With the prices of gas and fuel increasing steadily, consumers tend to turn their backs on the sport utility vehicle (SUV) market. Sports utility vehicles after all has a reputation for being gas guzzlers and that is why most consumers now opt for more fuel efficient smaller cars like a sedan or a coupe.

But the versatility and the loading capacity of an SUV is hard to match, even by large sedans. That is why Consumer Reports came out with a list of the most fuel efficient SUVs to help consumers choose the right kind of vehicle that would suit their needs and wants as well as their budgets. The list of the best and worst SUVs when it comes to fuel economy is the result of a battery of tests that were performed by Consumer Reports on the SUVs that are currently available in the market.

“With more crossovers, hybrids, and car-based SUVs entering the market, it’s now much easier to find an SUV that gets gas mileage similar to a midsized sedan,” Rik Paul, the Automotive Editor for Consumer Reports, quipped. The editor also pointed out that consumers can save a lot of money that is usually spent on fuel simply by doing research before choosing a car to buy. And the magazine has provided prospective car buyers with a comprehensive list of the best and the worst fuel efficient SUVs in the market so as to aid them in choosing a vehicle.

Aside from giving their readers an idea which vehicles are noteworthy, they also showed them which vehicles to avoid where fuel economy is concerned. The information presented by Consumer Reports is a great help to prospective car buyers. What can be more helpful though are the pieces of information about choosing aftermarket parts for the vehicle like EBC brake rotors or other car parts.

Some of the sport utility vehicles tested by Consumer Reports posted gas mileage which is similar to that of a conventional family sedan. Models like the Ford Escape Hybrid, the Saturn Vue Green Line, and the Toyota RAV-4 model that uses a 4-cylinder engine each posted 23-26 miles per gallon, and that is not far from gas mileage ratings achieved by some sedans. While there are SUVs that boasts of good fuel economy, there are also those that would burn a hole in your pocket with gas mileage ratings that seem to use up each gallon of fuel faster than you can say jag. Small SUVs which have performed poorly on the fuel economy tests are the Kia Sorento LX, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, and the Jeep Liberty Sport.

The tests conducted by Consumer Reports gave a result of an equally weighted average of city, highway, and one-day trip gas mileage ratings. For the city driving gas mileage rating, Consumer Reports simulated stop-and-go driving with a total of 18 stops, four minutes of idling, and speeds reaching up to 40 miles per hour. For the highway mpg rating, testers drove the vehicles through eight 5-mile laps with a constant speed of 65 miles per hour.

To find out the gas mileage rating of the vehicles for a one-day trip, testers pushed the vehicles through 155 miles in a day. The trip is constituted by 26 percent freeway driving, 11 percent two-lane highway, and 63 percent varied countryside roads with turns and minute elevation differences. The tests conducted show the overall performance of the vehicles in terms of fuel economy, other components of the vehicles were not tested.

Other noteworthy SUVs in the midsize segment are the Lexus RX400h, with a gas mileage rating of 23 miles per gallon, and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited which posted 22 miles per gallon. The BMW X3 3.0si, the Nissan Murano, and the Toyota Highlander Limited also posted good gas mileage ratings of 19 miles per gallon. Consumer Reports however did not find any vehicle in the large SUV segment with unusually good gas mileage figures.

The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) is just around the corner and already and car manufacturers are gearing up for the chance to show the auto world what they have developed. Among the vehicles that will surely crop up at the event are concept vehicles.

Different car manufacturers have already announced that they would be unveiling their concept cars at the largest motor show in the United States. The Chrysler group revealed that they will be showcasing three concept vehicles at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. These vehicles will show the auto world what direction Chrysler is going in the near future. These three concept vehicles from the group are under the Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep brands.

