Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel
Jeep has been expanding its product lineup for the last couple of years, but with mixed results. Non-trail-rated models, such as the Compass, or barely trail-rated vehicles like the Patriot, have softened Jeep's craggy, weathered image typified by the Wrangler. However, the latter, iconic off-roader doesn't have as much appeal for the moneyed classes, who are more concerned about trundling over potholes than boulders and willing to pay a premium for comfort. Hence, the venerable Grand Cherokee, which was rolled out as an evolution of the popular Cherokee SUV. The Grand Cherokee has gone through a number of changes since its debut in 1992, with its most recent major redesign for the 2005 model year when it most notably went to an all independent suspension. (It won our SUV of the Year accolade for that model year, by the way). Its sibling, the Commander, is built on the same platform, but is targeted at suburban soccer moms. That vehicle won SUV of the Year for 2006. So, the strength of the platform is well established.
This year we revisit the Grand Cherokee, which got some improvements for 2008 that wouldn't necessarily stand out from the usual spate of mid-cycle automotive freshenings except for one thing: It now has a diesel engine. The Grand Cherokee is the second SUV in its class; any class really, in recent history, aside from the Hummer H1 to offer a diesel engine. The diesel Jeep Liberty got pulled from the market last year after a short stint. Jeep's 3.0L V-6 common rail diesel is the same powerplant made by Mercedes-Benz that Jeep offers to the European market where diesel-fueled cars and SUVs take about half of the automobile market. Here in the good-ol' USA, the diesel Grand is not 50-state legal (neither was the diesel Liberty) because of the more stringent emissions standards imposed by California and other states who follow the Golden State's lead as far as air quality is concerned (New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Jersey). When emissions standards become even more stringent in a couple years, Jeep may go with the Bluetec 3.0 V-6 currently in the Mercedes-Benz ML320. The current Jeep diesel generates 215 hp and 376 lb-ft, and while the EPA fuel economy estimate is already impressive at 17/22, we got an astounding, real-world, combined fuel economy of 20 mpg from the diesel after towing with it, roadtripping, commuting. And it did well on the track, too.
So, what else is new with the Grand Cherokee? Uh, not a whole lot for the 2008 model year, aside from a little nip here, a tuck there, and a new 4.7L V-8 gasoline engine (for a grand total of five powerplants available to buyers).
The Jeep and other Chrysler products offer a first: the Sirius backseat TV with its three channels of kid's television programming. We didn't experience that feature, but we did get to play with the touchscreen MyGIG multimedia head unit that we had already written about for in our last issue, "Truck Tronics," Truckin' Volume 33, Issue 1. Our tester was equipped with a Sirius Satellite Radio, navigation, and the capability to cram around 10GB of music or videos onto the unit's 20GB hard drive, which we didn't take advantage of this time around. The MyGIG with navigation is definitely a step up from the navigation head that we have used in Chrysler vehicles before. A rearview camera is a nice and increasingly indispensable touch. Bright HID headlights offer auto-leveling, which keeps the headlights shining at the right height; even when the vehicle is pitched forward, backward, or hunkered down from carrying a heavy load. Three safety features--hill descent control, hill start assist and trailer sway control--are new for 2008, as well. Cosmetically, the front was tweaked a little and the interior was spiced up a bit with new accents and materials and improved styling. The white, glowing instrument gauges look nice.
What's it like to drive this thing? Two words: Turbo lag! Certainly when you stomp on it and particularly when you let off the throttle. It's almost like driving a Dodge Ram 2500 diesel in that regard; except the engine feels like its winding out higher, but you don't get the bouncy suspension. The Grand's small size makes it quite nimble, but also requires you to be somewhat nimble to get in and out of it. But, hey, that's just how Jeeps are. And because it is a Jeep, it has the nifty Quadra-Drive II that is as easy to activate as pulling a switch. It's a very capable 4WD system that is more than adequate for the latte-swilling crowd who are likely to buy it. Maybe we're getting spoiled by the increasingly out-there design we're seeing from the automakers, but the Grand Cherokee's exterior design looks a little too refined to us. Too restrained. Some people didn't like the Commander's aggressive looks, which could be why there are still so many unsold models parked on the lots; but we did. We say make it look a little more Commander and a little less Compass. The grand Cherokee presents a lot of refinement and features, proven off-road ability, comfortable street manners, decent towing, small interior cargo and passenger capacity, and a fascinating new engine. And you pay quite a bit for that package, too. Our tester came almost fully loaded at $43,605. This was the second-strongest contender for SUV of the Year.