The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Back in 2010, Jeep unveiled a new Grand Cherokee model to the world. Now, it’s nine years later and the country (and the world) is continuing its love affair with this iconic machine. It remains the more rugged option among crossover vehicles, which can just as easily feel at home in off-road environments as it can on-road. In this article, we’re exploring all the best features of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

 

First, let’s get the lowdown on what’s new.

Truthfully, there aren’t any major changes for 2020. The Trackhawk now comes with optional 20-inch titanium-finish wheels and a black/grey leather interior. There are also a standard sunroof, bi-xenon headlamps and LED foglamps for the Limited models, the latest addition to the lineup which just joined in 2019. The Overland has optional dark sienna and black interiors.

Next, let’s go inside

When you’re buying a bigger car, it’s often because you need the space. The 2020 Grand Cherokee certainly competes with others in its category like the Chevy Blazer or Nissan Murano, offering 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and around 68 cubic feet if you fold the second-row seats. It’s a good choice for any family looking for a week-long road trip somewhere. The Uconnect infotainment system is held within an upgraded 8.4-inch touchscreen display, and performs well with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

All Grand Cherokees get the blond-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems. The Active Safety Group package includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist and parallel and perpendicular parking assist. It possesses a strong safety recommendation of 4 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Finally, how does it go?

The standard engine comes with a 3.6L V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering a powertrain of 295hp with 260lb-ft of torque. Head up to the Limited trim, however, and you’ll get a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine as an optional upgrade, bringing it up to 360hp and 390lb-ft torque. You’ll get 14mpg city and 22mpg highway with the V8 option. The V6 offers better mileage at 18mpg city and 26mpg highway. Note that a 4WD option will reduce those ratings by about 1mpg.

Perhaps the best reason to consider the Grand Cherokee, besides its good looks, power, features and trim options, is simply to look at its strength and versatility. Whether you need it for towing, a family car, an off-road companion --- the Grand Cherokee fits the bill. Visit your dealership today to learn more.

5 Reasons to Buy A Honda

There are a lot of reasons that Honda has done so well in the United States market. No, it’s not an American brand, but it brings the American consumer the very best quality and reliability, and that’s what the US driver deserves! In this article, we want to explore all the best reasons to buy a Honda.

 

1. Made in the USA

It may be a Japanese marque, but Hondas are made right here in America. The company operates 12 facilities across the country, including its newest facility in Ohio, which opened in 2016. Now you get to have your cake and eat it too, buying a top-quality overseas brand, but made Stateside.

2. It might be the most durable car you ever drive

Whether you’re buying a Sedan, SUV or other model on offer, Hondas will surprise you with their impressive handling and quick acceleration. They put together the power of race cars with the comfort of high-end sedans. The Civic Type R for example can go from 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds. That is not a typo.

3. The keep their resale value

Everyone knows that when you buy a car it’s basically a loss, right? As soon as it’s off the lot, the value has decreased. That may be true in general, but with a Honda you’ll get the best-possible retention. High-quality individual parts mean that typical wear and tear affects the Honda less than some other brands. This means you’ll be able to pitch a higher price than you would with another car.

4. Perfect for a budget

Not only are Honda’s affordable to buy or lease, but they make you further savings on the road with their great fuel economy. The 2019 Honda Accord, for example can average up to 38mpg on the highway and 30mpg in the city. It doesn’t even stop with the smaller cars and sedans. Honda’s pickup truck, the Ridgeline, can achieve 19mpg city and 26mpg highway. Gas mileage always depends on your exact usage, but these numbers do nothing but impress.

5. Safety features

Solid safety features are practically woven into the fabric of the Honda brand. To take just one example, the Accord has long been recognized as one of the safest and most reliable cars on the road. Honda cars come with the Honda Sensing technology package as standard, which contains forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and much more.

Honda may never have leapt to mind before when you considered a new car, but why not get to your nearest dealership and test drive your first Honda today?

The 2020 Honda Odyssey – Why It’s Your Next Car

Who says that minivans can’t be cool? You may think that a minivan is the sign of “giving up” on the world of great cars, but after you’ve experienced the 2020 Honda Odyssey, you’ll know why that’s a load of bunk. In 2020, the Honda Odyssey is celebrating its 25^th birthday, and the new models come with loads of great features. Let’s explore them here and see why this great new minivan has to be your next family car.

 

First, the 10-speed automatic as standard

Whichever trim level of the Odyssey you buy, you get the 10-speed automatic transmission. The 10-speed means a more efficient transfer of power and torque, as quick shifts maintain engine power after each shift. This means a better performance and more pleasing all-round driving experience for you.

Second, it’s made for big families and big cargo

If you have a big brood, then the Odyssey is really for you. It comes with a maximum cargo volume of 144.9 cubic feet. The legroom is also generous at 40.9 inches in the front and second rows, and 38.1 inches in the third row.

Third, affordable and flexible trim options

Pricing is offered on a varied spectrum depending on trim. If you’re on a budget, you may sacrifice one or two of the more luxury features, but you still enjoy all the fundamental great things about the vehicle, and at a good price. The more luxurious trims take you to levels of style that you may previously have thought impossible in a minivan. Go for the EX which comes with the 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, top safety features like active lane control, power sliding rear doors and much more.