The first of the trio is the Dodge Demon. Dodge is known for producing performance cars and the concept vehicle shows the brand’s penchant for such vehicles. The Demon is a “roadster with an attitude” according to its maker. Its bold styling cues points out that it is from the Dodge brand. The simplicity of the interior and the distinct exterior styling are the trademarks of Dodge and the Demon possessed that.

It is dubbed as “an attainable dream car” and it is powered by a 2.4 liter engine which can produce 172 horsepower. While that may seem a small number for a car from Dodge, the design of the engine and the body makes good use of every power generated by the engine.

The second concept vehicle is from Chrysler which is known for producing near-luxury vehicles. This concept vehicle named the Chrysler Nassau may be the start of the group’s climb back to profitability. It is a four-door, four-seat luxury coupe. Its roof resembles that of a coupe but the Nassau is a hard top.

Inside, the vehicle features a functional instrument panel with user-friendly controls. Its entertainment system spells luxury that is inspired by home-theater systems. Radical features of the Nassau include the gear shift pod control located on the instrument panel. Whether this feature will ever be used on production vehicles is still not clear at present though.

Completing the triumvirate is the Jeep Trailhawk concept vehicle. Jeep is known for production of off-road vehicles and the Trailhawk concept is no exception. The vehicle has the off road capability of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and the sophistication of a concept vehicle. The styling of the concept vehicle gives it a muscular look common on Jeep models. It is made for highway cruising, where an EBC rotor will be of good use, without sacrificing the off-road capability that Jeep vehicles are known for.

These three vehicles will be unveiled at the opening of the motor show on the 6th of April this year. The event will be open to the public until the 15th of the same month. Aside from these three concept vehicles from Chrysler Group, other concept vehicles from other car manufacturers will also be unveiled at the event.

Designing production vehicles is always a vital part of the operations of a car manufacturer. These designs are more often than not unveiled to the public in the form of concept vehicles. While most concept cars never made it to production, the impact that they have on the auto industry can be felt and seen.

One car manufacturer which prides itself for its concept vehicles is Chrysler and this company is currently celebrating its twenty years of creating modern concept vehicles. The company has been using their design capabilities to come up with cutting edge concept vehicles which use future design concepts that they have used for production vehicles.

The company’s dedication to designing concept vehicles started in 1987 when the American car company unveiled the Chrysler Portofino at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The four door sedan is the first of the more than one hundred concept vehicles designed by Chrysler which has now spanned twenty years. The concept cars are designed to showcase the design concepts which the company has developed and, at the same time, attract potential designers to work on the auto design field. These concept vehicles allow designers to come up with something new and practical. During auto shows, these designs are turned into reality and showcased to thousands of auto show goers.

The Chrysler Group Senior Vice President of Product Design Office has this to say: “We’ve always said at Chrysler that we don’t just produce concepts for fun. We have proved year after year that our concepts are innovative and relevant. Our track record shows that many Chrysler Group concepts, and several of the design features showcased on our concept vehicles, have gone into production. While we can’t say yet if any of our 2007 concepts will eventually be seen in our showrooms, they clearly hint at exciting and innovative future design directions that could find their way into our company’s products.”

For this year, the car manufacturer has already showcased three concept vehicles. The first one is the Chrysler Nassau which was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The four-door station wagon is considered to showcase the future design of the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Magnum. The second is the Dodge Demon which was unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva International Auto Show. The Dodge Demon looks like it is designed for maximum speed and if a production version of this vehicle comes out, an Iceman cold air intake system would surely increase its power output. The third concept vehicle from Chrysler to be unveiled this year is the Jeep Trailhawk. The concept SUV was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show and is based on the Wrangler Unlimited platform. The carmaker has announced that the production of this SUV is salted for 2010.

What was once a rejected auto sketch has been turned into a domineering vehicle that delivers the best out of the on-road and off-road worlds. This is the plight of Jeep Trailhawk, Wrangler’s new variant.

Jeep builds on the new Wrangler Unlimited platform to offer enthusiasts new motoring experience through the Trailhawk. The vehicle, which has debuted at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, got its name from its prominent hawk-like expression.

