My Experience

Every once in a while, I see a car commercial whose claims are so ludicrous, I can't help but laugh out loud. The Buick ad where Tiger Woods praised the Rendezvous' "sports-sedan" handling is one example. Dodge's drag-racing Ram spot is another. But the most recent one is a Jeep commercial in which a new Grand Cherokee puts an Audi TT and a BMW 3-Series to shame on a racetrack. Surely they jest. Or do they?

I recently found out at GM's Auto Show In Motion, where a Grand Cherokee Laredo V8 was provided for comparison against the General's latest offerings. I took the Jeep for several laps around GM's cone-marked handling course, and followed the experience up with another test drive at a local dealership. Does the Grand Cherokee warrant its optomistic marketing hype? And, more importantly, is it a good choice in the upscale-SUV segment?


Performance

Jeep offers a choice of three engines in the new Grand Cherokee: a 3.7-liter V6, a 4.7-liter V8, and the increasingly-familiar 5.7-liter "Hemi" V8. The first of these can be discounted right off the bat. With just 210 horses lugging 4,500 lbs of SUV, the V6 will give you the wrong kind of goosebumps on a short freeway on-ramp.

For most drivers, the 4.7-liter V8--standard on Limiteds, optional on Laredos--is probably the best choice. It pulls strongly from a stop, thanks to its robust low-end torque, and acceleration remains reasonably peppy on the move. Throttle response is crisper than in most vehicles of this ilk, too. The 4.7 isn't as refined as a Toyota engine, due to its slightly phlegmy soundtrack and some tingly cabin vibrations. To me, though, its mild coarseness fell easily within the realm of acceptability.

Although the 4.7 provides all the motivation buyers will realistically need, those who want more can outfit their Grand Cherokee with Chrysler's much-hyped Hemi V8--provided they've stumped for the top-of-the line Limited AWD. And when "this thing's got a Hemi," it really does haul. Flooring the throttle lets loose a heady wave of torque, delivered with a uniquely American blend of urgency and effortlessness. Acceleration isn't exactly neck-snapping by sports-sedan standards, but for an SUV, the Hemi's levels of thrust and refinement are spot-on.

One deterrent to ordering that up-option Hemi, though, is the Grand Cherokee's poor fuel economy. The Hemi-equipped Jeep's mileage is a miserable 14/19 MPG, and even the 4.7-liter V8 guzzles to the tune of 15/20 MPG. The 4.7 takes regular fuel, at least, which makes its thirst slightly easier on your wallet--if not your conscience. The Hemi soothes neither, as it requires premium.


Transmission/Clutch

The Grand Cherokee is only available with a 5-speed automatic transmission, regardless of engine choice. Fortunately, this tranny is a notably good one. Its shifts are crisp and well-timed, the gear ratios are appropriate, and I was generally unaware of its operation while driving.

Another nice touch is that a reasonably-responsive "manumatic" gate is standard equipment on all Grand Cherokees. It's not an usual feature for vehicles in this class, but since the Grand Cherokee is cheaper than most of its rivals, it's commendable that Jeep didn't de-content their product.


Steering/Handling

I normally don't expect much from SUVs in this department, so the Grand Cherokee's easygoing dynamics came as a pleasant surprise. Unlike most vehicles in this class, the Jeep steers with the easy familiarity of a good sedan--responses to the helm are prompt and linear, and the firm effort increases naturally as you wind on lock. There's even a bit of road feel to help you sense the limits of grip. The Grand Cherokee's steering doesn't have the meaty heft of the BMW X5's, nor its ultimate sharpness--but it runs a close second in this class.

Similar praise can be laid on the Grand Cherokee's chassis, which is among the most athletic of any SUV I've driven lately. Body lean is fairly mild, even at brisk speeds, and the Jeep feels relatively quick-witted in back-and-forth slalom maneuvers. There isn't as much grip on tap as in most sedans--the tall mud-'n-snow tires and hefty curb weight see to that--but I was surprised by how confidently the Grand Cherokee could be hustled around. It'll even round corners with more composure than most second-string midsize sedans.

What the Grand Cherokee won't do, however, is run rings around Audi TTs and BMW 325is on a racetrack, as suggested by Jeep's audacious advertising. Top-tier Cherokees are indeed potent in a straight line, but the laws of physics (and the Cherokee's middling lateral grip) dictate a certain measure of caution in sharp turns--a rule that doesn't apply to vehicles with a lower center of gravity.

Oh, and a little ethics lesson for Jeep: when you're selling a vehicle with "Rollover Warning" stickers affixed to its sun visors, don't go encouraging your buyers to race BMWs.


