2011 Jeep Wrangler Unltd Sport 4dr Convertible 4x4 12k Texas Direct Auto on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Consumer Reports no longer recommends Honda Civic

Consumer Reports annual Car Reliability Survey is out, and yes, there are some big surprises. First and foremost? The venerable publication no longer recommends the Honda Civic. In fact, aside from the walking-dead CR-Z and limited-release Clarity fuel-cell car, the Civic is the only Honda to miss out on CR's prestigious nod. At the opposite end there's a surprise as well – Toyota and Lexus remain the most reliable brands on the market, but Buick cracked the top three. That's up from seventh last year, and the first time for an American brand to stand on the Consumer Reports podium. Mazda's entire lineup earned Recommended checks as well. Consumer Reports dinged the Civic for its "infuriating" touch-screen radio, lack of driver lumbar adjustability, the limited selection of cars on dealer lots fitted with Honda's popular Sensing system, and the company's decision to offer LaneWatch instead of a full-tilt blind-spot monitoring system. Its score? A lowly 58. The Civic isn't the only surprise drop from CR's Recommended ranks. The Audi A3, Ford F-150, Subaru WRX/STI, and Volkswagen Jetta, GTI, and Passat all lost the Consumer Reports' checkmark. On the flipside, a number of popular vehicles graduated to the Recommended ranks, including the BMW X5, Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, and Cruze, Hyundai Santa Fe, Porsche Macan, and Tesla Model S. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the hilariously recall-prone Ford Escape getting a Recommended check – considering the popularity of Ford's small crossover, this is likely a coup for the brand, as it puts the Escape on a level playing field with the Recommended Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. While Ford is probably happy to see CR promote the Escape, the list wasn't as kind for every brand. For example, of the entire Fiat Chrysler Automobiles catalog, the ancient Chrysler 300 was the only car to score a check – there wasn't a single Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, or Ram on the list. That hurts. FCA isn't alone at the low end, either. GMC, Jaguar Land Rover, Mini, and Mitsubishi don't have a vehicle on CR's list between them, while brands like Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Nissan, Lincoln, Infiniti, and Cadillac only have a few models each. You can check out Consumer Reports entire reliability roundup, even without a subscription, here.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk headlines 2017 model year updates

If the photos below look familiar, it's because we saw them last week. Yes, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is real, and it's a welcome (and predictable) addition to the Jeep family. It boasts rugged good looks and plenty of capability, and debuts this week at the New York Auto Show. Standard Trailhawk equipment includes Jeep's Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, a revised air suspension (specifically for Trailhawk, we're told), skid plates, the black hood decal, and cute little red tow hooks. It's also got an ever-so-slightly different front fascia, taken right from the 2012 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Moab concept. Buyers can choose from 18- or 20-inch wheels. Looking for something a bit more posh? Try the Summit, pictured below, with its 20-inch polished wheels, LED foglights, and full-wrap Laguna leather interior. It's loaded to the gills with every available Grand Cherokee option, and certainly sounds like one seriously nice SUV. View 15 Photos What's great is that both Trailhawk and Summit models can be had with three different engines. The standard powerplant is Chrysler's 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6, but the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 are also available. (We love the idea of a Trailhawk with the diesel, by the way.) Both models go on sale this fall. Read more about both in the press blast below. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Even More Capability and Luxury for the Most-awarded SUV Ever - Jeep Brand Introduces New 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Summit Models at the New York International Auto Show - New Trailhawk model expands Jeep® Grand Cherokee lineup with most capable version ever produced - Grand Cherokee Summit models boast new, even more luxurious hand-crafted leather interior, new appearance and added standard premium features Both new Grand Cherokee models arrive in Jeep showrooms in late summer March 23, 2016 , New York - Already the most awarded SUV ever, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is about to become even more capable and even more luxurious. At the New York International Auto Show today, the Jeep brand expanded its Grand Cherokee lineup with the introduction of a new Trailhawk model – the most capable factory-produced Grand Cherokee ever. The brand also introduced the 2017 Grand Cherokee Summit, bringing a new exterior appearance, a plush new interior and even more standard premium features to consumers looking for the ultimate premium full-size SUV.

2018 Jeep Wrangler will have an aluminum hood and doors, leaked memo says

Earlier this year, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed that 2018 Jeep Wrangler would feature a heavy dose of aluminum, though he didn't specify how. Now, JL Wrangler Forums says the Wrangler will use the material for the hood and the doors, citing an internal bulletin from aluminum supplier Alcoa. According to the forum, the company says the next-gen Wrangler will utilize Aloca's C6A1 (an internal name) high form alloy. The SUV will also get 6022 and A951 from Alcoa that will be used on the SUV's front and rear doors, as well as for the hood. Alcoa's C6A1 is the company's new high form alloy, while its 6022 alloy sheet can be found on things like a car's hood, door, or closure panels. Alcoa's A951 is the company's pre-treatment aluminum sheet bonding technology that it uses on automobiles. "A team in the Farmington Hills (Michigan, USA) Aerospace and Automotive Products group is leading a new profitable growth opportunity with the 2018 Jeep Wrangler program. The next generation Jeep becomes the first to utilize our C6A1 high form alloy; we are currently the only supplier of this high form product. Alcoa will also supply 6022 and A951, including front and rear door inners, hood outer and inner." As Marchionne pointed out earlier this year, the 2018 Wrangler won't be made entirely out of aluminum. So Alcoa's contribution to the upcoming SUV's doors and hood could be the only components that use the lightweight metal – or Jeep could be using another aluminum supplier for other parts. Large changes lie ahead for the 2018 Wrangler, which include a pickup version, new engines, and aluminum. But we do know that the next Wrangler is that it will be built in Toledo, OH, as FCA announced plans to spend $1.05 billion to retool the Wrangler factory, while also adding another site in Illinois earlier this year. Related Video: