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2026 Jeep Wrangler | 2026 Jeep Gladiator

Jeep Wrangler vs. Jeep Gladiator: Which Fits Your Lifestyle?

If you're looking for an adventure-ready vehicle, two of the most popular options are the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator. Both offer legendary Jeep capability, removable tops and doors, and impressive off-road performance. However, they serve different types of drivers. So, you may be asking - Which Jeep is right for my lifestyle? In this guide, we'll compare the Wrangler and Gladiator to help you determine which vehicle best fits your daily driving needs, outdoor adventures, work requirements, and budget. What Do the Wrangler and Gladiator Have in Common? Before looking at the differences, it's important to understand what these vehicles share. Both models offer: Available four-wheel drive systems Exceptional off-road capability Removable doors and roof panels Rugged styling Trail-ready engineering Available advanced technology and safety features If your goal is adventure, either Jeep can deliver. Is the Jeep Wrangler Right for You? The Jeep Wrangler is right for you if... You Want the Ultimate Off-Road Experience The Jeep Wrangler has long been recognized as one of the most capable off-road vehicles in the Jeep lineup. The Wrangler offers a variety of available 4x4 systems, impressive ground clearance, available locking differentials, and specialized off-road features designed to help drivers tackle challenging terrain. Compared to the Gladiator, the Wrangler has a shorter wheelbase, making it easier to maneuver on tight trails and around obstacles, which is one reason it remains a favorite among off-road enthusiasts. Whether you're exploring forest trails, navigating rocky terrain, or heading out for a weekend camping trip, the Wrangler is built to inspire adventure. Models like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon are specifically engineered for serious off-road performance, offering features such as heavy-duty axles, electronic sway bar disconnect, and off-road tires that help drivers confidently take on demanding conditions. From weekend adventures in the backcountry to gatherings with fellow Jeep owners, the Wrangler offers more than just transportation - it provides an opportunity to be part of a culture centered around exploration, freedom, and adventure. You Spend Most of Your Time Driving Around Town For drivers who spend most of their time commuting, running errands, or navigating busy city streets, the Jeep Wrangler offers a more compact and agile design than the Jeep Gladiator. Because the Wrangler does not have a pickup truck bed, it has a shorter overall length, making it easier to fit into parking spaces and navigate tight urban environments. While the Gladiator remains a comfortable daily driver, the Wrangler is generally the better choice for those who prioritize easy maneuverability, parking convenience, and a vehicle that feels at home both on city streets and off the beaten path. You Want Open-Air Freedom Many buyers choose the Wrangler because of its iconic open-air driving experience. The Jeep Wrangler offers a variety of open-air configurations, allowing drivers to customize their experience based on the season and their sense of adventure. Available roof options include soft tops, hardtops, and the Sky One-Touch® Power Top, which can open at the push of a button on select models. The Jeep Wrangler also features removable doors and a fold-down windshield, creating a unique connection to the outdoors that few vehicles can match. Whether you're cruising along scenic backroads, heading to the lake, or exploring a trail on a warm summer day, the Wrangler's open-air design helps make every drive feel like an adventure. For drivers who value freedom, fresh air, and the ability to fully embrace the journey, the Wrangler stands out as one of the most distinctive vehicles on the road. Is the Jeep Gladiator Right for You? The Jeep Gladiator is right for you if... You Need a Truck Bed One of the biggest differences between the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator is cargo flexibility. While the Wrangler offers a versatile cargo area inside the vehicle, the Gladiator adds the utility of a five-foot steel truck bed. The Jeep Gladiator's truck bed is designed to handle a wide variety of tasks. Whether you're transporting tools and equipment to a job site, picking up lumber and supplies for a home improvement project, or loading up camping gear for a weekend getaway, the open bed provides added convenience and versatility. Outdoor enthusiasts can easily bring along bikes, kayaks, fishing gear, or other recreational equipment without sacrificing passenger space inside the cabin. The Jeep Gladiator also offers available cargo management features that help drivers organize and secure their gear. Combined with its rugged capability and pickup-truck practicality, the Gladiator is an excellent option for buyers who want the adventure-ready spirit of a Jeep with the everyday usefulness of a truck. You Tow Frequently If towing capability is an important part of your lifestyle, the Jeep Gladiator may be the better fit. The Gladiator offers a Best-in-Class maximum gas towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds when properly equipped, making it one of the most capable midsize trucks available for towing. Whether you're towing a camper, utility trailer, boat, or recreational equipment, the Gladiator is engineered to help handle demanding towing tasks with confidence. Its available towing features and truck-focused design make it a practical choice for drivers who regularly haul gear for work, recreation, or outdoor adventures. You Want More Passenger Space While both the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator offer comfortable seating, the Gladiator's longer wheelbase can provide a more spacious feel for rear-seat passengers. This can be especially beneficial for families, drivers who frequently travel with friends, or anyone who spends a lot of time on the road with a full cabin. Whether you're heading out on a road trip, taking the family camping, or simply commuting with multiple passengers, the Gladiator offers a practical balance of comfort and capability. For buyers who want a vehicle that can comfortably accommodate both passengers and gear, the Gladiator's spacious design is a significant advantage. Jeep Wrangler vs. Jeep Gladiator: Quick Comparison Choose the Jeep Wrangler if you: Prioritize off-road performance Want a shorter, easier-to-park vehicle Love open-air driving experiences Want to be part of the iconic Jeep culture Need more safety features Spend most of your time commuting or adventuring Prefer a traditional SUV design Choose the Jeep Gladiator if you: Need a truck bed for cargo Tow trailers or recreational equipment Want greater utility and versatility Need space for work gear and outdoor equipment Like the idea of combining Jeep capability with pickup-truck practicality Need more passenger space Love open-air driving and prefer a truck Final Thoughts: Which Jeep is right for your lifestyle? The right choice ultimately depends on how you plan to use your vehicle. If tackling trails, enjoying open-air freedom, and navigating daily drives with ease are your top priorities, the Jeep Wrangler is an excellent option. For drivers who need strong towing performance, the practicality of a pickup bed, and versatile cargo solutions while still enjoying Jeep's renowned capability, the Jeep Gladiator stands out as a great choice. Both vehicles deliver the rugged performance, distinctive styling, and adventure-ready spirit that Jeep is known for. The best way to decide is to experience them in person and determine which one better matches your lifestyle. Find Your Next Jeep Today Ready to compare the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator for yourself? Our team is here to help you explore available models, compare trims and features, and schedule a test drive. Contact us today or browse our current inventory to find the Jeep that's ready for your next adventure. Sources: https://www.jeep.com/wrangler.html, https://www.jeep.com/gladiator.html

