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Jeep is a Chrysler division specializing in the production of sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Its present lineup starts with the 2008 Jeep Patriot compact sport utility vehicle (MRSP $16,055 - $22,525, Invoice price $15,142 - $21,030), which competes with the Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Honda Element, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda Tribute, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. This SUV comes with a 210-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission, and a rear-wheel or front-wheel drive system. It debuted publicly in April 2006 at the New York Auto Show. [1]
Next, we have the 2008 Jeep Compass (MSRP: $17,055 - $22,835, Invoice price: $16,072 - $21,332), a compact crossover introduced for the 2007 model year. The Compass comes with a 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter I4 engine, a five-speed manual transmission, and a front-wheel or four wheel drive system. Competing models are the Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Honda Element, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda Tribute, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Toyota RAV4.
Up next is the 2008 Jeep Wrangler two-door sport utility vehicle (MSRP: $19,360 - $27,920, Invoice Price: $18,296 - $25,541). It is a successor to the famous World War II 'Jeep' vehicle by way of the Willys Universal Jeep in the 1950s, later produced by Kaiser-Jeep and AMC. [2] The Jeep Wrangler comes with a 202-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 engine, a six-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic transmission, and a four-wheel drive system. Some competing models for this model are the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Dodge Nitro, Ford Edge, Ford Escape, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, Honda CR-V, and Honda Element.
Then, there is the 2008 Jeep Liberty sport utility vehicle (MSRP: $21,025 - $26,820, Invoice price: $19,790 - $25,079). The Liberty comes with a 210-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 engine and can tow up to 5,000 if properly equipped. Buyers can choose from a 4-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission; a rear wheel or four-wheel drive system. Some competing models are the Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Suzuki XL7, and Toyota RAV4. This vehicle is currently in its second generation and is assembled in Toledo, Ohio.
Next on the list is the 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited four-door sport utility vehicle (MSRP $21,280 - $30,235, Invoice price: $20,083 - $27,641). It comes with a 202-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 engine, a six-speed manual transmission, and a four-wheel or rear-wheel drive system. Some competing models are the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Dodge Nitro, Ford Edge, Ford Escape, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, Honda CR-V, and Honda Element.
The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee mid-size sport utility vehicle (MRSP: $29,250 - $43,270, Invoice price: $26,938 - $39,451) is next. This model competes with the Chevrolet Suburban 1500, Chevrolet Suburban 2500, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Chrysler Pacifica, Ford Expedition, Ford Expedition EL, Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia, and GMC Envoy, GMC Yukon. The Grand Cherokee was a spinoff of the smaller Jeep Cherokee. The 1989 "Jeep Concept 1" show car foretold the basic design. [3] The current Grand Cherokees are assembled in Detroit, Michigan and Graz, Austria. Buyers can choose from a 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine, a 305-horsepower, 4.7-liter V8 engine, and a 330-horsepower, 5.7-liter V8 engine. A 215-horsepower, 3.0-liter common-rail diesel V6 engine is available in non-California-emissions states. This SUV comes with a 5-speed shiftable automatic transmission. It is also available either with a rear-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive system. Maximum towing capacity with the 5.7-liter V8 engine, if properly equipped, is 7,400 pounds; with the 4.7-liter V8 engine, 6,500 pounds.
Up next is the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 sport utility vehicle (MRSP: $41,455, Invoice price: $38,265). This SUV competes with the Ford Expedition, Ford Expedition EL, Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia, GMC Envoy, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL 1500, and Hyundai Veracruz. The Grand Cherokee SRT-8 comes with a powerful 425-horsepower, 6.1-liter V8 engine, a five-speed shiftable automatic transmission, and a four-wheel drive system. It is the fastest production SUV, accelerating from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, faster than the Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes-Benz ML63, the two closest competitors. [4]
Rounding out the list is the 2008 Jeep Commander mid-size SUV (MSRP: $28,145 - $43,680, Invoice price: $25,969 - $39,821), which competes with models such as the Chevrolet Suburban 2500, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Ford Edge, Ford Expedition, Ford Expedition EL, and Ford Explorer. Buyers can choose from a 210-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 engine, a 305-horsepower, 4.7-liter V8 engine, or a 330-horsepower, 5.7-liter V8 engine; a rear-wheel or four-wheel drive system. The 2008 Jeep Commander comes with a five-speed shiftable automatic transmission and can tow up to 7,400 pounds if it is properly equipped.
Jeep specializes in sport utility vehicles. It is the oldest sport utility vehicle (SUV) brand, with Land Rover coming in a close second. [5] The marque has gone through many owners, starting in 1941 with Willys, which produced the first Civilian Jeep (CJ). [6] After going through several owners, Chrysler acquired the Jeep marque from American Motors (AMC) in 1987. Jeeps have always been known for their abilities off-road, and their popularity endures. [7] Today, the Wrangler is the only light-duty vehicle offered in North America with solid axles front and rear. [8] These axles are known for their durability due to their overall strength and lack of rubber boots to get torn on twigs and rocks. [9]
A look at Jeep's reliability ratings (ConsumerReports.org) showed that the Jeep Commander (V6) received the following ratings for the year 2006 (also design year): Excellent ratings for engine, transmission, fuel system, suspension, exhaust, and paint and trim trouble spots; Very Good ratings for electrical system, brakes, and audio system trouble spots; Good ratings for its power equipment and climate system; a Fair rating for its drive system trouble spots; and a Poor rating for its body hardware. The Jeep Grand Cherokee (V8), meanwhile, received the following ratings for the year 2007 (major redesign year was 2005): Excellent ratings for engine, major transmission, electrical systems, suspension, and exhaust trouble spots; Very Good ratings for its minor transmission, paint and trim, and fuel and climate systems trouble spots; a Good rating for its audio system; Fair ratings for its power equipment, squeaks and rattles, and brakes trouble spots; and a Poor rating for its body hardware.
Jeeps are also equipped with security features and have been tested and proven safe. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reflect that the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV received five stars out of five in frontal and side crash tests; and three stars out of five (RWD) and four stars out of five (4WD) in rollover tests. Meanwhile, the 2008 Jeep Compass four-door SUV received four stars out of five in frontal crash tests, five stars our of five in side crash tests, and four stars out of five in rollover tests.
A base 2008 Jeep Liberty (MSRP $21,025) is more competitively priced than competing models Suzuki Grand Vitara (MSRP $22,769) and Dodge Durango (MSRP $27,255). Depreciation-wise however, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is more competitive than the Jeep Liberty; a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara which had an MSRP of $19,199 is now sold for around $14,550, while a 2006 Jeep Liberty (MSRP $21,290) currently has a resell value falling within the $14,825-range. The Dodge Durango is left behind, with a 2006 model (MSRP $28,550) currently having a resell value falling within the 16,675-range.
On its website, Jeep buyers have access to shopping tools (where they can browse through authentic Jeep accessories), more information on the Jeep gas guarantee, and a "Build My Own Jeep" feature. Enthusiasts should watch out for the 2010 Jeep Scrambler, a truck built using the latest Jeep Wrangler chassis.
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