Total Car Score recently released its list of the Top 10 Best Off-Road Vehicles for 2012. The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee was ranked the number one model, due to its V8 engine and off-road capabilities. Land Rover's Range Rover and the Ford F-150 came in a close second and third, respectively. Two other pickups – the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma –  rounded out the top five. The Jeep Wrangler came in last, even though it is known for being one of the most impressive off-road vehicles available.

"The Jeep Wrangler is arguably the most capable off-road vehicle currently produced, but it gets a low Total Car Score because the industry rates it against compact crossovers that have a smooth ride and a quiet cabin at highway speeds – but very little off-road talent," said Total Car Score's editor-in-chief, Karl Braur. "That's why the Wrangler is on this list of the Best Off-Road vehicles despite its low score, and why shoppers seeking off-road prowess should look past high-level ratings to confirm what influences them."

The Total Car Score list provides a useful guideline to help narrow down your choices. Reading reviews online and talking to other owners of models you're interested in can also help you make an educated decision when it comes to choosing the appropriate vehicle. One of the best ways to better understand a particular model is to take it for a test drive. New Jersey State Auto carries a wide variety of makes and models, making it easy to try out the different cars you're interested in.

Even though gas prices may have ebbed lately, the cost of fuel is still a primary concern for the majority of drivers. A recent poll taken by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), an association of nonprofit consumer advocacy organizations, found consumer needs and demands are perfectly matched with the latest federally issued Corporate Automotive Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that were decided upon earlier this year. The CAFE standards, which will be finalized this summer, require automakers to have a fleetwide fuel economy of 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2025.

"The 54.5 mpg by 2025 standard will be one of the most important consumer protection measures to be adopted in decades," said Dr. Mark Cooper, director of research for CFA. "Record spending on gasoline for American families, combined with consumer demand for better mileage and a broad political consensus over higher national standards, are driving faster improvements in fuel economy than at any time since the oil price shocks of the 1970s."

Not only do consumers want to save at the pump, but they are also concerned for the environment and the impact the U.S. has on on it – 88 percent of survey respondents are in favor of reducing oil consumption across the nation, and believe improving fuel efficiency is an effective way to do so. Industry experts have raised concerns that higher fuel economy standards will result in more expensive vehicle costs, but 66 percent of consumers are not worried about  this factor.

There are already many different vehicles that offer excellent fuel economy on the market today, and a number of these models can be found used. NJ Auto Auction carries a variety of makes and models at affordable prices, so drivers looking to save on a car and at the pump should head over to the used car dealership.

For many people, a cup of coffee is the most important part of the day, but sometimes there isn't enough time to make a cup at home or grab one on the way to work. Fiat has introduced a possible solution for coffee lovers on the go by installing an Italian espresso maker in the new 500L.

"The 500L is the first standard-production car in the world to offer a true espresso coffee machine that utilizes the technology of the 'A Modo Mio' pods," Fiat said in a press release. "It is perfectly integrated in the car with a deck designed expressly by Fiat."

The unique feature, which will only be offered in Europe, has raised some eyebrows, according to AOL Autos. Many see the espresso machine as another distraction, but Fiat says the machine will only work when the car is in park.  Rather than waiting in line at a coffee shop, 500L drivers can get their coffee before they get out of the car.

If you want to modify your vehicle, whether you want to install your own coffee maker or you'd like to upgrade the stereo system, opting for a used car can help you save money to put toward these aftermarket enhancements. You can find the perfect car at NJ State Auto Auction, which offers a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices. Plus, every vehicle is CARFAX certified, so you know you won't have to worry about getting repairs done the moment you drive the car off the lot.

As summer heats up, it is important for parents and anyone else traveling with children or pets to take precautions to prevent accidental heat stroke. The interior of a car can get extremely hot very quickly, even if it's the temperature is not that high outside. SafeKids.org reports the interior of a car can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit on an 80-degree day in just 10 minutes.

You should never, ever leave a child unattended in a car – even for just a few minutes – as this can lead to hyperthermia and even death. An average of 38 children die in cars each year, roughly one death every nine days, according to KidsandCars.org. You should always check your car before exiting to ensure your children are not still inside. Leaving a purse, wallet or phone in the back can help serve as a reminder to double check, as there is no such thing as being too safe. Even if you are certain you'd never forget your child was in the car accidents can happen, so it is best to err on the side of caution.

The same precautions should be taken for pets. Animals are just as susceptible to heatstroke as people, and cracking a window is not enough. Bonnie Betrang, a community service officer at the Eau Claire Police Department in Wisconsin, told the Leader-Telegram people bringing pets along for a car ride should leave the car running with the air conditioner on. If this cannot be done, it is safer to leave the pet at home.

If the air conditioner or power windows are not working, drivers may want to take their cars to NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center can handle any repairs to keep vehicles safe this summer.

Many drivers today want to keep their vehicles on the road as long as possible, and some cars make it much farther than others. Irvin Gordon's 1966 Volvo P1800S is a testament to the possibility of making a car last a lifetime. The odometer on the convertible is nearing the 3 million mile mark, with roughly 34,000 miles left to go before Gordon reaches yet another milestone, according to The Associated Press. In 2002, the Volvo was named the first High Mileage Vehicle by Guinness World Records, a record which Gordon still holds.

Gordon bought the car in April 1966 for $4,150 – an entire year's salary. He opted to pay the extra $10 for an AM/FM radio, but skipped the luxury of air conditioning for his red convertible. Nearly 50 years later Gordon, now 72, is still cruising around in his record-setting car. The news source reports he has an affinity for road trips, traveling around the country and to Canada for fun and to visit auto shows. But he knows his near half-century-old car is not in brand new condition, so he fills his trunk with a slew of car parts, just in case.

"I have a set of everything," he told the AP. "If I have it, then I am not going to need it."

Gordon's mechanic told the news source the reason the Volvo has lasted so long and endured so many road trips is because it receives regular maintenance. This is key to keeping a car on the road as long as possible, and drivers who want their cars to last will need to have regular tuneups performed, just as Gordon does. Folks in the Jersey City area can take their vehicles to the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction for maintenance and any repair needs.