Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Offroad magazine names Wrangler “4X4 of the Year”

Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine today announced it has named the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon the winner of its coveted 4×4 of the Year award. This is the 30th year of the enthusiast magazine’s in-depth competition of new 4×4 vehicles, and the third time the Jeep Wrangler has taken home the award. In fact, Jeep products have won the award more than any other marque, a total of 12 times for different Jeep vehicles.
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was pitted against the worthy Ram Power Wagon, both solid-axle titans of the off-road world. The Wrangler ranked high in every category of this year’s in-depth test. The grueling 1,000-mile trial evaluates each vehicle’s suspension, engine, transmission, and transfer case along with the style and creature comforts the vehicle provides. Most importantly, the 4x4s are judged heavily on how well they perform off-road in dirt, mud, rocks, sand, and gravel, as well as on the highway.
“The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the most competent 4×4 ever produced,” said Rick Péwé, editor-in-chief of Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road. “The Rubicon gives you complete confidence in its terrain tackling abilities. It allows you to take the trail less traveled without worrying about the journey. And it does so while leaving a smile on your face. This is one fun ride.”
“No one puts a vehicle to the test more thoroughly than the editors of Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road, so Jeep is especially proud to win this prestigious award,” said Mike Manley, Jeep brand CEO. “Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has long been the most capable vehicle on the planet. With a completely new powertrain for 2012, it has reset the capability benchmark, while simultaneously offering consumers more fuel efficiency, horsepower, and on-road performance in every-day driving.”
To be eligible for the award, a vehicle must be all-new or have substantial improvements that make it perform significantly differently from the previous model year. Vehicles must also be available for sale before January 15 of the model year, have a production run of at least 2,500 units, and be equipped with a two-speed transfer case. The complete test results and vehicle evaluations for the 2012 4×4 of the Year competition will appear in the February 2012 issue, available December 6, 2011.

Route 66 in a Willy's Jeep

Consumer Reports' 2011 Annual Car Reliability Survey: Ford drops, Chrysler rises, Scion leads

Consumer Reports' 2011 Annual Car Reliability Survey: Ford drops, Chrysler rises, Scion leads
Oct 25, 2011 12:45 PM

In recent years Ford has been a model of American reliability, competing well against Japanese makes that have dominated for decades. But three of its new models are blemishing that record.

The new Ford Explorer, Fiesta, and Focus all had below-average reliability in their first year. As a result, Ford’s overall reliability rank among 28 major car makes slipped from the 10th to the 20th spot this year—the biggest drop for any major nameplate in Consumer Reports' 2011 Annual Auto Survey.

Ford’s drop can also be attributed to problems with new technologies: the new MyFord Touch infotainment system and the new automated-manual transmission used in the Fiesta and Focus. On the bright side, the Ford Fusion Hybrid sedan remained outstanding, and other Fusion versions were above average.

While Ford’s star has fallen, Chrysler’s has risen. Jeep has moved up seven spots to 13, becoming the most reliable domestic brand, and all its models for which Consumer Reports has sufficient data scored average in predicted reliability. Chrysler and Dodge moved up 12 and three spots in ranking, respectively.

Chrysler had better results with its new models, including the freshened Chrysler 200 (formerly Sebring) sedan and the redesigned Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. The Chrysler brand moved up in Consumer Reports survey, but its rank is based on just two models: the 200, which was well above average, and the freshened Town & Country minivan, which tanked. The remaining model, the 300, is too new for Consumer Reports to have sufficient data.

Reliability methodology
Findings are based on responses on 1.3 million vehicles owned or leased by subscribers to Consumer Reports or ConsumerReports.org. Conducted by Consumer Reports’ National Survey Research Center, the survey covers model years 2002 to 2011.

Consumer Reports’ expert team of statisticians and automotive engineers used the survey data to predict reliability of new 2012 models. Predicted reliability is Consumer Reports’ forecast of how well models currently on sale are likely to hold up. To calculate predicted-reliability ratings, CR averages the overall reliability scores (used car verdicts) for the most recent three model years, provided that the model remained unchanged in that period and also didn’t substantially change for 2012. If a model was new or redesigned in the past couple of years, one or two years’ data may be used, or if that’s all that’s available. On rare occasions, Consumer Reports makes predictions for a newly redesigned model, but only if previous versions had outstanding reliability.

Fortunes change for the Big Three
Even with Chrysler’s improvement, Detroit models still have reliability problems. Of the 97 domestic models and versions for which Consumer Reports has sufficient data, 62 (64 percent) rated average or better in CR’s new-car reliability ratings, leaving 35 as below average.

General Motors has stumbled after edging up last year. The Buick and Cadillac brands, in particular, appear to have taken a step backward; Chevrolet held steady and GMC dropped one spot. The new Buick Regal and Chevrolet Cruze were below par in reliability.

Asian brands roll on
Japanese brands continue to dominate Consumer Reports survey’s upper echelons and took the top nine spots. They were led by Scion, Lexus, Acura, Mazda, Honda, and Toyota. Of the 91 Japanese models for which Consumer Reports has sufficient data, 87 (96 percent) were rated average or better in predicted reliability; 24 Japanese models earned the highest rating.

The biggest improvement was from Mazda, which moved up eight spots from last year. All its models were rated above average. Scion remains the top brand in Consumer Reports’ survey, but only two models of its three, the xB and xD, had sufficient data to be included. Lexus, with 11 models included, rebounded seven places from last year.

