Michael Manley, president and chief executive of the Jeep division, said innovations developed over the last several years — like nine-speed transmissions — allowed the company’s engineers to design a smaller S.U.V. that is more comfortable and compact, without losing too much of the dexterity that Jeep is known for.
“In years past, there was no technology available to be able to combine the capability we needed with the handling and fuel economy competitors offered, without compromising that capability,” he said. “Now that’s no longer the case.”
And next year Jeep will introduce an even smaller S.U.V., the Renegade. How small will it be by comparison? It shares the same platform as the elfin Fiat 500L, which is more than two feet shorter than a Grand Cherokee.
For Ms. Mahoney, she says her Encore gives her just enough room, without losing the essence of what she likes.
“It’s just me now, what do I need all that extra space for?” she said. “But I really didn’t want to drive a sedan, and now I don’t have to.”
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