Jeep Wrangler Ditches (Awful) Old Headlights for 2017, Dodge Caravan Heads Downmarket

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Upgrades are coming to several Fiat Chrysler Automobiles models, with the automaker announcing it will ditch some of the worst headlights in the industry.

No previously unannounced products are mentioned in FCA’s 2017 model year changes, but many models will receive new equipment. In the case of the Dodge Grand Caravan, which soldiers on in the shadow of the new Chrysler Pacifica, the new year comes with a new price.

Jeep scored plenty of failing grades back in July when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested small SUV headlights. The Wrangler, Renegade and Patriot all scored “poor” ratings from IIHS, but that could change next year.

LED headlamps appear in the Wrangler lineup for 2017, as well as new foglamps. The new lights are optional on Sport and Sport S models, and come standard on Sahara and Rubicon models. Late in the model year, the Renegade adopts high-intensity discharge headlamps. Nothing changes with the Patriot because that ancient model is awaiting the executioner.

Chrysler’s Pacifica minivan wowed us with its level of technology and creature comforts, but shocked us with its sticker price. At the opposite end of the minivan price scale is the Dodge Grand Caravan, which FCA just made more affordable by knocking $1,100 off the price of a base SE. The lineup shrinks to four trim levels ahead of the model’s death, but there’s a chance the automaker might keep it around for longer than just a year.

Changes to FCA’s rear-drive trio amount to a next-generation Uconnect infotainment system and 8.4 inch touchscreen in the Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Charger. Sport appearance packages are available on the aging 300.

Nothing changes at Fiat, but Ram sees the addition of the brawny, manly, macho (are we forgetting anything?) Power Wagon to the 2500 Heavy Duty pickup line. The Power Wagon adds blacked-out trim, oversized badging and graphics, and a host of cherry-picked accessories. It’s an over-the-top hair metal band on wheels.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

More by Steph Willems

Comments
Join the conversation
9 of 75 comments
  • Jthorner Jthorner on Sep 01, 2016

    We just bought a new 2016 Grand Caravan for $7,000 off MSRP, so moving the MSRP down a notch doesn't mean the actual sale prices are going down. We needed a vehicle with these capabilities and the GC was a screaming good deal compared to any SUV with similar capacity and compared to the much more expensive versions from Japanese companies. Some of what we ended up with we didn't need, the the rear seat video screen, but at $21,500 well equipped it couldn't be beat.

    • See 2 previous
    • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Sep 03, 2016

      @jthorner - your reply explains why I have a Sienna.

  • Thorshammer_gp Thorshammer_gp on Sep 02, 2016

    "The Power Wagon adds blacked-out trim, oversized badging and graphics..." Don't all Rams already have oversized badging? That tailgate...good lord.

    • See 3 previous
    • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Sep 04, 2016

      Drzhivago138 - correct.

  • CanadaCraig You can just imagine how quickly the tires are going to wear out on a 5,800 lbs AWD 2024 Dodge Charger.
  • Luke42 I tried FSD for a month in December 2022 on my Model Y and wasn’t impressed.The building-blocks were amazing but sum of the all of those amazing parts was about as useful as Honda Sensing in terms of reducing the driver’s workload.I have a list of fixes I need to see in Autopilot before I blow another $200 renting FSD. But I will try it for free for a month.I would love it if FSD v12 lived up to the hype and my mind were changed. But I have no reason to believe I might be wrong at this point, based on the reviews I’ve read so far. [shrug]. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about it once I get to test it.
  • FormerFF We bought three new and one used car last year, so we won't be visiting any showrooms this year unless a meteor hits one of them. Sorry to hear that Mini has terminated the manual transmission, a Mini could be a fun car to drive with a stick.It appears that 2025 is going to see a significant decrease in the number of models that can be had with a stick. The used car we bought is a Mk 7 GTI with a six speed manual, and my younger daughter and I are enjoying it quite a lot. We'll be hanging on to it for many years.
  • Oberkanone Where is the value here? Magna is assembling the vehicles. The IP is not novel. Just buy the IP at bankruptcy stage for next to nothing.
  • Jalop1991 what, no Turbo trim?
Next