The new Jeep Grand Cherokee L now in Zim

The American i)con is back and is once again gunning for the top spot in its category. Since the legendary vehicles were introduced in Zimbabwe in the 1990s, there haven't been many significant updates until this fifth-generation iteration, which was unveiled last night by Zimoco at a glamorous event attended by the who is who of Zimbabwe. Today the media will get to feel the vehicle.

Top government officials and senior executives in the corporate sector have made this car their favourite. It was, however, falling behind Toyota Land Cruiser and Range Rover because it had not undergone significant improvements over the past years. As of today, I bet you it is now part of the discussion again.

For a very long time, one of the names that came to represent the SUV vehicle category was the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This new Grand Cherokee draws influence for its design from the heyday of the Wagoneer in the 1960s and 1970s. In this case, the Grand Cherokee L aims to be a more premiumfeeling, class-leading vehicle with the offroad characteristics you have come to expect from Jeep but provide more, elegantly, as opposed to going for raw off-road ability like its Gladiator sibling.

Design

The Grand Cherokee L maintains recognizable Jeep design characteristics from the outside. L stands for Long. It is the first ever seven seater Grand Cherokee. You get the 7-pillar grille and box-shaped wheel arches in addition to the car's size and formidable appearance. In order to preserve space and visibility, the exterior design of this vehicle incorporates Wagoneer design characteristics including a long bonnet, long roof, and a shark-nose front fascia in a more contemporary way. Speaking of which, the wide glass area here was crucial for external visibility. Considering that LeD lights are a first and standard across the range for this car, the LeD headlights and taillights are sleek and modest. 20-inch polished split-spoke wheels are included with the Overland trim specification. When it comes to the Jeep's style, slim, horizontal curves are the way to go in order to imitate a sleek concept vehicle look.

Interior

The interior of the Grand Cherokee L is characterized by slim horizontal forms continuing the motif from earlier. The dash and center console have a horizontal flow that, when compared to the previous Grand Cherokee, is far more aesthetically pleasing and unified. high-quality materials are used throughout the cabin, which further emphasizes the importance of quality. The steering wheel, seats, and door cards in the Overland trim on drive were covered in Nappa leather. The hardwood trim's texture and appearance were what stood out the most. Polished Walnut was present on the Summit Reserve trim. Luxury is undoubtedly added.

Across the range, a third row of seats is now accessible for the first time in the Grand Cherokee. 7 seats altogether (6 in the Summit Reserve). The third-row rear seats in Overland and Summit Reserve trim electrically fold. A motorized tailgate and electric chairs with lumbar support that have features for quick access and exit are additional convenience features. Three-Zone Climate Control with heated and cooled seats is available in Overland trim. Considering the day's unpredictable weather, the seats heating and cooling capabilities were adequate.

The audio company McIntosh made a comeback in Overland and Summit Reserve trim, providing a 19-speaker, 950watt sound system designed specifically for the Grand Cherokee L. The system's performance is a delight for the ears, and there are many of settings you can experiment with to fit your listening preferences. The location of the steering wheel audio controls, behind the wheel and close to the shift paddles, is very peculiar. however, you have the U-connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as 12 USB-A and Type C connections available to you in the three rows. If you prefer wireless charging, it is also available in Limited and Overland trims.

Additionally, there is a 10.25-inch touch screen (only available on Overland and Summit Reserve trims) in the dash of the front passenger that you may use for navigation or your passenger's isolated entertainment with an hDMI input port.

The volume of the rear cargo varies, ranging from 436 liters (behind the third row) to 1328 liters (behind the second row, with the third-row seats folding) to 2396 liters (behind the first row, both 3rd and 2nd row folded.) The inside is well-designed, and despite the booming McIntosh sound system and the bumpy offroad,

the cabin doesn't rattle. Suitable for families? Yes.

Performance

The 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine is the driving force behind the Grand Cherokee L line. With an 8-speed conventional automatic transmission, this engine, which generates 210kW of power and 440Nm of torque, drives all four wheels. The Pentastar does consume a fair amount of petrol. Manufacturer claims that combined cycle fuel consumption is 10.6 l/100 km and highway cycle fuel consumption is 8.7 l/100km.

The Grand Cherokee L's on-road refinement and 4x4 prowess are now where it sells itself. In its use, it seeks to resemble a Swiss Army knife. Three 4x4 systems are in use here: Quadra-Trac I (Limited trim),

Quadra-Trac II (Only available on Overland and Summit Reserve), and QuadraDrive II with a rear electronic limited slip differential. each of these systems has an active transfer case that sends torque to the wheel that has the most grip in order to increase traction. The Grand Cherokee L's Quadra-Lift Air Suspension with electrically adaptive damping completes the package and is a first for the vehicle. The Selec-Terrain traction management system, which is in charge of all of this, lets you choose from five terrain settings that have been optimised to give the Grand Cherokee L the best possible approach to whatever trail you throw at it. On the range, hill descent control is typical.

On-road equipment is like riding on air thanks to it. The Grand Cherokee L is calm and fluid on the wide road, gliding over the rougher asphalt.

Offroad, the ride is stiffer than you would anticipate, but it's still smooth and quickhandling. Although additional steering wheel assistance in off-road situations would be appreciated, the Grand Cherokee is still able to handle difficult terrain fairly well when the 4x4 technology is functioning as intended.

This car appears to be able to navigate the more difficult 4x4 difficulties with ease and style.

Safety

model: Jeep Grand Cherokee L

3.6 v6 4×4 overland

Price: US$ from 99,5k for the Limited, 127K for the overland and 132k for the top of the range Summit (all before options) engine: 3.6-Litre, v6, petrol Power/torque: 210 kW/344 Nm transmission: 8-speed automatic Fuel consumption: 10.6 L/100 km (claimed)

Luggage/Utility space: 487 L (7-seat config.), 1 328 L (5-seat config.), 2 396 L (2nd/3rd row folded down)

For the Grand Cherokee L, a wide range of safety, security, and driving assistance technologies are offered. Unique safety features include:

•Active

360 roundview camera

Lane Management with LaneSense lane departure warning and lane keep assist.

Adaptive Cruise Control.

Advanced brake assist. Works with the Adaptive Cruise Control as well.

Front, passenger, side, rear, curtain and knee airbags.

Full-Speed Collision Warning for front including Active Braking Pedestrian/Cyclist

Detection and rear cross path detection. ISOFIX childseat mounts with upper tether anchorages

Parallel and Perpendicular Park and Unpark Assist with stop function.

Verdict

the and

Compared to the previous model, the 2022 Grand Cherokee L is a more enticing premium offering. The outward and internal design have undergone significant refinements. It has a premium feel. The third row of seats is really useful and do not appear to be an afterthought in actual use. The Grand Cherokee L will be a charming long-distance tourer with some off-road ability on top of that.

Strangely, the Jeep is designed for offroading; with the equipment available, this would make for a very capable camping vehicle. You will probably see them on our roads before year end.