2025 Jeep® Wagoneer

2025 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer Offer Lower Pricing and More Content

The Jeep Wagoneer has staked a firm hold in the full-size SUV market as a classy alternative to established competitors like the Ford Expedition, the very established Chevy Tahoe/Suburban, and its twins from GMC. Jeep now intends to conquer the segment with the simple strategy of offering more and costing less. Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (CDJR) tells you more. With a starting MSRP of $59,945, the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer is the most affordable full-size SUV in the U.S. It is not just the base model that is less expensive—prices have been reduced across the model line. The Grand Wagoneer, which is equipped to take on large luxury-brand SUVs, also has more competitive pricing. The MSRP for both 2025 model lines is as follows: 2025 Model & Trim Levels 2025 MSRP* MSRP Change From 2024 Jeep Wagoneer Jeep Wagoneer 4x2 $59,945 -$3,000 Jeep Wagoneer 4x4 $62,945 -$3,000 Jeep Wagoneer Series II 4x2 $63,945 -$5,185 Jeep Wagoneer Series II 4x4 $66,945 -$5,185 Jeep Wagoneer Series III 4x4 $73,945 -$5,685 Jeep Wagoneer L 4x2 $62,945 -$3,000 Jeep Wagoneer L 4x4 $65,945 -$3,000 Jeep Wagoneer L Series II 4x4 $69,945 -$5,185 Jeep Wagoneer L Series III 4x4 $76,945 -$5,685 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Jeep Grand Wagoneer 4x4 $84,945 -$7,000 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series II Obsidian 4x4 $98,945 -$5,495 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Series III 4x4 $107,945 -$4,650 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Obsidian 4x4 $101,945 -$5,495 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L Series III 4x4 $110,945 -$4,650 * Excludes $2,000 Destination Fee The better news is that the lower pricing comes with even more content. Additional Wagoneer model line features include standard 20-inch aluminum wheels, Active Lane Management, and adaptive cruise control. The Grand Wagoneer model line now sees additions such as standard 22-inch aluminum wheels outside and a standard front passenger interactive display inside. The model line has also added new standard safety features such as Intersection Collision Assist (which helps prevent collisions at intersections by detecting other vehicles and providing audible and visual alerts) and Drowsy Driver Detection (which monitors the vehicle’s movement—including lane deviation and subsequent interaction—to detect possible driver fatigue). For anyone who takes road trips, a special new feature called Hands-Free Driving Assist is now available on the standard wheelbase Grand Wagoneer Series II Obsidian and Series III. This enables true hands-free driving on over 125,000 pre-mapped miles of U.S. highways. As a further enhancement, the High-Output Hurricane Twin Turbo inline-six engine, which is standard on Grand Wagoneer models, has a power increase and now produces up to 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque–even as it lowers emissions and maintains the same fuel economy. "Built to appeal to the heart of the full-size SUV market, the Jeep Wagoneer and Jeep Grand Wagoneer lineups are now even better equipped and more competitively priced for the 2025 model year,” said Bob Broderdorf, senior vice president of Jeep North America. “By lowering MSRPs as much as $7,000 and enhancing standard equipment, such as adaptive cruise control on the Wagoneer and a front passenger interactive display on the Grand Wagoneer, these vehicles have become even more compelling.” 2025 Wagoneers and Grand Wagoneers are expected to arrive in Benna CDJR’s inventory prior to the end of the 2024 calendar year and may be in stock by the time you read this. You can check our inventory tool for their arrival or have one of our sales professionals notify you of their initial arrival.

