Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 2013 review

A decade ago Jeep owners overlooked their vehicles' lack-lustre quality and dubious roadholding manners. They forgave the faults and appreciated the vehicle's single-minded ability to competently cross the most difficult terrain.

Time heals a lot of wounds. The latest Grand Cherokee is imposing and attractively sculpted – and while there have been improvements, most people are willing to overlook any imperfections.

Value

Chrysler and Jeep quality is improving. It's now up to average which is still less than ideal. But where the car lets you down is in the superficial stuff - the coachwork, predominantly - while the engineering seems to be increasingly more durable.

At $65,000 it's a good price for a very well fitted out 4WD that's actually made to go off the bitumen. It's roomy, tows well, has a heap of safety gear, is relatively economical to run - though has no capped-price service program - and has a style that looks as good on top of a dune as alongside a downtown curb.

The Overland is the top-spec model but I think there's better value in a mid-range Limited model with the diesel engine at $60,000. If you stay with petrol, the V6 is $5000 cheaper and better value than the optional V8. Be aware that there's a new model coming with upgrades including a more desirable eight-speed automatic transmission.

Design

Lovely to look at with a chunky body sculptured with neat chamfers and big wheels stuck hard up at each corner. The cabin is equally as attractive but falls down on closer inspection with average dash panel fit and large, cheap-looking switchgear. Yes, it's workable and hints at being rugged but could be improved. The foot-operated park brake is a Chrysler stable mate and is hard to work in off-road conditions. Beautiful perforated leather seats are comfortable, have heating for front and back and cooling for the front.

Electric adjustment - including the tilt/telescopic steering wheel - makes it easy to find the perfect driving position. The heated steering wheel is cool, er, warming. More electrics for the tail gate - with separate lift-up glass panel, which is handy - and the dual-pane sunroof. The liberal space in the boot and the split-fold rear seats give it typical SUV flexibility. The Overland is the most expensive of the Grand Cherokee line-up and offers as much luxury as a top-spec Chrysler 300 sedan.

Technology 

Jeep finds another use for its 210kW/347Nm 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and creates a wagon with running costs that won't break the bank. The engine is powerful on paper but the Overland's weight curtails most of the enthusiasm. It's mated to a five-speed auto then through a two-speed transfer case with constant all-wheel drive. It gets the upmarket Quadra-Drive II transfer case with an electronic rear diff and a five-mode Select-Terrain dial-up traction program like Land Rover's Terrain

Response. The suspension is an electronic air system that changes ground clearance from 205mm to a monster 270mm. The Overland also has a stack of safety gear and a voice-activated media centre with a touch screen, sat-nav, 40Gb hard drive and 10 speakers.

Safety

The Overland has one of the most comprehensive safety-related equipment on the market - certainly within its $65,000 price bracket - but only has a four-star crash test rating. It has eight airbags, electronic stability and traction control, all-wheel drive, a full-size spare, roll mitigation, tyre pressure monitoring, blind-spot assist, active cruise control with forward collision warning, park sensors front and rear, a reverse camera, an accident response system that shuts off the fuel and unlocks the doors, plus rear cross-path detection.

Driving

Jeeps never feel planted on the road. There's always - and this is successive - a new model that has the wishy-washy steering and front suspension quirks that require the driver to make continuous adjustments to maintain the road line. It's almost like Jeep deliberately in-build this vagueness.

The 3.6-litre V6 engine is smooth, potentially sparkling and careful drivers can get reasonable fuel economy. But the V6 is let down by drawing on a five-speed auto with a lazy torque converter. It desperately needs the eight-speed unit - that's due later this year - to close up the gaps in the ratios. To be fair, the engine is dragging around a 2.3-tonne dry-weight wagon.

Driven gently, it's a very comfortable wagon and aside from the distracted steering, makes for a spacious long-distance cruiser. Off the road this is a true 4WD. It soaks up hard bumps and rarely bottoms the suspension and has a brilliant constant 4WD system that ensures maximum traction.

Dial in the terrain on the dash-mounted switch and engine and transmission response, brake aids and even the ground clearance are perfectly adjusted for the conditions. Pick low-range and it's as close to unstoppable as any 4WD. While traction is excellent and assurance that this wagon will go pretty much anywhere, the ride comfort is compromised. The Jeep isn't alone here as any 4WD with a similar air suspension will also produce a hard low-speed ride.

Verdict

Despite a couple of grumbles, this is very competent and given its on-road comfort, makes for a true dual-purpose family 4WD wagon.