2012 Jeep Compass Latitude 4X4

Value-packed SUV gets styling and safety enhancements

By Nina Russin

2012 Jeep Compass

Although the EPA classifies the Jeep Compass as a compact sport-utility vehicle, its roomy interior accommodates up to five passengers, with plenty of cargo space. The Compass is one of the most affordable Jeeps on the market, available as either a front or all-wheel drive model.

Two off-road packages give the Compass the ability to navigate moderate off-road trails, with available low gear range, locking differential, and underbody cladding. The Freedom-Drive II Off-Road option also adds a full-sized spare, special tires, hill start assist and hill descent control.

There are three available grades: Sport, Latitude and Limited. The mid-grade Latitude starts at $23,445 for the all-wheel drive model with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine: the larger of two available blocks. MSRP does not include a $780 destination fee.

Last year, designers freshened the styling inside and out, by integrating cues from the Jeep Grand Cherokee, adding brighter headlamps, a new rear fascia to make the back end look more appealing, and using more soft-touch surfaces inside.

In addition to its affordable sticker price, the Compass is economical to own, thanks to 23 mile-per-gallon average fuel economy. I averaged 22.3 miles-per-gallon on my 100-mile test drive: slightly poorer than the EPA estimate.

Buyers who opt for the front-wheel drive model will average slightly higher. There are two available transmissions: a five-speed manual and continuously variable automatic with manual gear selection.

The test car has two option packages: the first adds a tire pressure display to the instrument panel, vehicle information center, automatic dimming rearview mirror and tonneau cover in the cargo area ($650). A Uconnect voice command package includes a USB port, voice-command application for the Bluetooth interface and satellite radio with a one year subscription ($780). Price as tested is $25,350. Read the rest of this entry »

Extended drive: 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4X4

Off-road legend gains some urban chops

By Nina Russin

2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Last fall, Jeep introduced the newest Wrangler: the four-by-four which, so to speak, started it all. The Wrangler’s roots date back to 1941, having been used for military purposes in World War II. Having driven the 2012 model on dirt roads and trails in the Tillamook National Forest, I feel comfortable in saying that none of the car’s legendary off-road capability has changed.

From a practical point of view, the Wrangler needs to do more than shine off-road. With a MSRP beginning over $25,000 for the four-door model, it must be capable of serving as its owner’s only car. Realizing that, Jeep engineers focused as much on raising the 2012 model’s on-road performance as its off-road capability.

Jeep Wrangler roots date back to the 1941 Willys

Changes began with a more powerful V-6 engine, which lowers the Wrangler’s zero-to-sixty acceleration time by three seconds. The Pentastar V-6, which first appeared in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, delivers 285 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque: improvements of 40 and ten percent respectively over the old engine. For drivers merging from toll booths or entry ramps into rush hour traffic, the benefits of the power increase are huge.

Side and rear glass areas are larger to improve visibility around the exterior. A lockable storage area for the hard top and bolts is a boon for urbanites. There are also two lockable storage areas in the passenger compartment: a glovebox and center console bin.

Enhanced fit-and-finish and soft-touch surfaces make the Wrangler’s interior more appealing. Automatic climate control, heated seats, power mirrors and redundant steering wheel controls are important creature comforts. Bluetooth interface, satellite radio and UConnect appeal to tech-savvy buyers. Read the rest of this entry »

2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Iconic model is all-new from the inside out

By Nina Russin

2012 Jeep Wrangler

Nothing says “four wheeling” quite the way a Jeep Wrangler does. Beginning in 2011 Jeep restyled the Wrangler’s interior and exterior, adding an available body-color hard top and fenders for the upscale Sahara. Designers made touch points on the interior, such as the door handles and center console cover, softer and more user-friendly. Buyers can continue to opt for cloth upholstery or upgrade to leather.

The big news for 2012 is the Wrangler’s Pentastar V-6 engine: the same block which debuted on the 2011 Grand Cherokee. The engine improves the Wrangler’s performance in every way compared to the outgoing 3.8-liter block. It is lighter, offers better fuel economy and more power, with enhanced low-end torque.

An 8.4-second zero-to-sixty acceleration time is a three second improvement over the 2011 models. The 2012 Wrangler can tow up to 3500 pounds, meeting our ALV minimum standard.

Buyers can choose between a five-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection and a six-speed manual gearbox. Both two and four-door models come in four grades: the base Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon.

Pricing for both the Sport and Sport S remains unchanged from 2011: beginning at $22,045 and $24,245 respectively. Prices for the two-door Sahara increased $225 to $27,970, while a $175 increase on the two-door Rubicon brings the MSRP to $29,995.

