The latest Jeep Grand Cherokee’s lines are smooth and athletic and of course there’s a seven-bar chrome vertical grille announcing the Jeep DNA.
Last year the Grand Cherokee was given an overhaul for the 2012 season. It had a below-par interior and a 3.8-litre petrol V6 that guzzled fuel.
Now, the interior sets a new standard for this, Jeep’s flagship. The dash sets the tone with stitched leather and the way it seems to naturally interact with the door trim to create a great cabin effect. The seats are supportive, maybe a little too firm, and have a lumbar adjustment.
The rear seats are also firm but comfortable. Being leather they will wear in. Storage areas abound and the rear seat passengers now have improved legroom. There’s a fold-down centre armrest when two occupy the second row. Head and shoulder room is good.
The 2012 model also has a new design 3.6-litre V6 engine. While it is an improvement in both performance and economy, it is still no fuel saint.
Changes to the Grand Cherokee are small but important: the doors open wider and the passengers have more knee and leg room. Cargo space is up by 11 per cent to 782 litres with the seats up and 1554 with the rear seat folded.
There’s not a lot of difference between the 3.6-litre petrol V6 and the V8. Where it does matter is in towing where the V8 will haul up to 3500 kg while the V6 is just 2268 kg.
Despite the classy makeover, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee is still true to its roots as a highly capable get-down-and-dirty off-roader. The ability to substantially lift the body means in most situations off-road the Grand Cherokee will remain grand without the underbody bumps and hits a 4WD might normally accumulate.
However, we suspect most Grand Cherokees will rarely see the dirt and rocks and will be used as urban vehicles that double up as a tow vehicle, given the 3.5-tonne capability.
On road the Grand Cherokee is a refined piece of kit that offers a ride as good as any SUV and handles particularly well for a vehicle that tips the scales at almost 2.5 tonnes (with passengers) and is capable of tackling the most serious of off-road terrain. Jeep has done well to balance out the crossover without compromise.
Prices start at $45,000, not including government or dealer delivery charges.
