Is a 2026 PHEV SUV Worth It? The Five-Year Math, Model by Model
I ran the math on 2026 plug-in hybrid SUVs against their gas counterparts. Recovery percentage, charging access, premium fuel, and what changed when the federal credit ended.
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I ran the math on 2026 plug-in hybrid SUVs against their gas counterparts. Recovery percentage, charging access, premium fuel, and what changed when the federal credit ended.
Read moreOur 2026 SUV buyer's guide ranks 11 picks by use case, not rank. Best family SUV, best hybrid, best EV under $50K, with verified specs and five-year ownership math.
Read moreThe 2026 Jeep Cherokee returns as a hybrid starting at $36,995 and the all-electric Recon delivers 650 hp for $65,000 at the New York Auto Show.
Read moreThe Jeep Wrangler has no competitors in terms of off-road activities and rough performance. Nonetheless, any vehicle, regardless of how sturdy it is, needs to have quality lighting in order to drive safely and with assurance on the road and off it. Upgrading to DOT approved Jeep Wrangler headlights and a Jeep Wrangler tail light assembly will improve your safety, visibility and style on any journey, be it a night time off the road trail or city cruising after dark. This article will cover the necessity of upgrading the Wrangler’s tail light and head lights as well as an in depth explanation on the criteria for selecting the ideal lighting system. Why DOT Approval Matters A headlight or tail light
Read moreA tiny spider greets you in Italian when you open the fuel door. Flip-flops honor a journalist who refused to wear proper shoes. A dinosaur skull hides under your floor mat. Jeep Easter eggs are small hidden designs that Jeep designers incorporate into every vehicle model. These range from tiny animal silhouettes to Morse code messages to tributes honoring the brand’s 1941 military origins. The tradition spans nearly three decades and includes every current Jeep: Wrangler, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, and Compass. Some owners drive for years without noticing them. Others make finding every last one a personal mission. The tradition started with a single designer who wanted to leave his mark on an icon. According to Motor Authority’s
Read moreJeep Wrangler is a name that has become synonymous with off-roading, rugged aesthetics, and adventure. But what does it do for its fuel economy? Whether you’re preparing for an off-road purchase or need something more typical for your daily commute, understanding the Jeep Wrangler gas mileage ratings can help you make an informed choice. The Jeep Wrangler has several engines, transmissions, and configurations that affect fuel economy. It could be anything from the entry-level V-6 to the PHEV 4xe variant in the Jeep Wrangler for sale Chicago. This would be suitable for those who like a little power but also like to save a few dollars at the gas station. Below is our overview of what influences the average MPG for Jeep Wrangler models. What
Read moreFor Jeep enthusiasts, off-roading is both a passion and a way of life. Transforming your Jeep to enhance its off-road capabilities while maintaining a stylish appearance involves selecting the right parts. Upgrading key components not only boosts performance but also adds to the overall aesthetic of your vehicle. In this guide, we explore how elevated performance tires and power upgrades can significantly improve your Jeep’s capability and style, ensuring you’re ready for any adventure while turning heads on the trail. Elevated Performance Tires When it comes to off-roading, tires are the most critical component. Elevated performance tires are designed to tackle harsh terrains, providing the grip, durability, and traction necessary for navigating rocks, mud, sand, and steep inclines. Investing in
Read moreNavigating the winding roads of the Sierra Nevada foothills, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon X hummed quietly beneath me, a stark contrast to the rugged terrain towering around forgotten logging roads. This latest iteration of the iconic off-roader represents a significant evolution, blending Jeep‘s legendary capability with modern electrification. This plug-in hybrid off-roader combines Jeep‘s legendary 4×4 capabilities with electrification amongst the iconic Wrangler lineup. With 375 horsepower and 21 miles of all-electric range, the Rubicon X is ready to deliver unparalleled performance both on and off the beaten path. But does this $78,995 trail-ready hybrid live up to its hefty price tag? I put it to the test in challenging terrain to find out. Performance and Powertrain The heart
Read moreThe 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe, the new hybrid trim, is available as a four-door in three high-end offerings: the premium Sahara, more premium High Altitude, and Rubicon, geared toward off-road excursions. The 4xe (pronounced “four by E”), engine combines a 270 horsepower turbocharged inline-four-cylinder with a 44-horsepower motor connected through a front-end accessory belt. A 134-horsepower motor replaces the transmission’s back-end torque converter. The motors draw power from a 14.0-kWh lithium-ion battery located under the rear seats. Whether the 4xe is in electric mode or running as a hybrid, torque is routed to the wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. A transfer case offers rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive (4WD Auto), and high-or low-range four-wheel drive for off-road use. In its
Read morePickup trucks continue to dominate sales in the United States. But the volume doesn’t impress Consumer Reports. Among the 17 pickup trucks tested by the leading consumer organization, only the Honda Ridgeline and the Jeep Gladiator were recommended. The Ridgeline achieved a score of 65, the highest mark among all trucks tested. Consumer Reports conducts about 50 different tests on the vehicles it evaluates. It evaluates braking to handling, comfort to safety and as fuel economy. Predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, safety technology and crash test results are also factored into overall results. Consumer Reports slams most pickup trucks The Gladiator and Ridgeline are both mid-sized trucks. No full-sized truck were recommended. The Ridgeline scored average or better in every category.