Finally, comfort, comfort, comfort

The seats in the Odyssey are “all-day comfortable” which makes the ultimate people hauler. The above-mentioned EX model comes with other great features like three-zone climate control which is sure to stop any arguments about temperature on the journey. Speaking of the journey, your ride is made all the more comfortable by the smooth and quiet atmosphere it has while on the road. Family driving can be stressful in its own way, but at least you don’t have to add road noise to the mix!

Ask your nearest dealership about the 2020 Honda Odyssey and make it your next family car.

Mastering Your Car’s Interior Cleaning

Warm water, a sponge and a good brand of car shampoo are normally enough to get the exterior of your car clean, but you can’t exactly throw a bucket of water over your dash, or use the sponge to clean up your interior carpets or upholstery. You might balk at the idea of spending more money to clean the inside of your car after working so hard on the outside, but here we have some money-saving DIY interior car cleaning tips.

 

1. De-smoke the interior

Do you or another member of the family ever smoke in the car? There’s a really simple trick you can use to rid your entire car of the sticking acrid smell that lingers. All you need is a can of something like Dakota Non-Smoke. Give a light spray (but not too much) to the headliners, seats, door panels and carpet. Afterward turn the fan to max and switch to recirculate (a/c on max will do the job too). Next spray the mist into the intake opening, then leave the doors and windows closed for an hour and the smell will be gone.

2. De-sticker the windows

Lord only knows why our kids sometimes clutter up the windows with silly stickers. You may not notice at first, and by then some could have been stuck on too long and will leave a mess. Fear not, you can easily get rid of them with some degreaser and a plastic scraper. Lay a towel in the area beneath the stickers, dab on the degreaser, then scrape the suckers off.

3. A screwdriver for nooks and crannies

Have you ever found an ideal solution for cleaning into those tiny lines and edges that a regular cloth just won’t reach? Well here’s a step you may never have tried. Take a screwdriver (without sharp edges), wrap a bit of cloth around it and then spray some all-purpose cleaner on there. Move it gently along the trim lines and pick up the stubborn hidden gunk. You’ll be amazed at the difference this kind of deep clean can make.

4. Simple carpet wash

We’re often at a loss with what to do about our carpets. Here’s a simple and affordable solution to get great results on the car’s carpets. First, spray Plastic & Leather Prep on the carpet, then scrub lightly with a nylon bristle brush, and finally just let it dry. Once it’s done, you can vacuum away and see the carpet’s proper color return.

5. Move the seats

Now. this final piece of advice may seem obvious, but it’s amazing how many people overlook it. When you’re cleaning the inside of your car, move the seats forward! You may think that nothing could get all the way down there, but we’re telling you know --- you’re wrong. Move those seats forward and behold the mess!

A great detailing doesn’t have to be a costly affair. You may get some satisfaction out of trying these methods to help keep your car’s interior in good order.

5 Winter Car Cleaning Tips

Winter Car Cleaning Tips

The usual quick wash and polish might not be enough when you’re cleaning your car in the cooler winter months. The season brings with it a unique set of cleaning challenges and needs that you should pay closer attention to. Fortunately, we have a handy guide of the most important cleaning tips to keep in mind this winter.

 

1. Salt/Grit on the Road

When the snows start, the trucks will be round to put salt down on the roads to help keep them clear. Did you know that the same road salt they use, while crucial to ensure safe winter driving, is also highly corrosive and puts your car at risk of the “car cancer” --- rust. Repeated exposure to road salt will accelerate any onset of rust. Clean it off regularly to minimize any damage done.

2. Undercarriage

During the milder months of the year, your car’s undercarriage doesn’t get a lot of punishment (unless you’re regularly driving on dirt roads). Winter, on the other hand, thanks to more of nature’s debris on the main roads, as well as aforementioned road salt, all create a kind of gunky concoction that gets stuck right in the undercarriage. Give the undercarriage a good once over before winter sets in, but also keep an eye on it during.

3. Iced-up Windows

When you were a passenger in your family car, did your older family members throw hot water on the windscreen to try and get rid of the ice? Have you tried it yourself? You may think it’s a quick way of dealing with an icy windshield in a hurry, but in fact it’s a bad idea from the get-go. What you need is a good ice scraper. Invest a little more in a durable scraper designed for the worst kinds of winters. That way you know you’re getting the best available. Use your scraper and be a little more patient. Your glass will thank you for it in the long term.

4. Headlamps

Winters are dark; winters are dirty times to drive. Keep your headlamps clear of any dirt so that your beams can do their work properly. There couldn’t be a more dangerous time to not have proper illumination. It’s a simple task to wipe them clean properly each day. Get it done.

5. A Full Coat of Wax

Right before winter is a great time to apply a nice full coat of wax to the car. It will help protect your vehicle from the onset of the first winter frosts. If your winter is more rainy than snowy, the same rule applies. When it’s dry, give it a nice coat of wax and it will protect it from the worst excesses of moisture damage.

Follow these tips and keep your vehicle in good order this coming winter!