The four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4×4 is fitted with a 3.8-liter V6 engine that can be mated to either a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler’s V6 produces 202 horsepower (HP) and 237 foot pounds of torque.

The EPA’s fuel economy estimates for the 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4×4 are 15 city / 19 highway miles per gallon (MPG) with both the manual and automatic transmissions. (The 2WD Sport 4×2 and Sahara 4×2 are rated slightly higher, at 15/20)

We put more than five hundred miles on the odometer of our automatic-equipped Red Rock Crystal Pearl review unit over a range of terrain and were able to squeak past the official mileage estimates with an average of 22.1 MPG on the Interstate highway and 17.9 MPG combined.

Interstate Mileage Testing:
Cruise control set to 68 MPH, A/C off, windows up: 21.2 MPG
Cruise control off, target speed 60-72 MPH, A/C off, windows up: 23.1 MPG

Overall test period temperatures ranged from the mid-fifties through the low eighties, with Interstate highway testing temperatures in the sixties. Highway tests were performed with the removable top on the vehicle.

The Wrangler’s 3.8-liter engine runs on regular unleaded fuel. The 22.5 gallon capacity gas tank provides a good amount of range.

There’s no mistaking the Wrangler for a speed demon, as it takes a leisurely trot up to highway speeds.

We had the opportunity to run our test unit through a variety of conditions, including miles upon miles of sand roads crisscrossing Wharton State Forest in the heart of the Jersey Pinelands. We found the Wrangler Unlimited to be most at home when off the beaten path. While the highway ride is smooth, it can be a bit bouncy in-town.

Although the Wrangler includes an average fuel economy display as standard equipment, it lacks a real-time fuel economy gauge. We used an aftermarket AutoMeter EcoMeter throughout testing in order to achieve higher fuel efficiency through light-footed driving.

The Wrangler Unlimited rides on a 116-inch wheelbase that’s stretched 20.6-inches over the standard Wrangler. This allows for a generous amount of passenger room and cargo capacity. 46.4 cubic feet of cargo space is available when the 60/40 rear seats are up and a whopping 83 cubic feet of space is available when the rear seats are down. Underfloor storage provides additional space to store items away from prying eyes.

Rear seating is designed to accommodate three, with plenty of leg and headroom.

A subwoofer-equipped 368-watt 7-speaker Infinity sound system is standard in the Wrangler Unlimited Sahara. Our test unit was fitted with the optional Uconnect Navigation and audio system, which includes a 30 gigabyte hard disk drive (HDD) for music storage.

While there are both USB and audio input jacks, USB performance is limited. The system does not work directly with iPod menus and cannot play music downloaded from the iTunes Store unless converted to MP3 format (or run through the audio input jack). Music files can be downloaded to the HDD from USB devices or ripped from audio CDs.

The look may be retro, but the modern conveniences are covered. True to Jeep tradition, the doors are removable, even though they include power windows and locks. There are two power outlets at the base of the dash. While our test unit was not equipped with it, a Bluetooth option is available. Although we’ve gotten a bit lost in the Pinelands in previous outings, off-roading with a satellite navigation system on-board is like having a little bird on your shoulder.

Make no mistake about it … this is a serious four-wheeler, not a fashion accessory. Four wheel disc brakes, a Dana 44 heavy duty rear axle, skid plates (for the transfer case and fuel tank), Command-Trac Shift-on-the-fly 4WD, and Hill Assist are standard, along with two front two hooks and one rear tow hook. The Wrangler Unlimited rides on 18 x 7.5 inch machined cast aluminum wheels shod with P225/70R18 On-/Off-Road Tires. A full size spare is standard issue.

The Wrangler Unlimited comes standard with Jeep’s Sunrider soft top. We highly recommend adding a hard top. The optional three-piece modular Freedom hard top includes a rear window wiper/defroster and is reasonably priced. One person can easily remove or install the front sections of the Freedom top.

