Jeeps are as American as apple pie, maybe even more so. Created during World War II as General Purpose vehicles, the lightweight, durable trucks could transport supplies and personnel in rough terrain, ultimately playing an instrumental role in the Allied victory. Military shorthand quickly dubbed them GPs, which evolved into “jeepy," and eventually the brand name and company we all know today. Today's modern non-military Jeep models run the gamut from the rugged, off-road Wrangler (above) to the luxurious Grand Cherokee. Jeep invited BroBible to check out all of their latest offerings, including the brand-new Compass, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week. Check out our full breakdowns after the jump.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
I have to admit I am a current Grand Cherokee owner myself and have only owned Jeeps in my seven-year driving career. They are the go-everywhere, do-everything vehicles and Grand Cherokee is the premier luxury vehicle in its class. Sitting in the 2011 Grand Cherokee Overland made me want to drive out of the Detroit convention center and straight into a thousand-mile road trip. The roof consists of a sunroof twice the size of the standard, an interior as well-appointed as a Mercedes, and state-of-the-art multi-media and navigation options. Most of the luxury options come standard in the Limited and Overland models, all at the fair price of around $40K. With a 5.7-liter V-8 engine option, the Jeep can go toe to toe with any sports car-inspired SUV on the market.
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep’s flagship model has never looked better. Luxury features now blend seamlessly with its unmatched off-road capability and iconic topl*ss option. The Wrangler now offers loads of additional options, including an all-new interior design with upgraded materials, body-color hardtop options, and "increased acoustical treatment," resulting in significantly reduced interior noise. There's also increased trunk space for your lax gear and snowboards, and the navigation and multi-media package they started offering a few years ago.
Jeep Compass
Jeep unveiled its latest model in their already stellar lineup of 4X4s at the Auto Show this week. Even if the Compass's exterior doesn't quite fit the typical Jeep mold, it does offer the same Trail-Rated Certification that you will find in every other Jeep model. The Compass offers superior fuel economy (28 m.p.g.) in its class; considering my 2008 Grand Cherokee usually gets about 15 m.p.g. (mainly due to my heavy foot and general disregard for anything economy related), the Compass offers Jeep enthusiasts another option if they are trying to save a few extra bucks and maybe even the planet. All in all, the Compass is a fully compact SUV that offers luxury, capability, and bang for your gallon.
