2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4
By Donny Nordlicht
Photography by Matt Tierney
Months in service: 1
Miles to date: 2975
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a lot riding on its shoulders. It is amazing that this all-new Jeep even made it out the gate, given the tumultuous history of its development under the auspices of Chrysler's former owner, Mercedes-Benz, and, of course, the fact that Chrysler was going through bankruptcy as the Jeep was nearing production. But it's here, and it's good, thanks largely to the Mercedes-Benz M-class, with which it shares significant components and engineering, even though Mercedes dumped Chrysler by the side of the road in the middle of the Grand Cherokee's product-development cycle. As associate web editor Evan McCausland points out, "despite the Grand Cherokee's dysfunctional heritage, the finished product is a rather cohesive vehicle, with few wrinkles in execution." So cohesive, in fact, that the Grand Cherokee was one of the finalists for the Automobile Magazine 2011 Automobile of the Year award; however, there already have been some wrinkles.
We optioned our Four Seasons Grand Cherokee with all the bells and whistles, minus the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. Starting with a $42,690 Overland 4x4, we added a rear DVD entertainment center for the sanity of those with kids ($1495); advanced warning and adaptive cruise control with blind spot monitoring ($1295); the off-road adventure II pack for the inevitable jaunts off of the tarmac ($295); and an engine-block heater ($50). With luxury amenities never seen before in a Jeep - such as vented front seats, a heated steering wheel, and air suspension - Jeep is gunning for Land Rover like never before. The grand total for our fully loaded natural green pearl coat Grand Cherokee came to a not insubstantial $45,805.
As for those wrinkles, associate editor Eric Tingwall noted that the "leather-covered dashboard is wrinkled and rippled and in some places looks perilously close to cracking. Clearly there is an issue with the adhesive used underneath the leather." With a quick Google search, Tingwall discovered that other owners have reported similar problems, which is a shame because the French-stitched leather itself is indeed worthy of a Land Rover. We've also had to make peace with the fact that our early-production Overland model was mistakenly equipped with the entry-level Garmin-based navigation system, rather than Chrysler's more sophisticated interface. We'll live, especially since the rest of the Grand Cherokee's cabin is pretty swell, and it's a lot roomier than the last model.
Like the last Grand Cherokee, the new one is offered with both six- and eight-cylinder engines, but we chose the new Pentastar V-6 for our tester. Senior Web Editor Phil Floraday points out "the Pentastar V-6 isn't going to make the Grand Cherokee a very fast vehicle, but I do want to see better fuel economy or a little more horsepower and torque than the 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet we get." Officially rated at 16/22 city/highway mpg is about par for the course in its class, but Floraday observed that our Four Seasons Infiniti QX56 manages slightly better EPA ratings (14/20 city/highway mpg) with an 120 more horses, even with the additional 1200 pounds of curb weight. "I think the Pentastar is all the engine most buyers will need or want," counters Deputy editor Joe DeMatio, unless they're towing, in which case the optional Hemi V-8 increases capacity by 5000 pounds, to 7200 pounds.
Not only will this be a test for the car, but also our first Four Seasons test of the new Pentastar engine. We are looking forward to seeing the miles unfold behind the wheel of the Grand Cherokee. With Michigan's snowy season just beginning, there is little doubt that we will enjoy having another capable SUV around the Automobile offices. But will we still love it come summer or will we be wishing for the anti-aging cream to turn back the clock to the Grand Cherokee's glory days?
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
Turns lock-to-lock: x.x
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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