Jeep

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Quick shifts to automatic transmissions continues

Thirty-eight car nameplates offer manual transmissions for their 2020 models, Aston Martin to Volkswagen. Truck enthusiasts who like to shift gears have far fewer choices. In fact, only two manufacturers, Toyota and Jeep, offer a manual transmission in their fleets. Here’s the full list of cars with manual transmissions, either as standard or optional equipment, for the 2020 model year: Aston Martin Vantage, BMW M2, BMW M4 (all body styles), Chevrolet Camaro (all body styles), Chevrolet Spark, Dodge Challenger, Fiat 124 Spider, Ford Mustang (all body styles), Shelby GT350, Genesis G70, Honda Accord, Honda Civic (all body styles), Civic Si (all body styles), Civic Type R; Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Elantra (GT hatchback only), Hyundai Veloster, Veloster N, Hyundai

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#120, Author Patrick Foster celebrates 80 years of Jeep

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:38 — 43.5MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreAuthor Patrick Foster knows as much as anyone about automaker Jeep. With more than 30 years in the automotive industry, Foster is a prolific journalist, particularly when writing about the long history of the utilitarian, four-wheel-drive vehicles. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Foster in episode #120 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Foster’s latest book is JEEP: EIGHT DECADES FROM WILLYS TO WRANGLER (Motorbooks $32.99.) Accompanied by more than 200 photographs, the 192-page paperback is described as “the definitive book on the greatest four-wheel-drive vehicle ever.” During our 30-minute interview, Foster details his passion for Jeep and gives an insightful account of the

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2020 Jeep Gladiator stands alone among truck malaise

Lots of new vehicles look similar cruising down the highway. One family sedan is likely related to another. The flood of SUVs, with rare exception, could all be made by the same manufacturer. Tesla and pending electric competition from Byton and Rivian are non-conformists. A Porsche Panamera stands out anywhere. Hummers stand alone in gaudiness. A few gimmick cars get attention. And now there’s the industry’s first convertible truck, the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. It’s a midsize vehicle that resembles its sibling, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, but simultaneously looks nothing like its relative. Beyond its signature spindle grille, an extended wheelbase and a five-foot cargo bed, the Gladiator is unlike any other mainstream vehicle. When it literally gets unhinged (the doors

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#57, Jeep gets depreciation honors, Nissan Leaf falls

Depreciation isn’t often the top priority for car buyers, but it’s particularly important for consumers who keep their cars for many years. The online automotive search engine iSeeCars.com recently released its survey of vehicles with the most and least depreciation. The site analyzed more than 4.3 million new and used vehicles to identify models with the lowest and highest depreciation after five years. Julie Blackley, communications manager for iSeecars.com, is our guest on episode #57 of TheWeeklyDriver podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Blackley the trends of the survey’s data, including result variance in different geographical areas of the country. According to iSeeCars.com, sport utility vehicle and trucks retain the most value after five years of ownership.

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#54, Sacramento designer digs her 1986 Jeep Wagoneer

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:34 — 35.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreKerrie Kelly knows style. She owns a design company and works in a home office worthy of recognition in an upscale home decor magazine. Kelly also knows what style she likes in her automobiles. She and her husband own a BMW sedan, but it’s a 1986 Chrysler Jeep Wagoneer she prefers to drive. The Sacramento businesswoman, formerly employed by fashion mogul Ralph Lauren, is our guest on Episode #54 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss Kelly’s passion for her 32-year Jeep Wagoneer, and what she and her husband did to renovate the vehicle. We hear the story of

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2017 Jeep Renegade: Maintains tough reputation

As the original sport utility vehicle, Jeep has endured wars and multiple owners. It’s prideful, tied to patriotism and known for its off-road durability. It’s also now a hybrid, not via engine options, but in origin. The smallest vehicle in the manufacturer’s lineup, the 2017 Jeep Renegade is the brand’s third-year subcompact crossover. Jeep still manufacturers many of its vehicles near its original plant in Toledo, Ohio. But the Renegade is assembled Melfi, Italy, and in Guangzhou, China. It’s the first Jeep produced outside of North American for international markets, including the United States. The Renegade debuted with substantial importance. It was set to replace the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot. But while the Patriot departed in late 2016, the

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Two 2018 JL Jeep Wrangler models set for giveaway

Brian Deegan, a 16-time X Games Freestyle Motocross medalist, and Barricade Off Road, a leading manufacturer for off-road Wrangler parts, have joined for the biggest-ever Jeep Wrangler giveaway. Brian and his daughter Hailie have announced they’re giving away two 2018 JL Wranglers in conjunction with ExtremeTerrain, a leading authority in Jeep parts and accessories. This ultimate “His and Hers” Wrangler giveaway will feature two, one of a kind, unique JL Wranglers slathered in aftermarket parts from Deegan38, Barricade and more. With Brian Deegan’s approval, these 2018 Wranglers are ensured to be “absolutely sick.” Lift kits, wheels, tires, grilles, bumpers, fender flares, body armor, lights and other accessories are part of the recipe for these one-off Wrangler builds. A four-door JL

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Unique giveaway will award two free Jeep Wranglers to one winner

Winning one free car is extraordinary. But what are the odds of winning two free cars? ExtremeTerrain, the off-road online merchant, will make it happen. It will give away two new 2018 JL Jeep Wranglers to one winner. The vehicles will be be modified from bumper to bumper in typical XT fashion. The two JL Wranglers, one 4-door model and one 2-door model, that can be shared with a friend, a significant other or both or can kept by the winner. The latest iteration of the iconic off-roader can be traced to WWII. Engine options will be offered, including a 3.0L Diesel and 4-Cylinder Turbo, joining the 3.6L Pentastar V6. The aluminum construction of the JL will reduce weight and

