The front-end has received the most
extensive surgery: the grille is narrower and differs from derivative to
derivative, while the head lamps are slimmer bi-xenon units adorned with
daytime-running lamps. Lastly, the fog lamps are higher and more pronounced. At
the rear, the designers have reshaped the tail lamp clusters, enlarged the
spoiler and tweaked the bumper design.
Climb inside and you're welcomed by a
new multifunction three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters, real (we'll
take Jeep's word for it) wood trim and leather on the dashboard and seats.
Heated front and second-row leather seats feature across the mainstream range,
while the SRT has a leather/suede option.
Narrower grille and headlamp designs
have sharpened the Grand Cherokee’s frontal aspect
The Overland and SRT versions are
equipped with ventilated front seats and some models are also fitted with
panoramic sunroofs.
Further adding to family arguments
about music selection is the new UConnect 8,4-inch infotainment system and two
USB ports in the rear. This system features a text-message reader, while a
revised instrument cluster lets you scroll though an extensive selection of
vehicle data using the steering-wheel controls. A very cool item on the SRT is
a 19- speaker, 825 W Harman Kardon surround-sound audio systems. A rear
dual-screen DVD entertainment system is available across the range as an
option.
I can certainly attest to the cabin's
comfort; at the launch, we completed a 900 km route, giving us an up-close-and
–personal experience with the "new new" Grand Cherokee. Along the
route, we drove the 3.6 V6 petrol Overland (the same engine as the Limited
version's, but it's better specced and has a limited-slip diff), the powerful
SRTB with its 5.7-litre VB petrol powerplant and slightly too-firm ride and a
5,7 Overland. I spent most of my time in the latter and, with its level of
performance and comfort, it was definitely my favourite in the line-up. While
not at the launch, face lifted 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel Limited and Overland
models are on sale from next month.
The extensively equipped cabin features
a new multifunction steering wheel, as well as updates to materials and trims
Another new addition under the bonnet
is a ZF-developed eight-speed transmission that is standard on all derivatives
and which replaces the archaic Mercedes-Benz-donated five-speeder. It shifts
smoothly and improves fuel consumption.
Also easing the strain on your wallet
is Eco Drive, which is automatically activated on start-up and mapped for
optimal, fuel - efficient gear changes and throttle response. It also activates
the air-suspension, lowering the car by 13 mm for extra aerodynamic efficiency.
Safety has not been compromised. These
include seven airbags, EBA, ABS, hill –start assist, front and rear park
assist, reverse camera and a rain-sensitive windscreen. The SRT model further
gets adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning and a launch control
functions.
Now, you'd expect all of this to cost
a pretty penny. However, the Grand Cherokee has always been a well-priced
product and nothing has changed in the update. It still undercuts the
equivalent Land Rover Discovery and Volkswagen Toaureg models while offering
better overall specification.
The Grand Cherokee will never be
mistaken for a sports sedan, but it is stable and confidence inspiring
As fellow CAR colleague Peter Palm
wrote in his long-term wrap-up of his Grand Cherokee, it's a "supreme all
–rounder offering comfort, off-road ability, space and decent fuel
economy."
Last year saw the highest ever sales
in South Africa for the Grand Cherokee and we predict Jeep will achieve further
market success thanks to the face lift.
