The Electric Muscle Era: 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona vs. Tesla Model 3

Arkansas is known as the duck hunting capital of the world. Every winter, hunters from across the country head to our flooded timber, rice fields, and river bottoms. If you live in Benton or anywhere in central Arkansas, you know the feeling of a cold, dark morning and the sound of wings overhead. The 2026-27 duck season runs in three parts: November 21-29, December 10-23, and December 26 through January 31, 2027. That gives you plenty of time to get out there. But before you load the decoys, ask yourself one question: Is your vehicle ready for the trip? At Chris Crain Dodge Jeep Ram in Benton, we know that the right truck or Jeep can make or break a hunt. Here is what to look for and which 2027 models we think are the best fit for duck hunters. What Duck Hunters Need in a Vehicle Duck hunting is hard on a vehicle. Boat ramps are slick. Levee roads turn to mud after one rain. Some mornings start well below freezing. A good hunting rig should handle all of that without a second thought. Here is what matters most: Four-wheel drive. Mud, wet grass, and steep ramps call for real 4x4 traction. Towing power. Most duck boats and mud motors ride on a trailer. You need enough muscle to pull them up a slick ramp. Cargo space. Decoys, blinds, waders, shotguns, and a dog crate take up a lot of room. Ground clearance. Ruts and puddles on back roads can hang up a low vehicle. Comfort features. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel feel great after hours in a cold blind. Good tires matter just as much as the vehicle. Check out our RAM tire pressure guide and our Jeep tire pressure guide before you head out. Cold weather drops tire pressure, so check yours often during the season. 2027 Ram 1500: The All-Around Hunting Truck The 2027 Ram 1500 is a great pick for most duck hunters. It rides smoothly on the highway, but it still has the strength to pull a boat through the mud. The 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo engine can tow up to about 11,500 pounds when properly equipped. That is more than enough for a jon boat, a mud motor, and a trailer full of gear. You can also choose from several other engines, including the classic 5.7L HEMI V8. Here are a few 2027 updates hunters will like: Available 360-degree camera on more trims, including Laramie and Rebel. It makes backing a trailer down a dark boat ramp much easier. Available 2 kW onboard power with two 120V outlets in the bed on Pentastar V6 models. Plug in a spotlight, a heater, or a coffee maker at camp. RamBox delete option on Limited and Limited Longhorn trims for the widest possible bed. Want to go further off the beaten path? The Ram 1500 RHO is built for rough terrain. Read more in our Ram 1500 RHO features and specs blog. And if you plan to upgrade your tires for mud, see our Ram 1500 tire size guide. 2027 Ram 2500: For Big Boats and Heavy Loads If you pull a big boat, haul a side-by-side, or carry a full hunting camp, the 2027 Ram 2500 is the truck for you. This heavy-duty pickup is built to work hard all season long. The gas 6.4L HEMI V8 makes 410 horsepower. For even more pulling power, the available 6.7L Cummins High-Output turbo diesel makes 430 horsepower and a huge 1,075 lb-ft of torque. That kind of torque makes a steep, muddy ramp feel easy. New for 2027: The Payload Upgrade Package on most HEMI models increases payload capacity to up to 4,580 pounds. Power Wagon with Cummins diesel power for the first time. It comes with locking front and rear differentials, 34-inch tires, and a 31-gallon fuel tank good for about 600 miles of range. Standalone Warn winch available on HEMI Rebel and Power Wagon models. That is a lifesaver if you or a buddy gets stuck in a flooded field. Not sure if you need a half-ton or a heavy-duty truck? Our Ram 1500 vs. 2500 vs. 3500 comparison breaks down the differences among the models. Visit us today at Chris Crain Dodge Jeep Ram in Benton, AR!

