Jeep’s aging flagship packs more polish and capability than ever
Overview: Jeep’s fourth-generation Grand Cherokee may be getting on in years, but few other vehicles can match the breadth and ability of the current GC lineup — let alone this SUV’s off-pavement prowess. The 2017 range is composed of eight standard models spanning from entry-level Laredo to Rubicon-ready Trailhawk to full-luxe Summit (plus the fire-breathing SRT model that we catalog separately and the 707-hp SRT Trackhawk joining the party for
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Base prices: Laredo, $31,490; 75th Anniversary Edition, $36,470; Altitude, $37,490; Limited, $39,090; Trailhawk, $44,190; Limited 75th Anniversary Edition, $44,700; Overland, $45,890; Summit, $51,590 EPA combined/city/highway driving: 17-21/14-19/ 22-26 mpg
2018). Rear-wheel drive is standard fare, with three increasingly capable four-wheel-drive systems available depending on the trim level (all featuring locking center differentials with low range). Also available is a height-adjustable air suspension in place of the conventional coil springs. A ZF eight-speed automatic is the only transmission choice, and it can be paired with Fiat Chrysler’s ubiquitous 295-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, a 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, or a fuelmiser 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel with 420 lb-ft of torque. At the time of this writing, however, the diesel is currently still awaiting 2017 certification from the EPA.
For this review, we drove a midrange Limited V-6 that started just under $40,000 and included the uplevel QuadraTrac II four-wheel-drive system, heated front and outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 7.0-inch LCD information display in the cluster, and a 5.0-inch Uconnect central touchscreen. Inflating the window sticker to a not insignificant $48,230 were the $4,300 Luxury Group II (upgraded 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system, a premium 506-watt audio system, perforated leather upholstery, HID headlights with automatic high-beams, panoramic sunroof, and more), the $1495 Jeep Active Safety Group (adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automated emergency braking, rain-sensing wipers, and automated parking assist), $750 for Uconnect navigation and satellite radio, and $595 for blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
What’s new: Jeep has made good use of the current Grand Cherokee’s platform, which shares an evolutionary branch with the Mercedes-Benz GLE-
class (formerly known as the ML) dating back to the DaimlerChrysler era. Jeep’s flagship — at least until the larger Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer arrive — receives some small yet effective styling tweaks to its nose for 2017 that lend it a crisper, more contemporary appearance. But the real news is the return of the hard-core Trailhawk 4x4 model after a four-year absence. Starting at $44,190 and available with any of the three engines, the Trailhawk comes standard with all of the Grand Cherokee’s most off-road-capable hardware, Kevlar-reinforced Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure tires on 18-inch wheels, increased ground clearance, and black and red accents inside and out. Range-topping Summit models starting at $51,590 have additional standard active-safety tech, along with an available $4995 Signature Leather Wrapped Interior package with supple nappa and laguna hides adorning the dash and door panels.
What we like: As a handsome, solid driving luxury SUV, the Grand Cherokee is hard to fault. There’s seemingly a spec for every taste, and the availability of a stonking V-8 or a fuel-efficient turbo-diesel affords it even greater flexibility. While non-SRT models are not the best-handling vehicles in the segment, the big Jeep always feels secure and composed on the road. Both the GC’s overall design and its interior are attractive and have aged well, with the cabins of upper trims being impressively lavish. And in terms of functionality, it’s hard to argue with the Jeep’s 7400 pounds of towing capacity (with the V-8 or the diesel, 6200 pounds with the gas V-6), its nearly 11 inches of ground clearance (in Trailhawk form), and the comfort of knowing that, in four-by-four guise, this mall runner can tackle just about any terrain and take you to your favorite remote destinations.
What we don’t like: The Grand Cherokee is heavy, and the available equipment that contributes to the Jeep’s capability adds even more to the scales. A 2017 Trailhawk with the gasoline V-6 that we tested weighed more than 5000 pounds and averaged only 15 mpg, the fuel economy of a full-size pickup. All that mass also can make this Jeep feel somewhat ponderous around town. And despite the rear-drive Laredo’s $31,490 base price, even moderately outfitted four-by-four models can quickly approach $50K.
Verdict: An excellent mid-size SUV capable of reaching your favorite mountaintop in style.