BIG is beautiful
THE adage is as American as ma’s apple pie...Big Is Best.
And there can be few better examples than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, an honest, tough if old-school example of what many people see as the archetypal SUV.
It snubs the latest values of subtlety, frugality and delicacy in favour of macho looks and large reserves of instant grunt from its 3.0-litre, V6 diesel engine.
Somehow, the robust integrity is infectiously appealing and still has a place in today’s world of niche marketing and faux off-roaders.
The version I’ve been driving is the 75th Anniversary version which appropriately is painted in a deep olive green – recon green actually – which reminds you of WW2, John Wayne and open-top Jeep chases across the desert. There are other hews, by the way. Back to the present, though. This special edition model – 125 have been produced – has bonze 20-inch alloy wheels, black leather seating with orange stitching, a bronze surround to the grille and various appropriate badges marking it out.
And as a concession to modern times, the Grand Cherokee now is fitted with a stop-start system which shaves off a few emissions down to 184g/km.
Performance from the 2,987cc diesel is smooth and effortless, though not as swift as you might expect. 62mph comes up in 8.6 seconds, a figure that can be matched by a number of 2.0-litre diesels. But there are huge amounts of torque available and the eight-speed automatic gearbox relies on this for effortlessly smooth progress.
The sound from a six-cylinder diesel is almost always more harmonious and less agricultural than from a four-cylinder unit, and that of the Jeep is no exception.
Roadholding is solid and safe rather than athletic. This, after all, is a large, heavy high-riding vehicle that’s capable of traversing seriously rough countryside so it would be wrong to expect hot hatch handling.
Quadra-Lift air suspension does a good job in ironing out ruts and bumps and allowing the passengers an easy time of it. It rolls a bit around bends but the bonus is the comfortable ride on bad surfaces.
The cabin is smart, well equipped and solidly put together. It’s spacious enough with plenty of shoulder room and plenty of pockets and compartments for odds and ends. The boot platform, however, is set quite high but is plenty big enough to swallow up all the family clutter.
An 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system incorporates satnav, DAB radio and BlueTooth. Power door mirrors, electrically adjustable front seats, leather upholstery are all standard. Seats front and rear are heated.
The Grand Cherokee is an easy companion over long distances thanks to a combination of good visibility, silent travel and a ride that glides over most surfaces. Permanent four wheel drive is in operation and works well over slippery and rocky terrain.
Only the limited ground clearance might restrict severe off-road adventures. My average fuel consumption worked out at 29mpg.
With a hairy-chested outdoor image, the Grand Cherokee might not be everyone’s bag but it’s certainly characterful and hugely practical with loads of road presence.