2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 - Four Seasons Update - June 2011
By Donny Nordlicht
Months in service: Six
Miles to date: 14,844
Our Four Seasons Jeep Grand Cherokee spent a month-long stay on the East Coast, where it spent much of its time as senior editor Joe Lorio's daily driver. He came away overall with a positive impression of the Jeep, echoing much of the past sentiments of those here at 120 East Liberty Street.
"Unless you're towing something really heavy, I can't see the need for the V-8 anymore, as the new six is plenty adequate," he said. Lorio praised the steering for its "natural and progressive effort," though he wished for more feedback. He was enamored of the Grand Cherokee's maneuverability. "The tight turning circle, which is one advantage the Jeep has over many transverse-engine crossovers, makes this vehicle easy to navigate around town." He was critical, however, of the way the fat pillars hinder the view out. "Outward visibility has declined precipitously compared to the earliest Grand Cherokee," he noted.
Speaking of the first Grand Cherokee, Mrs. Lorio owned one back in the day, so he put her behind the wheel of the new version to get her take. "She thought it felt taller, larger, and heavier. But at the same time, she found the handling still to be nimble and the powertrain a lot more responsive. And of course, compared to her '96, this interior is much nicer, particularly in Overland trim."
The Lorios ferried the Grand Cherokee to The Elegance at Hershey in Hershey, Pennsylvania, handing it off to Editor-in-chief Jean Jennings, so she could bring it back to Michigan. On the trip to Pennsylvania, Lorio once again found the Grand Cherokee to be "a pleasant highway cruiser." As was the case with our Four Seasons Chrysler Town & Country, the Sirius Backseat TV -- which has kid-friendly but adult-averse live streams from Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon -- proved to be a big hit with its intended audience.
After receiving the keys from Lorio, Jennings commented that the Grand Cherokee became almost invisible while parked next to the Bentley Mulsanne she had driven there. Go figure.
The Grand Cherokee is "a very versatile, livable, everyday companion," noted Lorio. "I'll miss it." Sorry Joe, but those of us in Ann Arbor can't get enough of the Grand Cherokee either.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4
Base price (with dest.): $42,690
Price as tested: $45,805
Overview
Body Style: SUV
Accommodation: 5-passenger
Construction: uni-body
Powertrain
Engine: VVT Pentastar V-6
Displacement: 3.6 liters
Power: 290 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Drive: Four-wheel
Fuel economy: 16 / 22 / 18 mpg (city/hwy/combined)
Chassis
Steering: Electronically-assisted power steering
Turning Circle: 36.7 ft
Suspension, Front: MacPherson strut/ coil spring
Suspension, Rear: Multi-link/ coil spring
Brakes F/R: Power-assisted ventilated disc/disc; ABS
Wheels: 18 x 8.0-inch polished aluminum
Tires: Michelin Latitude Tour
Tire Size: 265/60R18 109T
Measurements
Headroom F/R: 39.9 / 39.2 in
Legroom F/R: 40.3 / 38.6 in
Shoulder Room F/R: 58.7 / 58.0 in
Wheelbase: 114.8 in
Track F/R: 63.9 / 64.1 in
L x W x H: 189.8 x 84.8 x 69.3 in
Cargo Capacity: 36.3 / 68.3 cu ft (rear seats folded)
Weight: 4850 lb
Fuel Capacity: 24.6 gal
Est. Range: 440 miles
Fuel Grade: 87 octane
Standard Equipment
3.6-liter V-6 engine
5-speed automatic transmission
Quadra-Trac II 4WD system
Hill descent control
Electronic stability control
Selec-Terrain system
Quadra-Lift air suspension
ParkView rear backup camera
ParkSense rear park assist system
Trailer tow group
Keyless enter-n-go
Hill start assist
Trailer swap damping
Remote start system
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Heated front and rear seats
Vented front seats
8-way power front seats
60/40 rear split/fold seats
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Uconnect hands-free phone system
30 GB hard drive with 6700-song capacity
9 premium speakers with 506-watt amp and subwoofer
Sirius satellite radio
Heated steering wheel with audio controls
Wood/leather wrapped steering wheel
Power tilt/telescoping steering column
115-volt auxiliary power outlet
20-inch wheels
Command view dual-pane panoramic sunroof
Power liftgate
Smartbeam headlamps
Bi-Xenon headlamps with auto-leveling
Power heated mirrors with memory
Daytime running lights
Options
Rear DVD entertainment center -- $1495
Rear overhead console
Rear seat video overhead system
Power single-pane sunroof
Advanced warning and adaptive cruise control -- $1295
Blind spot monitoring and rear cross path detection
Adaptive speed control
Forward collision warning
Off-Road adventure II package -- $295
18 x 8.0-inch aluminum polished wheels
P265/60R18 on/off-road tires
Skid plate group
Tow hooks
Trail rated badge
Engine block heater -- $50
Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)
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