The automaker did away with the Jeep parts 1986 body to pave way for a more sophisticated and responsive drive feel. The Trailhawk is equipped with removable tinted glass panels that cover the first- and second-row seats. When the panels are removed, occupants could enjoy an open-air drive. It is also been given a 3.0-liter BLUETEC 215-hp 376 lb-ft diesel.

Nicho Vardis of Chrysler group’s Advanced Product Design gave Trailhawk its wings. The man has also helped in designing the Saturn Sky concept. Vardis was supposed to formulate ideas for a production Jeep, so he went on the Internet to do some imagery research where he spotted a skin diver’s watch that tickled his eye for details, beauty and elegance. Said watch is not just about beauty, he thought. It is about function. Even its colorful face had a meaning. “The yellow is the last color you see when you descend in the water,” said Vardis, which is also a certified diver.

Vardis added, “A Jeep is about utility – but also adventure, the wind in your hair, a feeling of openness.” He started sketching. And before he knew it, he already created a magnificent concept complete with removable glass panels on the roof, sides and back, bold wheel flares and a slight scowl.

Trailhawk’s open-air styling was also influenced by 1998 Jeepster concept taken from Chrysler’s annual concept competition. Don Renkert, senior design manager in the Product Design Office said, “It’s a draw to want to be here (referring to the competition), because you know you’re going to get a chance to contribute – and you may be the ‘American Idol,’ in effect.”

Basically, Jeepster history was reborn in one of Vardis’ earliest pencil drawings. The metamorphosis of a concept auto sketch into what is called today as Trailhawk, involves lots of hard work and dedication. “We always have to imagine these (concept) cars could be in our portfolio, so what would be the approach? It didn’t take us long to realize this would have to be a diesel. … It’s the perfect engine for a car like this – lots of torque. It’s great for off-roading,” GM said.

After conceptualization, design and assembly, Trailhawk, which balances innovation and Jeep’s DNA, was born. “It had this slightly furrowed brow, and the first thing we all said was it looked like an eagle or a hawk. It had that sort of attitude about it, a little bit of a scowl to it, which is not typical of Jeep. For the first time, we saw the face and the expression of the car,” said Donald Renkert, Jeep Studio senior manager. “Suddenly we had a set of eyes and a set of teeth, and we all sat back and said, ‘Wow, that’s cool,’ because the car had an expression.” At this point, Trailhawk is ready for its close-up.

The Chrysler Group despite the sober news of its upcoming buyout seems unaffected by all the controversies. As a matter of fact, it is preparing a stream of new products for Ireland and UK in an effort to increase its market share upwards. The automaker is planning to introduce up to eight new models for the Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge brands for this year.

Most of the new models that are heading UK and Ireland were shown at Detroit like for example the new Dodge Avenger which was unveiled at the Detroit auto show and same with the D-segment saloon that possess the retro 1970s muscle car looks and shares its name with one of the bastion of Chrysler’s Irish range in the ‘70s.

The Avenger shares the same platform as the Chrysler Sebring. The Avenger is scheduled to hit Ireland market in June and will also be offered in a convertible version complete with a retractable hard-top. Both the Avenger and the Sebring are created to appeal to different types of buyers. The Sebring is expected to be the choice among older customers who appreciates conservative designs while the Avenger is designed to target younger buyers and those performance-oriented buyers.

The Avenger is going to be introduced as Dodge’s third model, following the Caliber hatchback and the Nitro small MPV which is scheduled to come out in July. All the Dodge models destined for Ireland are made in US. The Chrysler adds a high-performance version of the 300C Touring, the SRT-8 which is powered by a 6.1 liter HEMI V8 engine.