All-in-all, the Jeep Wranger Sahara Unlimited 4×4 continues to fill a unique niche by delivering dependable off-road performance, in-cabin technology, iconic design, and open air motoring, along with plenty of cargo capacity and passenger space. If you want to get there with four doors and an open roof, the Wrangler Unlimited is the only game in or out of town.

Curb Weight: 4,269 pounds – manual, 4,294 – automatic.
Final Assembly Point: Toledo, Ohio
Country of Origin: Engine – United States, Transmission – United States
U.S/Canadian Parts Content: 57%

Make no mistake about it. The 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid is a great big truck that integrates some innovative technology. With room for eight and plenty of hauling power, the traditional Tahoe has been a popular choice for large active families. The new two-mode hybrid system provides considerable benefits in lower-speed operation – whether you’re cruising through town or crawling through the parking lot at the local sports complex.

The Tahoe Hybrid’s 6.0-liter V8 engine produces 332 horsepower (HP) and 367 foot pounds of torque. The big V8 is mated to a two-mode continuous electric ratio hybrid transmission with four fixed gears.

While the Tahoe is traditionally quite thirsty, the Hybrid version uses its 300 volts of energy storage and Active Fuel Management on the V8, to good effect. The official mileage estimates for the 2009 Tahoe Hybrid are 21 city / 22 highway miles per gallon (MPG) for the two-wheel-drive (2WD) version and 20/20 for the all-wheel-drive (4WD) version.

We put nearly 600 miles on our 4WD Blue Granite Metallic Tahoe Hybrid review unit and were able to squeak by the official estimates, with an average of 22.1 MPG on the Interstate highway and 22.5 MPG combined.

Overall test period temperatures ranged in the thirties through fifties, with freeway speeds between 60 and 72 miles per hour (MPH). Highway testing temperatures were in the forties.

4WD Tahoe Hybrid Highway MPG Testing
Cruise control on @ 68 MPH – 21.5 MPG
Cruise control off, target speed between 60-72 MPH – 22.7

Outside of the big front air dam and badges, most folks won’t know you’re driving a hybrid.

The Tahoe Hybrid will crawl under electric power at speeds under 30 miles per hour (MPH) or so, but you need to have a very light foot to take full advantage of the hybrid system. After a day or so of training yourself, you’ll be able to achieve the maximum MPGs from the vehicle.

You’ll use three information displays in your quest for maximum mileage. The first is the Economy gauge. It’ll swing to the right under acceleration, and back to center when you lift off the gas.

The Driver’s Information Center provides a host of data, including our favorite: Instant Fuel Economy. This is the tool you’ll use to fine-tune your driving style.

The Tahoe Hybrid will shut its gasoline engine off at a full stop. As you gently pull away from a stop, the Hybrid Power Flow display will show that you’re moving under electric power. As you gain speed and press harder on the accelerator pedal, the gasoline engine will kick in. (When you begin to experiment with this, make sure there’s no one behind you in traffic, lest you infuriate other drivers.)

Once you lighten up on the throttle, the V8 engine can kick down to just four cylinders via Active Fuel Management. It really pays to keep an eye on the Instant Fuel Economy display and use a light foot.

While the MPG numbers might not seem overwhelming, this is a big heavy (4WD: 5835 pounds/2WD: 5617 pounds) vehicle, and the Two-Mode Hybrid system represents a significant first step. We expect to see dramatic gains when Chevy adopts larger capacity Lithium Ion batteries, and plug-in technology.

Tahoe Hybrid Interior Features (video):

A quick trip to eBay is an indicator of the current level of discounting. At least one dealer was slashing seven thousand dollars off the Tahoe Hybrid’s MSRP. Buyers can also expect another $2,200 off for the federal hybrid tax credit.

It can take a while to get accustomed to driving the Tahoe Hybrid. Stomping on the accelerator pedal from a standing start is an interesting experience, to say the least. In this video, the system is in Auto Stop mode, with the engine off, as it launches.

