San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Wagoneer combine truck, SUV variations
Some great RAM and Jeep pickups and a variety of Dodge, Jeep and Wagoneer models are offered for 2023. Added just last year, Wagoneer is a new premium SUV sub-brand of Jeep, and includes two models: the Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer. Their names were previously used on big Jeep SUVs for decades.
Ram offers the pickups, which include the regular 1500 models and the Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 models, including Cummins diesel engine options.
Dodge includes the Durango SUV, and Jeep has its Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Renegade and Wrangler SUV models, along with its Gladiator pickup for model year 2023.
Dodge Durango
Dodge recently revived the Durango, which is a roomy crossover utility vehicle with up to three rows of seating. It’s based on the architecture of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
New last year: Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection are standard across the Durango lineup.
Durango SXT and GT models deliver more standard content, as follows:
SXT: Three-row, seven-passenger seating, power driver’s seat, ParkSense rear park assist system and bright roof rails.
GT: Remote start system, heated front seats and steering wheel, and power liftgate.
Plus Group offers standard Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Advanced Brake Assist, Lane Departure Warning Plus and more standard content on GT and R/T models:
GT Plus: Memory system, rain-sensing automatic wipers, Bright cargo area scuff plates, leather seats with suede inserts and first and second-row heated seats.
R/T Plus: Nappa leather with perforated inserts and accent stitching, sunroof, Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, Harman Kardon premium audio system and Premium Interior Package (includes premium wrapped instrument panel and Dinamica soft-touch headliner).
The Blacktop Package now includes the performance hood on the GT and P265/50R20 performance all-season tires on GT and R/T models.
There is also Durango SRT version with a 475-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine with 470 foot-pounds of torque.
The former Chrysler Corp.’s successor, Stellantis, has created a new premium sport-utility brand for 2022, reviving the name of a long-revered Jeep SUV known as the Wagoneer.
For 2023, there are two versions of this sevenor eight-passenger SUV: the Wagoneer, starting at $58,995 plus freight for the Series I entry-level model with rear-wheel drive; and $88,640 for the Grand Wagoneer Series I with four-wheel drive.
These big family haulers are being promoted as “a premium extension of the Jeep brand,” but do not have the Jeep name on them.
The base Wagoneer is available with four-wheel drive for $61,995.
Next in line is the Series II model at $65,725 with two-wheel drive, or $68,725 with four-wheel drive. Above that is the Wagoneer Carbide at $68,775 with two-wheel drive or $72,420 with four-wheel drive. Wagoneer Series III begins at $71,865 for the reardrive model, and $74,865 for the four-wheel drive.
Stepping up to more luxury, there is the Grand Wagoneer (base $88,640), which comes only with four-wheel drive. The Grand Wagoneer Series II model begins at $95,735, and the Series III at $107,995. Between the Series II and III models is the Grand Wagoneer Obsidian, starting at $101,230.
Ram 1500
For 2023, the Ram 1500 Limited Elite Edition has joined the lineup of these popular full-size, half-ton pickups. The 1500 Limited Elite Edition raises the world’s benchmark once again for upscale pickup trucks, parent Stellantis says. The price starts at $65,305, plus $1,795 freight. Its included equipment group, available on the 2023 Ram 1500 Limited, offers luxury features only seen in a Ram truck.
The Ram 1500 Limited Elite Edition comes with premium materials, including real wood, metal and leather. Exteriors of these special models are distinguished by a multifunction tailgate, deployable bed step, bed cargo divider and adjustable cargo tie down hooks.
A jeweled rotary shifter, premium leather bucket seats, suede headliner, a unique instrument cluster, and a bright pedal kit highlight the interior.
Other interior features include front and rear ventilated and heated seats, heated steering wheel, 12-way driver and front passenger seats and a 60/40 reclining rear seat. A 19-speaker premium sound system rounds out the well-crafted, high-quality feel and appearance.
The 2023 Ram 1500 Limited Elite Edition is available in Crew Cab configurations with the 5.7-liter V-8 with eTorque mild-hybrid assist.
Overall, the 2023 Ram 1500 is marketed as a nocompromise benchmark for durability, technology, efficiency, performance and convenience. The Ram 1500 offers eight models: Tradesman, Tradesman HFE, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn, Limited, and TRX.
The 2023 Ram 1500 TRX has been rigorously tested to handle the most punishing conditions with extreme capability and durability on its way to being the quickest, fastest and most powerful massproduced half-ton pickup truck in the world.