The Jeep brand for its part gains four new models for 2007. The new Wrangler and four-door Wrangler Unlimited would be available in the US very soon probably after the launching of the Compass the ”soft-roader” which is based on the Caliber platform. The Patriot is going to be launch in July and will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor show. The Patriot is one of the most affordable vehicles offered by Jeep. It is equipped with remarkable safety and comfort features plus possesses quality Jeep parts like OEM Jeep clutch which are known for quality and durability.

The models that won’t be coming to Ireland include the large Dodge Charger and Magnum models since they are deemed to close to the Chrysler 300C which is going to be offered in Ireland. The new Dodge coupe is coming in the US and in some part of Europe.

The Jeep Trailhawk concept compressed the trademark of the Jeep brand with the features of Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and a combination of an off-road 4×4 characteristics and a new body-on-frame-four-door Jeep.

The Chrysler group applied and designed the Jeep with sophistication and refined off-road open-air concept vehicle, giving a fresh appearance and uniqueness to the style of the Jeep Trailhawk. Patterned from the platform of a Jeep Wrangler, the Trailhawk possesses all the legendary off-road performance capabilities incorporated with refinement in style as highway cruiser.

Nick Vardis, principal exterior designer stated that “the key to to the look of the Trailhawk is the vehicle’s distinctive proportions due in part to its 116-inch wheelbase; the dash-to-front-axle dimension is dramatically long”. Giving the vehicle a sense of forward motion, while the front and the rear overhangs are tight and abbreviated, Vardis added. They’ve viewed the math surface of the grille and headlamps together in the computer. And it turns out that the expression portrayed is a hawk, so it was named as the Trailhawk.

The tail lamps also resemble the headlamps and also the striped turn signals with a surface of a liftgate carved away. The Jeep Trailhawk interior emphasizes an open air free will that attracts exterior themes to go through the interior. Cliff Wilkins, responsible for the interior design said, “Though mechanical elements which evoke exterior details are contrasted with sophisticated materials and finishes to give a modern, rugged, purposeful interior while delivering a premium off-road experience.”

Like most of all 4×4 Jeeps, from their macho exterior to the finest interior designs, The Trailhawk is aware about the word “power”, the ability to trek and withstand all terrains and tough outdoor trails. Jeep Cold Air Intake helps the Trailhawk Jeep in all variety of travels, whether it’s off-road or just a simple highway drive. The Chrysler group had improvised and spread the new innovation of designing vehicles, especially 4×4 Jeeps. A concept of power and style, with a combination of class and rugged exterior and interior distinctiveness and refinement, that’s what Trailhawk Jeep is all about.

March 6, 2007 was the debut of the latest online games released by the Jeep brand: the Jeep Geocaching Challenge and The Goonies: Return to Astoria (an adventure game based on the 80s movie). Both games are first person games where you get to ride and drive 4×4 all-terrain Jeeps and intermingle with different environments and clients. The games are both downloadable and it requires Windows XP with a decent video card and tons of RAM.

In Jeep® Geocaching Challenge, player must face and overcome a variety of realistic terrains and fantastic weather effects to seek the cache in order for the player to advance on the next level. There are four capable 2007 Jeep® models to help you with the adventure—The Grand Cherokee Limited, Liberty Limited, and Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. Every level that has been successful, player will earn perks, like gaining a spot on the game’s Global Leader Board and you can have the power to open postcards that you can send to your friends through e-mail. With the help of all the four all-terrain 4×4 vehicles, you cannot think of losing the game.

In Goonies: Return to Astoria, you can turn back in time and relive the scenes and characters made popular by the hit movie the Goonies (same as the game’s title) during the ‘80s. A player is provided with a modern Jeep® Wrangler. Just step through the Jeep door and a brand new legendary world and adventure awaits you.

The game has downloadable and sharable hip ‘80s soundtracks. Both games demonstrate the power of all 4×4 all-terrain vehicles. It reveals that any type of environment is effortless when it comes to hard-hitting adventure, long stretch drives and just a simple highway cruise.