The four-door Sahara climbs $300 to $30,745, while the Unlimited Rubicon starts $250 high than the 2011 model, at $33,570. Prices do not include an $800 delivery charge. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo X 4X4

Premium sport-utility vehicle priced under $40,000

By Nina Russin

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Several weeks back I drove the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited: one of four available grades on Jeep’s flagship sport-utility vehicle. This week, I got behind the wheel of the Laredo X, which sits between the base Laredo E and Limited grades.

Base price for the Laredo is $32,215, not including the $780 destination charge. The Laredo X option package adds about $4000, bringing the price above the $35,000 cut-off for our best value category. Still, the fully-equipped test car is significantly less expensive than either the Limited or Overland grades, which start at $40,000 for the four-wheel drive models.

The Laredo X comes with leather trim, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, remote start, a rear-view backup camera, Bluetooth interface, 115-volt power outlet, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Power comes from a 3.6-liter V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission.

Unlike the base model, the Laredo X is available with Jeep’s new all-terrain package, which automatically adapts the car’s steering, suspension and brakes to the road surface. The driver selects one of five settings using a rotary dial on the center console, and on-board computers do the rest.

Selec-Terrain is part of an option package which also adds tow hooks and an engine block heater ($695). The car’s air suspension works in tandem with the system to increase ground clearance on uneven terrain. A sport mode lowers the body to improve aerodynamics at higher speeds.

The Quadra Trac I four-wheel drive system on the Laredo has a single-speed transfer case, but still offers enough off-road capability to satisfy most drivers’ needs. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4X4

A second look at Jeep’s new full-sized SUV

By Nina Russin

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee is the flagship of the Jeep brand: a full-sized sport utility vehicle which is equally at ease on urban highways and off-road trails. Jeep unveiled an all-new version last summer for the 2011 model year, with V-6 or V-8 engines, and three available four-wheel drive systems.

I first drove the new Grand Cherokee at a media event in northern California. Our drive route included some challenging canyon roads as well as off-road trails at a park in Hollister.

This week, I revisited the new Grand Cherokee on more familiar roads, commuting in urban traffic and carrying cargo. With fuel prices once again on the rise, I was also interested to see how the Pentastar V-6 engine would perform in terms of fuel economy.

The test car is the Limited: one of four available trim levels. Base price is $39,215, not including a $780 destination charge. All grades come with a choice of the V-6 or V-8 engines, and two or four-wheel drive. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Jeep Patriot Latitude 4X4

Versatile SUV gets a facelift and new interior

By Nina Russin

2011 Jeep Patriot

The Jeep Patriot has become a polarizing vehicle, much like its Wrangler sibling. Patriot fans love the sport-utility vehicle’s value pricing and off-road capability. Critics point to the lack of engine power and inconsistent fit and finish.

This year, Jeep addressed some of those concerns with a significant redesign. Designers revised the car’s front and rear fascias as well as the interior, paying more attention to fit, finish and touch-points throughout the vehicle.

 The Patriot’s redesigned back end conceals the gas tank and muffler. The new front fascia links the Patriot to other models in the Jeep line-up, including the upscale Grand Cherokee.

Fit and finish throughout the interior is much better. Designers paid close attention to the steering wheel, knobs, buttons and door handles Soft center console and dashboard surfaces are more pleasant to live with.

The Latitude sits in the middle of three available grades. Base price for the four-wheel drive model is $17,695, not including a $700 destination charge.

Most buyers will want to add a premium package that upgrades the standard wheels to 17-inch alloy rims, and adds air conditioning, remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, heated seats, a 115-volt outlet, leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant audio controls and heated side mirrors ($3700). Front seat side airbags are also an option, included in a package which also adds tire pressure monitoring and a digital information display ($750).

Roof rails with crossbars and a tonneau cover cost $500.

The off-road package on the test car includes all terrain tires, a brake lock differential, full-sized spare, fuel tank and transmission skid plates, tow hooks, wiring for a trailer harness, and hill descent control ($1500).

A special automatic transmission comes with the package, adding a crawl ratio for low-speed maneuvers.

A 30 gigabyte media center, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port and satellite radio bring the price as tested to $25,410. Options on the test car add over 25 percent to its sticker price, which strikes me as a rather severe jump. I’d rather see basic convenience features, including keyless entry, power windows, door locks and air conditioning included in the base price. Read the rest of this entry »

Jeep Reveals 2011 Compass in Detroit

Trail-rated SUV offers 29 mpg highway fuel economy

After this week’s freak snow storm, the redesigned Jeep Compass might be just the ticket for drivers along the nation’s southern tier. Originally introduced as a sport-utility vehicle for on-road use, the 2011 model is trail rated, meaning it has passed grueling tests for off-road capability.