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The 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman Is a "Life Hack"

Work trucks like the Ram 1500 Tradesman drive the economy of the Twin Ports area. They work hard to plow the driveways and parking lots during winter. They also are there to inspect your home, replace your roof, work on your lawn, and complete many other tasks. In a recent article by MotorTrend, the editor called the 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman —our work truck—a “life hack.” What does that even mean? Certainly, all you need are the basics. While pickup truck customers are attracted to fancier trims with leather interiors, power steps, and so forth—and there are 2025 Ram 1500 trim levels that have everything you can dream of—the 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman represents a value-for-money pickup truck that gives you what you need at a price that does not break the budget. It also has the latest engineering and technology that lets you do your work safely and securely. The outlet received a Tradesman in the Crew Cab configuration with the six-foot four-inch box with four-wheel drive. It is powered by the Standard Output version of the Hurricane 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, putting down 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque. This configuration is specified with a payload of 1,620 pounds and a maximum tow rating of 11,310 pounds. The 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman is a hard-working truck that offers the basics. It provides up to six seats inside the Crew Cab and has standard air conditioning, power windows, and door locks. If you don’t need the center seat up front, fold the seatback down for an armrest, cupholders, and some stowage. As it reviewed the pickup truck, MotorTrend pointed out that the 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman uses coil springs at the rear axle. According to the article, “As a result, it handles impacts just as comfortably with a bed full of air as it does with 1,600 pounds of compost in the back. The smooth and settled ride—along with the tranquil cabin—is one of the key reasons we think this work truck could realistically be used as a personal or family vehicle.” It also remarked how quiet this 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman was thanks to a quieter engine and better sound insulation throughout. A quiet work truck? You can live with that. The 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman is available in Quad Cab with the six-foot four-inch box and Crew Cab with both the five-foot seven-inch and six-foot four-inch boxes. The point of the “life hack” idea is simple: You can get a very capable pickup truck—with the upgraded Standard Output Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and four-wheel drive—at a great value. The Tradesman is not just for businesses, but for you who use a pickup truck every day to take the kids to school or to head up the North Shore for a camping trip. If the 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman is your idea of a “life hack,” contact us at Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to check out one soon.

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The 2025 Ram 1500 Has the Power You Need

How much power do you need when it comes to pickup trucks? It all comes down to how you use your pickup truck. The are two new engines available for the 2025 Ram 1500. Both of them are called Hurricane. They are twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engines with dual overhead camshafts and 24 valves. Why two of the same engines? The Hurricane comes in two different performance levels. The one you’ve been hearing about is the High Output version with 540 horsepower and 521 pound-feet of torque. However, there is a Standard Output version with 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque. Most 2025 Ram 1500s come with the Standard Output version. The Standard Output engine can carry the weight. Depending on trim level and configuration, the 2025 Ram 1500 with this engine can tow up to 11,600 pounds when equipped with a rear axle ratio of 3.92. Payloads can go up to 1,900 pounds, also depending on trim level and configuration. In a recent test, MotorTrend took a four-wheel drive, Crew Cab, five-foot seven-inch bed 2025 Ram 1500 Laramie to see how the Standard Output Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six performed. The phrase the editors used to describe this configuration and engine specification was “great power.” There is more than just “great power” with the Standard Output Hurricane engine. There is improved efficiency. The Environmental Protection Agency has rated it to achieve up to 24 mpg on the highway with four-wheel drive. With a 26-gallon standard fuel tank, that translates to a maximum fuel range of 624 miles. With the available 33-gallon fuel tank, that maximum range extends to 792 miles. We understand that there is “no replacement for displacement.” However, if you compare the 2025 Ram 1500 with the Standard Output Hurricane engine to the previous Hemi V-8 with the eTorque 48-volt electric hybrid system, you will find that the discontinued engine put down less performance—395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque—and returned lower fuel economy ratings. You can get the Standard Output Hurricane engine in the 2025 Ram 1500 Tradesman, Warlock, Big Horn, Laramie, and Rebel. The High Output version is available in higher trim levels, such as the RHO, Limited, Tungsten, and Longhorn. If the 2025 Ram 1500 is your solution to achieve “great power” at work or play, contact us at Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to get yours soon! See why it has become the preferred power source for Twin Ports pickup truck owners.

