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Changes in the 2023 Mopars

by • Updated 1/13/2023

Here are the changes for the 2023 model year.

Dodge

The biggest news for the 2023 Dodges was the first new nameplate since 2011—the 2023 Dodge Hornet. The compact crossover is based on the Alfa Romeo Tonale, which in turn was based on the Jeep Compass, which was based on the Jeep Renegade, which traced its way back to a GM-Fiat project.

Dodge Hornet

Dodge launched many special editions, including Jailbreak (more customized) version of “normal” (rather than Redeye) Hellcat Chargers and Challengers. 14 colors are available for the Charger and Challenger—B5 Blue, Destroyer Grey, F8 Green, Frostbite, Go Mango, Granite, Octane Red, Pitch Black, Plum Crazy, Sinamon Stick, Sublime Green, TorRed, Triple Nickel, and White Knuckle. Challenger convertibles, through DropTop Customs, are now sold directly by Dodge. (Links in the list below go to Stellpower.com)

The Durango continues into 2023. The big Dodge Durango news was the return of the Hellcat model, which can tow 8,200 pounds—and has 710 horsepower. The Hemi Orange package from the 2022 Charger and Challenger is available on 2023 Durango R/Ts; it includes dark gray and orange stripes, gray and orange badges, 20-inch black wheels, and black taillight assemblies, with four colors (Destroyer Gray, Diamond Black, Octane Red, and white). The interior has orange accent stitching. There are also Orange Plus and Orange tow packages.

This is the final year for police pursuit Chargers and Durangos; the Durango SSV was dropped. The remaining Hellcat Challengers have a manual transmission, but “it’s complicated.”

After 2023

The electric Charger will be built in Ontario. It appears there will be a smaller electric Challenger, too. We also have reason to believe there will be gasoline powered Chargers and Challengers, using the Hurricane twin-turbo straight six instead of Hemi V8s, with base 4xe powertrains. These may be made in a different factory, and the relationship would be like Wagoneer and Wagoneer S—except they might share more than their names. These are all due in late 2024 and early 2025 as 2025 models.

Ram

Ram made some substantial upgrades across every vehicle other than the ProMaster, which gained many serious upgrades for 2022, and the ProMaster City, which is being dropped.

The Ram 1500 has two special editions, Limited Elite—with a multifunction tailgate that includes a bed extender, as well as a special dial shifter and gauge cluster theme, upgraded heated/ventilated front leather seats, heated steering wheel, bright pedals, and suede headliner; and Ram RED on Limited Crew Cab, which is a charity vehicle and badge kit. The Ram 1500 SSV (police version) gained an optional 3.92 gear ratio and optional forward collision avoidance.

Aside from vans, Ram has three basic vehicles: Ram 1500, Ram 2500/3500 pickups (“Heavy Duty”), and chassis cabs. An electric Ram will be shown in March-April 2023. The changes below are only to those vehicles, not the vans.

The battery-electric Ram ProMaster is due in 2023.

Chrysler

There was no news on the Pacifica. No substantial changes were issued for the 300, though the SafetyTec group became optional on the base Touring model. The Hemi is still an option on the 300S. A special edition, 392-Hemi (6.4 liter) powered 300C is a final hurrah, with 2,200 cars to be made (2,000 for the US, 200 for Canada).

Jeep

Coming up: a new Jeep Cherokee, body code KM, for 2025—the rumor mill has this on STLA Large, but it might surprise us and arrive on STLA Medium. The Jeep Cherokee (not Grand Cherokee!) goes away at the end of February 2023, and its plant goes into stasis for a while.

The 2023 Jeep Avenger, a not-for-the-US-or-Canada compact, is built in Italy and sold in Europe. Versions include an internal combustion, hybrid, and BEV. Not all have launched as of January.

Jeep Avenger

For 2024, Jeep will have an electric Recon and Wagoneer S built in North America. These are on STLA Large, are about the same size, and will probably be made in Ontario. Wagoneer S has a footprint slightly smaller than Grand Cherokee, but with more interior space. Wagoneer seems to be a sub-brand competing with Range Rover. (The 2024 Jeep Wagoneer will also have a 4xe version, according to Automotive News).

Jeep Recon

Recon

Jeep has released Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, and Gladiator changes for 2023; the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer spawned longer-wheelbase versions, Wagoneer L and Grand Wagoneer L. For 2023, Wagoneer has a new “carbide package” with unique wheels (Series II only). More importantly, while the base Wagoneer sticks with the 392-hp 5.7 Hemi, the Series II and III get the Hurricane (420 hp, 468 lb-ft, and 1 mpg better mileage).

Compass and Cherokee. The 2.4 rejoined the Cherokee and the 3.2 V6 was dropped—as we predicted last year. Cherokee was out of production after February 28, 2023. Meanwhile, the Compass has an exciting new engine, the 2-liter turbo GME four-cylinder, which dramatically improves acceleration over the old 2.4.

Compass

 

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe has 470 lb-ft of torque, 49 MPGe, a 2.72:1 low range, Dana 44 axles, lift to 10.1 inches of ground clearance, and a lower price point than the past 4xe Wranglers, for the US and Canada.

The 30th Anniversary 4xe Grand Cherokee has 25 miles of electric range and 56 MPGe with 375 hp and 470 lb-ft; it can tow up to 6,000 pounds. The special edition includes black Capri leather seats, ventilated in front; 10.1 inch screen; Alpine audio; navigation; front/rear park assist; Intersection Collision Assist, passive entry; rain-sensing wipers; digital rearview mirror (for towing); and 360° cameras.

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