As little as a decade ago, JEEP’s Grand Cherokee was one of the most popular SUVs available in South Africa, partly due to the fact that most of its modern-day competitors didn’t exist and because of it’s rugged, go-anywhere JEEP abilities. Yet as the years went by and more and more manufacturers jumped onto the SUV bandwagon with luxurious, Euro-centric iterations, the Grand Cherokee was somehow left behind, despite maintaining good sales figures. However, with the local launch of the latest, fourth-generation Grand Cherokee last week, it will only be a matter of time before the Grand Cherokee is again a major player in the local market. Christo Valentyn attended the launch in Limpopo.
The new Grand Cherokee’s styling is a major step forward for JEEP, bringing a good dose of American machismo into the SUV fray without straying too far from the likes and dislikes of today’s sidewalk-climbing SUV buyer. The front is probably the best angle, with the narrow headlights and large seven-slat chromed grille dominating. The rugged, chunky and stylised slides with smaller glass-house makes the Grand Cherokee appear sportier than the outgoing model, thanks also to the use of larger alloy wheels. The rear is attractive albeit bland, with the taillight designs mimicking those of several other players. My co-driver and I saw hints of Toyota Fortuner, BMW X5 and even SsangYong Kyron. It is however a very well-executed, cohesive design in general and I won’t be surprised to see many of its design ideas flowing into other models (it was announced this week that the face-lifted Compass will get a similarly-styled front).
The Grand Cherokee will for now be available with two trim levels and two petrol engines, although a brand new 3.0 V6 diesel engine will join the line-up later in 2011. JEEP’s Limited specification level will from now on cater to the “entry level” customer’s needs, with the Overland specification offering more luxury and specification. However, don’t let the “entry level” nomenclature fool you: even the Limited models are filled to the brim with luxury items and features usually only to be found on higher priced SUVS. JEEP’s research has shown several things that customers demand at this price point and, instead of offering a mile-long options list, has included as much of those items into the package as standard. I can think of several German manufacturers who really should take a leaf out of JEEP’s book…
Some of the standard features included in the Grand Cherokee package include sporty 20-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon High Intensity Dischare headlights with SmartBeam auto-dimming function (standard on both Limited and Overland models), a CommandView panoramic sunroof (optional on Limited models) and an electrically-powered rear tailgate that eases loading and off-loading of luggage.
However, it’s when you get into the Grand Cherokee that you’ll notice the extreme makeover JEEP has given its interiors. Just about the entire cabin is filled with soft-touch materials while the Overland specification even features leather cladding on the doors and instrument panel, giving it a truly upmarket ambiance than compliments the general design and ergonomics of the cabin. Also included is wood trim (genuine wood, JEEP assures me), leather upholstery for the seats (which are electrically adjustable, with lumbar support, heating and ventilation), automatic headlights and wipers, a rake and reach adjustable steering column, keyless entry and reverse camera. Also included in the package is a premium sound system with nine speakers, surround sound and a 506-watt subwoofer, all linked to the Uconnect navigation and Uphone telephone systems.
In terms of engine options, the Grand Cherokee is to be had with either the Chrysler-group’s legendary 5.7-litre V8 HEMI engine or the brand new 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar engine. The V8 HEMI engine is only available in the top-spec Overland model and delivers maximum power of 259kW and maximum torque of 520Nm at 4 250r/min. My co-driver and I did the off-road section of the launch route in this model and I was immensely impressed with how effortlessly the (visually) more daunting obstacles were overcome, but more about off-roading later.
The Grand Cherokee is the first model to be equipped with the company’s brand new 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with VVT technology, an engine that offers an 11% improvement in fuel economy over the outgoing 3.7-litre engine. It delivers maximum power of 210kW and maximum torque of 347Nm at 4 800r/min through a 5-speed automatic gearbox. It’s a smooth, powerful engine but admittedly felt weaker than the big HEMI. I don’t think you would really need anything more than this engine, but in typical American style I tend to agree that there’s no replacement for displacement.
Grand Cherokee sports brand new suspension systems at the front and rear, with the rear now being an independent setup that allows the spare wheel to be housed underneath the boot (instead of outside, underneath the car). The car’s construction process has also been improved and refined and the Grand Cherokee’s torsional stiffness is up a whopping 146% over the outgoing model. Along with this, the Grand Cherokee also incorporates more than 45 new safety-and security systems. Some of the standard features include electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, all-wheel ABS, all-wheel traction control, full-length side curtain airbags, seat-mounted thorax airbags and active headrests.
However, don’t be fooled by the Grand Cherokee’s stylish new interior and exterior – it still features all the JEEP capabilities and ruggedness you would expect, but in a more luxurious package. One of the main features that enhance the Grand Cherokee’s go-anywhere capabilities is the standard inclusion of the QuadraLift air suspension that adjusts the car’s height according to the terrain on which it will be driving. As such the system offers an Aero-mode for when you’re traveling at higher speeds (lowers the normal ride height to increase aerodynamics and fuel efficiency), a park mode to easy entry and exit as well as two off-road height settings for normal and extreme off-roading. Together with the car’s short front and rear overhangs, this allows the Grand Cherokee to go just about anywhere.
The car is also fitted with either the Quadra-Trac II or Quadra-Drive II systems (depending on the model), with the latter system now equipped with an electronic limited-slip differential. In conjunction with system there is also the new Selec-Terrain system that works similarly to Land Rover’s Terrain Response system. Besides and Auto and Sport function, there are also settings for sand and mud, snow and rock, with each system activated by turning the dial on the centre console. Buttons for low range, hill descent control and the QuadraLift suspension is positioned around this dial to concentrate all the drive settings in one area. On the launch route in Limpopo, JEEP gave us the opportunity to follow a trail going right over the Waterberg, at times at angles of 43 degrees. I was immense impressed with the ease with which all the systems work and how it makes light work of some of the more daunting obstacles whilst being cosseted in luxury.
Pricing for the Grand Cherokee range starts at R531 990 for the 3.6 V6 Limited model and goes up incrementally to R581 990 for the 3.6 V6 Overland and R637 990 for the 5.7 V8 HEMI Overland – all three models extremely competitively positioned against competitors like Volkswagen’s new Touareg and – especially – the Land Rover Discovery 4, which is probably the more logical competitor for the Grand Cherokee. In terms of diesel models, we will have to wait for the Grand Cherokee’s V6 model to give our opinion, the crown still resting on VW’s Touareg 3.0 TDI V6 BlueMotion for now.
All things considered, the new Grand Cherokee is a remarkable vehicle. It’s styling is thoroughly up to date and should age well, whilst the improvements in luxury and specification puts it in a brand new league for the JEEP brand. Coupled with its extremely competitive pricing and trail-rated JEEP capabilities, the Grand Cherokee should henceforth not only be considered for its value proposition alone (even though it is its most notable feature). It’s an SUV that should, without a doubt, feature on your shortlist.
- Christo Valentyn
