2028 Chrysler Airflow: Everything We Know About the Upcoming Affordable Midsize Crossover

What It Is

A long-awaited crossover with an edgy design. The midsize SUV sits lower than most crossovers and comes with an elegant look. It’s in contrast to the new Dodge Hornet replacement, referred to as the GLH for Goes Like Hell, which has been described as the Airflow’s hot hatch evil twin. The Airflow will have a starting price of less than $40,000.

Why It Matters

Chrysler has languished as a one-model brand with the Pacifica minivan and needs more reasons for customers to consider Chrysler. The company has teased the Airflow for years, beginning with the 2022 concept, a rounded midsize electric vehicle. The program was paused, revisited, and then revived. It was subsequently redone under then-Chrysler brand boss Chris Feuell, who wanted a new look and powertrain strategies. Feuell left the company, but the ideas behind the Airflow continued to evolve, becoming more upright and boxier in keeping with modern styling trends. It now has flat surfaces instead of sculpted sides and boasts a full-width LED light bar across the front with an illuminated Chrysler wing badge. The vehicle also features a large trapezoidal lower grille and tall vertical taillights.

The Airflow is now part of Stellantis’ five-year plan, which includes several vehicles entering production by 2030, but we won’t have to wait that long for it. Note that the powertrain plan continues to rely on internal combustion engines.

Platform and Powertrain

The front-wheel-drive SUV will be built on the new STLA One platform for use by all Stellantis brands for vehicles ranging from subcompact to midsize SUVs. It was designed to shorten the time needed to reach the marketplace, reduce complexity, and cut costs by 30 percent; it’s flexible enough to support internal combustion engines, hybrids, and electric powertrains. Indeed, Chrysler will offer the Airflow with a mix of powertrains, more befitting today’s market as American buyers slowly warm to EVs.

We expect the lineup to include a turbocharged four-cylinder engine now that Stellantis has developed the new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo. The Hurricane was also engineered to support mild and plug-in hybrids. Stellantis is not abandoning its plans for EVs altogether; we expect a battery electric version with lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, which are less expensive and use fewer critical raw materials than nickel-based lithium-ion batteries. The platform can also support 800-volt batteries for quicker charging times. We also expect an all-wheel-drive option, as the Airflow is intended to be a five-passenger family vehicle.

It’s worth noting that STLA One is the first platform to integrate the company’s STLA Brain electronics and software architecture to manage everything from over-the-air updates to driver assistance and vehicle controls. It will also introduce the STLA SmartCockpit infotainment system.

Estimated Price: $39,000

Expected On-Sale Date: 2027