2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OVERLAND: AMERICAN, THE BEAUTIFUL

Published: May 9, 2016

Since joining the Texas Automotive Writers Association and attending their annual Truck Rodeo I don’t recall a single year when Jeep’s Grand Cherokee didn’t take home a trophy. Every time I drive the Grand Cherokee, in any trim level, this SUV reminds me just how good it really is. I’ve spent quite a bit of time behind the wheel of the SRT powerhouse, I’ve driven both gas and diesel versions, and I’ve Grand Cherokee’d all over Texas on and off the road. This week I’m driving Jeep’s Overland trim Grand Cherokee, and I really like the combination of luxury, capability, and price. Let’s take a closer look and see what’s what.

The Looks: In taking a look at the exterior design of the Grand Cherokee you’ll know it hasn’t changed much in the past five years. It’s a much less controversial design than that found wrapping the smaller Jeep Cherokee. The headlights have received a more modern and upscale look with a Chrysler 300-esque vibe. The profile is much boxier and bolder than most SUVs in its class and that helps convey its Jeepness. Even though it’s getting a little old I still really like and can appreciate the design.

The Inside: Looking inside the Grand Cherokee you see one of the areas where this SUV really stands out from the crowd. The interior quality is absolutely great, especially in the upper trims. My review vehicle was equipped with the two-tone brown and light frost tan interior with wood and aluminum trim. I’m usually not a big fan of light interiors or wood but the materials Jeep chose for this vehicle just made it all work. It’s an extremely comfortable place to be and looks and feels very upscale.

The steering wheel is beefy and fitted with an array of controls for navigating the driver’s info center, nestled in the middle of the speedometer, as well as buttons for cruise control and hands-free voice commands. Behind the wheel, comfortably in reach of your fingers, volume and radio controls make it easy to interface with your music. And if that wasn’t enough, you also get paddle shifters behind that.

Moving along to the infotainment center, we had an 8.4-inch touchscreen display sporting Jeep’s Uconnect system. This is growing to be one of the better systems out there, with very clear and responsive controls. You also get access to apps such as a weather app that I took advantage of during my storm-filled week reviewing the Jeep.

Although the Grand Cherokee isn’t offered with a 3rd row, the interior is very spacious and you have a lot of room in the rear for cargo. As long as you don’t need to carry more than 5-passengers, it will be just fine. My family is bigger (four kids) but we were still able to utilize the Jeep for a bunch of family errands carrying all but one kid.

Under the Hood: The 3.6-liter V6 in our test Jeep gets up to 26-mpg highway mileage and offers up 295-horsepower, so it’s still pretty efficient for the size and has enough get-up-and-go for good highway maneuverability. This engine is matched up to an 8-speed automatic transmission, keeping the engine’s rpm low for optimal economy. The one gripe you usually hear with transmissions containing more than the normal 6-gears is that they tend to jump around, hunting for the perfect gear. The Grand Cherokee never seemed to suffer from this, as it was pretty much always smooth and responsive.

On Road: Using the Grand Cherokee as a daily driver means you’ll be cruising in smooth luxury. Connecting the wheels to the road is Jeep’s Quadra-Lift air suspension, supplying five height adjustments, and also gives you one of the smoothest rides out there. I really think that if you’re looking for a luxurious ride there’s not an option in this segment that competes with the Grand Cherokee.

Off Road: One of the great aspects of our Truck Rodeo event is having the opportunity to really take these vehicles off the beaten path and see just how well (or not so well) they handle it. Throughout the years we’ve had some pretty difficult conditions at the Knibbe Ranch, but there’s never been a point at which I didn’t feel comfortable taking the Grand Cherokee – or any Jeep – along the gnarliest paths.

During my week of testing this Overland the most off-roading this Jeep saw was parking in the field out at our local baseball complex. I drive out here every week taking my son to his games or practices, and with all the crazy weather we’ve been getting lately in Dallas the field is pretty beaten up. The week before driving the Grand Cherokee I was in the Colorado Diesel and before that we took our Grand Caravan out there. Both vehicles, while handling the conditions just fine, gave you a pretty rough ride in the rutted backroad. The Jeep, utilizing its air suspension, handled the road exceptionally well. It did so well I made an extra pass at higher speed; the Grand Cherokee was able to keep its composure the entire time.