Over our week of testing, the 2-mode hybrid system switched flawlessly between modes. With a 300 watt battery pack, two sixty kilowatt electric motors, and active fuel management on the 6.0 liter V8, we had no problem exceeding the official estimates of 20 city / 20 highway. (While those numbers might not seem all that large, keep in mind that the 4WD Tahoe Hybrid weighs in at 5835 pounds.)

This MPGomatic exclusive segment from SEMA 2008 with Joel McGuire from GM provides a bit of detail on how the Tahoe’s 2-mode hybrid system works …

Getting the most out of the system can take some patience. We rolled through a good bit of tape this week and have some sifting to do, so it might take a day or two to post the video(s) for our full Tahoe Hybrid review. Stay tuned!

Justly or not, SUVs are frequently cast as the poster boy for conspicuous consumption. You won’t find the conventional press or hordes of lemmings (any similarities are purely coincidental) praising the vast majority of SUVs for their fuel-stinginess. Yet the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV achieves quite remarkable gas mileage in city settings. (We were able to hit the magic 40 MPG mark in-town in our Escape Hybrid review.) This unique quality has led the Escape Hybrid to sell out its production runs, year-after-year.

Earlier this week, Ford announced a notable milestone: the 100,000th Escape Hybrid has rolled off the line at the Kansas City Assembly Plant. With production constraints due to battery availability, 100,000 vehicles in a relatively short time frame is significant. It’s clear that many Americans aren’t keen on giving up their SUVs and the Escape Hybrid fills an important niche.

The economic climate and drop in the price of gasoline have not been kind to the market, and there’s little to trumpet on this front on the other side of town. With Chrysler putting a hold on production of the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid late last year, the twins have earned the distinction of being the first hybrid SUVs to be put on hold … two canaries in the coal mine. The market has further delayed the introduction of GM’s next-generation Saturn VUE Two-Mode Hybrid.

Nevertheless, there are seven hybrid SUVs available in America today. Over the last twelve months, we’ve had the good fortune to have opportunity to review four of the hybrid SUVs currently on sale:

• Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
• Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
• Ford Escape Hybrid
• Lexus RX400h Hybrid
• Mercury Mariner Hybrid
• Saturn VUE Green Line Hybrid
• Toyota Highlander Hybrid

While we generally prefer smaller vehicles, we’re looking forward to putting the Tahoe Hybrid to a week-long road test this month with excursions for building materials and bulk goods that would overwhelm a smaller SUV.

Hybrid technology will likely have a place in a greater number of SUVs, going forward, but it is not the be-all, end-all. With the introduction of the Audi Q7 TDI and BMW X5d, America is getting its first look at the power and fuel efficiency of clean diesel engines. While these two technologies may ultimately blend, it will not in all likelihood, happen first (if at all) with a domestic American manufacturer … unless the partnership between Chrysler and Fiat quickly bears fruit.

All 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander ES and SE models are equipped with a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 168 horsepower (HP) and 167 foot-pounds of torque. The more sporting Outlander XLS is equipped with a 3.0-liter V6, producing 220 HP and 204 foot-pounds of torque. The 2.0-liter is fitted with a CVT, while the 3.0-liter V6 earns a well-suited six-speed automatic transmission.

The official mileage estimates for the V6 AWD 2009 Outlander XLS are 17 city / 23 highway miles per gallon (MPG).

We put over 400 miles on the odometer of our V6-equipped Outlander XLS review unit, sneaking past the official estimates, scoring an average of 25.5 MPG on the Interstate highway, with 22.1 MPG combined.

All mileage tests were performed with the drive mode selector in 2WD. Test period temperatures ranged from the twenties through the forties, with freeway speeds between 60 and 72 miles per hour (MPH).