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2017 Jeep Cherokee: Modern look, respect for the past

Jeep celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2016. A year earlier, the compact Jeep Cherokee replaced the Liberty in midseason. It continues the sport utility vehicle’s extended celebration and legacy as the modern version of the original WWII vehicle. For 2017, the Cherokee remains primarily the same as last year’s model. It also had a midseason addition last year with the top-end of five trims, the Overland. It joins the Latitude, Limited, Sport and Trailhawk. As the most powerful Jeep in the lineup, the Overland model I drove for a week featured a 3.2-liter, 24-valve V6 engine with 271 horsepower and matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The same engine is available as a $1,745 upgrade on other models. The small

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Fiat-Chrysler woes continue with Jeep, Dodge recall

Several types of Jeep sport utility vehicles as well as a Dodge Durango model totaling 570,000 units from 2011 and 2012 have been recalled for fire risks in two campaigns linked to problems with vanity mirror wiring and a low-pressure hose. The two brands’ problems are another dubious occurrence for Fiat Chrysler. Earlier this month, the manufacturer agreed to pay another $70 million in fines for failing to report vehicle crash deaths and injuries since 2003.   The recall includes: 477,000 2011-2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation in May to determine if vehicles serviced in a prior related recall were at risk for fires. Fiat Chrysler said

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Chrysler has new car industry issue, remote hacking

If you own a Jeep Cherokee, Chrysler 200, Dodge Ram or one of several other Chrysler vehicles made in the last three years and something goes seriously wrong while you’re driving, you could have been hacked — remotely. The problem? Hackers can control the vehicles over the Internet and cut the brakes, shut down the engine, drive the car off the road or short the electric system. The issue can only occur in Chrysler products equipped with Uconnect, a wireless system that connects the vehicles on the Sprint cellphone network. The flaw was discovered by researchers, Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek. The duo first demonstrated the hack to Wired Magazine by remotely hijacking a Jeep Cherokee driven by a news

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2014 Jeep Patriot: Rugged tradition continues

“Jeep” has been one of the world’s most recognized names since its performance in World War II. Mention “Jeep” to many folks and they automatically think of the familiar Wrangler model, which resembles the World War II Jeep—or the decidedly upscale Grand Cherokee model. But the 2014 Jeep Patriot I tested is the lowest-cost Jeep. The solid-feeling, four-door hatchback Patriot line starts with the base $15,995 front-wheel-drive (FWD) Sport model. Jeep says that price makes it “the best-priced SUV in America,”although the four-wheel-drive (4WD) Sport costs $18,195. And what’s a serious Jeep without 4WD? The 2014 mid-range Jeep Latitude 4WD model I tested lists at $23,395, while the top-line 4WD Limited goes for $25,895. The Limited comes standard with a

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Chrysler relents, recalls 2.7 million Jeep Grand Cherokee, Liberty models

Chrysler has long promoted the Jeep Grand Cherokee as a rugged off-road vehicle with a practical side as a family people mover. But the influence of the NHTSA and public pressure have provided obstacles tougher than the enduring SUV. More than a week after refusing to comply with an NHTSA request to recall 2.7 million vehicles, Chrysler has relented. The carmaker announced a campaign to inspect and repair Jeep Grand Cherokee models from 1993-2004 and Jeep Liberty models from 2002-07. Chrysler Jeep recall dates to 1993 models The recall was prompted following an independent report fuel tanks in the Grand Cherokee can explode in rear-end collisions. The NHTSA requested a recall, but Chrysler refused. Chrysler believes the cars do not

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Three Jeep, two Nissan models among 10 cars to avoid at all costs

Forbes.com can’t stay away from car lists. Best compacts to worst gas mileage, the varied online publication is more well known for its business trends than its automotive expertise. But with its automotive coverage, Forbes.com doesn’t shy away from controversy. It praises manufacturers for innovation and craftsmanship and criticizes carmakers for lousy visibility and underpowered engines. In its latest automotive list, Forbes.com selects the 10 new cars to avoid. In its assessment, Forbes.com used the facts and figures of several automotive expert organizations, including Consumer Reports, J.D. Power and Associates, the Highway Loss Data Institute, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here’s the list of 10 cars Forbes.com suggests consumers avoid as well reasons for each vehicle: Dodge Journey

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Chrysler felled by faulty airbags, recalls nearly 920,000 Grand Cherokee, Liberty models

Chrysler is globally recalling three model years and more than 900,000 vehicles from its popular sport utility vehicle lineup, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty, for faulty airbags. According to documents filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Chrysler, 919,545 total vehicles are affected from 2002 to 2004 and will require fixing a faulty module that could cause the airbags to inadvertently deploy. If the module fails, front airbags or side curtain airbags could deploy inadvertently while the SUVs are being operated, Of the vehicles recalled, 744,822 are in the United States; 49,430 in Canada; 21,828 in Mexico; and 103,465 outside North America, according to Chrysler. The recall total  approximately involves about 50 percent Grand

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Lexus tops Consumer Reports 2012 best list, Jeep gets top two worst spots

The Lexus 460L luxury sedan has been awarded top honors for best road test, while Jeep has dubious honors with vehicles receiving the worst two scores in Consumer Reports best and worst lists for 2012. Consumer Reports ranked the Lexus LS 460L at the top with a road test score of 99, followed by BMW 135i at 97; Infiniti G37 sedan at 95; Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE; Audi A6 (3.0T); Infiniti M37 and Nissan Altima 3.5 SR at 93. The Audi A8 L, Lexus ES 350 and Nissan Altima 2.5 S all appeared on the list as well with a score of 91 each. The magazine’s list is determined by 50 individualized tests and evaluations. Scores reflect how well a

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