Wrapping up: I went into this review week already a big fan of this SUV, and for many good reasons. The biggest negative you can bring up regarding the Grand Cherokee is the ever-increasing price tag. Our Overland package occupies a good middle ground, coming in at just under $50K – but you can easily stretch that into nearly $60K, and swinging for an SRT can hit you for over $70K.

When you think about it, this is the SUV that can deliver you everything from off-road capability to luxury on-road driving for one still-attainable price. In my book the Grand Cherokee remains an all-around win.

http://txgarage.com/2016/05/2016-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland-american-the-beautiful/

 

Jeep Adds Two Grand Cherokee Models for 2017

Photo of 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk courtesy of FCA US.

Copyright © 2016 Automotive Fleet. All Rights Reserved.

March 23, 2016

FCA’s Jeep unit will roll out two more Grand Cherokee models, including the Trailhawk and Summit, for 2017. The two models appeared at the New York International Auto Show, and will arrive at dealer lots in late summer.

The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk adds off-road 4×4 capability features, including Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system with rear Electronic Limited Slip Differential (ELSD) for all powertrains, a unique version of Grand Cherokee’s Quadra-Lift air suspension developed for Trailhawk that offers improved articulation and total suspension travel, as well as Selec-Speed Control with Hill Ascent Control. Skid plates and a Trailhawk-specific anti-glare hood decal are also standard.

Approach angles on the Jeep Grand Cherokee are 29.8 degrees or 36.1 degrees when the lower front fascia is removed for severe off-roading, while the breakover angle is 27.1 degrees and the departure angle is 22.8 degrees. Grand Cherokee Trailhawk models offer up to 10.8 inches of ground clearance.

The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit arrives with an updated front fascia, grille and LED fog lamps, with new 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. The full leather interior boasts a Nappa leather-wrapped dashboard, center console and door panels, and Laguna leather seats with edge welting.

2017 Grand Cherokee Summit adds more standard equipment such as auto-folding power mirrors, headlamp washers, blind spot detection, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control and, for the first time, lane departure warning and parallel and perpendicular park assist.

2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee a rugged vehicle with a touch of class

The Jeep Grand Cherokee holds its own when it comes to good looks and a refined interior, but still is a class leader when when it comes to off-roading ventures.

Paul Borden

2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Rating: 5 Star

Long known for its utility and ruggedness, not to mention its off-roading prowess, the Jeep Grand Cherokee got a major upgrade when it came to interior refinements in the redesign for 2011, and it remains a legitimate contender in its class for 2015.

In its analysis of reviews, U.S News & World Report ranked the Grand Cherokee No. 6 among a dozen affordable midsize SUVs, No. 3 among 14 off-road SUVs, and No. 6 among 25 midsize SUVs with two row-seating.

The automaker itself heralds the 2014 Grand Cherokee as the “most awarded” SUV ever including recognition as SUV of Texas (Texas Auto Writers Association), official winter vehicle of New England (New England Motor Press Association), top safety pick (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), and best premium standard utility (Northwest Automotive Press Association).

There’s more, but you get the drift.

The Grand Cherokee gets only a few changes for 2015 with the Summit trim receiving some noise-cancellation features as standard and the SRT getting a slight boost up to 475 horsepower from 470.

In addition to the Summit and SRT, the latter for those drivers interested more in high performance than off-roading, the Grand Cherokee comes in Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, and Summit trims with a choice of V6, turbocharged V6, V8, or turbocharged diesel power, and rear- or all-wheel drive.

The only transmission offered is a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters for manual gear selection, but you also have a choice of setups for AWD. Quadara-Trac I is a single-speed transfer case that requires no input from the driver when it comes to adjusting to road conditions. Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive are variations of a low-range transfer case for serious off-roading, are manually adjustable, and offer a neutral setting for towing behind another vehicle.

Our test vehicle was the Grand Cherokee Altitude 4X4 with the standard 3.6-liter V6 and Quadra-Trac I. With 290 horsepower at 6400 rpm and and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4800, it offers more than enough in the way of oomph and towing capacity (6,200 pounds) for most of your everyday situation. When it comes to fuel economy, it’s rated at 17 mpg city, 25 highway with two-wheel drive and 17/24 with all four wheels doing the work. (Just for the record, if it’s torque and fuel economy you want, the diesel offers 420 lb.-ft. of the former with fuel economy of 22/30 in 2WD models and 21/28 with 4WD.)

