WomanOnWheels.ca

In Review: 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe

The Wrangler 4xe does everything a Jeep's supposed to do, along with running on electricity once you've plugged it in. Find out more in my review at AutoTRADER.ca.

In Review: 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

If you like the idea of an electric vehicle but range is an issue, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) might be the answer. Jeep now has one in the Grand Cherokee, with pluses and minuses - find out more in my review at Driving.ca.

Ralph Gilles: A lifetime achievement award for design

Ralph Gilles has been a designer at Chrysler/Stellantis his entire career, and had a hand in such iconic designs as the Viper, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Jeep Grand Cherokee, and now he's receiving a lifetime achievement award for his work. Find out more in my story at Driving.ca.

In Review: 2022 Jeep Wagoneer

Jeep has gone upscale and then some for 2022 with the new Wagoneer, which represents a new luxury sub-brand for the automaker. I drove it for a week; find out my thoughts at AutoTRADER.ca.

First Drive: 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep has done the right thing with the fifth generation of the Grand Cherokee: Improved the package overall, but kept the same proven engines. Find out more in my review at AutoTRADER.ca.

In Review: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

It's not a Wrangler, and it doesn't look like it could do the job, but the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is actually very off-road capable - and then very well-mannered once it's back on the asphalt. Find out more in my review at AutoTRADER.ca.

2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave vs 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 - who wins?

In this corner, we have the 2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave, and in the other, the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. Which one is the comparison winner? My colleague Clayton Seams and I take them both off-road to find out -- check out our story and video at Driving.ca.

Midsize Trucks: Here are the top three I'd buy

One problem I have with new, full-size trucks is that they're just needlessly oversized. I complain about that a lot, so my editor asked me to name the midsize trucks I'd buy instead. Find out what they are in my story at the National Post (Driving.ca).

First Look: 2021 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept

Back in 1984, Jeep went upscale with its Grand Wagoneer, and now the name's back again on a concept the company just unveiled. The Wagoneer and longer Grand Wagoneer are planned for a 2021 launch -- so find out more about the concept in my story at the National Post (Driving.ca).

In Review: 2020 Jeep Renegade

The Renegade is the slowest-selling in Jeep's stable, and although it has a few points in its favour, there are models I prefer to it. Find out why in my review at AutoTRADER.ca.

Bronco vs Jeep: By the numbers

With the announcement of the new Bronco, Jeep has some serious competition. So which one gets the job done? It'll be a while before I get to drive one, but I crunched the numbers between the two...see what's what in my story at the National Post (Driving.ca).

In Review: 2020 Jeep Gladiator

Jeep's back with a truck, and while it may look like just a Wrangler with a box on the back, there's more to it than that. Find out more in my review -- with a video that was just so much fun to film -- at the National Post (Driving.ca).

Quick Spin: 2020 Jeep Compass

It has some flaws, but it's a fun little machine, and if you go for the Trailhawk, it's surprisingly good at tackling tough trails. Find out more in my "Quick Spin" review over at the National Post (Driving.ca).

In Review: 2019 Jeep Renegade

Jeep's littlest model gets a makeover for 2019, including a tiny turbo engine and a bit of a facelift. It's still a bit odd looking, though, and that engine isn't a powerhouse -- but it will get you off the asphalt with more confidence than you might expect. Find out more in my review at the National Post (Driving.ca).

In Review: 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

It might look like any other crossover, but the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is the real deal when it comes to off-the-beaten-path. Find out more in my review at AutoTrader.ca.

In Review: 2019 Jeep Wrangler with eTorque

A hybrid system certainly isn't a Jeep tradition, but it's a fine-driving addition to this rugged sport-ute. There's a battery and electric motor, but don't expect to hit the trails on battery alone. Find out how it works in my review over at the National Post (Driving.ca).

How do the midsize trucks stack up?

Ford's the latest in the segment with its new Ranger, but what else in out there? Check out my round-up at the National Post (Driving.ca).

Overland: The company that led to Jeep

More than a century ago, a wheel manufacturer tried its hand at building cars. The result was Overland, a brand mostly forgotten today but the ancestor of today's Jeep. Find out more in my "Rearview Mirror" column at the National Post.

In review: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Hard to believe, but Jeep's biggest SUV is now a quarter-century old, and over those years, it's become a pretty luxe machine. It's got all the off-road chops, even though it's likely few owners will actually climb rocks with it -- this is more about civilized highway driving. Find out more in my review at the National Post.