2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Hammerhead passenger side

Dodge Reveals 2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Hammerhead Special Edition

For more than 20 years, the Hemi engine has been a modern symbol of brute force and the ultimate expression of freedom units on four wheels. Cue the latest freedom SUV from Dodge, the Durango SRT Hellcat Hammerhead Special Edition, which follows in the tire tracks of the Durango SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet and R/T 20 th Anniversary. A Special One-Off Experience This new Dodge borrows its name from the Hammerhead Grey Laguna leather interior that is contrasted by the dark blue Night Moves exterior paint. Other touches unique to the Hammerhead include a Satin Black-painted hood, Satin Carbon 20-inch wheels, black six-piston Brembo performance brakes, sepia SRT Hellcat logos that are embroidered on the seats, a premium-wrapped instrument panel, forged carbon fiber with light black chrome interior accenting, a leather and suede steering wheel with silver and sepia contrast stitching, as well as the same color stitching throughout, and a suede headliner. A Word from Dodge “The new Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Hammerhead continues the celebration of a potent combination: the legendary HEMI engine and the Dodge brand’s three-row performance SUV,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge Brand CEO. “Dodge is America’s performance brand, and we plan to continue to celebrate that legacy at every turn.” Engine and Performance Powering the Hellcat Hammerhead is the infamous 6.2-liter Hemi Hellcat V8 that produces 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque that drives all four wheels all the time via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Dodge says the Hemi Hellcat engine will propel the new Durango Hellcat Hammerhead to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, which is so fast that once it reaches the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds, the Durango might take off if it had wings since its top speed is 180 mph. The base MSRP of this awesomeness is $113,720, not including destination and handling charges. The Dodge brand continues to fuel horsepower-hungry HEMI® lovers with the introduction of a new special-edition model of the most powerful SUV ever: the 710-horsepower 2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Hammerhead. Special Driving Modes Giving drivers the most use out of their limited-edition Durango is the ability to switch between seven different driving modes: Auto Sport, Track, Snow, Tow, Eco, and Valet. With SRT Performance Pages, users can see the vehicle’s performance, such as various timers, g-force meters, gauges, engine, and dyno readouts. There are even options to use launch control and have shift lights to know when to use the wheel-mounted paddles. Standard Features and Safety Standard on the Durango Hellcat Hammerhead is a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system that features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, a 19-speaker premium Harman Kardon sound system with an 825-watt amplifier, and an array of safety equipment that includes Blind-spot Monitoring with Trailer Detect, Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, and much more. Available Now The latest special edition 2025 Dodge Durango models are available to order now at Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. At Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we offer some of the best prices and services to all of our customers. With dozens of new and used vehicles to choose from, our great sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. And our amazing service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.

3.0 Hurricane Straight Six High Output Engine Wards 10Best Engines

3.0-liter Hurricane High Output Straight-Six Turbo Engine Named to Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems List

The all-new 2025 Ram 1500 has only recently started making its way into the hands of owners, and the truck is already picking up awards. This time, the 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output engine has been named to Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems List. The second-generation Ram pickup changed the truck world when it debuted in 1994 and continues to do so two decades later. What An Engine The 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output (H/O) Straight-Six Turbo (SST) engine puts out 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with the TorqueFlight 8-speed automatic transmission and is featured in the Ram 1500 Longhorn, Limited, RHO, and Tungsten trim levels. What is Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems? Wards 10 Best Engines is an annual list that has been taking place for the past 30 years. Every year, the best engines are tested by Wards and evaluated for their power and torque, as well as noise, vibration, harshness (NVH), and various technical aspects of the engines against one another. There is no instrumented testing carried out because that is more of an understanding of a car’s overall performance. This is the tenth time a Ram engine has been one of Wards 10 Best engines since the list’s inception in 1994 for 1995 models. A Word from Stellantis “We engineered our Hurricane twin turbo engines to be powerful, efficient, robust and versatile, delivering performance that enhances the driving experience both on- and off-road, and while towing,” said Micky Bly, Head of Global Propulsion Systems of Stellantis. “The 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output engine, standard in the 2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten, exemplifies our ability to satisfy a range of truck customer needs, offering power, performance, capability and class-leading NHV in one package.” A Word from Wards “The Hurricane High-Output Straight-Six Turbo packs a powerful punch from launch to well past legal speed, while also delivering promised fuel economy that represents an improvement over the HEMI® V-8 it replaces,” says Bob Gritzinger, Wards Editor-in-Chief. “I like the assured rumble from the High-Output I-6. This engine should sway even the most rabid V-8 buyer into the 6-cylinder family.” Two Engines to Rule Them All The Hurricane engine line are some of the most powerful 6-cylinders ever put into a vehicle, especially a pickup truck. While the High Output engine was one of Wards 10 Best, buyers are also falling in love with the Standard Output (S/O) engine that produces 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque in the Tradesman, Big Horn, Lone Star, Laramie, and Rebel pickups. While having 540 horsepower on tap is a nice feeling, lots of customers just don’t need or want that kind of power on a daily basis. Both engines offer buyers the choice of what they prefer. At Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we offer some of the best prices and services to all of our customers. With dozens of new and used vehicles to choose from, our great sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. And our amazing service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.