The Grand Cherokee is a pleasant-driving car, though you must tend to be selective in finding adequate-sized parking spaces so as not to give or receive door dings. Shorter passengers also may find getting in and out a slight chore, but a handle over the door is a big help.

The interior oozes quality and comfort. Standard amenities on all Grand Cherokee models include front and rear LED lighting, dual-zone climate control with air filtering, leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, tie-down cargo loops in the rear, rear window wiper/washer, 12-volt power outlets front and rear, and premium insulation for sound deadening.

The Altitude package replaces the 17-inch wheels with 20-inchers, adds touches of black trim, and includes an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with four-way adjustable lumbar support, and a power lift gate in addition to some other convenience features like remote start and heated front seats.

Thanks to the lack of third-row seating, second-row passengers get over 38 inches of legroom, and the Grand Cherokee offers generous cargo space that nearly doubles when the second row is folded.

Base price for the Grand Cherokee starts at just under $30,000 but runs all the way up to over $64,500 for the top-of-the-line SRT.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Heels on Wheels Review

INTRO TO THE GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLE
Since its 1992 debut, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has proven to be an innovator where the mid-size sport utility segment is concerned by combining serious off-roading roots with pure elegance, most aptly represented by the all-new Summit trim grade with a diesel engine garnering 28 miles-per-gallon highway.

I drove a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine with 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque plus best-in-class towing capability of 7,400 pounds. Also matched to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission, my test drive was equipped with Quadra-Trac II four-wheel drive system with Selec-Terrain and Quadra-Lift suspension. Available in five trims – the base Laredo, Limited, Overland, my all-new Summit test drive and SRT – the Summit came with the following standard features: eight-way power front seating for driver and passenger; heated front and rear seats; heated steering wheel with audio controls; nineteen-speaker audio system; Bluetooth; Uconnect multi-media system; touchscreen display and backup camera; XM Radio; remote start; wood and leather-wrapped wheel; Bi-Xenon headlights; fog lights; twenty-inch wheels; LED headlights. Total price as described comes to $51,195.

Although the diesel engine definitely makes the Grand Cherokee unique, similar SUVs with the same echelon of luxurious options paired to off-road performance includes the Toyota 4Runner and Ford Explorer.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA

Stylish But Comfortable Results: The Summit cabin is loaded with quality materials, from the Natura Plus leather with edge welting to the a suede-like lined ceiling. Highlights include the Uconnect system and the massive 8.4-inch touchscreen, the CommandView sunroof and rear liftgate glass – all built into the Summit’s price. The second row features heated seats, two USB ports, climate vents and a pull-out center console with cup holders. The Toyota 4Runner has refreshed styling, most noticeable in the grille, front fascia and headlight design, with more refined appointments and an improved Entune infotainment system – but is a few shades less in elegance than the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Function remains a draw with up to 68.3 cubic feet of rear cargo storage space. For an additional $1,995, you can get the available rear Blu-Ray DVD player.

Reliability & Safety Factor: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Grand Cherokee ratings of “Good” in all areas omitting small overlap front, which earned just “Marginal.” You can view actual results on their website. Standard safety includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, and an advanced airbag system. The Summit also included all the modern safety technology you’d want, such as Park Assist, Blind Spot and Cross Path Detection, Forward Collision Warning with Crash Mitigation.

Cost Issues: The base Grand Cherokee Laredo starts at $31,195; the Limited at $38,195; the Overland at $46,195; and the performance-driven SRT at $63,995. A base SR5 4Runner starts at $32,820; the Trail trim at $35,725; and the Limited trim at $41,365 ($43,400 with options). And a previous 2014 Dodge Durango test drive with a rear DVD system, upgraded Bi-Xenon headlights, and a Blind Spot Monitoring System elevated the cost to $45,465. Note the diesel engine adds $5,000 to the price. (see specs for all below article)

Activity & Performance Ability: Jeep’s four-wheel drive Selec-Terrain traction management system is as simple as turning a dial in the lower center console area. Paired with the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, the Grand Cherokee’s trail-rated status can be felt from sand to snow. The 3-liter diesel engine is a surprising option if you want to stretch your gas numbers – it retains an average 24 miles-per-gallon combined, although the heaviness of such a powertrain affects handing a bit. My only other complaint is the current fascination with changing the way we work an automatic shifter – with the Grand Cherokee, you must press buttons to put the vehicle in drive, park or reverse, which requires a learning curve. I have also tested the 3.6-liter V6 engine with the eight-speed transmission, which was both smooth and responsive; and there is also a 5.7-liter V8 engine.

