The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 3.0-liter V6 common-rail diesel is rated at 17/22 mpg. To be honest, I'm not overly impressed with those numbers, but on our Limited 4x4 model the diesel engine package only costs $1,655. For that money you not only get the diesel engine (215 hp/376 lb-ft torque), but you also get a larger fuel tank (22 versus 20 gallons), a stronger battery (800 amp), Dana 44 rear axle, engine block heater and additional body insulation (to shut out the engine's increased noise).

To put some meat on those numbers let's examine what "going diesel" costs you and what it gets you. At $1,655 you spend an additional 4.2 percent over the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited's MSRP of $38,555 to go diesel. But the 17/22 mileage figures with this engine are 18 percent better than the 14/19 figures you get from the standard 4.7-liter V8 (19.5 mpg average versus 16.5 mpg average). Towing capacity is also higher with the diesel than the 4.7-liter V8, at 7,400 pounds versus 6,500 pounds (that's a 13 percent increase for the math wizards out there).

So, if you drive 15,000 miles a year, and regular fuel costs 3.50 a gallon, your annual fuel bill is $3,182. If you drive those same 15,000 miles with the CRD diesel, and diesel costs $4 a gallon, your annual fuel bill is $3,076. That's almost a wash, but theoretically that $106 a year means it would take 15.6 years to pay for the diesel engine option.

Another factor to consider is refueling frequency (and associated time). If your time is money, and the diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee goes 429 miles on a tank (19.5 mpg x 22 gallons) versus 330 for the gasoline engine (16.5 x 20 gallons), then you'll be filling up approximately 10 more times a year. At 10 minutes a fill up that's 100 minutes a year. If you make somewhere between $30 and $50
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Technically, The C300 and cts replaced the G35.

Hey is the c300 ok? Its

Plenty of folks are ready to blame Mercedes-Benz for all of Chrysler's problems. The suggestion would have seemed ludicrous just a few years ago, back when Chrysler 300s were the darling of rap stars everywhere, Magnums were threatening to revive America's love affair with the station wagon, and a Hemi anything (old or new) was hotter than stolen OJ sports memorabilia.

But then came $3-a-gallon gasoline, Jeeps that can't go off-road, and interior panels best suited for holding frozen dinners. Now that the divorce is final I'm hoping we can all just move on, and this all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty show signs of progress...sort of. For isntance, the exterior shape is a vast improvement over the first-gen Liberty. Like the Patriot, Grand Cherokee and Commander this Jeep looks like a Jeep. Heck, if not for the Punk-As...uh, I mean Compass, I could universally approve of all current Jeeps in terms of exterior design.

Continue reading...

With its relationship to the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass (all three use the same platform and drivetrain options) I must admit a prejudice existed against the Jeep Patriot before I ever got near it. The 2.4-liter, 172 horsepower engine isn't the most inspiring powerplant on the market, and the CVT continues to sap power in the Patriot just as it does in the Caliber and Compass.

BUT...the exterior design of the Patriot is my favorite of the three. I remember hearing the Compass was supposed to be the "girl's" version of this platform, and the Patriot was meant to be the "manly" one. I guess it worked, because I find this version much more attractive overall. The low-range transfer case gives the Patriot some authentic off-road mojo, and the boxy exterior makes it look like an authentic Jeep rather than a Jeep that sold its soul in a transparent effort to grab CR-V sales.

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I haven't been too thrilled with SRT products lately (Viper and Caliber) but this one works. The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 behaves like a performance variant should, meaning it's simply better than the standard Grand Cherokee in every way, with no annoying side effects. Actually, if you're a hardcore off-roader perhaps it does have the annoying side effect of being less off-road capable. But c'mon, how many Grand Cherokee buyers are really going off road?

I think the all-wheel drive system, which is updated in the SRT8, is a key element in the cars FTD success. Unlike the Viper and Caliber, neither of which delivered power in a pleasing way, the SRT8 combines its torquey 6.1-liter V8 (great exhaust note, BTW) with an effective means of delivering that power to the pavement. It's got a five-speed automatic, so no guessing if you've picked the right gear like in the Viper, and the electronic on-demand four-wheel drive system not only removes any chance of torque steer but ensures a positive connection between the SUV's 420 hp and the road.

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Drove our latest long-term vehicle home last night, a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. As much as I like the functionality of four doors, or the advanced technology you get from the MyGIG multimedia system, or even the extreme off-road capability, what I really like about this car is the color. There's something very "Jeep-like" in that dark green shade that looks so right on the brand-new Wrangler. Maybe it's because the color is identical to the color used for the Jeep Gladiator concept truck from the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. Unfortunately, like all great Chrysler concepts (except the Challenger), the Gladiator is probably in limbo until we all figure out who will actually own Chrysler. In the meantime, a Jeep Wrangler in "Jeep Green Metallic Clearcoat" is as close as you (or I) can get. For now, I'll take it!

