2014 Model-Year Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep Cars, Trucks, and Minivans
Model-year 2014 nearly completes a full revolution at Chrysler, as one family (Grand Cherokee/Durango) goes through its second revision since Daimler departed. Plans changed quite a bit from the 2009 Five Year Plan. See our Chrysler 2015 summary, which includes the new large cars, expected to start production late in 2014.
Viper continues, and for 2014, a new Competition Coupe is released based on tuning done at tracks around the world.
- Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger have a very short 2014 model year, with production stopping around January-February 2014. Sterling Heights will then be thoroughly renovated for the June 2014 launch of the 2015 Chrysler 200.
- Dodge Durango was thoroughly refreshed for the 2014 model year, back in ’13. Maserati Levante starts production.
- Dodge Dart gains all wheel drive. The R/T may or may not appear, using a turbocharged 2.4 liter engine.
- Dodge Journey/Fiat Freemont continue for another year.
- Chrysler's large minivans continue, to change in 2015.
2014 Jeep lineup
Jeep subcompact
A B-segment (subcompact) entry-level Jeep for markets outside North America (the original Jeeps were far smaller and lighter than today’s two-door Wrangler). This would be built on the modified SUSW platform, first used in the Fiat 500L.
The 2009 announcement that Jeep would sell a subcompact (B sized) SUV made by Fiat raised eyebrows and hackles among the Jeep community. IndianAutosBlog managing editor Shrawan Raja told us that the “B-Jeep” is being created primarily by Chrysler’s new engineering center in Chennai, India, and rides on a unique platform. The two-year delay would be explained if the original plan was to use a lightly modified Fiat, but Jeep successfully argued for increased uniqueness. The car shows up on Chrysler’s North America plan; it will be built by Fiat and imported.
Jeep Compass and Patriot
For their final model year, 2014, oh2o said (correctly) that Jeep Compass and Patriot get a six speed automatic, sourced from Hyundai, and a high-performance Magna all wheel drive system, also sourced from Hyundai. The combination has been used for three years on Hyundai and Kia SUVs. This setup replaces the JATCO CVT, which was disliked by most buyers and critics. The new AWD system responds more quickly than the CVT-based one.
The 2014 Compass also gets a tailgate refresh. Both have an early 2014 model year; Patriot ends a few months before Compass.
Launching in 2014 as a 2015 model, the new Compass expands on the mini-Grand Cherokee look and feel, with even more higher end appointments. The Compass is built on the same basic platform as Dodge Dart, but with more ground clearance and optional AWD goodies. We believe it will have a choice of turbo-Fiat or 2.4 liter Chrysler four cylinders, coupled with a nine speed ZF automatic at the high end and the six speed Hyundai at the low end (the turbo 1.4 might not be used at all, given critical reception on the lighter Dart).
It is expected to have a similar Alfa Romeo model to replace the Fiat Sedici (Suzuki SX4).
Jeep Cherokee (KL)
Launching in late 2013, the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee replaces both the Liberty and the Patriot in Jeep’s lineup; it debuts with the 3.2 liter V6 (and 2.4 four, and in Europe, a diesel), FWD, AWD, and 4x4 setups, and a nine-speed ZF automatic.
Other Jeeps
The 2014 Grand Cherokee has a revised front end, with a revised set of shorter grilles, different bumpers, and probably different headlights; both interior and exterior were refreshed, and all engines get the eight-speed automatic. There are both 5 inch and 8.4 inch touch-screen stereos, and a VM 3.0 diesel in North America. Wagoneer appears to be delayed until 2015.
Jeep’s Wrangler carries on essentially unchanged until 2016 when it bursts onto the scene in three different forms.
2014 Ram ProMaster City
Bringing deliveries to your door with either Multi-Air efficiency or electric power, Ram gets its own version of Fiat’s recently revised Doblo. (Editor’s note: a Ram version of the Doblo, quite possibly to simply be called Ram Doblo, has been confirmed, and will be built in Turkey.)
Fiat Doblo will reportedly be imported in small numbers, with minimal changes. They might even be called Doblo.
2014 Ram ProMaster: Fiat Ducato, Americanized
Ram ProMaster is for fleets and commercial businesses that saw the Sprinter as being too big, expensive, inefficient, or unreliable, the Ram ProMaster should fit the bill. This Chrysler-modified version of the popular Fiat Ducato sits between the Sprinter and Doblo — or, if you prefer, between Sprinter and Transit — providing enough cargo space and capacity for most businesses, not as claustrophobic as the smaller vans, and not overkill like Sprinter.
Despite the nearly identical appearance to Fiat Ducato, the Ram ProMaster has a substantially beefed up suspension and powertrain, giving it a much higher hauling capacity, with Chrysler’s engine and transmission joining Fiat’s 3-liter four-cylinder diesel and an MT-40 automated manual transmission. The vehicle also uses Chrysler’s UConnect in place of Fiat’s dreadful Blue & Me.
Ram Pickups and Chassis Cabs: DS Ram 1500 • D2/DJ Ram HD • DD/DP Chassis Cabs
For 2014, Rams get better gas mileage than they did in 2012: the 2013 Ram 1500 came with stop/start technology and eight-speed automatics with both the V6 and Hemi, along with a tough, lightweight ZF axle. A plug-in hybrid was developed and held back in case of higher gas prices. (See the 2013 Ram 1500 page and the 2014 Ram HD (2500/3500) page).
A 6.4 Hemi option arrives for the Ram heavy duty trucks (the first time an SRT size engine is available for a non-SRT car), along with a new Aisin transmission to compete with the GM’s Allisons. Heavy duty Ram pickups get an optional air suspension setup, more rugged than the one in the Grand Cherokee. The Long Hauler concept used a Kelderman air suspension in front and rear, for higher capacity with a smoother ride; that model was based on the Ram 5500. The Long Hauler joins the lineup for 2014 at last.
Fiat
The Fiat 500L, five-passenger Fiat crossover has Fiat 500 styling (as Dan Minick predicted) and is sold in five-passenger form in the United States. The platform is a lengthened, retitled SCSS (Punto), not the Fiat 500 platform. K. Oellinger wrote in mid-January, “It might be sold in the U.S. as a Fiat 500 four-door” and he was right. Currently the European 500L is to be made in Serbia; it could be the first Eastern European car to sell in the US in serious numbers since the Yugo. A 500X crossover version is also due.
The Fiat 500E finally went on sale in 2013, providing Chrysler with an electric car to do battle in the “no profits, but some mind share” game.
2014 Alfa Romeo and Maserati
Alfa Romeo and Maserati are only covered here where they come from American sources, such as Guila, Kamal, and Spider.
Maserati Quattroporte is said to be based on the next-generation Chrysler large cars.
This rendering is not far from the actual car.
Alfa Romeo will still be busy, with a rear wheel drive sports car leading the brand’s North American re-introduction; the Alfa 4C will bring a splash and help the reputation of later, more pedestrian Alfas.
There’s also the Maserati Levante version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, with a powerful engine from Fiat's premium group, coded W2 and assembled at Jefferson North alongside Grand Cherokee.
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