Grand Cherokee: A Jeep with the Identity Crisis?
At at a fraction of the price if its rivals, Grand Cherokee makes minor concerns irrelevant. No matter how big its luxury identity crisis
Jeep’s fifth-generation Grand Cherokee has some big shoes to fill. The brand established on the vehicle built to win the War, has become increasingly civilian over the years. Jeep has always retained its ultimate ruggedness and off roadability deep at heart. So, we expect any Jeep to be ultimately off-road, rugged, dependable. And capable of carrying the country on its back.
At the same time, the car world has evolved over time. We were at that war 80 years ago, and the times have moved on. Unique as a luxury 4×4 when first introduced in 1992, the Grand Cherokee had few rivals back then. Today every man and his dog has a luxury SUV, as they now call them, in their line-ups. And while Jeep does its best to maintain its pioneering position in the market, it is also under pressure to maintain face against a barrage of rivals.
Therein Lies the Grand Cherokee Conundrum
And therein lies the Grand Cherokee conundrum. Of course, it now has its long wheelbase seven-seater L sibling on top of the range, and that car must box clever against the likes of Land Cruiser 300, Disco, GLS and the X7, et al. So, it is forgiven for its bias to a more street cred. But this classic, shorter wheelbase Grand is the real deal. Let’s see how it shapes up.
11.3 inches shorter than the L at 16-foot 1 inch long, the five-seater rides on a five-inch shorter 9-foot 7 inch-wheelbase version of Jeep’s latest dedicated flexible unibody chassis architecture. It’s still bigger, with more space and versatility than the old one. 144 cubic feet of passenger volume is four up on the previous car, while 37.7 cubes of cargo space behind an electronic remote release tailgate, also climbs 4%. The rear bench of course folds down to deliver a panel van-like load space.
Despite its gargantuan looks, the new Grand is lighter. Which is good for everything from 4×4 ability to performance and fuel economy from Jeep’s smooth and venerable 281 HP kW 253 lb.-ft all-aluminum 3.6-litre Pentastar V6. The variably timed two-step variable valve lift chain-driven dual overhead camshaft 60-degree vee lump has integrated exhaust manifolds. Its accessories bolt directly to the block. Boasting improved start-stop, 90 percent of that torque is available from just above idle in a broad 4,600 rpm band.
As Ever, It Transfers Torque to the Wheel With Most Traction
Turning a robust TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, the V6 drives Jeep’s latest Quadra-Trac II 4×4. As ever in a Grand Cherokee, the system actively transfers torque the wheel with the most traction. Grand however now adds front axle disconnect and sway bar disconnect to ensure broadest versatility.
Front axle disconnect automatically senses when road conditions do not require all-wheel drive, leaving Grand Cherokee to run in rear-wheel drive only. Not only does that reduce driveline drag and improve fuel economy, but the four-wheel drive automatically re-engages as the car senses it is required. That’s about when the sway bar disconnects to deliver improved articulation and traction over the toughest terrain.
There’s one off-road compromise, however. To ensure best on-road driving dynamics, the latest Grand Cherokee comes with Quadra-Lift air suspension. So, while Grand Cherokee chases GLS levels of ride comfort, the air springs do offset a degree of ultimate off-road ability. That said, the Grand Cherokee still delivers eye wateringly well off the road.
Selec-Terrain Coordinates Grand Cherokee Systems
The air suspension also allows Grand to pump up to a class-leading 11.2 inches of ground clearance, while it will ford water up to 24 inches deep. Ours did not have a hitch, but its 6,200 lbs. towing capacity is more than adequate. We have read some criticism of ultimate towing ability being a compromised by the air suspension. But most tow critics praise it.
Grand Cherokee also has Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud and Sand Selec-Terrain and electronic semi-active damping. That automatically adjusts the dampers to changing road conditions for enhanced comfort, stability, and control. It also has a manual override.
Selec-Terrain meanwhile coordinates traction management. It adapts 4×4 torque split, braking and handling, steering and suspension systems. Selec-Terrain also varies throttle control, transmission shift, transfer case, traction control, stability control, anti-lock braking system and steering feel.
Grand Cherokee is Very Clearly Still a Jeep
If anything, the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee certainly looks the part. A forward-tipped Wagoneer style 7-hole grille splits the ultra slim full LED signature headlamps. A longer hood and cab also shift the visual balance rearward for a better sense of motion. And while the roof line looks slippery and tapered, it does not impinge on space and utility. Approach-lit door handles add night-time glitz.
Swing the door open to find a refined cabin. Featuring handcrafted materials and fine attention to detail, Grand Cherokee is also filled with seamless tech. An accessible centre stack sits aft of a large next-generation, 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 display. Five times faster, the fully customizable CarPlay and Auto-rich Android system has simultaneous double phone Bluetooth and a literal herd of USB Type A and fast Type C ports available throughout the cabin.
There’s also unique 17-channel 19 speaker 950-watt McIntosh audio, a Uconnect mobile app, wireless charging, and a one-touch home screen for quick access to frequently used features. Grand Cherokee has customizable full-color head-up display and frameless 10.25-inch digital gauges run by the paddle shifter multifunction steering wheel. There’s even a 10.25-inch passenger screen and a fully digital rear-view mirror.
A Balance Between Touchscreen & Enough Buttons
Relatively simple to use, Grand Cherokee’s interface strikes perhaps the best balance in its class between too much clutter and an overzealous touchscreen with too few buttons. The switchgear is well sized and well complements the screen aspects, which is refreshing. 16-way power adjustable lumbar memory seats have length-adjustable cushions and five user profiles. Their valet mode spreads from seat position to customizable music preferences, apps, mirror angles and climate and comfort levels.
More than 110 innovative Grand Cherokee safety and security features include adaptive cruise control with stop and go, advanced brake assist blind-spot monitoring. Add full-collision warning with active braking and pedestrian detection, 360-degree Park Assist and rear cross path detection. A night vision camera allows enhanced active lane management with departure and lane keeping. Add a back-up camera and rear park assist, and electric park brake, tire-pressure monitoring, drowsy driver detection, and more.
This latest Jeep Grand Cherokee brings a solid, dependable nature to everything it does. From that classic hemi-like tick on the Pentastar V6’s tick-over to a creamy engine note, it delivers in spades. Enthusiastic, easy-going, and laid-back as it has ever been, steering is direct, responsive, and precise. Ride is calm, collected, and quiet. And while it trades a bit off, it is still stellar off the beaten track. Grand seamlessly switches from boulevard cruiser to bundu basher to sportscar. It’s no dragster, but it gets it all done. And then some.
Grand Cherokee a supremely Capable American Alternative
A supremely capable American rival to the Land Rover Discovery, Toyota Land Cruiser 300, Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7 and others, the real beauty of this Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, is that while it will match or even better those giants in just about every way, it’s yours in at a fraction of the price. And that makes any minor concerns that we have, quite irrelevant. No matter how big this Jeep’s luxury identity crisis may be.
ROAD TESTED: Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6 Overland Engine: 281 HP kW 253 lb.-ft 3.6-liter petrol V6 Drive: 8-speed automatic 4x4 TESTED: 0-60 mph: 7.94 sec 0-100 mph: 18.62 sec ¼-mile: 15.5 sec @ 92mph 50-75 mph: 3.34 sec 75-100 mph: 7.97 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 137 mph Fuel: 23.7 mpg Range: 550 miles LIST PRICE: $60,690 MSRP RATED: 8
Images & test data: Giordano Lupini