Read moreA Jeep Wrangler purchased off the lot looks rugged enough to get through even the most difficult terrain. But it’s designed more for negotiating suburban roads, byways and highways. For instance, stock tires on Jeep vehicles are billed as all-terrain but relying on them in thick mud, backwoods or mountain conditions would likely be problematic. If mobile phone service is available, a towing service will likely be needed. Being stranded can be dangerous, particularly in harsh weather. If some serious off-roading Jeep adventuring is on the horizon, purchase some essential after-market accessories. Despite its awesome 4-wheel (high and low) capabilities and high ground clearance, the stock Jeep isn’t equipped for the deep woods. When planning your off-road adventure, consider renting
Read morePodcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:07 — 33.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More Easy. Appreciated. Two words and a holiday gift issue solved. Buy automotive books for the enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list. Bruce Aldrich and I discuss a half-dozen automotive books on episode #160 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. We’ve had everal authors on the podcast in the past three years. All share a passion for the automotive industry — Chevrolet to Volkswagen, Jeep to the massive Takata airbag catastrophe. Here’s a synopsis of three of the books we discuss: * Russell Hayes, like all automotive industry book authors, is passionate about his subject matter. Hayes’ interests cover several iconic carmakers, including his latest
Read moreRussell Hayes, like all automotive industry book authors, is passionate about his subject matter. Hayes’ interests cover several iconic carmakers, including his latest effort celebrating the 75th and 70th anniversaries of the Volkswagen Beetle and Bus. For enthusiasts as interested in vehicles as the author, Hayes’ coffee-table sized volume is among three varied books ideal as the holiday season approaches. Hayes, whose books range in topics from auto shows to Lotus to several offerings on Volkswagen, just released “Volkswagen Beetles and Buses: Smaller and Smarter.” (Quarto Publishing Group, $40). As Hayes explains, no carmaker’s history is as unique as Volkswagen — its association with the Nazi movement to the Hippie generation. Auto Books: VW to Jeep to Corvette More than
Read moreThe 2021 Jeep Gladiator Willys, engineered to be the most off-road capable Jeep truck ever, builds on the brand’s rich combined heritage of utility functionality and versatility. Equipped with the proven 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and a versatile cargo box, all Gladiator models are Trail Rated with a badge indicating the vehicle is designed to perform in five key consumer-oriented performance categories: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water fording. Jeep Gladiator Willys: Joins Jeep Lineup “Building on the widely popular Wrangler Willys, we’re thrilled to announce the Willys model is joining the Gladiator lineup as another way for Jeep to connect with our customers,” said Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand – North America. “Gladiator Willys models harken back
Read moreThe Jeep Wrangler tops the list of vehicles with the lowest depreciation, at 30.9 percent over five years. The Unlimited trim scored more than 18 percent lower than the national five-year depreciation average, according to iSeeCars.com. Trucks and truck-based SUVs hold their value the best, while luxury sedans see the most depreciation. iSeeCars.com analyzed more than 8.2 million car sales to identify models with the lowest and highest loss in value after five years. Jeep Wrangler Takes Depreciation Honors In addition to the cars with the lowest five-depreciation, the comprehensive study also includes the lowest-and highest-depreciating cars by price point and vehicle segment: * Highest-and lowest-depreciating cars less than $25,000, $35,000 and $50,000; * Highest-and lowest-depreciating SUVs; * Ranking of
Read moreJeep doesn’t make a lot of pickup trucks, but for seven years beginning in 1976, a trim package called The Honcho was available. The limited-edition offered on the J10 model and only on the step side and short bed offerings included bold striping and decals. Optional extras included an interior made by Levi’s (in blue or tan) or a roll bar. The specialty trucks also included the Golden Eagle and 10-4. The latter was offered with an optional CB radio corresponding to the radio acknowledgment decal “10-4.” The Jeep J10 Honcho was manufactured through 1983, and it could be ordered with a combination of the specialty items. Only 1,264 examples were made. It’s not the most coveted, but it’s now
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