Drivers in Benton, AR, who want a small SUV usually look at two names first: the Jeep Compass and the Honda CR-V. Both are compact SUVs built for daily driving, and both come packed with safety features and modern technology. But once you look past the badge, the two SUVs take very different approaches. In this guide, Chris Crain Dodge Jeep RAM compares the 2026 Jeep Compass and the 2026 Honda CR-V on design, performance, technology, and safety. Then we explain why we think the Compass is the smarter buy for drivers around Benton. Overview The 2026 Jeep Compass comes in six trims, from the Latitude up to the off-road-ready Trailhawk and the upscale Limited Altitude. Prices start at $29,550, and every single trim comes standard with four-wheel drive. The 2026 Honda CR-V offers seven trims, starting at $30,920 for the base LX and climbing to $42,550 for the loaded Hybrid Sport Touring. The CR-V's lineup is split between gas trims and hybrid trims, giving buyers more choices when it comes to fuel economy. Right away, the Compass has a lower starting price and gives every buyer four-wheel drive without paying extra for it. You can browse our current lineup on our new vehicle inventory page, or read more in our earlier post on what's new with the Jeep Compass. Design The Compass has the look Jeep is known for: a bold seven-slot grille, round headlights, and a boxy, rugged shape that hints at real off-road ability. The Trailhawk trim goes even further, with red tow hooks, unique badging, and a stance built for trails, not just parking lots. The CR-V has a smoother, more rounded shape that leans into a mainstream crossover look. It is a clean design, but it does not have the same rugged personality as the Compass. If you want an SUV that looks ready for more than just the school run, the Compass has the edge. Performance Every 2026 Compass uses the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. That is more torque than the CR-V's base gas engine, and it comes with four-wheel drive standard on every trim, not just as an option on higher-priced models. The CR-V's base engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 190 horsepower. Honda also offers hybrid trims that make 204 horsepower and reach around 40 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive form, which beats the Compass on fuel economy. Still, most CR-V trims come with front-wheel drive as the standard setup, with all-wheel drive costing more. For Benton drivers who deal with wet roads, gravel, or the occasional muddy trail, the Compass's standard four-wheel drive is hard to beat, no matter which trim you choose. Technology Step inside the Compass, and you will find an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with heated front and rear seats available even on mid-range trims. The cabin seats five and offers 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, plenty of room for groceries, sports gear, or luggage for a weekend trip. The layout is straightforward and easy to use, without a lot of extra menus to dig through. The CR-V comes with a slightly larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and a wireless charging pad standard across the lineup. Honda's infotainment system is a strong setup, and it is one area where the CR-V pulls ahead of the Compass on paper. That said, the Compass still gives Benton drivers everything they actually need day to day, at a lower starting price than the CR-V asks for its base trim. Safety Both SUVs take safety seriously. The Compass comes with a full suite of driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist, along with a standard rearview camera. Higher trims add more advanced safety tech and a hill descent control system, which is especially useful on the steeper roads found around Central Arkansas. The CR-V answers with Honda Sensing, a well-known suite that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and collision mitigation braking, standard across every trim. Honda Sensing is a strong, well-rounded system. The Compass matches it closely feature for feature, while also backing up its safety tech with the kind of standard four-wheel-drive grip that helps you avoid a slippery situation in the first place. Our Choice After comparing both small SUVs, we believe the 2026 Jeep Compass is the better choice for drivers in Benton, AR. It costs less to start, comes with four-wheel drive on every single trim, and offers real off-road ability through the Trailhawk model that the CR-V simply cannot match. The CR-V's hybrid fuel economy and slightly larger touchscreen are worth considering, but the Compass gives Benton drivers more capability and a lower price at the same time. Ready to see the 2026 Jeep Compass for yourself? Visit Chris Crain Dodge Jeep RAM in Benton to test drive one today, or check out our Fast Track My Deal tool to get started on financing before you even step onto the lot. Our team is also ready to help you find the right trim for your budget and driving needs, so stop by and see what makes the Compass a smart pick for Central Arkansas roads.