Jeep Wagoneer Driving on a Road Next to a Lake Front 3/4 View

2023-2024 Wagoneer Earns TOP SAFETY PICK Rating From IIHS

In addition to the praise for its exterior and interior styling, packaging, and capability, the Wagoneer can now add a significant safety accolade to its list. Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram proudly announces that the Wagoneer earned a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS has its own crash tests that differ from those of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In the IIHS tests, the Wagoneer scored a “Good” (their highest rating) on these crashworthiness tests: Small overlap front Moderate overlap front (original test) Side The moderate overlap tests stem from the recognition that vehicles usually do not impact a solid surface head-on. Instead, only part of the front of the vehicle will often impact another vehicle or barrier. With only part of the vehicle charged with protecting occupants in the cabin, this can be a significantly more challenging test for the vehicle. In the moderate overlap test, only 40% of the front of the vehicle impacts a fixed barrier at 40 mph. The small overlap test is even more challenging, with just 25% of the vehicle’s width impacting the barrier at 40 mpg.  In the case of the side impact test, the vehicle is stationary and is struck by a 3306 lb (1,500 kg) barrier moving at 31.1 mph (50 km/h) to impact the driver’s door at a 90-degree angle. A “Good” rating is required in each of these evaluations to qualify as a TOP SAFETY PICK. In addition, headlights rated as “Good” or “Acceptable” must be standard equipment on all trim levels. The Wagoneer received an acceptable rating for its standard headlight system and a “Good” rating for models with the Auto High-Beam headlights, which are standard on the Series III trim and available on the Convenience Package on all others. In addition, vehicles must deliver “Good” or “Acceptable” scores for pedestrian front-crash prevention. The Jeep Wagoneer’s standard pedestrian front-crash prevention feature  –  labeled “Full-Speed Collision Warning with Active Braking” – achieved a “Good” rating, having performed equally well in IIHS test scenarios involving an adult crossing a street at night and a child emerging from behind an obstruction in daylight. "This recognition validates the dedication of our engineers, who integrated state-of-the-art technology in every aspect of the Wagoneer's design,” said Bill Peffer, Senior Vice President and Head of Jeep Brand – North America. “The combination of a robust body structure and a comprehensive suite of over 120 standard and available advanced safety features, helps create a secure environment for drivers and passengers." This is just another reason to shop and test drive a Jeep Wagoneer at Benna CDJR to be your next family-adventure vehicle.

