For 2011, the Dodge Ram 1500 sees a shuffling of trim packages but otherwise remains unchanged.
When it was fully redesigned for 2009, the Ram 1500 sported a few features never before seen on a big pickup.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 is a full-size pickup available in multiple body styles and bed lengths. The crew cab model expands rear-seat legroom even farther, but is only available with a 5-foot-7 bed.
There are four trim levels. The base ST model (available in regular and extended cabs) comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels, vinyl floor covering, air-conditioning, a 40/20/40-split front bench seat, vinyl upholstery, a folding rear bench seat (extended-cab only), a tilting steering column and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player with an auxiliary audio jack. The SLT (available in all cab styles) adds 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim, heated outside mirrors, carpet floor covering, cloth upholstery, cruise control, full power accessories, a power-sliding rear window, keyless entry, a trip computer and satellite radio.
The Sport (available in all cab styles) adds a larger V8, dual exhaust, a body-colored grille, 20-inch chrome wheels, foglamps, auto-dimming rear- and sideview mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, unique bucket seats and console, a touchscreen display, Bluetooth, an upgraded audio system (with CD/DVD/MP3 player, USB port, HD radio, 30GB hard drive), a 10-way power driver seat and a split-folding rear seat with under-seat storage (for crew cabs).
The standard engine on the two-wheel-drive Ram ST 1500 regular and quad cabs is a 3.7-liter V6 that produces 215 hp and 235 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic is standard. Fuel economy is a meager 14 mpg city/20 highway and 16 mpg combined.
Fuel economy with 2WD is 14/20/16 mpg (4WD is 1 mpg less). Standard safety equipment on the 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 includes four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, hill-start assist, trailer-sway control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.
Interior Design and Special Features The crew cab's rear seat is very comfortable, offering loads of legroom and an agreeable seatback angle.
The Ram provides plenty of standard and optional storage spaces.
For 2011, the Dodge Nitro gets a few new standard and optional features. Underneath the buff bod, the Nitro shares its platform with the Jeep Liberty.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Dodge Nitro is a five-passenger SUV available in Heat, Detonator and Shock trim levels.
There is also the available Heat 4.0 package that includes a bigger V6 engine, an upgraded nine-speaker audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.
The Nitro Shock trim adds different 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, leather upholstery and heated seats.
The Dodge Nitro Heat comes with a 3.7-liter V6 engine that produces 210 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque.
Rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are available, with the latter being a part-time system with high- and low-range gearing. EPA estimates are an underwhelming 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 16/20/17 with four-wheel drive. In performance testing, a rear-drive Nitro with the 4.0-liter engine went from zero to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds while a 4x4 model hit the target speed in 8.2 seconds.
Safety The stability control includes a trailer sway control feature. Rear parking sensors are standard on the Detonator and Shock.
The 2011 Dodge Nitro has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedures. In Edmunds brake testing, a Nitro with the optional 20-inch wheels came to a stop from 60 mph in 122 feet -- good performance for this type of vehicle.
With the rear seats folded, there are 65 cubic feet of cargo space available, about average for this class.
Driving Impressions With its aggressive styling and macho name, you'd think that the 2011 Dodge Nitro offered vigorous power and acceleration.
The 2011 Dodge Journey receives a number of significant changes, including a new, more powerful 3.6-liter V6, retuned suspension and steering, and a revamped interior featuring higher-quality materials and a new touchscreen interface.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Dodge Journey is a midsize crossover offered in five trim levels: Express, Mainstreet, Crew, R/T and Lux.
The Crew model adds 19-inch alloy wheels, foglights, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power driver seat, a fold-flat front passenger seat with built-in storage compartment, reclining 60/40-split second-row seat with fore-aft adjustment, an overhead console with conversation mirror, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote engine start, a 115-volt AC power outlet and a premium Infinity audio system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and SD card slot.
Other notable options include a sunroof, a 50/50-split third-row seat, built-in child booster seats, a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system.
The 2011 Dodge Journey is available with a choice of two engines. The entry-level Express model gets a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 173 hp and 166 pound-feet of torque. It drives the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is offered as an option. Dodge estimates fuel economy at 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway for front-drive and 16/24 mpg with all-wheel drive.
Safety For 2011, the Dodge Journey is equipped with antilock disc brakes, stability control with a rollover sensor, traction control, active front head restraints, front-seat side airbags, a driver-side knee airbag and side curtain airbags for all three rows.
Interior Design and Special Features Perhaps the most significant change for the 2011 Dodge Journey is the incorporation of the huge 8.4-inch touchscreen that dominates the dash of upper trim level models.
The 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan is one such minivan. If you regularly change your minivan's interior configuration from passenger transport to cargo hauler, the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan beats the competition with Stow 'n Go seats.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The Express model is the entry-level passenger model and features a touring suspension, carpeting, tri-zone air-conditioning, a removable floor-mounted center console, second-row Stow 'n' Go bucket seats, a conversation mirror and a six-speaker audio system. The sporty R/T lies at the top of the DGC lineup with performance-tuned suspension, first- and second-row leather seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat and a premium Infiniti sound system.
Available options on select models include a power liftgate, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, running boards, a trailer tow package, rear parking and cross-traffic sensors, blind-spot monitoring, second- and third-row sunshades, a rearview camera, a navigation system with real-time traffic, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, a nine-speaker sound system, iPod integration, a rear-seat entertainment system, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Standard safety features for the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan include active front head restraints, driver knee airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front-seat side airbags, antilock disc brakes, stability control and traction control. The 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan's interior represents a significant improvement over its predecessors. Unlike other minivans that require the removal of the middle row of seats to achieve maximum cargo capacity, the Grand Caravan benefits from its Stow 'n Go second-row seats that fold flat into the floor. Luggage space behind the rear seats is a generous 33 cubic feet. Stowing all seats opens up 143.8 cubes, comparable to other minivans.
