Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV Review

Design and Engineering

Design and Engineering

 Good

This fourth generation Grand Cherokee arrived in Australia in February 2011.

We’re big fans of the new styling, highlights include the squared off wheel arches, the high waistline and a tasteful use of chrome splashings.

Underneath the shiny sheetmetal the Grand Cherokee shares much of its platform and hardware with the 2012 year onwards Mercedes Benz ML-Class (a significantly more expensive competitor). Torsional stiffness is reported as being 146 per cent better. It’s also far roomier with a notable increase in both wheelbase (135mm) and width (76mm).

A Land Rover style Select-terrain system lets you select the optimal use of the 4WD system for a wide variety of on and off road conditions and the fuel tank is a more useful 93 litres than the previous generation’s 79 litres.
Not so good

By retaining serious off-roading credentials the current model is no lighter than the outgoing model (the entry level variant coming in at just under 2.2 tonnes).
Interior and Styling

Interior and Styling

 Good

Fit and finish is much improved as is the choice of materials used in the cabin. The truly upmarket feel inside is a first for a Grand Cherokee and the uncomplicated dash layout is mostly high quality too. We also like the new soft touch plastics and the carpets aren’t the el cheapo variety either.

The Overland variant features a stitched leather covered dash and across all grades is a three spoke steering wheel which feels great in the hand and adjusts for both rake (up down) and reach (in and out).

Rear legroom is 100mm greater than previously, luggage space is up by 17 per cent (782 litres seats-up and 1554 litres folded) and the doors open wider than the last one.

All grades feature a big glovebox, a covered storage bin and removable dual bins in the spare wheel well. The Laredo comes standard with dual-zone climate control, heated seats, keyless entry and the Select Terrain system. The Limited adds leather trim, a driver’s memory seat, front and rear parking radar and a premium audio system. The range topping Overland also gets a heated steering wheel, the leather trimmed dash, a large panoramic dual sunroof, satellite navigation and radar controlled active cruise control amongst other goodies. Phew!
Not so good

The Grand Cherokee still doesn’t match the best interiors of the German brands (however the big Jeep is priced significantly less).

No third row seating, even as an option (but neither do a number of competitors).
Performance

Performance

 Good

Two petrol engines on offer. An all new 3.6L V6 (210kW and 347Nm) and a 5.7L V8 (259kW and 520Nm) with official combined fuel economies of 11.4L per 100kms and 14.1L per 100kms.

On paper the 3.6L is a big improvement on the old 3.7L Jeep engine (power is up by a very significant 33%) and it’s notably more fuel efficient. On the road it shows too, it’s smooth, quiet and sounds mighty impressive when the accelerator is pressed hard into the carpet.

If you’re going to be towing a boat or like to accelerate hard the Petrol V8 is surely the choice (that’s until the turbo diesel arrives Down Under). Variable Valve technology is a new addition to the big HEMI engine and thankfully the fuel economy has also improved (boy did it need to).
Not so good

The petrol V6 lacks torque down low so acceleration from the lights is adequate rather than brisk. The five speed automatic transmission is less impressive than a number of competitor’s newer six or even eight speed offerings. It’s by no means bad, just lacking a little in smoothness and with too big a gap between gears.
Ride and Handling

Ride and Handling

 Good

This is the first Grand Cherokee with independent suspension (front and rear) and the top of the range ‘Overland’ variant adds adjustable air suspension (named ‘Quadra-Lift’) to the mix.

The ride quality is greatly improved over the outgoing model. We found the handling to be stable on road and refined too. For a two tonne plus full size SUV the amount of bodyroll on offer is entirely acceptable, especially considering that the Grand Cherokee has retained its awesome off-road capabilities.

The steering feel is also much improved with decent levels of feedback. An 11.6m turning circle is entirely acceptable for such a big vehicle.

The Select-Terrain traction control system allows the driver to choose from five different drive options (Snow, Sport, Auto, Sand/Mud and Rock – the latter rising ground clearance to an impressive 271mm).
Not so good

Lacks the class leading road handling capabilities of a BMW X5 or a Porsche Cayenne (but to mention the far less expensive Grand Cherokee in the same sentence is praise in itself).

Softer than most ride can get the big Jeep a little wrong-footed over rougher road surfaces when the pace is on.
Buying and Owning

Buying and Owning

 Good

Far, far better value than any previous big Jeep. Less expensive, more features, better economy and far better to drive.

Ticks the safety box with hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway control, full-length side-curtain and seat-mounted side thorax airbags, and active front head restraints.
Not so good

No seven-seat option and the turbo diesel is still to arrive Down Under (it’s not too far away we hear). For a number of urban buyers the hint of a rear wheel drive version in 2012 sounds tempting too.