UConnect Wins AutoBlog Award

Autoblog Declares UConnect as Best Overall Infotainment System

Some of us can remember when using a vehicle’s connection to the outside world consisted of turning a knob that both turned on the system and controlled the volume and pushing another button that brought in a pre-set radio station. It was laugh-out-loud limiting compared to today, but it sure was easy to use. By popular demand, today’s systems are vastly more complex. In addition to radio, they can tap into several other content sources, help us safely converse on our smartphones, and either through the smartphone or on its own, help us find where we are going. Those are just the basics. Most can help you adjust settings for various systems; some may provide in-car performance data or pitch and angle information for off-roading, and the list goes on from there. It is such an essential part of the driving experience enthusiast site Autoblog decided to rate the best infotainment systems independently of the vehicles they were in, and Benna CDJR is happy to inform you that they judged the UConnect system used on all Stellantis models as the best overall system. Ease of Use is Praised While Autoblog immediately states that “Declaring one infotainment system the best over any other is an inherently subjective matter.” After test-driving countless vehicles, they feel confident in judging some systems better than others. They state that the one system all of their editors can agree is excellent is UConnect.  The system was praised for its simplicity of use, which they deem most important when having operating controls on a touchscreen while driving. An essential point to UConnect’s ease of use is the permanent bottom menu with touch control icons that take you to all major systems, such as media, navigation, smartphone interface, and others. They point out that radio station changing is straightforward, which can often be a multi-step process on some systems and, as mentioned above, used to be performed by pushing a single button. Works Well in all Applications Stellantis is also praised for making this system easily adaptable to whatever screen the vehicle offers. So it works just as well with the Ram 1500’s 12-inch vertical screen as it does the 10.1-inch horizontal display on the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Uconnect 5 is declared more attractive than UConnect 4 (found on the outgoing Dodge Charger and Challenger) but retains the same ease of use. They conclude: “UConnect is flexible, easy to operate and aesthetically pleasing. It’s high-tech, but doesn’t slap you upside the head with unnecessary features and complications, and it’s our favorite infotainment system of all.” The Uconnect system is present on all Stellantis models, so you can be assured that whichever vehicle you prefer at Benna Crysler Dodge Jeep Ram will have the award-winning UConnect system.

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Winter Tires - Do They Make A Difference?

It’s that time of year again when the weather gets cold, and the roads are even colder. Most people get excited around this time because of Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, it is important to note that when the season changes and the temperature outside starts to drop, buyers begin to ask how important it is to invest in winter tires. It’s a question nearly as old as the automobile itself: Do winter tires actually make a difference? The answer is yes. But, some factors go into choosing the right tires for your vehicle that will be driven in winter conditions. Temperature Differences Living in an area where it is normal for the daily temperature to be 40 degrees or lower and have a good amount of snowfall, that’s when you know it’s time to buy some winter tires. In contrast, an all-season tire that is rated for snow will be better suited for climates where it dips into the freezing territory but hovers above 40 degrees. They can operate well in 20-30 degrees, but winter tires will allow for safer maneuverability and better braking performance even when it's 0 degrees outside. What About AWD Without Winter Tires? If you drive a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram with all-wheel drive, some people will probably tell you, “Oh, you have all-wheel drive, the weather is no big deal.” No, this is simply not correct. While you have a vehicle with four wheels actively receiving power at the same time, it does not mean the traction of that vehicle will be any better if you have the wrong tires on your car. If anything, it can make things more difficult. When it loses traction, the car will try to put power to the correct wheel(s). However, all of the wheels are attempting to get traction simultaneously, which has the potential for disaster. A dedicated winter tire can help your car stop up to 30 feet shorter on a snowy road at 30 mph compared to an all-season tire, according to testing from Tire Rack. That distance is probably tripled or quadrupled when compared to a summer tire that isn’t rated for snow. Cold Roads, Worse Performance Summer tires are great for performance and sporty driving, but they get hard and take longer to warm up in temperatures below 40 degrees, making them unsafe. All-season tires are better in colder weather, and some can even handle a little snowy driving. Regular ambient temperatures below 20 and more than small amounts of snow will take their toll on all-seasons. Anything other than a dedicated winter tire will feel like you are driving on glass. Which Winter Tire For My Car? Like any other tire, winter tires have different specifications and types. If you have an SUV, truck, or sedan, you will be looking at a standard studless winter tire. If you live in mountainous areas where roads can stay packed with snow and ice for days or weeks at a time, you may want to look at buying studded tires, as they are going to provide much-needed grip with their small metal spikes/studs that can dig into the surface for improved traction. If you have a Charger or Challenger, for instance, then you’ll want to check out some high-performance winter tires that will suit the driving characteristics of your performance vehicle. At Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we offer our customers some of the best prices and services. With dozens of new and used vehicles to choose from, our outstanding sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. And our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.

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Direct Connection Announces High-Performance Crate Engines at SEMA

