Since I am 6'7" tall, I don't really get to go car shopping. I get to "try on" cars! My previous car was a Ford Escape - believe it or not, I fit quite well. It was time for my wife to get an updated car, and she liked my Ford Escape so I gave that to her and we bought me the new car. Don't ask why...
Anyway, I wanted an SUV as we have two children and I often carry home improvement supplies such as lumber, tools, drywall, etc. I sat in almost every SUV on the market, and found my only real SUV options to be a new Ford Escape, the Jeep Liberty, or the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I really liked the external looks of the Grand Cherokee, but I found it to be a little more money than I wanted to spend. I decided to test drive the two Jeep products, then make my decision. I already knew how the Ford drove since I had one. After sitting in the Liberty for more than 2 minutes, I realized I just wouldn't be comfortable on trips that were for more than milk and bread. So, I was down to the Escape and Grand Cherokee. After test driving the Jeep Cherokee, my decision was made...I was splurging on the Jeep!
The first thing that struck me in comparison to the Escape was the smooth feel of the driving. The ride is smoother than any SUV, minivan, or pickup I've ever driven. It doesn't quite have the acceleration capabilities of the Escape, but it weighs quite a bit more with a similar 6 cylinder engine.
As for the handling of the vehicle, I would say it handles more like a car than an SUV. This is amazing to me considering it is a "Trail Rated" vehicle. I expected more of a truck feel. I do have to note that when it is not in 4X4 mode, it handles somewhat poorly in the rain. Since it is rear wheel drive, and most of the vehicle's weight is in the front, if the ground is wet and you hit a bump too fast, you can actually lose control when the rear hits the bump. I always switch to 4WD full-time mode during a heavy rain and that takes care of any handling problems. Shifting into the 4WD mode is accomplished simply by shifting the lever at any speed less than 55 mph.
I cannot comment on the towing capacity or handling as I have not used it. I can say that the roof rack is unique in that it is actually part of the main body of the Jeep as opposed to just being mounted to the roof. This allows the Jeep to carry much more weight on the roof than other average SUVs. You do need to purchase the rack crossbars separately (approx $150 per set).
Internally, the vehicle has many strong points. For someone my height, all the instruments are in excellent locations. I could see how someone shorter may have some difficulty seeing all of the dashboard dials, but if you are average or above height you should see everything fine. It also has a mini computer console mounted in the center roof area with the sunroof control switch. This computer allows the driver to set a small subset of user controlled features such as "auto door locks", "service mileage interval", and a few other features. It also has an additional mileage trip odometer that is in addition to the one on the main dashboard. An elapsed time meter is available, as well as an average MPG calculation. External temperature and compass are some other features supplied with this computer. Overall, the computer is a nice addition with some basic functionality that will be welcomed by most drivers.
I have the basic 6-speaker sound system. I think it is fine if you are an average listener like myself. If you are a true audio nut, you definitely won't be satisfied with this sound system and should consider upgrading.
The rear trunk space is quite spacious. I actually was able to carry my softball gear, my golf equipment, and $500 worth of shopping (including some small furniture) without even laying down the entire rear seat. I used the split seat feature and fit everything into the space. For all the space that is provided in the rear, I must say I am slightly disappointed in the storage space in the driver area. The glovebox is definitely the smallest I've ever had, and the center armrest storage only holds about 15 CDs. There are some small storage nooks throughout the dash area, but in general storage is lacking.
The seats are quire comfortable, with the drivers seat having many electronic control settings. The only thing lacking is the ability to preset one or more configurations specific to a person driving so that you could easily find where you were previously if someone else adjusts your seat. At my size, its not an issue as the settings are always all the way down and back!
Of course, the main downside to this vehicle is the gas mileage. It is advertised to get 16-21 MPG. Truthfully, I have found that after driving the Jeep for about 9000 miles, I almost always average somewhere in the 17 MPG range. I have seen the MPG go as high as 23 MPG when driving straight highway roads with few hills. In general, its tolerable, and the range on the Jeep is over 300 miles due to its larger than average gas tank - but, it does come with quite the sticker shock when filling up the tank each time!
Overall, I think this is a great looking vehicle, with plenty of interior space for someone in the "tall" range. It is also great for toting around a child or two, as well as any other larger items you'd generally need. The handing is much better than the average SUV. Gas mileage is a downside, as it storage capacity in the front dash area. But, overall the style and handling of the Jeep far outweigh any of the downsides.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 30500
Condition: New Model Year: 2004
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.