JEEP’S HATRICK WIN
It looks like Jeep has covered all grounds, quite literally – in the budget, midsize and extreme categories it came up trumps in this year’s 4×4 of the year competition which was reviewed by 4×4 Magazine.
The publication had 67 vehicles in the running and were marking them on their on-road, off-road, comfort, safety, economy, loading, interior, styling, towing and value-for-money. The latter is certainly the case for the £16,000 Jeep Patriot which won the budget sector title, it also impressed judges with it’s on-road driving manners, practicality and spacious interior. Another selling point is its average 42mpg fuel consumption which is achieved by its VW-sourced 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine. In the midsize sector the Jeep Cherokee proved its dominance in all manner of terrains not least because of its new Selec Trac II adaptive 4WD system with low range and hill descent control. The judges ruled it as being a massive improvement over its predecessor especially in terms of its suitability for families. Its accessibility, the quality of the interior materials and enhanced comfort were all factors that Jeep had worked on to help sway the decision. The Jeep Wrangler then knocked off Land Rover’s Defender in the Extreme category; John Carroll, Editor of 4×4 Magazine raved about this model as the choice for the “for the hardcore off-roader who wants a vehicle with better road manners and interior comfort than the competition.” The Jeep Wrangler also features airbags which the Defender does not, it also has plenty of useful options like sat-nav as well as those that make life a little easier (automatic gears) and ones that may just tickle your fancy like a soft-top.