Grand Cherokee’s on-road ride is refined and responsive
engines are available in five trim levels: Laredo, Laredo E, Limited, Overland, Summit, and the top-of-the-line SRT. All are available in 2WD or allwheel drive. Updates for the SRT include a newly-designed instrument panel gauge cluster, all-new drive modes, revised SRT Performance Pages and weight reduction.
The exterior strikes a pleasant visual balance between refinement and ruggedness sporting a grille that has been designed to give luxe character.
Slim headlamps and a short upper grille refine the front end, while a beefy lower grille gives it a “rugged” demeanor; the base rubber is 17-inch all-season tires and, depending on the trim level, tires can come as big as 20 inches.
Inside is a roomy and comfortable cabin dominated by technology. The center stack has either a 5-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreen, with climate and audio controls that are easy-to-reach and to use. Our drive model had a leather-wrapped shifter and leather-adorned threespoke steering wheel that has paddle shifters and sits in front of a curved information display with details on temperature, gas mileage, speed, trip mileage and more. The standard audio system is a six-speaker setup with AM/FM/CD/ MP3/Sirius XM; dual-zone climate control is included on all models, as are two 12-volt power outlets.
Four engines are available: The 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar delivers up to 295 hp and has been updated for 2016 with engine stop-start, exhaust-gas recirculation, and an advanced twostep Variable Valve Lift system; all three combine to increase efficiency; EPA and exact horsepower and torque have yet to be released. Two optional motors can be ordered with all but Laredo and SRT: a 240 hp, 3.0-liter V6 Eco-Diesel that grinds out 420 lb.-ft. of torque and a 5.7-liter V8, rated at 360 hp and 390 lb.ft. of torque, and delivers an expected 14/22 mpg city/ highway (14/20 with 4X4) and the V6 EPA estimates coming in at 22/30 mpg for 2WD and 21/28 for 4WD. The top-level and highspeed SRT with a 6.4-liter V8 and produces 475 hp and 470 lb.-ft.; fuel economy has not been released. All engines are matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Jeep said it brings best-in-class towing of 7,400 lbs.
We were impressed by the Grand’s on-road ride which is refined and responsive.
We also had the opportunity to motor over off-road trails and up rock climbs; it stands out for its off-road prowess that comes from astute engineering, rugged and compliant suspension and top-notch mechanical systems.
Quadra-Lift — optional on mid-range and standard on higher end models — is Jeep’s air suspension system with ride height settings from 8.7 inches to 11.3 inches of ground clearance and an option to drop the vehicle 0.6 inches closer to the ground for easier parking and better aerodynamics. New ECO mode allows a lowered ride height at speed.