Jeep Grand Cherokee AWD 2012 review

America's four-wheel drive rocket has landed in Australia with a price ready to blitz its European rivals.

Value

And that price is south of $80,000. It's a price that staggers even Fiat Chrysler Australia's boss, Clive Campbell. "It's $76,000 - that's special. It has no competition,'' he says. "Dealers were quoting around $90,000 - even they don't know the final price - and were taking deposits, most around $20,000.

"We've sold about 300 - all this year's allocation. "Maybe we could have taken $90,000 for the Jeep, maybe $177,000 (the price of the Mercedes ML63 AMG SUV). But that's not our goal here. We want to build the brand, build our customers.'' The Grand Cherokee SRT8 joins the Chrysler 300 SRT8 that was launched in July.

Explore the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee range

• Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 2012 review: road test
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6L 2012 review
• Jeep Grand Cherokee AWD 2012 review
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 2012 review
• Jeep Grand Cherokee STR8 2012 review
• Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 2012 review: snapshot
• Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012 review

The Jeep version is so well equipped that it only has one option - a dual-pane electric sunroom for an additional $3250. Other features include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, ABS brakes with rough-road detection, forward collision warning, sat-nav and rear camera, six airbags, tyre-pressure monitoring, heated/vented front seats and heated steering wheel with heated rear seats, and an 825-watt Harman Kardon audio with 19 speakers.

The company says it has just posted its best year-to-date sales figures on record, including the best sales month for the Grand Cherokee. In the year-to-date sales, the group has sold more than 15,000 vehicles this year.

"We've sold, in the year to August, more vehicles than we did for the whole of 2011,'' Mr Campbell says. "Some of our models have a waiting list. The diesel versions of the Grand Cherokee diesel Laredo and Overland are now out to up to five months depending on specification. "Demand for the Grand Cherokee is so strong that diesel buyers are no opting to take the petrol models, which is realigning our model mix. A special edition Jet Pack sold out in three months.''

Now, he says, the problem goes back to Detroit (Chrysler Jeep head office) as it realises how popular the model is in Australia. "I want 1000 Grand Cherokee SRT8s for the 2013 year,'' he says. "That may be difficult for Detroit - they only will make 4000 a year - but it's not impossible. "Australia is the third biggest market for Jeep - after the US and China - and clearly the biggest right-hand drive market.''

Technology

The frenetic Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, now in its second generation with a whopping 344kW/624Nm 6.4-litre V8 and a sub-5sec acceleration time, has come in tens of thousands of dollars under its performance rivals. The latest Jeep SRT8 is 10 per cent more powerful, has 10 per cent more torque and yet the fuel consumption is reduced by 13 per cent. It retains the chassis and five-speed automatic transmission and full-time drivetrain of the previous model.

Fiat Chrysler Australia's performance vehicle manager David Mutton says the five-speed was a durable box that suited the engine characteristics of the V8 engine's torque. There was no need, he says, to go to the eight-speed automatic as fitted to the new 300 sedan.

Design

The Grand Cherokee SRT8 has a resculptured body that sits up to 30mm lower than the standard model; has extra bracing to boost rigidity by 146 per cent; and has a unique front bumper with running lights, bonnet vents and a new rear diffuser.

The permanent all-wheel drive system is Jeep's Quadra-Trac with the hydraulic steering featuring a faster ratio, the suspension including active dampening, the wheels are 20-inch alloys and the brakes from Brembo with six-piston front calipers on 380mm discs and at the rear, four-piston units on 350mm discs.

Driving

It's the sound that gets to you first - that gutteral burble of a big-capacity V8 petrol unforced with turbochargers or superchargers. At idle, it's cleverly muted but press the loud pedal and the engine responds so quickly, sparking to attention with an accompanying roar from the trumpet-shaped exhaust pipes. The SRT8 is every bit as aggressive in sound - and appearance thanks to its body kit and 20-inch wheels - as its predecessor but, at the same time, more refined.

The data doesn't say it all - the 0-10km/h time of less than 5 seconds is quick, but it doesn't feel as fast or as raw as the old one. But more people will appreciate this. It's been tamed and, push it harder, and it's far more positive, confident and reassuring though the corners. Jeep fixes the SRT8 with a five-mode control dial that changes the programming of the engine, transmission, stability control and, thanks to the adjustable dampers, the suspension. It works perfectly on Auto - the fail-safe switch - but don't expect a compliant, US-inspired ride.

Instead, it's firm and that shows up how much work has been put into making the body tauter and the suspension more tied down. The sports seats make it more lovable on the track, holding the body as Jeep claims the SRT8 can get to 0.9G in lateral forces. But though it's positively fun on the track, it's just as much a hoot on the roads.

The engine burble is so good you'd forgive the 19-spakr audio, while the firm steering is very well weighted and has plenty of feel. The big wagon grips confidently through corners and is an absolute pleasure to steer.

It has a Select-Track driving mode with five functions that control the engine, transmission, dampening, brakes and differentials through conditions from snow, track, sport, automatic and for towing purposes. The latter mode allows the Jeep to tow up to 2360kg with trailer-sway control. This is the first time a Jeep SRT8 can tow - the previous model had central exhaust pipes that prohibited the fitting of a tow bar.

Verdict

Above all, it's half the price of some Europeans who match its performance but can't match its features.