[Dave Z]

Jeep is better off when it's NOT a priority and it can do its own things

 

[Dave Z]

Daimler actually started all this with the Patriot and Compass and watered down Grand Cherokee, as David S reminded me the other day. All that was about increasing volume on the brand that had premium pricing.

I did go back and found that Chrysler’s failure to command premium prices dated back to around 2001, when it took over Plymouth. No surprise there. The USA spec Chrysler Voyager was bad enough but you can't expect Town & Country to be considered a premium vehicle when the base model has the same price and trim as the base Dodge, when the line starts with a stripper PT Cruiser, and so forth. The 2007 Sebring wasn’t too bad for the time but the base models were not luxury by any stretch.

 

[Dave Z]

At least DCX tried a Dodge to go with Patriot and Compass. Of course, I guess the proper way would have been to make the Caliber the only FWD offering and require AWD on the Jeeps and they were all to happy to sell FWD Jeeps.

Well, yes. The Caliber was the least desirable of the three from pretty much any perspective but price.
FWD Jeeps would be fine if the suspensions were up to the task.

 

[Dave Z]

That is because off-roaders snatched them up, modded them, and took them to the trails until they disintegrated.

Also because they stopped making them two decades ago. I've stopped seeing Corollas from that era, too.
I was stunned that the Wagoneer made no pretense towards off-road capability given the Ram 1500 Rebel. I really kept expecting them to rop the other shoe but it stayed on their feet.

 

[Dave Z]

Though if you want to feel the same way but also feel like you're in a luxury car as you go over trenches and logs, the Power Wagon comes in handy.