In review: 2018 Jeep Compass

If you only know the old Compass, put all that aside. This trucklet should have a different name, because it's nothing like the old one. It's not perfect, but it's pretty damn good. Find out more in my review over at AutoTRADER.

In review: 2017 Jeep Compass

What's in a name? Jeep better hope not a lot, because it's tacked the Compass moniker -- formerly worn by a rather forgettable little sport-ute -- onto an all-new model that's light-years ahead. It has its faults, but if you get the Trailhawk version, it's surprisingly good off-road. And as you can see in the photo, there's something to read. Find out what in my story at the National Post.

In review: 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel

It's pricey, but Jeep is aiming its diesel version of the Grand Cherokee at premium competitors - and for the most part, it holds its own. Find out more in my review over at Metro.

What does it take to design a Jeep?

How about a Canadian who penned the Grand Cherokee, as well as the new Chrysler 200? Find out more about designer Jeff Hammoud in my story at the Toronto Star.

A first look at the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The big news for 2014 is the return of a diesel, and it's a sweetie: a 3.0-litre provided by Fiat. The major issue with it will be is that it's only in the top lines, and these models get really pricey. Find out more in my Toronto Star story by clicking here.

Going racing ... in a Jeep!

I was going through some boxes of photos and came across this oldie-but-goodie. It will probably surprise most of my friends who know that I don't care for racing (unless horses and jockeys are involved), but I drove in the inaugural Targa Newfoundland road rally in 2002, along with Sylvie Rainville.

We were in the Trial division, and what a time we had. There were some growing pains in the event, and possibly the first was that since no one knew what was going to happen, we were sent to a car race with an SUV. No matter; in fact, after one particularly challenging stage, we proudly overheard someone tell his friend that "I never knew a Jeep could go that f***ing fast!" And we also had a few times when we were sent away from the other racers, and even stopped in the middle of a stage, because the marshalls all drove Jeeps and some people thought we were just officials, not driving participants.

We ended up finishing second in our division, and that's mostly because a storm kept many of us (our team included) from arriving in time for the orientation meetings. When another team complained that they didn't understand the rules, their penalty points were wiped out, and we slipped out of first place.

It was cold, it was wet, it was long days and little sleep, but it was the experience of a lifetime. I've been back to Newfoundland twice since then for vacations, because I just fell in love with the place. What a time it was indeed.

In review: 2011 Jeep Compass

It's noisier than expected, but if it's optioned correctly, it's also far more capable than you'd guess with its off-road abilities. You can read my review of the 2011 Jeep Compass North 4x4 on Autos.ca by clicking here.

Chrysler's leaving California

Chrysler has announced that it's closing its Pacifica Advance Product Design Center in Carlsbad, California and will consolidate the Advance Design function at its headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Now, news from the automakers is usually made available to journalists on media-specific Web sites during business hours, with lots of quotes that we can use to beef up the story, and photos if they're available. This little tidbit came as a very low-key email, and with the same terse message posted not on Chrysler's media Web site, but on a blog that it reserves as a chattier version for the press. No quotes, no photos, not even an attribution -- just "by Editor". And it arrived late on a Friday night.

Methinks they don't want us to say too much about it.

The email said that the function will be consolidated with Michigan, but the last paragraph reads, These changes set the stage for Chrysler's future global growth efforts, which also include our intent to establish global expertise in design, engineering and sourcing through centers of excellence. These actions will help the Company meet its long-term globlization goals.

Translation: we're going to find a place that'll make the cars for cheap.

It's not new, of course. GM's been doing it for a long time -- you want to get a deer in the headlights look, go up to half the people driving Chevrolet Aveos (bonus points if they've got a "Buy Domestic" license plate frame) and ask them if they know their cars are built in Korea. Rather tellingly, GM built three new subcompact concepts and had the public vote on which one it should build. One was designed in the U.S. The winner, announced at last year's Los Angeles Auto Show, was designed in India. Hmmm. I wonder where the actual car will be built, and if that has any bearing on how that particular design was chosen.

Y'know, in the grand scheme of things, I do have a bit of a handle on how corporations work. Even if I don't like it, I understand why companies move production offshore, whether it's cars or clothes or call centres.

I just wish everyone would be honest, instead of coating it all in bafflegab. Come clean with us: it costs too much money to design a car in California, so we're closing that office and we'll be contracting the work overseas. Will the public like it? Of course not. But I think John Q. Public would have more respect for a company that tells him up front what it's doing, instead of sneaking out the back door in the middle of the night.