The multiple mechanical changes make the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan a contender.
A five-passenger Journey with the new American Value Package (AVP) starts at $18,995, and a seven-passenger model starts at $19,990. The 2012 Journey costs $2,000 less: The new Dodge Journey also gets new trim designations for the 2012 model year.
The base AVP trim comes with seven airbags, air conditioning, power accessories, heated power mirrors, a 4.3-inch touch-screen, satellite radio, USB controls and a passive entry system with push-button start. The Crew trim starts at $28,495, and it adds 19-inch wheels, an 8.4-inch touch-screen, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic temperature controls, security system and remote start. Besides the American Value Package, all other trims see modest price increases. The 2012 Dodge Journey is on sale now.
Dodge showed up late to the midsize crossover SUV segment, finally entering the marketplace with the Dodge Journey.
Current Dodge Journey The Dodge Journey is offered in five trim levels: Express, Mainstreet, Crew, R/T and Lux. A six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control is standard, as is front-wheel drive. Many of the upper trim features can be added to supporting trims along with a sunroof, a 50/50-split third-row seat (increasing the passenger count from five to seven), built-in child booster seats and a rear-seat entertainment system.
In reviews, the Dodge Journey earned praise for its flexible seating and smooth ride, but drew fire for the underpowered base four-cylinder engine that lacks any significant fuel savings.
For 2011, the Dodge Durango has been completely redesigned. As much as 7,400 pounds can be pulled behind a properly equipped 2011 Durango, a top figure for a large crossover SUV with three rows of seats. Truly, the Durango's sabbatical has done wonders.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Dodge Durango large crossover SUV is available in five trim levels: base Express, sporty Heat, midlevel Crew, performance-themed R/T and top-of-the-line Citadel trim levels. Standard equipment on the Express includes 18-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, heated sideview mirrors, remote engine start, full power accessories, cruise control, tri-zone automatic climate control (includes separate rear air-conditioning), a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a fold-flat front passenger seat, a 60/40-split-folding and reclining second-row seat, a 50/50-split-folding third-row seat and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.
Stepping up from the Crew to the Citadel adds automatic xenon headlamps, 20-inch wheels, a chrome grille insert, rain-sensing wipers, a sunroof, leather seating, heated front and rear seats, an eight-way power passenger seat, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control and a navigation system (with Sirius Travel Link).
Powertrains and Performance The 2011 Dodge Durango is offered in several powertrain combinations. You can choose between rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The AWD V8 gets an estimated 13 mpg city/20 mpg highway.
Antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, trailer sway control, front side and side curtain airbags are standard on every 2011 Dodge Durango. Modern and functional, the 2011 Dodge Durango's cabin has been designed with family-style versatility in mind. Regardless of trim level, the design is attractive and features soft-touch materials in place of the former Durango's hard, cheap plastics.
With the second- and third-row seats folded down, the 2011 Dodge Durango can carry up to 84.5 cubic feet of cargo.
The 2011 Dodge Charger receives a number of significant upgrades, including freshened styling, higher-quality interior materials, an all-new and more powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine, a retuned suspension, electric-assist power steering, more standard features and a new electronic interface.
Introduction The 2011 Dodge Charger is a good example. The most noticeable change regards the Charger's new exterior styling.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Dodge Charger is a large sedan that's offered in two basic trim levels: SE and R/T. Entry-level SE models are rear-wheel-drive only, while the R/T can be had with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.
The R/T model comes with a V8 engine, a performance-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch on AWD models), xenon headlights, foglights and a rear spoiler (RWD models only). Inside there's automatic dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth and a premium Alpine sound system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, voice control and satellite radio.
Receives improved steering feel, additional functions for the navigation system and standard stability control for most trim levels.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Dodge Caliber is a compact four-door hatchback offered in five trim levels. The Uptown model gets you rear disc brakes (versus drums), automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats and a premium nine-speaker Boston Acoustics audio system with steering-wheel-mounted controls and flip-down speakers in the liftgate.
The sporty 2011 Dodge Caliber Heat takes the Mainstreet model's equipment list and adds 18-inch polished alloy wheels, chrome exterior trim, sport-tuned suspension and steering, rear disc brakes (versus drums) and specialized cloth interior trim.
Building on the Caliber Heat is the Rush, which adds a larger 2.4-liter engine, 18-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, automatic The 2011 Dodge Caliber climate control, leather upholstery and a premium audio system with a touchscreen interface and 30-gigabyte hard drive.
The front-wheel-drive 2011 Dodge Caliber is offered with a choice of two different four-cylinder engines. A 2.0-liter engine rated at 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque is standard on all trim levels except the Rush. The 2.0-liter engine returns EPA estimates of 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined with the manual transmission, and 23/27/24 mpg with the CVT.
Safety Standard safety features for the 2011 Caliber include a driver-side knee airbag, side curtain airbags, active front head restraints and antilock brakes (rear drums for the Express and Mainstreet, four-wheel discs for the other trims). Front-seat side airbags are offered as options for all but the Express trim.
Among competing hatchbacks and crossovers, the 2011 Dodge Caliber's interior ranks midpack. One word to describe how the 2011 Dodge Caliber drives: mediocre.
For 2011, the Dodge Ram 1500 sees a shuffling of trim packages but otherwise remains unchanged.
