Latest road test: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Big, butch and mean looking the Jeep Grand Cherokee is one masculine machine and sits just below the Commander as the biggest Jeep on UK roads. It’s also easily the most luxurious Jeep out there. With its chunky aesthetics this car has been designed with the family-orientated SUV car buyer in mind with off-road capabilities played down in favour of on-road performance and comfort. Available with a choice of two engines – a powerful 3.0 diesel which is the most popular, or a whopping 6.1-litre V8 petrol unit, the car is only shipped with an automatic transmission. A key feature across the range is the extremely generous level of equipment that comes as standard. Value for money certainly but is it any good?
The 3.0 litre diesel is the engine which appeals to most Jeep Grand Cherokee owners and it’s easy to see why when the only other option is a fire-breathing 6.1 litre petrol engine. However the lack of choice doesn’t mean that we’re left with a bit of a pup engine as the diesel is tried and trusted technology found in different Chrysler-family models and even shows up in the Mercedes-Benz product range. The V6 develops 215bhp and has plenty of torque to call upon which makes this large, hunky brute of a car a pleasure to drive.
The automatic gearbox is also pretty responsive, there is none of that waiting, wondering, hoping that you sometimes get with automatic gearboxes when you put your foot down. Here its much more press, slight pause, then feel the torque and your neck muscles tighten! At top speed the car can hit 124mph and takes just under 10 seconds to hit 62mph from a stationary start. During the test drive fuel economy wasn’t too much of an issue either, ok its not great but this is one big heavy car – official figures 27.7mpg on the combined cycle were almost achieved – I was hitting 24mpg. Those people looking to save the planet better glance away now or at least start looking into carbon offsetting as the car suffers from having emissions of 270g/km – placing it in the worst offenders list for VED ratings. Whichever angle you look at it this is not a green car. Simple, easy to drive, uncomplaining at low speeds, assured and comfortable on the motorway, the Grand Cherokee succeeds as an SUV. For those looking for a vehicle which can handle the rough and tumble off-road, the Overland comes with Jeep’s top of the range Quadra-Drive II 4wd drive.
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This system features front, centre and rear Electronic Limited Slip differentials and means that torque can be distributed (at almost 100%) to any of the four wheels. Throttle Anticipate and Hill Descent control are just a couple of additional features as standard on the Overland, making it one of the best off-roaders in the SUV category. It even comes with handles built in to the A-pillars should you need them!
RoadTestReports.co.uk provides road tests reports written by members of the Guild of Motoring Writers. These reports are complemented by car reviews submitted by the members of the public who drive the vehicles day in day out.
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