2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 - Four Seasons Update - March 2011
By Donny Nordlicht
Photography by Matt Tierney
Months in service: 3
Miles to date: 7723
The Grand Cherokee's logbook is becoming less of a mixed bag and more of a praise book, but the five-speed automatic continues to annoy some of us on the freeway, where we are left wishing for another gear to help with passing.
"I understand why Jeep is using this transmission," says senior web editor Phil Floraday. "It's because, after suffering under several bad owners, Chrysler didn't have a modern six-speed automatic in time for the Grand Cherokee's introduction. But if I were a consumer, I wouldn't care about the legacy problems that plague the Chrysler brands, preventing them from having the latest drivetrain components. The reality is, Jeep has to compete with other players that do have more modern equipment, especially at the $45,000-plus price point."
Some staffers are now having issues pairing phones and iPods with the Garmin-based navigation and entertainment system, which fails to recognize some devices. "I spent ten minutes repeatedly trying to pair my BlackBerry," gripes deputy editor Joe DeMatio, "and another five minutes trying with my iPhone, before I finally gave up." We've learned online that other Grand Cherokee owners have had similar problems with the Garmin unit, and it often has to do with software updates on the devices. Update your iPhone, DeMatio, and try again.
As for the wrinkled leather on the dashboard that we complained about last month? Our dealer's service department says it's the first they've seen of it, so they snapped some pictures and sent them off to Chrysler. We haven't heard back from them on that front yet.
These quibbles aside, what has emerged over the past month has been our love for the Grand Cherokee's just-right size. During a weekend trip with family to Chicago, Floraday made full use of the rear cargo space and seating for five.
"I picked up several cases of empty beer bottles so I could bottle a batch of beer this week. I also had a cooler with full bottles of beer, yeast, and hops for another batch, and a variety of household goods my aunt purchased in Chicago over the weekend. We then met the rest of the family for dinner and put five people in the Jeep on the way home, and everyone was comfortable."
Floraday's wife, Amy, was also impressed with the Grand Cherokee's maneuverability; even though her daily driver is the smaller and lower Subaru Forester, she had no problem parallel-parking the Grand Cherokee on the packed streets of Chicago.
The Floradays weren't the only people to adore the Jeep's size -- editor-in-chief Jean Jennings finds it to be the perfect height for entry and egress, and she loves its planted feeling on the freeway. Managing editor of digital platforms Jennifer Misaros had previously complained about the height, but Jennings brushed aside her concerns: "Jen is a shrimp -- of course she needs a stepladder to get in!" The rest of us fall between Jennings and Misaros in stature and are generally in agreement with the boss: the Grand Cherokee is the Goldilocks of SUVs, neither too large nor too small.
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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