A safety recall has been issued for 2010 Jeep Wrangler sport-utility vehicles. Nearly 68,000 of the popular SUVs can catch fire due to a flaw in the design to protect the Wrangler's automatic transmission, warns the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Any consistent reader of the Consumer Reports blog knows that when buying test cars, we try to do nearly all of the research and interaction with the salesperson(s) online. And while most domestic and Asian brands work well this way, it's harder when buying German cars. Why is this?

We're heading into the busy summer travel season and if a road trip is in your getaway plans, a used SUV may be a good choice to fit the family and gear. As we have been reminded by our recent tests, new SUVs can be pricey. To make shopping easier, we have identified some of the best used deals on small and midsized SUVs.

If the Toyota Prius plug-in is not electric enough for you, soon you'll be able to have a pure-electric Toyota RAV4. Toyota has been developing an electric RAV4 for years, starting with the first-generation RAV4. And at the 2010 LA Auto Show, Toyota announced its intent to build a production version. On Monday, the production RAV4 EV was unveiled at EVS26 (26th-annual Electric Vehicle Symposium) in Los Angeles.

As toll-collection agencies have moved to automated payment systems that use car-mounted transponders in place of traditional tollbooths, many drivers have found the technology to be a real convenience and time saver. But some are also finding unexpected violation notices in their mailboxes because of how they are used and in which vehicles they are mounted.

Sometimes certain types of cars become popular not because they're practical, efficient, perform well, or even make sense. Sometimes it's pure demographics. That's the conclusion of Erich Merkle, head U.S. sales analyst at Ford Motor Company. We caught up with Merkle on a recent visit to New York City to get his take on what's ahead for the auto industry.

Lightly freshened for an early model-year introduction, the 2013 Volvo XC90 design dates back to 2003. Even with updates, this Volvo struggles in a class filled with newer, better competitors. To take measure, we bought an XC90 and ran it through our extensive test program.

The 2013 Ford Escape promises better fuel economy, in certain configurations, than its chief small SUV rivals, according to official EPA figures. Ford claims the Escape, when powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, can deliver 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway in a front-drive model.

The redesigned Honda CR-V and new Mazda CX-5 appear to have a lot in common. These small SUVs seat five passengers, are of similar size, and cost about the same. So far so good. But when we dig deeper, two distinct personalities emerge.

The redesigned Mercedes-Benz ML350 bested the BMW X5 in the June CR issue face-off, but as impressive as it is in several measures, overall, this luxury SUV doesn't outscore the class leaders--despite gaining considerably over the previous model.

BMW has a reputation for offering dynamic handling, great engines, nice interiors, and complicated controls. These traits are all present in the X5, an updated SUV that faced off against the Mercedes-Benz ML350 in the June issue of Consumer Reports.

Other than modest revisions, the Ford Escape remained mostly unchanged for 12 model years. That's a very long time, especially in the red-hot small SUV segment. A top-to-bottom redesign finally arrives for the 2013 model year, going on sale this summer. Our experience with a borrowed top-trim 2013 Escape Titanium suggests that the wait wasn't in vain.

The arrival of spring and warmer weather means the start of the trailering season for many drivers, as families break out their boats, campers, and other outdoor gear after a long winter. But before you hitch up and go, it's important to think safety, both in terms of maintenance and once you're on the road.

Ever since Lincoln gave traditional car names the old heave-ho a few years back in favor of designating all their models MK something or other, it's been more of a challenge to distinguish one Lincoln from another. Comparing notes with various gearheads and other auto journalists, there seems to be some real bewilderment. If car enthusiasts and people who make our living getting this stuff right are getting confused, what about everybody else? How can buyers tell which is which?

The Chrysler Group is recalling 2012 Jeep Compass and 2012 Jeep Patriot SUVs due to faulty fuel tank valves, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). About 1,700 of the recalled Jeep sport-utility vehicles have damaged roll-over fuel valves, which may leak during collisions or roll-over accidents, increasing the risk of a fire.