68 MPH with cruise – 24.3 MPG
60-72 MPH without cruise – 26.7 MPG

The Outlander XLS’s V6 and Sportronic six-speed transmission proved themselves to be a worthy combination. While the Outlander’s admittedly a bit removed from the venerable Mitsubishi EVO, the column-mounted magnesium paddle shifters manage to turn that everyday drive into more fun than a XBox 360.

Okay, so you might not give up playing Gran Turismo. Although the Outlander can’t compare to an EVO, its handling beats the typical marshmallow SUV’s handling, hands down. And you can always bring your xBox or Playstation along with and plug it into the video input ports that come with the Navigation option package.

The optional Mitsubishi Multi Communication System adds a whole new dimension with advanced fuel economy tracking, an altimeter, a barometer, a rearview camera, and a 40 GB hard drive-equipped music server. Alas, all is not golden. While there’s an auxiliary audio input hidden about the cabin, a much sought-after USB hookup is nowhere to be found. You’ll need to move music to the system’s hard drive via CDs. (The system provides in-car track ripping.)

There are three 12-volt outlets: one at the base of the dash, one in the center console, and one in the rear cargo area. A 115-volt AC outlet can be found in the console, as well.

The Outlander’s standard issue Multi-Information display is located center-stage, between the tachometer and speedometer. With average fuel economy and instant MPG displays, the LED screen provides the feedback you need to get the maximum mileage out of the Outlander.

MPG Tips: When driven conscientiously, the six-speed automatic Outlander can beat the numbers. The trick, as always, is to drive with a light foot and let off the throttle whenever possible. Shift early and keep the real-time MPG thermometer as high as you can, for as long as you can. Use inertia to its greatest advantage, but keep in mind that you’re in a SUV, not a sports car.

The Outlander XLS features a crisply-designed, driver-focused interior, with comprehensive steering wheel controls. The luxury package include leather seating and heated front buckets, although lumbar support is notably absent.

Selectable four-wheel-drive allows the driver to dial down to front wheel drive to save on fuel or up to four wheel lock for the rough stuff.

The split rear tailgate provides excellent access to the Outlander’s 72.6 cubic feet of cargo space. And last but not least, the optional 650 watt Rockford Fosgate audio system delivers plenty of thump to rattle the mirrors with a 10-inch subwoofer.

All-in-all, the sporty Outlander XLS offers a unique and fun-to-drive alternative to the more mundane competition.

Note: The 3.0-liter SOHC MIVEC V6 qualifies as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV).

Our MPGomatic Honda CR-V review was one of our earliest efforts. Over a week-long early spring test drive, our AWD 2008 CR-V EX-L lived up to its billing, delivering a comfortable car-like ride unlike any CR-V we’d driven before, with plenty of creature comforts. While some CR-V owners might gripe about the mileage, we found that careful use of the center-dash real-time MPG monitor will enable you to squeak past the official estimates.

Here at MPGomatic, we recommend that you puruse a wide variety of reviews when considering the purchase of a new vehicle. Although this early effort might overlook a feature or two, we’ve always aimed to deliver a real world review from the driver’s seat, while relying upon the automotive community as a whole to cover all the bases. We like to think of this as an open-source model. Rather than getting mired down with a checklist of features in our three-minute review, we’ve undertaken the efford to create a mashup of CR-V reviews that paints a complete picture of Honda’s not-so-little (anymore) SUV…

Kelly Blue Book’s Honda CR-V review exhaustively details the CR-V’s standard features and the options, as it delves into the details with lingering looks and attractive scenery. As always, KBB does a fine job of covering pricing and financial issues …

Weighing in at just under two minutes, The Toronto Star and Wheels.ca’s Honda CR-V review takes it to the street and pulls no punches, when it refers to the CR-V as “a bit of a wallflower” when compared to more sporting competition …

cnet’s 2009 Honda CR-V review gushes over the new and generally very pleasant CR-V after referring to the previous generation as a “barbaric little ruffian.” cnet’s review earns high notes by tackling the tech details of the top-of-the-line EX-L’s standard navigation and audio system.