In addition to disrupting vehicle production, another unfortunate consequence of the recent strike was that Stellantis canceled its display at the 2023 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. That is a shame because Dodge clearly had plans to show something that would show a path toward EV performance. Nevertheless, Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is happy to announce that Dodge’s Direct Connection parts division showed that they are not about to leave petrol performance behind with the announcement of the Hellephant C170 HEMI crate engine as well as several other high-performance crate engines previously seen in recent Dodge Challenger and Charger performance models. The Hellephant C170 gets the top billing as it is nothing less than the same engine under the hood of the Dodge Challenger SRT 170, the last of the “Last Call” series of special Challengers and Chargers and the most powerful muscle car ever sold by a manufacturer. Yes, the Hellephant C170 is the same 6.2-liter HEMI V8 that could produce 1,025 horsepower and peak torque of 945 lb-ft. @ 4,200 when run on E85 ethanol blend.  With an E10 blend, it is rated at 900 horsepower and 810 lb-ft of peak torque. The fully assembled Hellephant C170 6.2L Supercharged Crate HEMI Engine includes the C170 Long Block and features a new 3.0L IHI supercharger with an improved intercooler, 105mm throttle body, and a 3.02-inch pulley for increased boost, along with a new housing, blade, shaft and gear train, and other all component upgrades found in the C170.  The MSRP for the fully complete engine is $27,695. For those looking to do more with less, Direct Connection also announced the availability of several HEMI long blocks: Hellephant C170 6.2L Supercharged Crate HEMI Engine (part number: 68660541AA) is the engine of the world's most powerful muscle car ever built, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, and will soon be available through Direct Connection. The fully assembled Hellephant C170 6.2L Supercharged Crate HEMI Engine includes the C170 Long Block and features a new 3.0L IHI supercharger with an improved intercooler, larger snout, and a 3.02-inch pulley for increased boost, a 105mm throttle body with new housing, blade, shaft and geartrain, all component upgrades found in the C170 Long Block and more. MSRP: $27,695 Hellephant C170 6.2L Supercharged Crate HEMI Long Block (part number: P5160620AA). The block to the famed C170 features upgraded cylinder heads with upgraded valve guide and seat material, upgraded pistons, upgraded connecting rods with new material, and revised bushing material to support increased combustion pressure. MSRP: $18,995 Hellcrate Redeye 6.2L Supercharged Crate HEMI Long Block (part number: P5160619AA). From the most powerful model before the 140, this block is  Capable of 807 horsepower and 717 lb.-ft. of torque, and includes engine assembly components from cylinder head with valvetrain, engine block with crankshaft, connecting rods, piston and ring, camshaft and lifters, oil pump, and pan, and front timing cover with harmonic balancer. MSRP: $12,995 Hellcrate 6.2L Supercharged Crate HEMI Long Block (part number: P5160618AA). The first Hellcat engine can boost performance to 717 horsepower and 656 lb.-ft. of torque and includes engine assembly components from the cylinder head with valvetrain, engine block with crankshaft, connecting rods, piston and ring, camshaft and lifters, oil pump, and pan, and front timing cover with harmonic balancer. MSRP: $9,495 392 Crate HEMI Long Block ( part number: P5160617AA) Before the Hellcats took things to another level, this block was shown to be plenty capable on the streets with possible 485 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque and includes engine assembly components from the cylinder head with valvetrain, engine block with crankshaft, connecting rods, piston and ring, and camshaft and lifters. MSRP: $6,995 345 Crate HEMI Long Block (part number: P5160616AA). This was the heart of the legendary 345 (5.7L) HEMI engine introduced in the 2015 Dodge Challenger. The 345 Crate HEMI Long Block offers a foundation capable of unleashing 383 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. of torque. MSRP: $4,495 HurriCrate Cat 3 Twin Turbo Crate Long Block (part number: P5160622AA). Derived from the 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo engine, it can handle up to 550 horsepower and a max of 531 lb.-ft. of torque at just 3,500 rpm. HurriCrates employ state-of-the-art engineering and technologies that include two low-inertia, high-flow turbochargers for rapid response to throttle inputs, Plasma Transfer Wire Arc (spray bore) coating in the cylinder bores for an ultra-thin, low-friction wear surface, and high-pressure direct fuel injection. MSRP: $8,995 HurriCrate Cat 1 Twin Turbo Crate Long Block (part number: P5160621AA).  Also derived from the 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo engine, this block is capable of up to 420 horsepower and 468 Ib.-ft. of torque by 2,500 rpm, delivering more horsepower, more torque, and fewer emissions than many naturally aspirated V-8 engines. MSRP: $6,495 The Dodge brand has been synonymous with high performance, and that will not change. With these crate engines, Dodge-powered vehicles will continue to rule the roads and drag strips across the county.  If you are ready for a project to pump up your ride, contact Benna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram’s Service Center for more information about these amazingly potent engines and blocks.

Stellantis Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS) Message

What is the Stellantis Emergency Vehicle Alert System?