Exterior design borrows cues from the new Grand Cherokee, including a slight “power bulge” on the hood. 2011 models come with standard 17-inch aluminum wheels; 18-inch chrome rims for the upscale Limited model. Interior upgrades include more soft touch surfaces, redundant audio, Bluetooth and cruise controls on the steering wheel, and a new cloth interior with bucket seats. Read the rest of this entry »

Jeep Upgrades Patriot and Wrangler for 2011

Sport-utility vehicles get refreshed styling; more upscale interiors

2011 Jeep Patriot

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has created momentum in the showroom, boosting sales by 65 percent in September compared to last year. Product planners hope refreshed Patriot and Wrangler models will make the buzz about Jeep even stronger.

A new Patriot model called the Latitude offers enhanced content over the base grade, giving customers for the compact sport-utility vehicle more bang for the buck. Pricing for the front-wheel Latitude begins under $16,000.

Designers revised the Patriot’s front and rear fascias to give the truck a more substantial look, added standard 17-inch alloy wheels for the Latitude, and redesigned the seven-slot grille. Fog lamps are now inboard to do a better job of lighting. A fatter rear fascia conceals the muffler which is now painted black. Upscale Patriot grades get chrome exhaust tips.

Inside the Patriot features soft-touch door panels, a four-spoke steering wheel with redundant audio and Bluetooth controls and new cloth interior.

The four-wheel drive Patriot with an off-road package meets Jeep’s trail-rated standards. All trail-rated Jeeps must be able to negotiate the challenging Rubicon Trail outside Lake Tahoe, California.

Engineers re-tuned the Patriot’s suspension for reduced noise, vibration and harshness. Buyers can choose between two four-cylinder engines and a five-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission. Jeep builds the Patriot at its Belvidere, Illinois assembly plant. Read the rest of this entry »

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Full-sized sport-utility vehicle is king of off-road trails

By Nina Russin

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland

The Grand Cherokee is Jeep’s biggest and most lavish sport-utility vehicle. For 2011, the automaker is introducing an all-new model with more comfort and convenience features, plus the off-road capability the brand is famous for.

The new Grand Cherokee is slightly longer and wider than the outgoing model. Designers pushed the rear axle back five inches to increase legroom in the second row.

An all-new flex-fuel V-6 engine comes standard on all three grades, with a five-speed automatic transmission. Buyers needing more than the standard engine’s 5000 pound towing capability can upgrade to a hemi V-8 that tows 7400 pounds. The hemi incorporates Chrysler’s multiple displacement technology which deactivates cylinders when engine loads are low to save fuel.

Jeep is introducing several new technologies to improve the Grand Cherokee’s performance on and off-road. A new air suspension system can raise the vehicle up for extreme off-road trails to create 10.7 inches of ground clearance.

The same system automatically lowers the Jeep from its normal setting to an aero position on the highway, to improve performance and fuel economy. The driver can lower the vehicle even further in park, to ease access and egress.

New front and rear independent suspensions contribute to a 146 percent improvement in torsional rigidity for better steering response. A Selec-Terrain system on the center console lets the driver choose from one of five conditions, to provide optimal engine and suspension tuning, with the appropriate safety technology.

Jeep is using the same trim designations as the outgoing model. The four-wheel drive Laredo starts at $32,995, while the upscale Overland  4X4 is priced from $42,995. 2011 models begin rolling into dealerships the end of July. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Full-sized sport-utility vehicle tuned for performance

By Nina Russin

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

The Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the fastest vehicle in the Jeep lineup: a different kind of animal than what the brand is known for. Chrysler’s street racing engineers utilized four-wheel drive to enhance power as opposed to off-road handling, delivering a zero-to-sixty time under five seconds.

Special ground effects limit the SRT8 model to paved roads. I had difficulty backing out of my driveway without hitting the front fascia, designed to enhance airflow, on the apron. Twenty-inch forged aluminum wheels come with run-flat tires can run up to fifty miles with no air pressure on the highway. The tires eliminate weight from a spare, but are completely impractical off-road.

Having said that, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 fits most of the other squares active buyers need to fill. It can hold up to five passengers, has a large enough cargo area to hold a bicycle, and tows up to 3500 pounds, meeting our minimum ALV standards.

Best of all, the hot rod Grand Cherokee is a hoot to drive. While Jeep enthusiasts will immediately see differences in appearance between the stock Grand Cherokee and its SRT cousin, most drivers cannot. There’s nothing more fun than pulling up next to a pony car at a stoplight, and blowing it away off the line. I found the stunt so entertaining that I had to repeat it half a dozen times during my test drive.

Base price on the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is $43,325, not including a $780 destination charge. Read the rest of this entry »