I dont know about you guys but since they stopped the production of the Cherokee sport, there are really no other SUVs out there that Im impressed with (except the way overpriced Land Rover Defender). It would be awesome if Jeep came out with the Rescue. I would definitly get one.

I wonder if the Rescue concept was developed to gauge the reaction for the next generation Wrangler? Removable doors, folding windshield, retractable top, etc. are all traits that are more fitting for a smaller, Wrangler-sized vehicle.

With the Wrangler redesign approaching soon, I would think that Jeep would be allocating its resources elsewhere. Is there really much room left in the H2 market? Maybe the Rescue is serving two purposes, not only gauging the market for a full-size Jeep, but possible design cues to be used in the next Wrangler.

I agree Mark.

I own a jeep cherokee. I bought one from the last line ever made on 3/8/01. The cherokee is the best SUV jeep has ever made. I believe the liberty was made to compete with all other mid-sized suv made by other dealers.

Wranglers and cherokees are tradition. I would never consider the liberty or the grand sissy a part of jeep tradition. but as a transition stage. If they are going to stop making cherokees, then they need to made the rescue or something very similar. Then the ULTIMATE jeep would be out and all cherokee lovers (like myself) would have something to look forward to. A RV from HEAVEN! I would never get rid of my cherokee unless it could be replace with a jeep like the rescue!

Get it out! Make it in an ice-blue color. and most of all, so all can afford it...have several options so there will be a price range between 28,000-48,000!!!

here is my comment

Jeep has a cool nitch vehicle in the Wrangler. If HUMMER produced a tiny "H1-like" vehice, they'd give Jeep a run for its money. This will never happen because HUMMER bases their small vehicles on the H2 which is a rebadged GM. Another reason it won't happen is that it would be too expensive to build a tiny H1 and sell it to a nitch market.

If Ford comes out with the new Bronco, they will have trouble too because it is based on an Escape.

Hopefully when the new "Wrangler" comes out it will only be improved and not replaced by the 'character-less' car with IFS like the Liberty.

I would not discount Hummer out of the picture so quickly. GM has been wise in expanding the Hummer line with the H2 and soon the H3. First GM establishes the Hummer name and hits us with the slogan, “Like nothing else”. GM was not stupid, and they realize they can not ride on the H1 forever, so they begin to expand the line. The H2 and H3 maintain the aggressive styling, but are at price points lower than the H1. Granted the H2 and H3 are not the monsters like the H1, but at this point, consumers are buying into the Hummer name.

Jeep on the other hand started out with an affordable off-road truck modeled after the military cousin. Over the years, Jeep expanded their line with various vehicles that were bigger or more powerful, but still maintained the off-road theme. Now that everyone makes SUVs, Jeep is switching gears to be more car like. In 5 years, maybe Hummer will be the only one that exists.

I agree that a diesel 4-banger will do better in a Wrangler than the Liberty, but it still will never be a big success in the US. Unless things change drastically, most consumers in the US have little interest in diesels. For the average consumer in the US, there is little incentive to own a diesel. I still think it is a good idea for Jeep to produce a Wrangler with a diesel, but it will be another niche of a niche market.

In my opinion, a small pickup based on the Unlimited is still not a bad idea, but I doubt we will ever see it. There is still a niche market for consumers that want an affordable personal truck. The Unlimited is also unique in being very off-road capable and is a convertible. In addition, the cost to manufacturer a truck version of the Unlimited is minor. The Unlimited pickup would simply be additional sales for the Unlimited model. Sadly, I think the Unlimited is going to be a bit of a flop. The vehicle is well equipped, so the initial price is scaring away consumers. The Unlimited also looks too much like the regular Wrangler, so it does not stand out, so unless you’re already a Jeep fan, you might not even notice the Unlimited.

