2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reviews

Jeep Grand Cherokee is a large 4WD that nowadays is aimed more at buyers of luxury station wagons rather than full-on off-road enthusiasts. However the Grand Jeep is true to its roots and is a genuine 4WD that can tackle rugged off-road work that would stop most of the crossover wagons sold by its competitors. On

Jeep has shoe-horned the 6.1-litre, 313kW/570Nm V8 from Chrysler's 300C SRT8 under the 4x4's bonnet, with startling results. All pretence to going off-road has been jettisoned in a quest to produce one of the quickest 4x4s on the planet.It has massive 20-inch lowprofile tyres, has been lowered by 25mm, runs Bilstein suspension and large diameter Brembo brakes – all straight out of the go fast parts bin.Street and Racing Technology is Chrysler/Jeep's performance wing and is responsible for development of this vehicle.The team has gone deeply into engineering tweaking mode, and the same could be said for the design team, on both the inside and out.The Hemi 6.1 V8 is a hugely updated version of the 5.7 V8 used in other Chrysler/Jeep products. It's been stripped down and souped upwith most internal components changed – right down to the forged steel crankshaft and reinforced cylinder block.It runs at a comparatively high 10.3:1 compression ratio, which demands 98 octane fuel.Though an overhead valve design with only two valves a cylinder, the goodies inside more than make up for technical simplicity. The redline has moved up 1000rpm to 6000rpm and it breathes through a large diameter dual exhaust system.Power gets to all four wheels by a sophisticated electronic fourwheel- drive system that can vary drive to the front or rear axle as needed: up to 100 per cent each way, and everything in between.Transmission is a five-speed auto with sequential change mode. It is similar to the transmission in Jeep's V6 turbo diesel.The exterior has extroverted body enhancements that scream ‘‘muscle''. It is not the most subtle styling makeover you will see but sends a clear massage.The massive front skirt is necessary to prevent air from getting under the vehicle at high speed. The rear treatment is stunning, highlighted by twin large diameter tail pipes clustered in the centre of the rear skirt.Inside scores the full street and racing technology treatment, with race-style leather/suede seats, monumental Boston Acoustics audio, electric everything and goodies like climate air and splashes of carbon fibre.On the road it's fabulous, offering sensational performance and sporty handling.The SRT8 handles like a sports sedan cornering flat and maintaining grip with neutral attitude.The steering is quick and the brakes are superb.It offers a firm ride, as expected, and there's an ever present rumble from the exhaust.Few vehicles are as quick out of the blocks. It rips away from a standstill in near neck-snapping fashion.On the other side of the coin is a brace of safety equipment that includes an electronic stability program, multiple airbags, rear park assist and rain sensing wipers.With a 77-litre tank it can be thirsty but driven normally the SRT8 drinks about 14.0-litres/ 100km.Only small numbers are being imported – 60 this year and a similar number next year.