Mixed results from Europe
European models continue to be a blend of reliable and not so reliable vehicles. Overall, European vehicles’ reliability is slightly below that of domestic models. Of the 58 European models for which Consumer Reports has sufficient data, 37 (64 percent) scored average or better in predicted reliability.

Among European brands, Volvo ranked the highest at 10th overall. It was helped by the redesigned S60, which was above average in its first year. Volkswagen was able to hold on to 16th place in the ranking; seven of its 11 models scored average or better.

Mercedes-Benz and BMW improved, but results were inconsistent for their various models. BMW’s redesigned X3 SUV did well, for example, but the redesigned 5 Series sedan was well below average. Mercedes’ compact GLK SUV improved, but its flagship S-Class luxury sedan fell to below average.

Reliability, recommendations, and further insights
Consumer Reports Annual Auto Survey Ratings are unrelated to vehicle road-test results, but are a key factor in determining whether or not Consumer Reports recommends a car. CR only recommends models that have performed well in tests conducted at its 327-acre Auto Test Center in Connecticut, and that have average or better predicted reliability based on its annual survey. In addition, vehicles must perform at least adequately in government or insurance-industry crash and rollover tests, if tested, in order to be Recommended by Consumer Reports.

Full reliability history charts and predicted-reliability ratings on hundreds of 2012 models, plus a list of what’s up and what’s down, best and worst models, and a comparison chart of brands can be found online in our Reliability special section, in the December issue of the magazine, and in the upcoming Consumer Reports Cars publication, Best & Worst New Cars for 2012, on sale November 15, 2011.

The Million-Mile Jeep

Million Mile Jeep® Brand Owners – Ronald and Ruth Striano

Posted on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 2:37 pm by Jeep in Jeep Grand Cherokee, Models

2002JeepGrandCherokee 494x316 Million Mile Jeep® Brand Owners – Ronald and Ruth Striano grand cherokee enthusiast jeep grand cherokee photoHusband and wife team Ronald and Ruth Striano rely on their “fleet” of Jeep® vehicles as part of their very busy medical practice, traversing the state of New Jersey racking up approximately 50,000 miles each year seeing patients. We recently had a chance to catch up with them and find out a little more about their livelihood and how their Jeep vehicles are a big part of it.



Jeep: Tell us a little about your profession and how you utilize your Jeep vehicles to be successful.


RS: “My wife and I are psychologists with a statewide practice resulting in our logging about 1,000 miles each week. Most of our practice is consulting in hospitals, long-term care facilities and rehabilitation facilities. We need to be available when our services are needed, regardless of the weather, and our Jeep vehicles get us there without concern. We’ve traveled through blizzards and storms and, even on occasion, through washed out roads. I specialize in forensic investigations, both civil and criminal, often with equipment that I need to get close to the investigation site. My Jeep vehicles always get me and my equipment where I need to be. Other family members, like our son Michael who is an actor also rely on our Jeep vehicles to get him from one destination to the next. When he’s working, Michael needs to be on time and ready to perform regardless of weather conditions. The show must go on. One no-show or late-show could seriously harm his career. He’s always been where he needs to be, always on-time! Our Jeep vehicles have never let us down. We have 4 of them, all high mileage. They’ve always gotten us where we need to be safely, on time and in luxury.



Jeep: When did you and your wife first fall in love with the Jeep brand and become passionate owners?


RS: Our first Jeep vehicle was a 1996 model year. We were amazed at the comfort we enjoyed traveling in a Jeep vehicle. When we saw how reliable Jeep vehicles were, then how [having] a Jeep vehicle makes incumbent weather no longer a challenge, we began to love our Jeep vehicle. Seven Jeep vehicles later and currently owning four Jeep vehicles, we are passionate about them, not because they have a beautiful face, but because of the way they treat us.



Jeep: How important is the 4WD capability in getting to the numerous medical facilities where you provide services?


RS: It’s very important. With our Jeep all wheel drive (high drive) and four wheel drive (low drive) we never have concerns about getting where we need to be safely, comfortably and in luxury. Whatever the weather or road conditions, we’re covered. Jeep brand covered.



Jeep: Your Jeep vehicles have accumulated many miles. What type of service maintenance do you adhere to in order to keep your vehicles in tip-top shape?


RS: The most important service we perform on our Jeep vehicles on a regular basis is changing the oil and filters and keeping everything lubricated. Whenever one of our Jeep vehicles is in for service, I always ask the technician to “eyeball” the Jeep vehicle. We’ve never had a breakdown with any of our Jeep vehicles because we are very careful to perform preventive maintenance.



Jeep: Other than the Grand Cherokee nameplate, have either of you owned other Jeep brand models in the past?


RS: Besides owning Grand Cherokees, our family has owned a Cherokee and two Wranglers since 1996.



Jeep: Will you be adding a new Jeep vehicle to your “fleet” anytime soon?


RS: Our friends joke with us about our “fleet.” And they all seem to be buying their own Jeep vehicles after seeing ours. Our 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2008 Jeep vehicles are all running as good as they did when we drove them off the lot. We’re all car people, so when we see a Jeep vehicle that we feel would be a good addition it’ll take its place in our “fleet.”