The Brute would have been a great truck, but Jeep passed on that. If they had built it, I’m sure many would complain that the Brute was too small. An alternate to the Unlimited as a pickup truck, I would have liked to have seen the TJL as a small pickup in the Jeep line. The hard top looked good, and the length was better. In addition, the Egyptian TJL is also a one-ton truck. This truck would have filled a niche market for narrow gauged trucks. With a one-ton capacity, the vehicle could be configured with heavy equipment, and with its narrow platform, could easily maneuver in tight areas. Groups like our military, forest rangers, and fire fighting teams could have benefited from a truck like this.

More than likely, if Jeep does get a pickup truck, it will probably be some variation of the Dodge Dakota, like they are doing for Mitsubishi. DC is interested in sharing more platforms among the lines to save costs. Supposedly, the Grand Cherokee is the same platform as the M class. Hopefully the Rescue will materialize some day, but with our luck, it will be some variation of the Dodge Durango School bus.

Jon, you hit the nail on the head. The Hummer is a very over-priced status symbol. If Jeep prices the Rescue right (so an average person can actually buy one), they will have a hard time meeting production demand. They would also do well with a Brute style pickup. I do not believe a Jeep pickup would sell very well if it were based only on a streched unlimited though, as the photos of the black one seen on this web site just do not look right. I'd also like to see the Cummins I6 in the Rescue.

In 5 years, nobody will care about the Hummer.
Those people buying them will be looking for a new status symbol by then. That's all the Hummer is.
Jeep is the real deal. They have been around for 60+ years and will be around for many more. I don't believe Jeep has lost sales to Hummer. I think they have lost sales to all the other newer mid-size SUV's.
People that will buy a Wrangler either want one or they don't. I don't believe that the same person that buys a Wrangler would buy a Hummer. The Grand Cherokee and Liberty have a lot more to lose. Everyone makes a Grand Cherokee size SUV and there are some pretty nice ones out there from Japan and Germany. The Liberty seems to be doing all right as you sure see a lot of them.
Jeep needs more vehicles in it's line up and a all new Grand will help.

i love jeep i'm just sick of jeep always getting the shaft from dc, i want to be able to get the rescue/a 7 passenger/ or a pickup. i'm just pissed at dc for dropping the ball and letting hummer outshine jeep when we had the best product going until dc took over.

this goes to "too little & ALWAYS TOO LATE!"

YOU ARE A PRICK - if you are so set on a Hummer - how bout you quit checking out Jeep news!

Hummer wouldnt even exist if it werent for Jeep, nor would your miserable little attitude if you weren't jealous of a real 4x4.

Ya Prick!

I am a big fan of the rescue. I thought the Ugly Green (i saw it at chicago) was not a good call, but the standard 37" goodyears on beadlocks and 6 speed manual were commendable.I too will be annoyed to see these bohemouths (sp?) on the street just like i am annoyed at all the H2s out there, but id rather have jeeps than wanna be hummers driving around. i think it would be a great idea to marked them to fire fighters/park rangers thanks to all the interior technology. i also really respect the removable doors and windshield. only downside besides the people looking to compensate for something by driving them on the street is the fact that it looks like a liberty on steroids.

DC, hummer has kicked your butt since the day they arrived on the showroom floor, and EVERY othe car manufacturer has offered a 7 passenger in their line for a couple of years now. Big frickin news we get to wait ANOTHER year for the 7 passenger and MAYBE we'll see the Rescue when it SHOULD have been out along w/ the Hummer. DC coddles the minivan like it's the 2nd coming and dropped the ball where they ONCE had the market w/ the Jeep. Looks like DC is just trying to fail...at least where the Jeep is involved. Does anyone at DC see this or how can we get our comments seen/heard? I've seen their website and it's not user friendly for comments, too much bs about what model, blah, blah blah.

GET IT TOGETHER OR BE GONE FOREVER...JUST LIKE THE PACER!

Let's hope they build a reliable well built vehicle this time. My 1997 spends more time in the shop than on the road.

Sweet!