Detroit Motor Show - Jeep

The rough…
If you need to tackle gnarled, twisty, brutal off-road tracks, then this new Wrangler is the Jeep for you.

True to the hard-earned credentials of its forebears, which stretch back to the original Jeeps of World War II, the new Wrangler has proven its worth on the daunting off-road Rubicon Trail.

More ground clearance, stronger axles and an enhanced four-wheel drive system make it tougher than ever, but Jeep says it's more comfortable on-road, too.

A stiffer chassis and body add refinement, while hard plastic roof sections, which can be removed, should cut back on noise in the cabin.

…and the smooth
If the most off-roading you do is when you pull onto your driveway, you'll want a Compass from Jeep instead.

It's the most road-focused 4x4 the company has ever produced, and will even be available in a front-wheel drive only version.

Most manufacturers hate the expression 'soft-roader', but Jeep is embracing the phrase, as it branches out in a new 4x4 direction and takes on the likes of the Honda CRV, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4.

When do they arrive
The new pair arrive in early 2007 – the Wrangler with a 3.2-litre petrol (and later a diesel), and the Compass with a 2.4-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel.

There's a chance that Jeep in the UK might choose to take the Patriot instead of the Compass, possibly even both.

The Patriot is around the same size as the Compass, but features a slightly squarer design. Look out for it in our report from the Geneva Motor Show in a couple of months.

Is that all from Jeep?
Actually, no. This April also sees the arrival of the Jeep Commander, which is a seven-seat version of the Grand Cherokee. Then, eventually, there may be the Patriot too, a bigger brother for the Compass. Phew.