Look for the introduction -- and long-term blogs updates -- to post soon.

My recent drive in the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 confirmed that old axiom -- you can fix almost anything with more power. In this case the power almost makes me forget about the cramped rear seat, buzzy steering and trucky ride quality. That 6.1 Hemi provides a wide torque band with a peak of 420 lb-ft (and 420 hp), giving this vehicle Cayenne Turbo-trumping acceleration for half the price. Sure, the Turbo has got 100 horsepower on the Jeep, but the Jeep has 800 lbs on the Cayenne. Colin Chapman's philosophy still applies, even when you're talking two-plus ton SUVs. I appreciate what the SRT8 version is trying to do, but for me it holds little appeal. Obviously, with a lowered ride height and 20-inch wheels, it can't go off-road, so it's basically a rapid station wagon -- and still heavy by station wagon standards. Bottom line, there are plenty of other rapid station wagons out there I'd rather drive, most of them with superior steering feel, handling, ride quality and interior space. This car is really meant for Jeep fanatics who would rather go fast than go off road (which immediately strikes me as contradictory...)

You may have heard this already, but Chrysler recently sacked its Sales and Marketing Vice President, Joe Eberhardt. The level of unsold Chrysler inventory sitting on dealer lots is threatening to alter tectonic plate activity under the North American continent, and some -- okay, I -- have suggested Chrysler simply "give 2007 a miss" in terms of model production. They could literally just let the 2006 leftovers cover sales for a few more weeks, and then start producing 2008s in January. They are already taking this approach with a few models, including the Viper.

Not so long ago Chyrsler was looking like the fair-haired child (Hemi mania, Chrysler 300 sales records, etc.), but it seems the world has turned once again. Now GM has a slew of new (and impressive) vehicles hitting the market while Chrysler dumps the Caliber, Compass and Sebring on us.

Never a dull moment when it comes to our Domestic Automakers.

   The all-new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is a perfect example of how you must drive a vehicle in its proper atmosphere to gain a true understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. That's why even an extensive test drive can still fall woefully short of telling a potential buyer about a vehicle. If you're test driving a Lotus Exige, you really need to drive it on a track. If you're test driving a Honda Odyssey, you really need to load it with people (preferably small people) and their associated gear. And if you're driving the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, you need to take it off road.

Continue reading...

If you're looking to buy a diesel-powered vehicle in 2007, your choices are pretty slim. I drove the 2006 Jeep Liberty CRD home last night, and except for the slight turbo lag and the location of the window switches (center console) I really liked the vehicle. The 295 lb-ft of torque (at 1,800 rpm) gives it plenty of gumption, and like all modern diesels there's really no issue with sound, smell or soot. BUT...the common rail diesl engine won't be offered in the 2007 Jeep Liberty because increasing emissions standards make it too expensive to upgrade and certifty, at least in Chrysler's opinion. This is somewhat confusing because Chrysler has committed to bringing a CRD version of the Grand Cherokee to market in the first quarter of 2007.

At least Jeep is holding steady with one diesel model being offered somewhere in the line-up. Volkswagen has completely bailed on diesel offerings for 2007, though they claim to have a Jetta in store for 2008. Mercedes-Benz is also touting their Blu-Tec E320, which should be 50-state legal when it hits this fall. I find the timing of dwindling diesel choices and increased fuel prices ironic. When it rains it pours. You can read more about this topic here.

The good news is I like the Jeep Compass better than the Dodge Caliber. The bad news is I'm not a fan of the Caliber, so a "better" version of that car still doesn't earn my money...or my endorsement. My primary Caliber complaint relates to that model's atrocious interior materials. They seem like a serious backslide in a world where little things are increasingly what make the difference between "good" and "bad" cars. Some people will still argue that interior materials aren't particularly important to most consumers, but I counter that if all other things between two cars are equal (price, performance, ride quality, ergonomic design, etc.) and one of them has a high-quality interior and one has a cheap interior, which should you buy? On the Compass the interior looks much better than the Caliber's (the Dodge interior screams "CHEAP!" from across the parking lot). With the Compass the contrasting colors on the door panels and seats, at least in the Limited I drove, actually looked pretty good (think Saturn Sky versus Pontiac Solstice). But dig a little deeper and the low-quality plastic becomes obvious. Hey, at least you have to dig to discover this. The Compass also suffers from the same lack of power that hobbles the Caliber. I like some of the little touches, like the auxiliary audio input that's easy to access (some car makers like to hide these...) and the flashlight built into the cargo area dome light. I also much prefer this car's exterior styling over the Caliber, and my 8-year-old son absolutely loved the Compass' looks ("I like those round headlights -- they're cool!"). However, the lack of power and cheap interior materials (albeit better than the Caliber's) can't be overcome by cool body lines and some nifty features. I'd go CX-7 or Escape. BTW, this is our newest long-term car, so expect to see coverage and blogs on the Compass for the next year.