Jeep always builds a few cool concept vehicles to bring to the annual Easter Jeep Safari held in Moab, Utah. The concepts range from pie-in-the-sky ideas that have no chance of production to virtual test vehicles for new parts and accessories that will be available at your local Jeep dealer in the coming months. As the Easter Jeep Safari brings Jeep’s most loyal customers together for a week of off-road adventures on some of the best trails in the country, it gives Jeep an excellent venue to solicit feedback on new ideas.

North America isn't the only market privy to special-edition Jeeps: in fact, three new models, all destined for European Jeep showrooms, will officially debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

During the darkest days of 2009, when Chrysler was skidding toward bankruptcy and many wondered whether the company was worth saving, it used the occasion of the New York auto show to unveil one of the brightest hopes for its tenuous future: the totally redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee (which wasn't due in showrooms for another year). Despite all the bad news surrounding Chrysler at the time, the new Grand Cherokee was undeniably impressive.

The Jeep Liberty is a time capsule. Step inside and you're taken back to the days when SUVs were SUVs and required off-road credibility. There's a massive transmission tunnel that compromises the driver's footwell space, and the vehicle feels very tall and narrow. Unfortunately for Jeep, fuel economy numbers now trump departure angles and crawl ratios in advertising. The world has changed a lot since the Liberty debuted but the Liberty hasn't changed much since its last major update in 2008.

Jeep’s Compass isn’t exactly known as an ideal canvas for building a purpose-built off-road vehicle, but it seems Mopar -- Chrysler’s parts and accessories division -- thinks otherwise. In fact, the brand recently introduced a new Compass True North package that might further the Compass’ prowess off the beaten trail.

As our year with the Grand Cherokee comes to a close, we prepare to say goodbye to one of the most reliable, comfortable, and versatile Four Seasons vehicles we’ve had come though 120 East Liberty Street.

The Wrangler is the Jeep franchise. It's the rock on which the entire brand's positioning is built. The Wrangler is not always be the bestselling Jeep (although through November of this year it's ahead of the Grand Cherokee by a nose), but it's the most important.

We seem to have come to agreement at 120 East Liberty Street on how we feel about our Four Seasons Jeep Grand Cherokee: we are going to miss it dearly once it leaves. However, as we head into the end of our year-long test, a new wear-and-tear issue has arisen.

Despite a month of mostly commuter duty, our Four Seasons Jeep Grand Cherokee did more than just haul us back and forth to work.

Jeep has significantly upgraded the Compass since its lackluster debut in 2006. A vehicle that was quite literally the ugly duckling in the Jeep portfolio has been transformed into one of its best-looking products. The substantial interior and exterior makeover took place for the 2011 model year and resonated with shoppers, as sales have more than doubled. Jeep offers a variety of drivetrain options ranging from a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter four-cylinder that gets 29 mpg to a more powerful 2.4-liter four that can be paired with the rugged Freedom Drive II four-wheel-drive system and an off-road package that transforms the Compass into a surprisingly capable off-road machine. Neither engine is very refined, but they provide adequate power and reasonable fuel economy. The Compass is best suited to around-town driving and off-road excursions that are more focused on casual sightseeing than technical challenges. The Compass will be remembered for trying to stretch the Jeep brand a little too far, and it isn't long for this world. Even Brian Nathan, chief engineer for the Compass and the Patriot, admits, "The vehicle's life cycle is very short at this stage." During a press conference in 2009, it was announced that the Patriot and the Compass would be killed off by the end of 2012 to make room for a new, Fiat-based small SUV wearing a Jeep badge. If you absolutely need a small Jeep today, the Compass will do, but smart shoppers should wait to see what 2013 holds.