The Green Concern: The 3-liter diesel engine is a great choice at 21-city and 28-highway foe a combined 24 miles-per-gallon. The 3.6-liter V6 averages 17-city and 24-highway for a combined 19 miles-per-gallon. The Toyota 4Runner with the 4-liter V6 gets 17-city and 21-highway for a combined 18 miles-per-gallon combined.

FINAL PARTING WORDS
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is luxurious and capable and is unique out with its available 3-liter diesel that delivers a combined fuel economy of 24 miles-per-gallon, making this a mid-size SUV that stands out in a very competitive class.

2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Review: A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing

By Staff Reporter | December 19, 2014

The 470bhp 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is leading the way in the do-everything SUV sector along with still being able to tear things up on the track.

This is thanks to Jeep having given in to pressure to make a performance orientated Cherokee that is able to go up against entries that are coming from Japan along with Germany. The Cherokee of old was more than a handful when on the road and for off the road it was too low, however it more than made up for it with the acceleration, which was something else.

Jeep then had a second try and this was an improved model that offered superb acceleration along with driving dynamics that anyone would be happy with in a sports car, yet it was still packed with the luxuries and amenities.

The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT has styling that is just right as it isn’t too flashy but it stands out on the street when parked among other cars. Everything has been lowered on the car and the V8 470hp can actually be a little overwhelming at first. You only have to press lightly on the throttle and it blasts away and the 8 speed automatic works perfectly with it.

There is no body roll and it takes bends superbly without squealing around corners and has grip that is superb. The suspension can be adjusted and if you have it around normal or one click towards sporty it is perfect. Almost all elements of the car shout out luxury and you are going to be impressed.

One thing with the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT that does let it down is the uConnect infotainment system and this went blank or froze on occasion. Other than this the car offers a cabin packed with luxury and the car offer performance that is blistering.

Jeep Grand Cherokee 2015 Specs & Details: SUV The Best Ever?

Posted by John Mar Lumbayan (media@latinospost.com) on Dec 16, 2014

While the choice for SUVs has never been so varied for the longest time, with Ford, Chevy and Toyota among others, releasing their best SUV models for the year, Jeep takes itself a notch higher from its fierce competitors. The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee ramps the roads with a whole new level of promise in specs and price.

The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee is regarded as one of the best SUVs in the world. The award-winning SUV boasts a carved interior and can steer you to places in comfortable fashion. With 31 hwy mpg+ and more than standard, state of the art applications and devices, this SUV could very well be the best ever in the line.

The previous versions of Grand Cherokee were never short of stunning and the makers of the car continue to improve the experience with it. The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee steps away from the traditional looks and style of SUVs by combining carved and visceral exterior with luxurious and urbane interior — something that separates it from the rest of the guys.

The designers employed aerodynamics and “lowered front end, hood scoops and LED headlamp”, Master Herald reports.

The Grand Cherokee uses a V8 Hemi for its power, and the physical engine block is connected to an advanced eighth-speed automated transmission system, which allows for a faster speed without consuming too much fuel. What is even more interesting in this new model is that it complies with the PZEV or the Partial Zero Emission Vehicle standards, making it environmentally-friendly.

Jeep is trying to make the 2015 edition unmatched as the company integrates a superior electronic system. It has an automated stop-start technology for the Grand Cherokee’s 3.2 liter V-6, according to NY Daily News.

The designers also add electronic security driver aids by installing a low-speed crash mitigation technology that is part of the collision warning system. Its engine can deliver up to 271-horsepower, with a front wheel drive registering a 22 mpg in combined driving, NY Daily News reports.

The Grand Cherokee is constantly being compared to the Land Rover, which is believed to have the same specs but reviewers draw the line at the flexibility of the car — it can drive like a car and truck but excels both in paved surfaces. There is nothing like it in the world today. The Grand Cherokee shines from the rest of the mainstream and swank brands.

Do you think the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the best SUV?