In May 2008, we had the opportunity to taste the forbidden fruit. Our Honda CR-V diesel test drive through the streets of Las Vegas, Nevada provides a rare glimpse of what it’s like to drive a diesel-powered CR-V through American traffic …

While rumor had it that Honda was nearly ready to begin importing the torquey and fuel-efficient CR-V diesel here to the States, those dreams have been dashed, at least for the time being …

Our MPGomatic Subaru Forester review shows why the Forester became an immediate sales success. In its naturally-aspirated 2.5X trim, the 2009 Forester is enjoyable to drive and delivers solid gas mileage for a five-seat AWD, as it flirts with the 30 mile per gallon mark on the highway when driven carefully. (Although we haven’t had the chance to test the turbocharged XT version, we look forward to the opportunity.)

MPGomatic goes about things in a different way. We always recommend checking out a wide range of resources when considering the purchase of a new vehicle. Although our Forester review might miss a less obvious feature or two, our goal is to deliver a real world review from the driver’s seat. While this is a unique approach, it’s one that provides many benefits. Think of this as a bit of an open-source model. Instead of focusing on a checklist of features in our three-minute review, we’ve combed the Web to create a mashup of Forester reviews that paint a complete picture …

Kelly Blue Book’s Subaru Forester review comprehensively covers the Forester’s features and options, as it delves into the details with no shortage of long looks and pretty scenery. And as per its roots, KBB does a good job of covering the basic pricing and financial issues …

Edmunds’ InsideLine Subaru Forester review calls the Forester redesign a “ReForestation,” as it showcases the vehicle’s enhanced proportions and amenities. And when it comes to performance issues, Edmunds doesn’t spare the punches …

While most Foresters will stick to paved and gravel roads, it’s good to know that the tall wagon can handle the tough stuff, when called upon.

Ytater’s short 2009 Forester Off Road Test shows the Forester navigating a nasty wet patch, as it crawls through a segment of trail while precariously balancing on three wheels at a West Palm Beach Subaru training session …

drive-test.ro’s Subaru Forester Diesel 2.0 XS T-D Off Road Drive Test provides a peek at a diesel-powered European Forester conquering an off-road track near Bucharest, Romania …

Here’s to hoping we see the fuel-thrifty diesel Forester here in the States sooner, rather than later …

Our MPGomatic Toyota RAV4 review shows why this popular sport utility does so well in a highly competitive market. With our standard week-long review time frame, we were able to put hundreds of miles on the RAV4 to get a solid reading on fuel efficiency and overall driveability. It’s easy to see why the RAV4 is such a success. When called upon, the V6 in our test unit delivered the rare combination of both excellent acceleration and good mileage (when driven conscientiously, of course).

When considering the purchase of a new vehicle, we always recommend checking out a wide range of resources. While our test drives might miss some of the less obvious features, the goal with our MPGomatic reviews is to deliver a real world review from the driver’s seat. This is clearly a different approach, but one that provides many benefits. Rather than focusing on a checklist of features in our review, we’ve scoured the Web to craft a mashup of RAV4 reviews that paint a complete picture …

Kelly Blue Book’s Toyota RAV4 review provides a thorough run through the RAV4’s standard and optional features, as well as its trim levels and pricing. KBB most often does a great job of hitting all the key points in this manner, and their RAV4 effort is no exception.

Edmunds’ Volkswagen Tiguan vs Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4 review puts it all in perspective, pitting the RAV4 against a pair of its most formidable competitors. The review is quite thorough in its comparison of performance specifications including 0-60 times, slalom speed, and braking distance. Without giving away the outcome, if Edmunds hadn’t referred to the RAV4 as “the least fun to drive” of the three, they might have clearly given the (enjoyable to drive) RAV4 the nod in this “Cute Ute Smackdown.”

From the eyecandy from overseas department (with a teaser we can’t have here in the States … a mention of the diesel engine), the Motors TV RAV4 review features witty commentary and excellent camera work.

