Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD - Remarkably Roomy And Highly Interesting Car

16.5.13, Sicily Jeep targets premium rivals with a more refined off-roader

Jeep hopes this revised Grand Cherokee will sustain the encouraging uplift in sales that the manufacturer has been enjoying in recent years. Most significant among the model’s tweaks is a new ZF-derived eight-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the prehistoric five-speed self-shifter and, says Jeep, improves economy and emissions as well as acceleration and shift refinement.

Minor styling changes soften off some of the car’s bluff edges

Together with the 3.0-liter V6 diesel – the focus of Jeep’s UK range – the changes improve the claimed economy by about 10 per cent to 37.7mpg, while CO₂ emissions dip below 200g/km. This puts the Grand Cherokee on a more competitive footing with rivals such as the Volkswagen Touareg and BMW X5.

Minor styling changes soften off some of the car’s bluff edges. The vast cabin has been enhanced, too, with some higher-quality materials. One of the stand-out features is a new multimedia system, which is controlled via an 8.4in touchscreen and features big, bold graphics that make it easy to use on the move.

It doesn’t take long for the eight-speed auto’s qualities to become evident. The transmission is a god match to the flexible 3.0-liter V6 but, despite the presence of a Sport mode that makes the transmission more reactive, this SUV is better suited to cruising than press-on driving. There’s substantial grunt from low revs (allied to a gruff engine note), but with almost 2500kg to haul, the 0-62mph sprint takes 8.2sec. Once settled into a steady pace, though, it feels composed and sounds refine.

It doesn’t take long for the eight-speed auto’s qualities to become evident.

We sample a top-spec Grand Cherokee Summit, which comes with Jeeps’ air suspension and 20in wheels and tires. It felt effectively cushioned, yet also adapted well to keep body roll largely in check. The light steering does a competent job of making a large vehicle feel easily maneuverable, although on twisty roads at higher speeds it lacks feel and communicates little to the driver.

In keeping with Jeep’s rugged ‘go anywhere’ roots, the Grand Cherokee is equipped with a low-speed transfer ‘box and the Selec-Terrain system, which offers pre-configured traction settings for snow, sand, mud and rock in addition to the standard ‘auto’ mode. The air suspension can be raised to a maximum ground clearance of 280mm.

The Grand Cherokee works well as a relaxed, comfortable cruiser

Some light dirt-tracking showed that the big Jeep is tough enough to venture off-road, but even Jeep company chiefs concede that the majority of Grand Cherokee buyers won’t venture near a green lane.

These latest updates improve the Grand Cherokee’s appeal as a rugged, comfortable and spacious cruiser. The to-be-defined UK pricing will be important; on paper it doesn’t look as cheap as, say, an equivalent VW Touareg, although each trim level does come with a generous level of standard equipment.