This thread cracks me up for starters. Its the first one I check when I get home just to see what ridiculous things are being said. I am not a world traveler, more of a car camper. So I can't speak to Jeeps ranking in global overlanding, but I will say I love my Jeep. Gets me everywhere I need to go (and then some) without any major meltdowns.
I believe the history of Jeep has something to do with the origin of the phrase. See from 1972 to 2006 some form of the inline six was used in the CJ/Wrangler. So in 2007 when Jeep put the 3.8L V6, a motor only used in minivans from 1994-2006, "enthusiasts" used derogatory terms for the "new" motor. The 3.6L doesn't get the same rap because it is a widely used motor (but anything but an inline six sucks). When new models come out that are different then the old in substantial form there is normally some backlash. Trust me I know, I drive a Cherokee (XJ not KL, that new thing is ugly
).