This is probably the only photograph you will ever see of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 in the wild.This is no bush basher. It's a pavement poseur.After all, SRT stands for "street and racing technology" and the 8 stands for the 6.1-litre Hemi V8 under the bonnet.Street, not fire trail. Racing, not mudlarking.This is the sort of 4WD you have when you really want to stick it up the nose of Harold Scruby the self-appointed president of the Pedestrian Council of Australia.This is the sort of car you drive past the local Greens candidate's house and spin the tyres.You get the picture. It's socially unacceptable, it's a menace to society, it's the biggest, baddest mutha of the lot.And I love it.Just like I love eating too much pizza and drinking too much beer. I know I shouldn't do it, but it's absolutely addictive.Those huge dollops of power right off the line. That grunting double-barrel exhaust system. Those fat and low tyres.Just don't go thinking it's an off-roading 4WD, because it isn't. It does have active full-time four-wheel-drive capability.However, if you go charging off into the dunes, there is such low clearance in the front air dam that you will simply turn it into a grader and plough a path.The Jeep technical specifications tell us that the ground clearance at the front axle is 190.5mm. However, the plastic front air dam sits just 150mm off the deck and is going to come clean off well before the axle bottoms out.Besides, the 245mm wide tyres are so low profile (45 per cent) that you won't be able to let them down for extra sand grip anyway.Don't go rock hopping either, because the SRT suspension uses Bilstein monotube dampers that make it so stiff the 20-inch wheels don't have the articulation to crawl over some shopping centre speed bumps, let alone craggy bush rocks.And leave the fire trails alone, because the lack of clearance will have you picking up the plastic and chrome bits of bodywork as you break them off through the forest.Instead, enjoy the Hemi's 313kW of stonking power and 569Nm of stump-pulling torque in its natural environment — tarmac.Here the five-speed auto responds immediately to right-foot provocation with a rapid-fire kick-down through the gears. No delay, just instantaneous go.The SRT8 also features a stack of extras that give it macho looks, power and performance.Apart from the suspension, exhaust system, five-spoke alloys and Hemi heart, the SRT8 also has creature comforts such as dual-zone airconditioning, rear park assist, rain-sensing wipers and electric memory seats, radio presets and mirrors.On the safety side, there is electronic stability program, all speed traction control and electronic roll mitigation that adjust the brakes and throttle to help prevent you from rolling or sliding off the road.Inside, the SRT8 is more accommodating than the standard Grand Cherokee with plenty of leather trim replacing acres of cheap and nasty hard plastic, and plush leather seats replacing the cloth upholstery.However, the steering wheel is still only tilt adjustable, some of the controls feel a little brittle and there is no room for your left foot beside the pedals.Handling is greatly improved for the road with a positive, if heavy, feel at the wheel and reasonable handling for a two-tonne beast with a modicum of pitch and roll.The brake pedal requires a firm push, but the Brembo units respond with plenty of feel and progression.The 4WD capability may not get a good hit-out in the bush, but it provides a safe and sure feel on wet roads — that's if it ever rains again.Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 $85,990ENGINE: 4/5 starsIt deserves the legendary name "Hemi" with its neck-snapping power and grunty roar.TRANSMISSION: 4/5 starsOnly five speeds, but with this much torque, it doesn't need any more.ECONOMY: 1/5 starsForget about it. I got 20litres/100km on weekly duties.HANDLING: 3/5 starsNot bad for a two-tonne-plus beast with a high centre of gravity.SAFETY: 3/5 starsVery good for occupants, but I wouldn't want to be hit by one.VALUE: 3/5 starsThe cheapest and biggest luxury V8 4WD on the market, but has limited use.VerdictFOR: Power and macho looksAGAINST: Pedestrian Council of AustraliaFINAL: 4/5 stars. Makes a bold statementTech SpecsENGINE: 6.1-litre petrol pushrod V8, 10.3:1 compression, bore x stroke 103 x 90.9mm, 2-valve head.POWER: 313kW @ 6000rpmTORQUE: 513Nm @ 4800rpmTRANSMISSION: 5-speed auto with sequential shiftDRIVE: Electric on-demand 4 x 4SUSPENSION: Bilstein monotube dampersKERB WEIGHT: 2171kgTOWING: 1587kg (braked), 750kg (unbraked)WHEELS/TYRES: five-spoke 20 inch alloy x 8, 245/45 R 20BRAKES: BRAKES: 360x32mm ventilated discs (front), 350x28mm discs (rear),SAFETY FEATURES: ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability programmeFUEL: Tank 77 litres, 98 RON PULP, 20L/100km (tested)TURNING CIRCLE: 11.3mHOW IT COMPARESAudi Q7 qattro4.2L, 257kW/440Nm$116,800Toyota LandCruiser Sahara4.7L, 170kW/410Nm$84,200Mercedes-Benz ML5005L, 225kW/460NM$116,900Volvo XC904.4L, 232kW/440Nm$84,950