The Jeep Grand Cherokee racked up 22,575 miles in nine months in our long-term fleet, 8,302 of those coming in the third quarter alone. And to date, the Jeep has averaged 18.6 mpg, sucking down 1,210.5 gallons of fuel and $4,487.33 from our wallets along the way.

Those are the hard points, the left-brain bits of info, if you will. Here's the rest of the story: That odometer stands in testament to our love of the Jeep. By comparison, we've driven the Grand Cherokee almost 1,800 miles more than we have our long-term Hyundai Sonata, and 3,700 more than our long-term BMW 550i xDrive, through three quarters. And given our hobbies (enthusiastic) and driving style (extra enthusiastic), we're more than pleased with the efficiency we've eked from the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine.

All of that enthusiasm means we routinely task the Jeep with towing--boat trailers and pop-up campers abound on staff--and in this regard, we were a bit hesitant about opting for the V6. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 can handle up to 7,400 pounds, after all, and it turns out 70 more horses and 70 lb-ft more of torque to scratch our need-for-speed itch. But the 3.6-liter's 5,000-pound capacity is more than up to task, even if we could use a few more ponies underhood. More so, we've learned to appreciate the Pentastar's regular-grade-fuel requirement (the Hemi calls for midgrade) and the 20 percent better EPA combined fuel rating (19 mpg vs. 16 mpg).

We also tend to maximize the Jeep's payload capacity, loading it up with people and cargo for various activities near and far. For this we're doubly glad that we opted for the rear-seat DVD entertainment center, as well as the Luxury Group package that added--among other things--the power liftgate, providing easy access to the cargo hold.

As for reliability, we've yet to spend a single night without the Jeep in our stead. The only maintenance it required this quarter included a stone-chip repair to the windshield and the Jeep's third scheduled service call.

As one staffer said, echoing everyone's sentiments thus far, "I'll never turn down seat time in the long-term Grand Cherokee. It's a just-right vehicle for me: not too big, not too small, it's comfortable, and it has enough power to do 99 percent of what I'd want in a daily driver."

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited

AS-TESTED PRICE: $44,205

MILES DRIVEN (QUARTER/TO DATE): 8,302.4/22,575.2

FUEL ECONOMY (QUARTER/TO DATE): 19.2/18.6 mpg

FUEL COST (QUARTER/TO DATE): $1,575.75/$4,487.33

DAYS OUT OF SERVICE (QUARTER/TO DATE): None/none

MAINTENANCE: Repair windshield chip ($29.95); third scheduled service including oil change, tire rotation, fuel-induction service ($159.57)



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EDITOR WES RAYNAL: This 2012 Dodge Durango Citadel was fine weekend transportation, what with all of the people-and-stuff hauling I had to do. It's basically the Jeep Grand Cherokee with a third row and a V8, and my Grand Cherokee love is well documented.

I love the grunt from the Hemi and that it will fall into four-cylinder mode when you're cruising, not to mention the smooth shifts from the six-speed automatic. The truck looks good to my eye inside and out, clean and well assembled.

The around-town and freeway ride and handling are both fine considering that the Durango weighs 5,400 pounds. It is quiet and refined in all of the driving I did and for the chores with which I tasked it. Even at $47,000 it feels more expensive.

Given a choice between this and the much-ballyhooed Ford Explorer, I'd take the Dodge.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: Have we mentioned that the Durango of the past is gone? In its place is this well-sorted, steady-driving, as-comfortable-as-you-can-get three-row SUV that leaves nothing to chance--and in this Citadel trim, nothing off the option list, either.

Built on the known quantity that is the stellar Jeep Grand Cherokee (Autoweek's inaugural Best of the Best Truck in 2011), the Durango of today is a perfect match for families in need of seven seats (even occasionally), rear-seat entertainment, plenty of power and towing capacity, solid (read: Jeep) off-road cred and a ride and drivability that feels more like a car-based station wagon than a Jeep-based truckster.

You could get away with a 3.6-liter V6 version (290 hp, 260 lb-ft) and still be comparable to the 3.5-liter in the Explorer (290 hp, 255 lb-ft) in output and fuel economy, and have better towing capacity. But if your family is big, and your toys are similarly sized, you'll want to stick with this 360-hp Hemi V8, even if fuel economy suffers. This powertrain provides no-holds-barred performance, serious rip off the line and smooth cruising power. Combined with the well-sorted chassis and handsome appearance, this Durango is now truly a real match for the competition.

Have we mentioned that the Durango of the past is gone?

2012 Dodge Durango Citadel

Base Price: $43,845

As-Tested Price: $47,235

Drivetrain: 5.7-liter V8; AWD, six-speed automatic

Output: 360 hp @ 5,150 rpm, 390 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm

Curb Weight: 5,397 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 15/13.3 mpg

Options: 5.7-liter V8 HEMI VDS VVT engine with dual rear exhaust with bright tips, two-speed on-demand transfer case, heavy-duty engine cooling, 220-amp alternator ($2,095); rear DVD entertainment center including Uconnect rear-seat video system ($1,295)



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