Jeep

Hot news for 2010: No brand-new models, but plenty of small changes. Ÿ 4.7-liter V8 dropped from the Commander lineup. Ÿ Wrangler rocks on with new convenience features.

Carryover: Compass; Commander; Grand Cherokee; Liberty, Patriot; Wrangler.

Starting line

n Not all that long ago, the rumors were flying that the Jeep Compass might get the boot. Thanks to higher gas prices, the Compass is not only back, but parent Chrysler saw fit to heavily invest in updating its interior as well as the interior of the similar Patriot.

So, Jeep, the brand that owes its very existence to heavy-duty 4x4 machinery, might owe its very future to the Compass and Patriot. That’s ironic, really, considering that both of these high-volume Jeeps, which are based on the Dodge Caliber small wagon, were meant for the street. Yes, there’s four-seasons/harsh-road capability provided you change out the standard front-wheel-drive setup for the optional all-wheel-drive.

The Patriot is the only one of the pair offered in a “Trail Rated” model that can be taken as far into the woods as you like, but it’s the exception and not the norm. The strength of the Compass/Patriot is fuel economy, plain and simple. You can look tough-ish and off-roady and save money on gas doing it. Heading up the line for 2010, the bigger Liberty is back with its 3.7-liter V6 although for 2010 it sports and aggressive fuel cutoff that’s supposed to save you some gas money.

The still-bigger Grand Cherokee is in its last year of the current body style, so there won’t be any significant change until you see the new model early in calendar 2010. At the top end of the line, the Commander, which is the only Jeep to offer seven-seating capacity, is a mix of luxury utility and off-road capability. It’s actually based on a modified Grand Cherokee chassis, although the Commander has a more upright posture.

By contrast, don’t expect the Wrangler - which most people would agree is the Jeep franchise - to go anywhere anytime soon. Over the years, the line has expanded to include extended-wheelbase as well as very useful four-door models, however this year changes are limited to a longer console and a soft top.

Now that Fiat owns Chrysler, you’ll likely see more Jeep models in Europe and at the same time new Jeep models based off Fiat platforms.