Jeep isn't making small changes for the 2027 Grand Cherokee. The trim lineup is growing, a fan-favorite off-road trim is coming back, and a brand-new trim is joining the group. Almost every screen inside is getting bigger, too. Our team at Chris Crain Dodge Jeep RAM in Benton looked through what Jeep has shared so far, straight from the manufacturer. Here's what you should know before you shop. Nine Trims, More Room to Choose For 2027, the Grand Cherokee comes in nine trims: Laredo, Laredo X, Upland, Trailhawk, Overland, Limited, Limited Reserve, Summit, and Summit Obsidian. Even the base trims are getting a real upgrade, since Laredo and Laredo X now come standard with a new 10.1-inch touchscreen. In the past, buyers had to move up the lineup just to get that. Jeep hasn't released pricing for 2027 yet, and final pricing will depend on the trim and the dealer. Check our new vehicle inventory page, or reach out to our team as pricing details come in. Trailhawk Is Back, and Overland Is Brand New Two trims stand out in this lineup, starting with Trailhawk, which is returning after some time away. Jeep calls it the comeback of "a Trail Rated favorite." Overland is a brand-new trim for 2027. It blends upscale comfort with real trail capability, instead of picking one over the other. Both trims back that up with serious hardware. Trailhawk still carries the Trail Rated badge, which Jeep only gives to vehicles that pass its own tests. Those tests cover five areas: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording. Overland adds its own off-road touches, including a bold front end with bright tow hooks, air suspension, a 2-speed transfer case, black cladding, and 21-inch wheels. Engine, Towing, and 4x4 Options Every trim except Laredo and Laredo X comes standard with the 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo engine. It's paired with a new Gen IV automatic transmission, and it makes 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. It gets an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Laredo and Laredo X use a different engine instead, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. It makes 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Trailhawk, Overland, and Summit all get Jeep's Quadra-Lift Air Suspension System. Jeep calls this system class-exclusive, and it lowers the vehicle at highway speeds to help with aerodynamics. It raises the vehicle back up off the ground to help clear obstacles. Three 4x4 systems are available across the lineup: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II. A Selec-Terrain system lets drivers pick from five modes: Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Mud/Sand. Jeep says the 2027 Grand Cherokee can tow up to 6,200 pounds with either engine. Jeep calls this best-in-class, and for Benton drivers, that's enough to pull a boat down to the Saline River. It's also enough to haul a camper without a second thought. A Cabin Built Around Bigger Screens Technology is a big focus for 2027, and along with the new 10.1-inch screen on Laredo and Laredo X, higher trims can get a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 NAV touchscreen. It comes with built-in navigation, a SiriusXM trial, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10-inch head-up display and a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster are also available. Families get real upgrades in the back seat, too, since the rear-seat entertainment screens come with Amazon Fire TV built in, and each screen works independently. On the three-row Grand Cherokee L, an available FamCam lets front-seat occupants check on kids, pets, or cargo in the back. Audio gets a boost from an available McIntosh preamplifier system, a well-known name in home audio. It delivers 950 watts through 19 speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer for the front-seat riders. Jeep says that's the most available speakers in its class. Safety features round out the tech list. Hands-Free Active Driving Assist lets drivers take their hands off the wheel under certain conditions, while the system continues to monitor the driver to ensure they stay alert. A Drowsy Driver Detection system monitors signs that a driver is becoming tired. UnderPark Assist keeps scanning for open parking spots, and a 360-degree camera gives a full view around the vehicle. A wireless charging pad is also available. Styling and Wheels by Trim Standard LED headlights, silver silk accents, and gloss black mirror accents give the 2027 Grand Cherokee a cleaner look, and bold paint colors are available for buyers who want to stand out. An available Hands-Free Power Liftgate opens the trunk with a simple foot motion under the rear bumper. It's standard on Overland and Summit, and available on Trailhawk. Wheels change by trim. Trailhawk rides on 18-inch Mid-Gloss Crystal wheels, while Limited Reserve gets 20-inch Black Noise Painted wheels. Overland, Summit, and Summit Obsidian all ride on 21-inch wheels, with Summit Obsidian finished in gloss black. Color choices range from bold shades like Red Hot to cooler tones like High Tide, plus the usual black, white, silver, and gray. Two Sizes to Fit Your Family The Grand Cherokee still comes in two body styles. The standard two-row model seats up to 5 people and offers up to 70.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded down, or 37.7 cubic feet with all seats up. The three-row Grand Cherokee L seats up to 7 people, or 6 with the available second-row bucket seats. It offers up to 84.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded down, or 17.2 cubic feet with all seats up, plus a power-folding third row. Why It's Worth a Look in Benton Benton sits along the I-30 corridor between Little Rock and Hot Springs, and the Saline River runs right through the county, making it a popular spot for paddling, fishing, and weekend boat trips. That mix of daily commuting and weekend towing is exactly where the Grand Cherokee lineup earns its keep. Trailhawk brings back a real Trail Rated option. Overland adds a comfort-focused pick without giving up capability. And the new standard touchscreen means even the base Laredo feels more up to date than before. See the 2027 Grand Cherokee lineup in person at Chris Crain Dodge Jeep RAM in Benton, from the entry-level Laredo up through Summit Obsidian. Browse our current new vehicle specials to see today's offers. Visit our finance department page to get pre-qualified before you shop. Keep an eye on our dealership blog for updates as more details, pricing, and arrival dates for 2027 are announced. Stop by Chris Crain Dodge Jeep RAM in Benton, and our team will help you find the right Grand Cherokee trim for your family.