Jeep Grand Cherokee
16-May-2011
- Vital Stats
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$45,000 - $91,990
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Unleaded
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Big!
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4
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For all those chocolate lovers out there, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is just like a rocky-road – think hard and edgy on the outside with a soft-delicious centre.
For all those who aren’t up on the chocolate analogy, let me break it down for you. Launched in Australia in February and retailing starting at $45,000, the latest Jeep doesn’t veer too far from the last version; on the outside, the new Jeep has maintained its rugged and buff look along with the signature front-grill; but on the interior, you’ll find lux seating, wood panelling, a designer dash and unprecedented (for Jeep) European style.
The truth is, the Jeep brand just isn’t cutting corners or roughing it anymore. It’s a five-star ride all the way.
The Scoop.
For any family in the need of a new car, the Jeep Cherokee wouldn’t be a bad choice given the reasonable price point, spacious and comfortable cabin, gutsy persona; and the fact the car can withstand a few good whacks and kicks from the kids on the weekends.
The drive
Despite all the blokey bluster and rough and ready four-wheel-drive persona, the Jeep Cherokee is in fact sensitive, drama-free, light and easy to drive. And fun.
The vision is exceptional when driving the Cherokee, with the height of the vehicle beneficial in both seeing what is in-front of you in traffic and behind when reversing and in the cabin, where a feeling of height, depth and all-round spaciousness prevails.
The Cherokee is practical, yet never plain and whilst the Jeep is now all grown-up, the drive hasn’t lost any of its fun-factor, allowing for you to transit smoothly and safely in the city yet still allowing you to easily let your hair down and rip it up on the dunes.
To this end, the Cherokee has a clever multi-surface selector called Selec-Terrain, letting the driver choose the settings for the terrain for sand, snow, mud or rock. When the drive is on road there’s a Sport mode designed for the driving enthusiast. If that sounds too complicated then there is also an Auto mode that lets the onboard computers work it all out for you. Too easy.
Standouts were the very comfortable steering wheel and electronically adjustable and heated seats; the spacious cabin, the vision and height of the vehicle and the reverse camera.
Safety
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is jam-packed with all the latest safety features including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with rough-road detection, All-speed Traction Control (ASTC) and Trailer-sway Control (TSC). Also to help you on the more challenging of off road areas the inclusions of Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Active Hill Start are reassuring.
3 words to describe this car
Practical, fun, balsy.
What are the best things about this car?
The fun factor, price-point, lack of pretense and lux interior.
What are the downsides of this car?
Using 8.3 litres/100km, it still sips a little too much petrol for our liking and there isn’t a diesel version yet.
What kind of petrol did this car use?
Unleaded.
Soundtrack of choice for the Jeep Grand Cherokee
George Michael – Freedom.