Jeep brand’s environmental credentials praised in green 4x4 awards

The Jeep brand has been ranked ahead of all other manufacturers of 4x4s and SUVs by winning the Gold Award in a leading Green Awards scheme.

As well as being presented with the top accolade in the 2007 Green 4x4 Awards for the significant fuel economy improvements made in its range of diesel-powered 4x4s, Jeep received praise for the environmental credentials of its Jeep Wrangler too.

Commenting on the award which was announced in the July edition of 4x4 & MPV Driver magazine, Peter Lambert, Managing Director for Chrysler Group UK said: “We have made significant strides in offering our customers ever improving fuel economy in our vehicles by adding modern, efficient diesel engines to all of our Jeep vehicles. We are delighted to have our efforts recognised in this way.”

In awarding the Gold prize to Jeep, 4x4 & MPV Driver magazine said: “Jeep have completely turned around their models’ fuel consumption. And they have done it with nothing more than diesel engines. And that, for a company from the land of cheap gas and zero home demand for diesels, is a bigger deal than you may think.”

The publication praised the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot for being “the most economical 4x4s ever to wear the Jeep badge” and for being the least polluting with their CO2 emissions that are lower than several smaller vehicles such as the BMW 116i and Renault Clio 1.6. At the top of the Jeep range, the Grand Cherokee was praised for its 3.0-litre V6 CRD engine with the magazine stating: “For the performance on offer, its economy is right in the front rank of large SUVs.”

The magazine also paid tribute to the Jeep Wrangler for “showing that there is more to the environmental debate than just emissions.” In the article, the magazine said: “Wranglers are cheap and simple to make, are kept by their owners for eons and as such they cause less dust to dust pollution than more economical cars.”

The Jeep Patriot Sport and Jeep Patriot Limited models launch next month and will be the new entry-level price point for the Jeep brand at £15,995.