Jeep released an all-new Grand Cherokee for 2011 and significantly upgraded every aspect of the vehicle. The flagship Jeep retains the uncompromising off-road capability of its predecessors thanks largely to a trio of available four-wheel-drive systems and an optional air suspension that offers five height settings. Selec-Terrain electronically calibrates the vehicle to handle different conditions via a five-position dial. The Grand Cherokee will spend most of its time on dry, paved roads, though, where it behaves like a typical luxury SUV. The base engine is Chrysler's 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which offers a respectable 290 hp. The optional 5.7-liter V-8 makes 360 hp and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Horsepower fans will likely opt for the new SRT8 model and its 470-hp, 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine. Surprisingly -- at least to those familiar with past Grand Cherokees -- interior quality and execution are the biggest strengths of the new version, with standard features such as keyless ignition and satellite radio and optional features that include a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and a navigation system. Jeep has covered all the mid-size-SUV bases with an efficient V-6; an optional 5.7-liter V-8 that can tow up to 7400 pounds; and now a track-tuned SRT8 model that can blast from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, run a thirteen-second quarter mile, and reach 160 mph.

The 2012 Jeep Liberty sees no suspension or powertrain changes, so it drives the same as the 2009 model, which is to say not so well. It won't be as capable as a Wrangler Rubicon off-road since there are no locking differentials offered, but the Liberty is a convenient size on the trail. If Jeep dropped in the excellent Pentastar V-6 and a more advanced transmission (read: a gearbox with more than four forward gears) in the Liberty, it might even have pretty solid credentials for road driving. The Liberty will soldier on until 2013 when a Fiat-based vehicle replaces it. If you're the type of driver who requires off-road capability and wants a proven platform, the Liberty is a reasonable choice. There's some aftermarket support that can enhance its off-road capability, although nowhere near the same support Wrangler enjoys, and it's not a terribly expensive vehicle. Buy now if you fear the level of four-wheel-drive capability will decrease once the Liberty moves to a Fiat platform. Shoppers who don't plan on venturing off-road would be better served with one of the Liberty's pavement-optimized competitors.

Jeep made the Patriot a bit quieter, a bit more refined, and a whole lot more solid-feeling last year, but it's still based on a rather lackluster platform that doesn't excel at on- or off-road driving. The Patriot is the least expensive Jeep, and it's noticeable, although the revised interior is much better than what buyers of earlier Patriots received. Neither of the Patriot's two four-cylinder engines is particularly refined, an impression that's exacerbated by the CVT automatic. Even the Wrangler seems quieter on the road, although the Patriot feels more buttoned up behind the wheel. Sadly, the Patriot's only selling point is price. The Patriot used to have an advantage over the Compass because it arguably looked better and because it offers a modicum of off-road ability (enough to earn Jeep's Trail Rated badge) with the off-road package, but now the Compass offers those same mechanicals and was restyled to the point where it may be the better-looking of the two. As with the Compass, your absolute best bet is to wait and see what Jeep replaces the Patriot with in 2013. These twins have taken this platform (which is shared with the underwhelming Dodge Caliber) about as far as it can go, and it still comes up short in comparison to the rest of the small-crossover/SUV segment. If you must choose a Patriot, take solace in the fact that your little Jeep has a bit more room inside than a Compass and can cost a whole lot less.

Jeep's legendary Wrangler has gotten incredibly refined in the last two years. For 2011, an all-new interior made the SUV much more inviting, and now there's an equally impressive engine with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6. Horsepower and torque have never been the highlights of the Wrangler's spec sheet, but 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque mean you will no longer have to apologize for holding up eighteen-wheelers leaving a stoplight. There's a decidedly trucky feeling through the steering wheel thanks to the Wrangler's signature solid axles and relatively long suspension travel. Not many vehicles are capable of hauling five people and a respectable amount of luggage to virtually any destination you can imagine. And no other vehicle can do so while allowing passengers to enjoy the unique open-air experience of driving without a top or doors. Speaking of which, the Wrangler's soft top is somewhat easier to take down and put up than was the case in earlier Wranglers, and you can flip back the front portion to create a makeshift sunroof. The hard top offers additional flexibility and can now be had in body-matching colors. The Wrangler handles every situation, from cruising around the beach to taming the famed Rubicon Trail, with equal ease. Previous Wranglers required a lot of sacrifices from owners and didn't make much sense for daily use, but the 2012 Jeep Wrangler has managed to become civilized enough for the mainstream market without abandoning its off-road heritage or sacrificing capability.

