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Jeep are treating customers to an all new model line up of the popular Grand Cherokee, with a varied range of price tags and drive trains to suit all different budgets and requirements.
The five-seat Grand Cherokee comes in three specification levels: Laredo, Limited and Overland. Our test vehicle had the Overland spec. The entry level Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.6-litre V6 petrol starts at $45,000, while the top of the range Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.0-litre turbo-diesel is priced at $69,000. All models are available in automatic only.
Overland has adaptive cruise control, hill descent control, hill start assist, automatic high beam, park assist, and a reversing camera that includes a warning when a vehicle crosses the vehicle's path when reversing.
The 2012 model also has a new design 3.6-litre V6 engine, as we recently tested in a Jeep Wrangler. While it is an improvement in both performance and economy, it is still no fuel saint. Other engine choices are a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 259 kW of power and 520 Nm of torque. We tested the latter.
The big V8 is linked to a six-speed automatic with a manual flick-across shifter. On paper and in reality there's not a lot of difference between the 3.6-litre petrol V6 and the V8. Where it does matter is in towing where the V8 (and the 3.0-litre diesel) will haul up to 3500 kg while the V6 is just 2268 kg. Be warned though the V8 will be thirsty with a load on the back in addition to around 2.4 tonne of vehicle.
The engine has an Eco mode and the transmission is smooth through the shifts. Grand Cherokee is fitted with Jeep's Quadra-Drive II active, full-time 4WD system with low range transfer and electronic limited slip differential for the rear axle.
The latest Jeep Grand Cherokee’s lines are smooth and athletic and of course there's a seven bar chrome vertical grille announcing the Jeep DNA. It sits on 20-inch painted alloy wheels that set off that rugged athleticism. Late last year the Grand Cherokee was given an overhaul for the 2012 season. It had a below par interior and a 3.8-litre petrol V6 that slurped fuel.
Now, the interior sets a new standard for this, Jeep's flagship. The dash sets the tone with stitched leather and the way it seems to naturally interact with the door trim to create a great cabin effect. The seats are supportive, maybe a little too firm, and have a lumbar adjustment. We also liked the colour scheme of black upholstery with ivory roof liner than also ventured down the a-pillar with the other roof supports kept in black.
If we have a dislike it's the size of the steering wheel rim which is designed to fit the mit of a Sumo wrestler. Small people might find it simply too broad. We liked the word ‘Overland' in traditional Willys style embossed into the front seat uprights.
The rear seat is also firm but comfortable. Being leather they will wear in. Storage areas abound and the rear seat passengers now have improved leg room. There's a fold down centre armrest when two occupy the second row. Head and shoulder room is good. The rear seats have heating while the front seats have heating and cooling.
Changes to the Grand Cherokee are small but important: the doors open wider and the passengers have more knee and leg room. Cargo space is up by 11 per cent to 782 litres with the seats up and 1554 with the rear seat folded.
The Grand Cherokee Overland is well up in the safety stakes and comes standard with ABS brakes, traction and stability control, forward collision warning, front and side airbags, side curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag and active front head restraints.
The Quadra-Drive II system is brought back to the basics for ease of use giving the driver a simple series of dial in terrain choices via a centre console selector: Snow, Sport, Auto, Sand/Mud and Rock.
In addition, for off-road work, you can hit the Quadra-lift button to raise the body out of harm’s way, with the maximum height of 271 mm. Despite the classy makeover, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee is still true to its roots as a highly capable get-down-and-dirty off-roader. The ability to substantially lift the body means in most situations off-road the Grand Cherokee will remain grand without the underbody bumps and hits a 4WD might normally accumulate.
However, we suspect most Grand Cherokees will rarely see the dirt and rocks and will be used as urban vehicles that double up as a tow vehicle, given the 3.5-tonne capability. On road the Grand Cherokee is a refined piece of kit that offers a ride as good as any SUV and handles particularly well for a vehicle that tips the scales at almost 2.5 tonne (with passengers) and is capable of tackling the most serious of off-road terrain. Jeep has done well to balance out the crossover without compromise.
Much as we like the rumble of the big American-style V8 engine, if we were forking out our own hard-earned on the Grand Cherokee we would take the 3.0-litre diesel ahead of it.
| Vehicle | Specs | Price* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo (4x4) | 3.6L, PULP, 5 SP AUTO | $14,520 – 19,140 | 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012 Laredo (4x4) Pricing and Specs |
| Limited (4x4) | 5.7L, PULP, 5 SP AUTO | $18,590 – 23,540 | 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012 Limited (4x4) Pricing and Specs |
| Limited 70th Anniversary (4x4) | 5.7L, PULP, 5 SP AUTO | $13,640 – 17,930 | 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012 Limited 70th Anniversary (4x4) Pricing and Specs |
| Jet | 3.6L, PULP, 5 SP AUTO | $16,170 – 20,680 | 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012 Jet Pricing and Specs |
$6,800
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