Ride

Since my tastes run a bit far out on the enthusiast fringe, I look for two qualities when judging a vehicle's ride: a solid, shake-free structure, and firm, well-controlled suspension movements. And unlike most SUVs, the Grand Cherokee scores quite well on both counts. Its bodyshell feels reassuringly stiff over the bumps, and while its body motions become slightly buoyant in hard driving, they're commendably subtle under normal circumstances

Most buyers are considerably pickier about what constitutes a comfortable ride, but the Grand Cherokee should satisfy most of them as well. It soaks up rough spots with impressive softness, and exhibits carlike composure over uneven surfaces. Noise levels are muted, too. If you're a sedan or minivan driver defecting to your first SUV, this could be one of the Grand Cherokee's biggest selling points.


Interior

As with many recent Chrysler products, the Grand Cherokee's interior tries hard--perhaps too hard--to convey a feeling of toughness. Chunky and angular shapes dominate the cabin, and there's precious little subtlety in the dash and door panels. Given the wrong color scheme--specifically, the drab grays of the base Laredo model--the ambiance seems to mimic that of a work truck. Limited versions are better, with wood and chrome accents that lift the mood from "bleak" to merely "brash." But if you're looking for Lexus-like delicacy and detailing, well, get a Lexus.

Sticklers for materials quality may also be tempted to shop elsewhere. That's because, in keeping with the "industrial-strength" styling, Jeep trimmed the Grand Cherokee's interior in hard, pebbly plastics that neither look nor feel rich. In fairness, they don't feel cheap, either--everything's too tightly-assembled for that--but the overriding impression is one of durability, not luxury.

So, what is there to like about the Grand Cherokee's cabin? Quite a lot, actually. The driving position, for example, is among the best of any midsize SUV--the view out is confidently tall, and there's a natural, carlike reach to the wheel and pedals. The front seats offer good support, too, with more lateral bolstering than most SUVs. And even though the Grand Cherokee's switchgear lacks finesse, it's laid out with an appealing simplicity that eludes many vehicles in this class. If it weren't for the excessively thick roof pillars, the driver's environment would be just about ideal.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the Jeep's back-seat accommodations. The rear bench is thinly-padded and low to the floor, and its bottom cushion rolls off too early for decent thigh support. There's no surplus of legroom, either--in truth, a Honda Civic offers more space. As a result, it's difficult to justify buying a Grand Cherokee for family transport.


Practicality

Further discrediting the "utility" portion of the Grand Cherokee's "sport-utility" moniker is its lack of third-row seating. This oversight limits passenger capacity to the same five occupants accommodated by any conventional sedan--and frankly, I find that ridiculous in a 5,000 lb vehicle. So, if an extra couple seats would make your life easier, consider looking at the seven-seat Cadillac SRX, Acura MDX, or Lexus GX 470.

The Grand Cherokee doesn't stand particularly tall for cargo space, either. There's certainly more trunk space than in most sedans, but the Jeep's load floor is fairly high off the ground, and it doesn't extend very far forward. As a result, you'll need to flatten the split-folding rear seats to accommodate truly bulky items--or purchase one of the many more-spacious SUVs or wagons instead.


Reliability

Since the new Grand Cherokee is in its first year of production, it hasn't had time to rack up a reliabiltiy record with consumer advocacy groups. It's tempting to be pessimistic, as the previous Grand Cherokee received consistently poor ratings in this department. But on the whole, Chrysler's quality has improved as of late. Until more information becomes available, try checking out some of the owner's reviews on this site.


Overall

In spite of Jeep's marketing bluster, the new Grand Cherokee isn't an Audi TT on stilts, nor does it mimic the moves of a BMW sports sedan. It does, however, strike me as a kind of everyman's BMW X5. It steers naturally, handles tidily, and has a pleasant substance to its structure--the same strengths exhibited by the Bavarian sport-ute, albeit to lesser degrees. For the vast majority of SUV drivers, this on-road capability should make the Grand Cherokee a very tempting proposition. Its new styling doesn't hurt, either. The Grand Cherokee's lines have a tough, purposeful blockiness--the kind that presumably attracts people to the Hummer H2, but without that larger vehicle's air of desperation.

However, the Grand Cherokee makes less sense when judged on its practical aspects--again, like the X5. With a cramped, uncomfortable rear bench and no third-row seating, this is not a vehicle for those who regularly carry more than one passenger. It's not for heavy-duty campers or road trippers, either, due to the relatively tight cargo area. In other words, the Grand Cherokee not for people who actually need an SUV. As such, I see no reason to choose it over a faster, more nimble, and more economical sport wagon like Dodge's Magnum RT.

Still, if you must sit up high--and don't take much with you--the Grand Cherokee offers one of the best performance compromises of any SUV. And yes, despite what Jeep's TV spots may say, vehicular performance is always a compromise. Still don't believe me? Well, then... uh... could I interest you in buying my Ferrari-beating Volvo 740?


Feel free to check out my reviews of some of the Grand Cherokee's competitors:
BMW X5
Buick Rainier
Cadillac SRX
Lexus GX 470
Lexus RX 330
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Amount Paid (US$): N/A
Model and Options: Laredo AWD 4.7, Limited AWD 5.7