1996 Jeep Cherokee Se Sport Utility 4-door 4.0l Built All Around Vehicle on 2040-cars

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Jeep will show new Grand Wagoneer to dealers this summer

It's generally accepted that the Jeep Cherokee was the first real midsize sport utility vehicle to make headway into the hearts, minds and driveways of American consumers in 1984. While that SUV was aimed at the mainstream, it could be argued that the vehicle that made the idea of a luxury SUV possible was the seminal Jeep Grand Wagoneer. We've been hearing rumblings of a revived Grand Wagoneer for years, but if a report from Automotive News is accurate (despite the fact that it seemingly contradicts an earlier report from the same outlet), the wait may nearly be over. Jeep plans to show off its new Grand Wagoneer at the upcoming dealer show in Las Vegas in August, and while that doesn't give any real indication of when such a vehicle may make it into the hands of consumers, such news probably at least means the automaker has a finalized design. While we're mostly over retro-inspired cars, we'll happily cast a vote toward a three-row Grand Wagoneer with faux woodie body sides, if anyone cares to tally it... Featured Gallery Jeep Wagoneer through the years View 12 Photos News Source: Automotive News - sub. req. Jeep Automotive History SUV

Consumer Reports digs Mazda3, disses Jeep Cherokee

Consumer Reports has just rendered its verdict on two of the more important cars to launch this year - the Mazda3 and the Jeep Cherokee. Considering the value a "Recommended" rating carries with the public and the viciously competitive markets these two cars compete in, Consumer Reports' view could have some impact on their initial success.
For Mazda, that's a good thing. CR spoke quite highly of the Zoom-Zoom brand's compact sedan and hatch, testing both models, and citing the excellent fuel economy and snickety-snack manual shifter as high points. Downsides to the 3 included a ride that is agile but "nervous," a bit too much noise and a cramped back seat. Still, the 3 was good enough to earn its place in the ranks of the "Recommended."
The Jeep didn't fare quite so well, with CR calling the polarizing CUV "half-baked." Although both engines were tested, the magazine called the 2.4-liter four-pot underpowered and its nine-speed automatic unrefined and unresponsive. That's particularly damning, considering the 9AT's role in future Chrysler products, including the extremely important 200. Overall, the Cherokee missed out on the coveted "Recommended" rating.

Federal investigations about safety of rear-mounted gas tanks is nothing new

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Chrysler are currently making waves in our daily news feeds due to a disagreement over the safety of a few million Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokee models. Specifically, NHTSA has asked Chrysler to recall the SUVs because of the location of their fuel tanks, but you may be interested to know that requests such as this are nothing new.
Besides the two Jeep models, NHTSA has launched investigations over the years in such models as the Ford Crown Victoria (and its police-car counterpart), GM pickups built between 1972 and 1987, and rather famously the Ford Pinto.
Understanding how automakers and NHTSA have dealt with fuel-tank-safety concerns in the past may offer a better understanding of how Chrysler and the government agency will settle their current dispute. Check out the complete article from The Detroit News here.