Through both design and soundproofing materials, considerable attention has gone into models under the Stellantis brand to keep road, wind, and other unwanted noise out of the cabin. In addition, models have been equipped with sound systems to play your favorite tunes from base systems, scaling all the way up to the incredible McIntosh audio system in the Jeep Grand Cherokee model line. The challenge is that there are some sounds from outside that you are meant to hear. The whole point of emergency vehicle sirens is to alert others on the road of their presence. EVAS Gets the message Through to You Stellantis’ solution to this paradox is the Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS) which uses Uconnect to alert drivers when emergency vehicles or roadway hazards are nearby. EVAS has been a standard feature of Uconnect on all models since the 2018 model year and thus is already on 1.8 million Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, and Jeep ® brand vehicles in the United States and Canada. In other words, any new car Benna CDJR has sold for the past five years. EVAS works by integrating with the HAAS Alert Safety Cloud, the nation’s largest vehicle-to-everything (V2X) platform for digital alerting. How it works is that emergency vehicles, as well as tow trucks and work zones, send a V2X signal into the Safety Cloud, which then sends it to any vehicle that can receive it, to notify its driver of their presence. That alert cuts through the vehicle’s soundproofing and pauses the audio system with an audio beep accompanied by an explanation on the infotainment display. The system can often inform you if the emergency vehicle is ahead or behind you. “The widespread deployment of EVAS in North America demonstrates how Stellantis is harnessing the power of V2X connectivity and in-vehicle technology to make mobility safer for our customers,” said Yves Bonnefont, Stellantis chief software officer. “ Care for our customers that is second to none in every market where we sell is the foundation of our transformation to a mobility tech company. We’re proud to be the first global automaker to make V2X digital alerting a standard safety feature for our connected customers, and we are continuously looking to expand its capabilities.” HELP is on the Way The next step in the process will be what is known as Hazard Enhanced Location Protocol (HELP) in which a disabled vehicle can send a notice of its location to the HASS Alert Safety Cloud, which transmits a notice to vehicles in the same manner as EVAS. This will give drivers about 15-20 seconds of advance warning of the disabled vehicle’s location, which is roughly a quarter mile at highway speeds. Just consider how useful this can be in a heavy storm or thick fog when vehicles may have had an incident but, even with hazard lights, may not be visible until they are very and possibly too close. HELP can be activated manually by the driver when the vehicle is stationary or automatically in safety-critical situations, such as collisions or tire blowouts. It is possible it could be activated automatically when the hazard lights are activated. “Technology we offer today helps set the stage for future vehicle innovations,” said Mamatha Chamarthi, Stellantis head of global software business management. “It begins with the foundation that safety should come standard. It grows from there to offer owners convenience features on demand when they connect, enroll and subscribe. These software capabilities result in an enhanced and highly valued customer experience with our iconic brands.” As mentioned, EVAS has been on Stellantis vehicles since the 2018 model year, and many owners may not have been aware of it until they received their first alert and then wondered how that alert happened. HELP has not been fully developed as of yet, but look for it on future models from Benna CDJR.

Ram Introduces Rebel Havoc and Lunar Editions

Ram introduces the limited-run Ram 1500 Rebel Lunar and Havoc Editions. Previous use of both names has been limited to the big, bad 1500 TRX, but these two editions are built from the Rebel trim.  Because of their limited run, the Rebel Havoc or Lunar Editions may not appear in the Benna CDJR inventory but can be ordered. Exteriors that Get Noticed Color separates the Havoc from the Lunar trim. The Havoc features an attention-grabbing Baja Yellow exterior, while the Lunar has a menacing Ceramic Gray.   Graphics and trim are identical on both, which includes bold, black "Rebel" graphics on the hood and rear fenders, black badging, bumper, and an all-black grille. The Rebel  Hemi V-8 Option is Standard Behind the black-on-black grille is a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 producing 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with an eight-speed transmission. The Havoc and Lunar editions ride on the Rebel’s 1-inch raised ride height, with 18-inch gloss black 6-spoke wheels wearing 33-inch LT275/70R18E OWL All-Terrain tires. Also included is the new-for-2023 Selec-Speed Control, which allows the truck to maintain consistent speed while traversing variations in slope. Using both engine torque and brake pressure to help keep a consistent pace, allows the driver to focus on steering on rough terrain. Standard Level 2 Equipment Package Inside, the Havoc and Lunar Editions come standard with the Rebel Level 2 equipment package, key features of which, on top of the extensive Level 1 group features like a 12.0-Inch touchscreen display, smartphone compatibility, 8-way power driver’s seat, and much more, Level 2 includes: 19-Speaker Harman Kardon ® Premium Sound system Heated front seats and steering wheel Front Door Passive Entry and Lock ParkSense ® Front and Rear Park-Assist with Stop Rain-Sensitive Windshield Wipers Rear Under-Seat Storage Compartment Remote-Start System Security Alarm Equipped with everything mentioned above, the Rebel Havoc and Lunar Editions have a starting MSRP of $72,205.  As mentioned, both the Rebel Havoc and Lunar Editions have limited availability and may not appear in our inventory. If you are interested, contact one of our Benna CDJR sales professionals about pre-ordering.

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