Jeep Grand Cherokee 2010 review

It would be easy to say that the new Grand Cherokee is better than we expected, but then we expected a significant improvement over the outgoing model.  Significantly, the model charged with leading Chrysler out of the wilderness of bankruptcy delivers the goods both on road and off.  This new model is the fourth generation of the Grand Cherokee and should land Down Under before the end of this year.

Pricing and variants

Pricing is likely to start around the $55,000 mark, making the big Jeep a very competitive contender.  Two variants — Laredo and Limited — have been confirmed for Australia with a fully loaded third one — Overland — also a possibility.  For the US market, the Overland model features a leather-trimmed dash and steering wheel, full-length sunroof, and 20-in wheels.

Platform

What started as a joint project with previous parent company Daimler has been finalised by Fiat under the new ownership platform. That means the mechanical underpinnings are basically those of the Mercedes ML, which is no bad thing.

From the outset, better on road performance and dynamics were targeted, improved quality and refinement, but no diluting of Jeep's legendary off road ability. Chrysler has the BMW X5 and Range Rover/Land Rover marques in its sights with the new Grand Cherokee.

Engine

The new V6 engine is the main story here, and it generates an impressive 210kW of power and 347Nm of torque. Displacing 3.6 litres, it’s also an efficient powerplant, allowing for a cruising range of up to 850km from one tank.

The V6 engine is a willing performer but it won't live up to the ultimate power of the Hemi V8. It needs to work harder to achieve the same result on road, but off road the V6 worked well in really tough terrain and low speed work where torque delivery is key.

Driving

The first thing you notice when you take your place behind the wheel is the feeling of quality in the cabin. There's a level of fit and finish not previously seen on a Chrysler product. There's almost no road noise transmitted through the cabin.

We sampled both the fully-loaded Overland and the entry-level models and all delivered a sense of quality befitting a more expensive vehicle, which is exactly what Chrysler is aiming for.

All switchgear is simple to negotiate, where it should be placed and easy to operate. The hill descent control and terrain selection controls could not be any easier to use.  In short, the interior is simple, elegant, well appointed and free of any annoying rattles, squeaks or evidence of poor fit and finish.

Chrysler claims a serious improvement — up to 140 percent — in rigidity through the body and you can certainly feel that increased torsional stiffness on road. Select `Sport' on the driving dynamics dial and the Grand Cherokee can be pushed through tight corners at a rapid rate.

There's no scuttling or tram-lining over broken or bumpy surfaces.  Handling is safe and assured and the Grand Cherokee always feels planted.  It might not be quite as taut as the class leading BMW X5, but if you don't want to drive your 4WD like a racecar — you'll be impressed.

Steering feel is excellent. Turn in is impressive even at licence-endangering speeds and the brakes feel strong.  The most significant story off the beaten track is an improvement to the already legendary Jeep offroad performance.

The Selec-Terrain system — similar to that already fitted in Land Rover models — is a winner. It's easy to understand and easy to operate. And it works.

The Quadra-Lift air suspension available on some models makes an enormous difference offroad. There's one level of lift for all off road modes, then another higher level of lift in `Rock Crawl' mode that will see you clambering over even the nastiest obstacles without bottoming out.

Off road you can also remove the lower front valance with a few simple clips to give better approach angles and reduce damage from rocks. This saves expensive repair bills and means once back on road, you're Grand Cherokee won't look like a scarred bush basher.

Low range is genuinely impressive, as is the hill descent control system, which saw the big Jeep negotiate a fearsomely steep descent over powdery dirt without raising a sweat.