Even though we recently drove the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, our affection for our V-6-powered Four Seasons Grand Cherokee still stays strong. Although the memory of storming along the back roads of Jackson County, Michigan, in the 470-hp SRT8 was fresh in his mind, copy editor Rusty Blackwell "marveled at how responsive and strong our V-6 Grand Cherokee is."

Good Lord. This is the most impressive Chrysler product I've driven in years. I spent a lot of time in the previous Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and I really disliked that vehicle. I guess there was only so that could be done to the previous generation of Grand Cherokee. Now that the regular Grand Cherokee is such a refined and luxurious vehicle, the SRT8 model can really shine.

The new 2012 Jeep Wrangler Arctic Edition, which debuts later this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, will only be sold in Europe -- where, contrary to the SUV's new theme, Wrangler sales remain white hot.

It's a challenge for anyone to keep up with the constantly changing roster of cars on dealership lots. For car lovers it's an even tougher task, because beyond knowing that a certain model exists, you need to know where it fits in the automotive firmament. That's why we've gathered every new model due by the first half of 2012 and categorized them, not alphabetically or by some government-defined size class, but by their relevance to buyers, enthusiasts, and the companies that build them. Some cars thrust automakers into new segments, while others drive just like last year's model. Some cars protect the sanctity of the manual transmission, while others advance performance with the latest technology. Some cars address rising fuel-economy standards, while others disguise obscene speed in stealthy sheetmetal. Here are the 85 new arrivals shaping the automotive world for 2012.

Since returning at the start of the summer from its stay in New York, our Grand Cherokee has become quite the office favorite thanks to its Swiss army knife-like ability to just about anything.

When Disneyland closed Space Mountain in 2009 for refurbishing, Internet message boards erupted with apprehension. “Don’t screw it up!” collectively exclaimed the enthusiasts at micechat.com and others. A signature attraction for almost thirty-five years, the thrill ride embodied the Disney experience nearly as much as Mickey Mouse himself. But the theme park isn’t alone in having to safeguard an icon: it’s much the same whenever Jeep changes the Wrangler. (Heck, some of us still haven’t accepted the name Wrangler, given in 1987, because “Jeep” is the quintessential eponym, the word perfectly representing the object.) Nevertheless, change becomes necessary as demand grows for more power and better fuel economy.

Our Four Seasons Grand Cherokee has now passed the half-way mark in its stay with us. Since its initial cool reception, our feelings have warmed up toward the Jeep, and the logbook has been filling with almost nothing but praise.

80 mph. That's what the speedometer reads as I toss the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 into the second corner of Willow Springs' so-called "big course." It's a long, sweeping right-hander that's punctuated with a late apex that catches many first-timers by surprise. The big brute turns in quickly and hangs on the race line, tossing my thigh against a bolster and slamming my kneecap into a speaker grille on the door panel.

Our Four Seasons Jeep Grand Cherokee spent a month-long stay on the East Coast, where it spent much of its time as senior editor Joe Lorio's daily driver. He came away overall with a positive impression of the Jeep, echoing much of the past sentiments of those here at 120 East Liberty Street.

Our Four Seasons Jeep Grand Cherokee has made the 619-mile journey from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to the suburbs of New York City for a stint with senior editor Joe Lorio and New York bureau chief Jamie Kitman. With the long drive behind us, the flagship Jeep's size and comfort continue to impress us, but we're still griping about the infotainment head unit.

At board meetings, on test tracks, and in design studios, decisions are being made today that will influence what you drive tomorrow. Automakers are hard at work creating the next generation of automobiles -- cars that are faster, sexier, more efficient -- while trying to keep their development secret. Like you, we are nosy as hell. Unlike you, we have a vast network of snoops, gossips, and disgruntled former employees who have helped us uncover the information we present here. Our annual Sneak Preview feature contains the industry's future products -- as far out as 2019 -- that are worth saving your milk money for.