This year’s Camp Jeep New York will be different from two other previous events last 2005 and 2006. For the first time ever, the 2007 Camp Jeep New York will be held outdoors in conjunction with the 2007 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) that will take place at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan on April 6 to 15.

The Camp Jeep New York will take place at the Inner Roadway of the Javits Center with an area of 45,000 square feet. More than 35,000 visitors are expected to take participate on the Camp Jeep New York. Participants at the Camp Jeep New York will experience the world’s most capable 4×4 vehicles along with their respective owners and their lifestyle, and a bunch of off-road driving adventures and driving contests. These includes the Jeep Trail Rated Test Track, which includes off-road driving conditions such as water fording, ground clearance, articulation, traction and maneuverability demonstrations. The Jeep Trail Rated Test Track also consists of seven different off-road surfaces like dirt, mulch, gravel, rocks, water, wood and asphalt. Consumers will have a chance to drive in these situations riding some of the 2007 Jeep off-road vehicle models equipped with Jeep radiator hose including Commander, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. In addition, an 18-foot vertical climb on a man made Jeep Mountain is also included, which comprises of more than 220 yards of dirt and mulch.

The Jeep brand has got something more interesting for consumers. One lucky Jeep owner who takes one of the test drive will have a chance to win an all expense package trip with his or her family to Camp Jeep Virginia. The annual Camp Jeep Virginia will take place at the Oak Ridge Estate in Nelson County, near Charlottesville in July 26 to 28. The event is for Jeep owners to have a three-day fun with their Jeep model conducting family friendly activities with other Jeep owners as well as off-road driving experience.

Tim McGraw will perform some of his most popular songs that hit the country music airwaves including “Live like You Were Dying”, “Real Good Man”, and his recent single “Last Dollar” from his new album “Let It Go.”

Meanwhile, going back to the Camp Jeep New York, consumers will also have the opportunity to join other activities at the event including 16-foot climbing wall, play video games, and photo shots in the Jeep Photo Zone where they can take pictures with a Jeep vehicle. In addition, there will be a mini test drive at the Mini Jeep Kidz Course. This will allow kids aged 3 and above to test drive mini Jeep models at the course.

The Chrysler Group’s Jeep brand is spreading its wings to explore a new design philosophy. The exploration of the new design is aimed at making the Jeep brand more iconic than before.

In connection with the said new design philosophy, the automaker will be combining the Trailhawk concept with Jeep’s core off-road features seen on the new body-on-frame four-door Wrangler Unlimited. The Jeep Trailhawk concept is basically a refined all-new on-road open-air concept vehicle that is equipped to provide a unique and fresh expression for Jeep.

Built off the new Wrangler platform, the Trailhawk is a more refined highway cruiser without sacrificing any of Jeep’s legendary off-road capabilities. “The key to the look of the Trailhawk,” said Nick Vardis, the principal exterior designer, “is the vehicle’s distinctive proportions, due in part to its 116-inch wheelbase. The dash-to-front-axle dimension is dramatically long, giving the vehicle a sense of forward motion, while the front and rear overhangs are tight and abbreviated.”

Vardis added that the body side is muscular and broad-shouldered, with the sheet metal pulled into shape, much like a drawn arrow in the bow of a skilled archer. In addition, the pillars are pulled back to create a more dramatic effect. The forward motion of the Jeep Trailhawk concept is further emphasized by the drive of the raising beltline. The said aura is not worthy of being camouflaged by the Jeep Bestop car cover and aficionados say that it has to be flaunted.

Jeep’s fundamental design cues include the broad stance, wheels pushed to the corners and enclosed in hearty flares, and unique trapezoidal shape. “The flares are stretched and pulled taut at one end,” Vardis said. “Each presents a ‘long side’ angled toward the center of the body.”

