1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 on 2040-cars

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Bentley Continental GT V8 and Toyota 4Runner | Autoblog Podcast #604

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Consumer Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski and Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder. First, they talk about driving the 2020 Bentley Continental GT V8 First Edition, followed by the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road. Then they revive a format called "This or That," discussing the Jeep Wrangler vs. Gladiator, Subaru Forester vs. Outback, Mustang vs. Camaro vs. Challenger, and whether they'd rather spend $25,000 on a new or vintage car. They've got an update on a previous Spend My Money segment, and, finally, they help another listener pick a daily driver. Autoblog Podcast #604 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown 2020 Bentley Continental GT V8 2020 Toyota 4Runner This or That: Jeep Gladiator or Jeep Wrangler Subaru Forester or Subaru Outback Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro or Dodge Challenger Vintage car or new car Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: Podcasts Bentley Chevrolet Dodge Jeep Subaru Toyota Truck Coupe SUV Luxury Off-Road Vehicles Performance Classics

FCA's shifter fiasco proves novel gear selectors are a bad idea

What's wrong with PRNDL? Why are automakers trying to overly complicate the simple task of selecting gears? If there's any lesson to learn from the recent news that NHTSA is investigating 853,000 Fiat Chrysler vehicles over its problematic gear selectors, it's that the trend of fancy shifters needs to stop. Now. Last year, NHTSA opened an investigation into Jeep Grand Cherokee models, and has now expanded this probe to include the 2012-14 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. The problem? The shifter – assembled by ZF – is confusing for many drivers. "Testing ... indicates that operation of the (electronic) shifter is not intuitive and provides poor tactile and visual feedback to the driver, increasing the potential for unintended gear selection," a NHTSA document states. More than 100 crashes and over a dozen injuries are linked to this problem, according to The Detroit Free Press. To us, the problem isn't just limited to FCA. These unnecessarily novel gear selectors are spreading like wildfire across the industry. Honda and Acura use a weird pushbutton setup. Lincolns have buttons on the dashboard. Jaguar's shifter electronically raises out of the center console. Mercedes uses a stalk with up-for-Reverse, down-for-Drive, push-for-Neutral arrangement. And what the hell is BMW thinking with its M cars? FCA has since abandoned the confusing shifters in question. The 300, Charger, and Grand Cherokee now use the rotary shift dial that's quickly proliferating across the company's brands. Simplistic gear selectors might not be sexy, but no one ever complained about not being able to find the right gear in a Hyundai Sonata. What's most interesting is that this NHTSA investigation could push FCA – and possibly other automakers – to redesign vehicle functions that otherwise operate as designed. Just because most people will never have a problem putting a Dodge Charger in Reverse doesn't mean there isn't a flaw with the design. But perhaps a more simplistic solution – good ol' PRNDL – would have prevented these issues from the start. Related Video: News Source: The Detroit Free PressImage Credit: Copyright 2016 AOL Government/Legal Chrysler Dodge Jeep FCA shifters

Jeep adds top-level, $35,690 Cherokee Overland trim [UPDATE]

UPDATE: We initially received incorrect pricing information. FCA says the Cherokee Overland will cost $35,690, including $995 for destination. If you want a more luxurious Jeep, you buy a Grand Cherokee Overland or Summit. But if the idea of dropping $45,000 to $51,000 gives you pause, you'll welcome the news that FCA's off-road brand will introduce a luxury-oriented version of its smaller, more affordable Cherokee. The new Cherokee Overland incorporates a number of cosmetic changes. All of the black plastic body elements have been replaced with body-colored items, improving the overall aesthetic. Jeep fitted handsome, polished 18-inch wheels along with chrome trim on the upper and lower grilles, and the halogen headlights have been swapped with standard bi-xenon units. Previously, the HID headlights were only available as part of an $1,845 Luxury Pack on the Cherokee Limited. In the cabin, the biggest change is found on the seats, where Nappa leather comes standard along with heating and ventilation functions. The steering wheel gets Zebrano wood trim, and instrument panel is wrapped in leather. Beyond that, the Overland is unsurprisingly well-equipped, with an Alpine Premium Audio system, FCA's excellent 8.4-inch UConnect system with navigation, and blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert. The three big optional extras include the Cherokee's 3.2-liter V6, the Jeep Active Drive II all-wheel-drive system, and the Technology Group (auto high beams, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, park assist, adaptive cruise, front and rear park assist with rear stop, and automatic windshield wipers). Owners will also be able to snag a sunroof and a couple of smaller items, like a wireless charging pad. Prices for the Cherokee Overland start at $35,690 (including destination) with sales to begin this spring. Read on for the official announcement from Jeep. Jeep® Expands Cherokee Lineup with Premium Overland Model • New 2016 Jeep® Cherokee Overland debuts at New England International Auto Show • More premium Jeep Cherokee model boasts an unmatched combination of luxury and capability in the mid-size SUV segment • Cherokee Overland delivers sophisticated styling, a well-appointed interior, a long list of premium standard features, and legendary Jeep capability • New premium Cherokee Overland available in Jeep showrooms this spring • Jeep Cherokee sales increased 23 percent in 2015 BOSTON, Jan.