Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV is showing a little progress over this years models but all the really good work to make the Cherokee a thoroughbred midsize SUV happened last year. The miles per gallon is just a little better and two trim grades have been added. One of which is the 'Overland Summit' and the sporty SRT8 model. The winning combination of V6 engine, more spacious cabin and expensively outfitted internal landscape keeps the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV near the top of the sales league. The top class refinements owe much to the Daimler-Chrysler ownership of the Jeep brand during the redesign phases and many parts are in common with the Mercedes-Benz ML class. That middle sized sports utility market sector is full of excellent prospects and the Cherokee stands out from the crowd and the SRT8 is head and shoulders above the rest. The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a 5 person-midsize SUV with choices of 'Laredo', 'Limited' and 'Overland' trims. Each can be had as 2 or 4 wheel drive trains. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, give the Jeep Grand Cherokee 'good' (top marks) in collision tests in the frontal-offset, side and roof-strength categories.
The miles per gallon is up 1 on the highway figure to 23 mpg while the urban figure is 16 mpg. This is thanks to an upgraded power steering and a similarly improved 6 speed transmission for the V8 engine. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the alpha male of the range. It fair roars along the highway due to its 470hp V8, but more impressively it is equally at home in the mountains. For really rugged terrain there is an optional "Quadra-Lift" system for adjustable air powered suspension. This lifts your height above ground to nearly eleven inches. Variable ground scapes are also no object the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV because of "Selec-Terrain" which adapts the powertrain and suspension accordingly. The basic Cherokee comes with those sexy 17" alloy wheels, automatic headlights, fog lamps, cruise control, dual-zone air-conditioning, a fully adjustable leather covered steering wheel and a 6 speaker audio system with CD and auxiliary audio jack. The Security and Convenience features have remote ignition, 'Bluetooth', a cargo cover, an automatic dimming rear mirror and a USB/iPod connection. The Quadra-Lift air suspension comes in at the Overlander trim grade. Rear wheel drive is standard on all but the SRT8.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV carries its passengers smoothly and comfortably in near silence while the suspension gives a solid cornering stability. The Grand Cherokee is everything you could ask of a new build crossover, but where it really wins out is in the crossover because its al terrain credentials are impeccable. It is all Jeep, riding high on a cutting edge 4 wheel-drive system, low-speed solidity and steep climb power. The V6 is more than enough power for most driving conditions, when combined with the 5 speed transmission. However for the real petrol heads, or campers who do a lot of towing there is the extra push of the V8.
The miles per gallon is up 1 on the highway figure to 23 mpg while the urban figure is 16 mpg. This is thanks to an upgraded power steering and a similarly improved 6 speed transmission for the V8 engine. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the alpha male of the range. It fair roars along the highway due to its 470hp V8, but more impressively it is equally at home in the mountains. For really rugged terrain there is an optional "Quadra-Lift" system for adjustable air powered suspension. This lifts your height above ground to nearly eleven inches. Variable ground scapes are also no object the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV because of "Selec-Terrain" which adapts the powertrain and suspension accordingly. The basic Cherokee comes with those sexy 17" alloy wheels, automatic headlights, fog lamps, cruise control, dual-zone air-conditioning, a fully adjustable leather covered steering wheel and a 6 speaker audio system with CD and auxiliary audio jack. The Security and Convenience features have remote ignition, 'Bluetooth', a cargo cover, an automatic dimming rear mirror and a USB/iPod connection. The Quadra-Lift air suspension comes in at the Overlander trim grade. Rear wheel drive is standard on all but the SRT8.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV carries its passengers smoothly and comfortably in near silence while the suspension gives a solid cornering stability. The Grand Cherokee is everything you could ask of a new build crossover, but where it really wins out is in the crossover because its al terrain credentials are impeccable. It is all Jeep, riding high on a cutting edge 4 wheel-drive system, low-speed solidity and steep climb power. The V6 is more than enough power for most driving conditions, when combined with the 5 speed transmission. However for the real petrol heads, or campers who do a lot of towing there is the extra push of the V8.
