leather-faced trim. Metallic green, orange pearl, detonator yellow were replaced by surf blue pearl, dark charcoal pearl, and natural green pearl. The Sunrider® soft top was made easier to remove; fuel saver indicator is standard; new 18 inch silver aluminum wheels are standard on Sahara; new “carbon” 17-inch aluminum wheels are standard on Rubicon. Bluetooth™ phone connection is included with navigation. Compass and outside temperature are standard on all models. The sun visors are larger and slide; the front dome lamp (with on/off switch) is new; two-tone leather is available on Sahara and Rubicon.

2010 Jeep Liberty gets active head restraints, interactive Decel Fuel Shut Off (iDFSO), Fuel-Saver with “ECO” lamp indicator in cluster, power heated manual folding mirrors (Sport model), standard air filtration system, standard premium seat trim with stain-repel seat fabric and front-passenger fold-flat seat, and standard larger floor mats. Limited got standard front-passenger express-up power window, Uconnect™ Phone, leather, heated front seats, and power driver and passenger seats with manual lumbar control. A new graystone paint was added.

2010 Jeep Compass: Canadians can get a North Plus group which enhances the Compass North Edition 4x4 with heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and speed control. Active head restraints (standard), remote start (optional), and automatic climate control (the latter only on Limited) are new. A new natural green pearl color will be added. A 2.0 engine option with the five-speed stick-shift raises gas mileage for those who choose it; with that engine, gas mileage goes to 23/29 (4x2), only a 1 mpg highway savings from the 2.4 liter engine. With the CVT 4x2, gas mileage with the smaller engine rises to 23/27, vs 21/25 for the CVT2 4x2.

2010 Jeep Patriot: A 2.0 engine option with the five-speed stick-shift raises gas mileage slightly (by 1 mpg highway vs the 2.4 engine). Active head restraints are standard for drier and passenger. Automatic climate control is optional on Limited, and remote start is optional with the Security Group.

Jeep Commander continues with just two packages, Sport and Limited, and without the 4.7 liter engine; a power liftgate is now standard on Limited. Three exterior colors were dropped. New for 2010, the Hemi is standard on Limited, optional on Sport; Interno Red replaces Red Rock; 18 inch Casino chrome-clad wheels are available on Limited; chromed moldings are standard on both models. Limited gets body-color exterior mirrors, chromed rear assist handles, and body-color fender flares.

Jeep Grand Cherokee also loses the 4.7 V8 and three colors; a skid plate is included with QuadraDrive II; and Laredo X becomes, for Canada, Laredo North Edition, with new features (17-inch aluminum wheels, power sunroof, uconnect tunes, ParkView Rear Backup Camera, and Rear Park Assist System). An automatic oil change monitoring system was added, standard, matching GM and Toyota. Overland was dropped.

Chrysler

The 300 will continue with 300, Touring, Sig Series, Exec series, Limited, 300C Hemi, and 300C SRT8.

The only new features appear to be Keyless-Go and Proximity Entry (300C/SRT8) and two new colors, Dark Cordovan Pearl and White Gold Pearl. Chrysler’s press books do not have a “new features” section for the 300.

2010 Dodge Caravan / Chrysler Town & Country gain active head restraints and new exterior colors. One source wrote, “Swivel n Go is available only in leather now, and if you opt for Swivel n Go as well as the Dual DVD package, you will now get swiveling 3rd Row DVD screen so that the second row passengers can still watch a movie and/or Satellite TV.” This appears to be the case.

2010 Town and Country LX base MSRP = $25,175 (reduction of $1,165 from 2009MY)
2010 Town and Country Touring K package MSRP = $28,425 (Reduction of $1,220 from 2009MY)
2010 Town and Country Limited MSRP = $35,060 (reduction of $1,720 from 2009MY)
2010 Grand Caravan SE Base MSRP = $23,175 (reduction of $715 from 2009MY)

Active head restraints in front row seats, supplemental side curtain airbags for all 3 rows. Passenger express up added on vehicles equipped with 2nd row power windows and 3rd row power vents, 2nd row and 3rd seat delete option, ParkSense (rear park assist system) display – display moved from rear of headliner to cluster (packaged with EVIC). Fuel saver indicator message (ECO) to be displayed in the cluster (3.3L, 3.8L and 4.0L engines).

Blind spot monitoring and rear cross path remain, as does Swivel ’n Go.

Chrysler Sebring was given a mild refresh with active front-row head restraints and a new instrument cluster with LED backlighting; it also had a hood swap, losing the strakes, and the 17- and 18-inch wheels were replaced.

The rumored “H” model is nowhere to be seen, but then, the press book didn't mention the head restraints, new cluster, or hood, either. Both Chrysler Sebring Sedan and Convertible are listed as being available only in Limited form.

2010 PT Cruiser production will start on November 2nd. The 2010 PT Cruiser has been simplified to one model - the PT Cruiser Classic, which bundles outstanding content with good pricing, resulting in the most competitive PT Cruiser ever. The new PT Cruiser Classic comes with a 4-Speed Automatic Transmission, Anti-Lock 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, 16” Aluminum Wheels, Deep Tinted Sunscreen Glass, Tire Pressure Monitoring, trip computer, and Speed Control, standard. Chrome trim is standard on the interior and exterior of the vehicle, including a body colored grill with chrome accents, and chrome body side moldings. The five-speed manual transmission — otherwise known as the “fun option” — is as dead as the turbocharger.

Available options are Power Sunroof and the Convenience Group which includes Stain Repel Premium Cloth, 6-Way Power Driver Seat, Heated Front Seats and Fold Flat Passenger Seat. The introductory base MSRP for the 2010 PT Cruiser Classic will be $18,000 plus $720 destination charge.

Now what?

Personal driving impressions • 2009 technologies.

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