Chrysler slashes Cherokee, Journey prices

CHRYSLER Australia has taken an axe to prices of its mid-size Jeep Cherokee SUV and the Dodge Journey people-mover, with the latter now costing up $3500 less than before and the former now up to $5500 more affordable.

Prices for both models are down across the board, with the entry-level Jeep Cherokee Sport (powered by a 3.7-litre petrol V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission) now priced at $37,990 – down $2500 from $40,490.

Jeep’s mid-range Cherokee, the identically engined Limited auto, is now priced at $40,990 – down a massive $5500 from $46,490.

Finally, while the entry-level Jeep Cherokee diesel, the 2.8-litre Sport auto (formerly $44,490), has been discontinued due to slow sales, the flagship Cherokee diesel – the 2.8 Limited six-speed auto – is now also $5500 cheaper at $44,990 (was $50,490).

Dodge’s seven-seat Journey wagon, meantime, has also come in for hefty price reductions, but continues to be available in three specification grades.

The entry-level Journey SXT, powered by a 2.7-litre petrol V6 matched with a six-speed auto, is now $1000 less expensive at $36,990, while the Journey R/T – with the same drivetrain – now costs $41,990 (down $3500).

Left: Dodge Journey.

The Dodge Journey R/T diesel auto is also $3500 more accessible, at $45,990.

Chrysler Australia says it has announced the drastic price cuts now to take advantage of the 50 per cent tax allowance before December 31.

The new lower prices will also apply to 2010 model year vehicles, which will soon appear in Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships nationally.

For now, specification levels remain unchanged, meaning all Cherokees comes standard with twin front and side curtain airbags, electronic stability control, hill start assist, hill descent control and rear parking sensors, while Limited variants add leather trim, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, adjustable lumbar support and rain-sensing wipers.

All Journey models come standard with twin front, front-side and side curtain airbags, plus ESC, Trailer Sway Control, Electronic Roll Mitigation, hill start assist and tyre pressure monitoring, with R/T versions adding leather trim, 19-inch alloys, heated front seats, a reversing camera and the Uconnect multimedia centre with 30GB hard-drive.