The Best Car Accessory Is Not a Gadget

The Best Car Accessory Is Not a Gadget

More often than not, the purchase of a car, new or used, has the potential to be an expensive proposition. There are numerous accessories and gadgets that owners can buy in an effort to make their car look and operate better, and they are by no means limited to the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) market. The term Sport Utility Vehicle has been applied to a variety of vehicles that possess utility and practical features in addition to sporty style. For example, the Ford Explorer has always been a popular choice for those seeking to gain entry to the SUV market. But the paradigm shifter that replaces it, the Jeep, has historically been looked down on by motorists. This is in part due to the fact that many were fearful that Jeep, despite popular heritage, had descent into a mode of off road akin to that of a tank.

This hasn’t been always the case of the Jeep, however. The brand has invested heavily in the promotion of its SUVs, and the off-road enthusiasts have proven to be a significant part of the Jeep’s customer base. The very nature of the SUV is such that it allows a driver to carry large cargo load and tow heavy trailers. Some have hailed the Jeep as the savior of the SUV industry, and this is partially true. However, the Jeep has also suffered from a consistently mediocre performance on the off road, and this aspect of the brand is what has kept it from being the biggest player in the off road vehicle market. As such, Jeep has effectively inserted themselves back into the fold as a maker of these off road vehicles.

The900 especially is a revelation to the off road vehicle enthusiast. While it resembles the exterior of a regular SUV, the interior is anything but conventionally pleasing. The raised seating position is impaired by the narrow wheelbase, short doors, and the wheel gaps that tend to leave a lot of room for theercarger, roomier, and more stylish cargo. In addition to this, the seats are fitted with what Chrysler has called SmartCab seat fabric: it’s creating a shield against harmful UV rays and will donation its brotherly courteous appearance to any cargo the driver has to haul around.

Jeep, even with this rich heritage, is looking at a revision that will see some of the very same, previously standard Jeep features give way to options that will be more to their liking. The900’s base 2.5-liter, 170 horsepower 4-cylinder is slated to see a bump up to 2.8-liters, 170 horsepower 4-cylinder, and theactive electronically fuel-injected 4-cylinder is slated to rise from 28 mpg to 33 mpg, doubling its gas mileage. This is all good news for Jeep’s crossover component – the Jeep Cherokee – whose “fully-cabled” designation means that this vehicle can handle more luggage, an easily-aresed increase in mileages and a more serious off-road ability.

In 2007, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is due for a refresh, and Chrysler will be gaining a proven vehicle in the man “Mr. nice” from the Chrysler Group. The first of this year’s trims to be unveiled by Chrysler is the Sebring, a midsize sedan that will see some classic Jeep styling and a Milwaukee-based company name on the side of the dash.

Then in 2008, we’ll see the Dodge Avenger, the first modern, full-size SUV from the stables of Dodge. Here, the beefy Dodge name will be maintained, at least for the time being, although a diesel-powered Dodge vehicle is being planned for release later in 2008. And, after that, look for changes to occur in the Dodge line, perhaps indicating that overall Chrysler is becoming more of a player in the United States auto market.