And for a bit of pure frivolity and SUV love (may death do us part), we proudly present the infamous RAV4 Happy Together commercial …

Our Suzuki Grand Vitara review took place over a long weekend. While this was a good bit shorter than our typical review time frame, we were able to put more than two hundred miles on the Grand Vitara and still get in a bit of off-road adventure time.

Needless to say, with the clock ticking, this one drove off a tad muddy …

When doing research, it’s best to rely on a number of resources. Our modus operandi is to deliver the driver’s point of view in a tight segment. While this approach might miss some of the less obvious features, our goal is provide a real world review from the driver’s seat, rather than a checklist … there are other sources for that, and hence, we’ve included one of the best in this mashup of Grand Vitara reviews.

driverTV’s Grand Vitara review highlights the features of the little Suzuki in a thorough and methodical fashion …

AutoMotoTV’s Grand Vitara review gives us the eye-candy, with a pair of European Grand Vitara motoring through a variety of dirt roads, packed with scenic views:

And finally, CarAdvice.com.au’s Grand Vitara review teases us with what we can’t buy here in the States, the forbidden fruit: the Suzuki Grand Vitara Diesel. With fuel mileage of 7.6 liters per 100 kilometers (roughly 31 miles per US gallon) and plenty of torque, the turbo-diesel would be sure to win a legion of American fans, if Suzuki chose to undertake the emissions work to achieve 50-state compliance.

“If you’re thinking about buying one of these, you’d have to be mad not to consider the diesel” …

While the Suzuki Grand Vitara competes most closely with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Jeep Patriot, the Grand Vitara’s available true four wheel drive (4WD) and low-range transfer case make Suzuki’s little SUV more Jeep-like then the CR-V or RAV4.

Under the hood, our top of the line Grand Vitara Luxury review unit was fitted with a 16-valve DOHC 3.2-liter V6 engine, producing 230 horsepower (HP) and 213 foot pounds of torque. (A 16-valve DOHC 2.4-liter inline four producing 166 HP and 162 foot pounds of torque is available in the base and premium models.)

The official gas mileage estimates for the 2009 Grand Vitara Luxury edition are 17 city / 23 highway miles per gallon (MPG) with the five-speed automatic transmission. (The inline four and five-speed manual transmission are rated at 19/25 in 4WD and 19/26 in rear wheel drive.)

We slipped past the official estimates in our White Water Pearl Grand Vitara Luxury review unit. In over two hundred miles of driving, we scored an average of 24.6 MPG on the Interstate highway, an 21 MPG combined. Test period temperatures ranged from the thirties through fifties, with freeway speeds between 60 and 70 miles per hour (MPH).

The Grand Vitara provides both Average and Instant Fuel Economy displays beneath the speedometer. The Instant Fuel Economy display is well-designed, helping to make light-footed driving all the more pleasant. While keeping your foot out of it is key for the best mileage, the Grand Vitara’s V6 delivers when you need to stomp on the pedal.

(MPGomatic’s Rule of Thumb Toe: the further you can drive with your foot completely off the pedal, the higher you’ll score with regard to MPGs.)

While it does just fine on the open road, the Grand Vitara is at its best off the beaten path.

Point the Grand Vitara at a muddied pot-holed trail and it’ll do just fine.

The 4WD Grand Vitara is always in 4WD drive. In normal conditions, you’ll use 4H mode. The dash mounted dial allows you to select between the 4H, 4H Lock, and 4L Lock transfer case settings. In order to switch modes, you need to have the brake on, the accelerator off, and the gearshift in neutral. (The neutral transfer case setting is for those occasions when you need to tow the Grand Vitara.)

All-in-all, we found the 4WD Suzuki Grand Vitara to be quite competent, both on and off the road, with the only downsides being the lack of standard iPod integration and the lower fuel economy that one has to expect with an honest-to-goodness 4WD.