JEEP TAKES THE ALTERNATIVE TRAIL

The Jeep Wrangler has changed direction, with the off-road icon, among other things, turning its back on bitumen soft-roading to step up in the rough with more pulling power at low revs. For the 2024 Wrangler, the Pentastar V6 engine has been retired in favour of a turbocharged four-cylinder motor, the latter forgoing 9 kW of power in favour of 53 Nm more torque and better fuel economy. Towing capacity remains unchanged at 2495 kg for a braked trailer. The MY24 Wrangler comes in four variants, all cheaper and with… Read more

JEEP GLADIATOR RUBICON ROAD TEST

The Jeep Gladiator is an old acquaintance. The last time we drove one, we managed to get it bogged. How embarrassing . . . the first time in 25 years of road testing vehicles that this had happened to us. And here the Gladiator is again, sitting in the driveway, waiting patiently to go for a drive — like a dog that wants to go for a walk? But where to go? Where do you take a 4×4 when it’s pouring rain and you’re not real keen on getting bogged… Read more

NEW AVENGER IS JEEP’S FIRST FULLY ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Jeep Australia has confirmed its all-new Avenger compact SUV will be coming to Australia in 2024 as the brand’s first-ever battery electric vehicle (BEV). The Avenger BEV is a key component in Jeep’s global electrification strategy with the goal of becoming the world leader in fully-electric zero exhaust emission SUVs. Built at the Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland, the Avenger has been designed as a Jeep vehicle from day one. Since it was unveiled in October 2022, the Jeep Avenger has taken out a number of awards including the European… Read more

JEEP’S FIRST GRAND CHEROKEE PHEV IS ON ITS WAY

In line with its “Zero Emission Freedom” policy, Jeep has released details of its first-ever electrified Grand Cherokee. Priced from $129,950 (plus on-roads), the Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe Plug-In Hybrid will arrive here in August to supplement the recently released fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee five and seven-seat variants. Reserve 4xe combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with two electric motors and a 400-volt 17.3-kWh EV battery pack paired with a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. There are two available 4×4 systems – Quadra-Trac I and Quadra-Trac II. Both 4×4 systems… Read more

WILLYS JEEP

Around 1938 as the situation in Western Europe worsened and the prospect of a second world war looked a possibility, the US Army indicated to all automobile manufacturers that they were looking for a light reconnaissance vehicle to replace the motorcycles previously used in this role. First to respond was the American Bantam Car Company who were invited to supply three test models in September 1939, but these were rejected as too light. Shortly afterwards Willys-Overland produced sketches of a concept vehicle which would soon be known to the world… Read more

GLADIATOR MAKES MARK IN A CROWDED ARENA

With the enemy gathering at the gates, Fort Jeep townsfolk have sent out a Gladiator to challenge the would-be intruders. And this warrior turns out to be one of the toughest, smartest, most accomplished members of the Rubicon cohort. While the opposition, which includes the Toyota HiLux Rogue, Ford Ranger Raptor X, Nissan PRO-4X Warrior and Isuzu D-Max have all put on airs and graces, the Wrangler-based Gladiator Rubicon comes fit for any dirty arena fight. Standing alone among this mob, the Jeep dual cab utility can be stripped down… Read more

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE L SUMMIT RESERVE

Launched last year Jeep’s Grand Cherokee L (for long wheelbase) offers three rows of seats for the first time. It has been a long time coming for a car that has struck an emotional chord with Aussies, but until now has been off limits to those with larger families. There’s just one hitch and that is apart from one diesel Compass, all Jeeps now come with a petrol engine in what has long been a diesel-dominated section of the market. Jeep has hybrid and electric powertrains on the way, but… Read more

NEW JEEP WRANGLER

Jeep has taken the wraps off a new-look Wrangler with a redesigned seven-slot radiator grille, 10 all-new wheel designs and multiple open-air options, including the exclusive Sky One-Touch powertop. The grille, first introduced on the 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary, wears an updated look with black textured slots, neutral grey metallic bezels and body-colour surround (gloss black slots and bezels on Willys, gloss black bezels on High Altitude and platinum silver slots and bezels on Sahara). Slimmer both visually and literally, the new grille’s black textured vertical slots improve cooling… Read more

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2011 – 2021

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a large 4WD aimed more at buyers of luxury station wagons rather than keen off-road drivers. We will start this used car checkout with the WK Series Grand Cherokee that launched in Australia in February 2011. Compared to previous models it was designed to better suit on-road conditions, with SUV-type suspension to give it a smoother, quieter ride. True to its roots Jeep Grand Cherokee is still a genuine 4WD and can tackle rugged off-road work that would stop most crossover wagons in their tracks,… Read more