What to Drive After That Fresh Cut: September Whips

Wait, a hybrid JEEP Rubicon that is just as rugged as its predecessors? Yep!‍
Dennis Malcolm Byron A.K.A. Ale Sharpton
Beer, auto, travel, food, sports, music & clothing fanatic, award-winning journalist, photographer and Creative Director.

It’s September — time for the latest edition of What to Drive After That Fresh Cut. You just might fall in love with these all-new, four-wheeled stunners.

2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4XE

2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4XE

Wait, a hybrid JEEP Rubicon that is just as rugged as its predecessors? Yep!

Jeep carries a legion of loyalists for more than half a century, and this top-of-the-line Rubicon got more looks than a supermodel. While maintaining the virtually limitless off-road capability this automaker is renowned for, Jeep gets environmentally responsible with this all-new, highly anticipated 4XE plug-in-hybrid version coming in three trims. It blesses drivers with an impressive, combined city/highway 49 miles per gallon-equivalent performance. The soft top and doors are removable after using its custom tool kit for those gorgeous days in the sun, plus a user-friendly infotainment system (Uconnect), spacious “Unlimited” four-door cabin with leather-trimmed seats, push-button start, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, two additional USB ports, an Alpine premium sound system with satellite radio on an 8.4-inch screen, and a plethora of safety features to name a few standouts. As for the heart, it’s a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (plus two electric motors) with an eight-speed automatic transmission yielding 375 horsepower, 470 pound-feet of torque, and a 370 driving range sitting on rugged 17-inch x 7.5-inch black-painted wheels. Already garnering environmental awards left and right, this Jeep is going to kill it in the second half of 2021 and beyond.

What the sticker says: The Rubicon starts at $51,695 (MSRP); reviewed with optional features in the Customer Preferred Package, it’s $62,660.

For more information, visit Jeep.com.

Photos courtesy Jeep.

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC

Stepping into the future, don’t sleep on this redesigned SUV from Mitsubishi!

If you want to rock an SUV that will stand out from the more popular four-wheelers in the segment, this totally redesigned 2022 Outlander should be strongly considered. The exterior makeover enhanced with a futuristic LED lighting package on its muscular frame will certainly turn heads; it’s a welcomed menacing look that boldly makes it a contender for the best rebirth of the year. Although technically labeled a “Compact” SUV, this smooth-driving, all-wheel-drive model comes with a third row to max out at seven passengers. Already presented with a plethora of standard amenities (loving the surround-view parking camera system, wireless Apple CarPlay, paddle shifters, and 20-inch wheels), the SEL line pampers passengers with heated leather seating, tri-zone automatic climate control, and more. This review model also hits owners off with the strongly recommended Touring Package flaunting a head-up display, heated steering wheel, rear sunshades, a banging BOSE premium 10-speaker sound system, and gangster panoramic sunroof. Yep, this just might be the comeback of the year for Mitsubishi, and I dig it!

What the sticker says: Starting at $33,745 (MSRP); reviewed in the SEL trim including the $2,700 Touring Package is $37,995.

For more information, visit Mitsubishicars.com.

Photos courtesy Mitsubishi.