Yahoo Finance Is the new Jeep Renegade a real Jeep?
Most car companies would love to have a brand like Jeep. Rooted in wartime history and celebrating the pastime of off-roading, the brand's appeal spans all incomes and ages. Need more evidence? Look at Jeep's record-setting sales. Driving those numbers are models, such as the new Renegade, that lack the rugged cred of “true” Jeeps like the Wrangler. These models might benefit Fiat-Chrysler Group’s balance sheet, but do they risk alienating traditionalists?
To find out, for this episode of "Talking Cars" we’ve invited one of our Jeep-owning staff members, George Kennedy, to bring in his off-road-ready 1999 Jeep Cherokee. (Several other staffers own older Wranglers in various states of repair.) Other than mercilessly mocking George for his project Jeep’s various shortcomings, we talk about how the Renegade fits with the brand and how it matches customer expectations and discuss whether it’s a good value or not. (Read our Jeep Renegade first drive.)
Next we answer some reader complaints about reliability and recommendations, particularly comparing the Jeep Cherokee and Volkswagen Golf. Finally, we look at the VW Golf R, the top-trim model of the legendary GTI hot hatch. As expected, the gang is split on that car’s appeal and value.
As with the other shows, this episode is also available free through the iTunes Store. Subscribe to the video or audio. You'll also find the video on YouTube.
Also view:
Why is there so much interest in Mazda?: Talking Cars, episode 67
We buy a Tesla Model S P85D: Talking Cars, episode 66
New York auto show: Talking Cars, episode 65
Tesla and the self-driving car: Talking Cars, episode 64
Ford Edge, Lexus NX: Talking Cars, episode 63
Behind the scenes of 2015 Top Picks: Talking Cars, episode 62
—Tom Mutchler
More from Consumer Reports:
Hits and misses from Consumer Reports’ testing
Best & worst car values
Best new cars for under $25,000
Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.