“The main headlamp units are cropped diagonally across the top,” said Vardis. “They peer out from an angled brow, giving the vehicle its bold, sinister look. In front view, the left and right lamps evoke the hooded eyes of a bird of prey. “Like other concepts, we first viewed the math surface of the grille and headlamps together in the computer” added Vardis. “We immediately noticed the hawkish expression, hence the name ‘Trailhawk.’” The taillamps take off the look of the headlamps, including the striped turn signals, with the surface of the liftgate carved.

The concept’s long hood is fronted by the automaker’s signature seven-slot grille angled rearward to blend the lean-back surface of the forward flares, with the slots filled with a mesh texture. Bracketed between the flares and the grille, the headlamps imitate the lean-back stance. Underneath the apparent flush lenses, HID projector beam quad lamps snuggled into twin “telescopic” polished aluminum barrels light the way forward while LEDs, configured in parallel stripes supply park and turn signals.

“The Jeep Trailhawk interior emphasizes the vehicle’s open air-freedom, inviting elements of the exterior theme into the interior,” said Cliff Wilkins who is responsible for the interior design. “Tough mechanical elements which evoke exterior details are contrasted with sophisticated materials and finishes to give a modern, rugged, purposeful interior while delivering a premium off-road experience.”

“The open console’s unique utility is enhanced by the relocation of the transfer case ‘Terrain Selector’ switch to the center stack of the I/P,” said Wilkins. “Also, there is the use of an electronic gear selector/park brake lever mounted to the right side of the steering column to continue this effect.”

Extra storage is available forward of the drop-open center stack control module, and in the lower door trim panels. “One of the most remarkable things about the interior,” concluded Wilkins, “is that it was designed and surfaced entirely electronically-there were no traditional sketches or 3-D models. Even so, the interior turned out just as we had envisioned.”

It was weird, when I first got my Jeep, other Jeep drivers would sometimes honk at me and wave. I always wondered what the heck they were doing. Well, apparently owning a Jeep is like being in a huge club. It does not seem to happen anymore much, but it was really weird.

Jeeps are very useful vehicles. They were built in the 1940’s for the US military and have now become a part of American society with 7 different models. Here is a list of the different Jeep gas mileage trim levels:

Chrysler’s 2010 Commander

There are two types of engine options for 2010: the V6 gets 15/20 and the V8 is rated at 13/19 and that includes a system that shuts down 4 cylinders when it can to get you better fuel efficiency.

The 2010 Jeep Compass

5 speed MT rates 23 city and 28 on the freeway 5 speed Automatic Transmission gets 21/25

Chrysler’s 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee

If you want the big, powerful HEMI Grand Cherokee, you will have a 8 cylinder that is going to get you a 11/16 EPA rating. There is a V8 that has MDS or the Multi-Dispalcement System that shuts down cylinders when you do not actually need them. This model will get you a little bit better 13/19 rating. The V6 gets a respectable 16/21.

Chrysler’s 2010 Jeep Liberty

The EPA rates the Jeep Liberty’s only engine option at 16 city and 22 highway.

Chrysler’s 2010 Jeep Patriot

2L Engine 23/27 5 speed MT 23/28 5 speed AT 21/25

The 2010 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler

V6 5 speed MT 15/19 V6 5 speed AT 15/19

2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

V6 automatic and manual both rate 15/20.

I want the best gas mileage from my Jeep. What do I do?

a) Chose 2WD or don’t run the Jeep in 4wd when it’s not necessary

b) A 4cylinder is going to get better fuel economy than a V6 and both will do better than a V8. Unless you need the power for towing or something like that, stick with the smaller engine if you are worried about fuel economy.

c) Don’t run the air conditioning if you can help it

Jeep’s are fun, useful vehicles. Whether you just like the way they look or you need one out of necessity, they have always been a favorite in the USA. But, there are vehicles that get better gas mileage.

Bill has a lot more free information at his Car Reviews and Ratings site. It is awesome, it is all free and details things like the Toyota Camry hybrid gas mileage.