2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reviews

Graham Smith road tests and reviews the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee as a used buy. New The Jeep’s distinctive grille, dating back to WWII, is hard to ignore. One of the most popular models to sport the seven-bar grille on our roads was the big, attractively styled WK Grand Cherokee launched here in

Unlike most SUVs, there was nothing soft about Jeep's go-anywhere AWD. New Jeep, the best-known brand in off-road vehicles, has forged a go-anywhere reputation. It was on its own during WWII, when there were no other vehicles like it, but now the iconic brand is under siege from rivals for the SUV dollar. Most brands

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

After some effort, The Speaker of the House and I have convinced our near-five-year-old son that there is no such thing as monsters. I am going to have to tell him I was wrong.There are monsters in real life and I'm driving one - the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, the most powerful, technologically-advanced (that wouldn't be hard), high-performance Jeep ever.Snorting, snarling, stupendously quick and somewhat silly, the SRT8 flies in the face of frugal, fiscally responsible and economical motoring. Bring it, baby.If you like the idea of sitting above the traffic and yet still having the ability to bellow belligerently away from the lights at pace, then this is your bus. At a $76,000 starting price (almost $10,000 cheaper than the preceding model), the hottest Grand Cherokee yet is incredible value for money - an SUV with similar abilities and outputs is going to cost at least twice as much.For not much more than a top-spec Pajero or Pathfinder, the SRT8 has Nappa leather and suede sports seats (heated and cooled),a paddleshifter-equipped sports leather steering wheel, carbon-fibre trim bits, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, rear seat heaters, power-folding auto-dimming and heated exterior mirrors, a powered rear tailgate, a touchscreen-controlled 40-gig hard-drive and USB-port equipped Alpine nine-speaker (10 if you count the subwoofer) infotainment system, Bluetooth phone and audio link, 20-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in wide Pirelli run-flat tyres, although with a 45-series profile you'll want to steer clear of the rough stuff.There are clever touches like a rechargeable pop-out torch in the boot is a neat and handy touch for any unplanned night roadside stops.What puts the Grand into this particular Cherokee is the 6.4-litre HEMI V8, with an active intake manifold and active exhaust, which produces 344kW and 624Nm of torque - up 37kW and 61Nm (and almost 200kg) over the old car. The clever intake and valve system teams up with the cylinder dropout mode (to run on four of the eight cylinders) to drop fuel use by 12.4 per cent to 14.1 litres per 100km.Body control and ride quality (more so the former than the latter) is controlled by a Bilstein adaptive damping suspension, which offers five modes - Automatic, Sport, Tow, Track and Snow - and the all-wheel drive system shifts drive to the best-suited wheels, although there's no low-range - yet another concession to being a bitumen burner as opposed to an off-road warrior.There's not a great deal of scope for body sculpting when you're dealing with a big boxy off-roader as a starting point, but the SRT8 is certainly heavy with purpose.Lower, with the now-common as muck LED running lights, it is more muscular thanks to body add-ons and venting through large bonnet apertures, the hi-po wagon has dual exhausts at the outer edge of the rear diffuser, which makes towing now feasible to the tune of just over two-tonne braked capacity.The boffins claim the new platform (shared with Mercedes-Benz and Maserati) has played its part in improving torsional rigidity by 146 per cent.You'd think with a long list of safety features it would have blown NCAP away but it's only scored (albeit in standard LHD Grand Cherokee turbo diesel guise) a four-star NCAP rating. Top of the list is an epic set of stoppers - Brembo in origin, the big ventilated discs are gripped by six-piston (up from four) front and four-piston rear calipers, enough force, says Jeep, to give it a 0-160km/h-0 time in the mid-16 second range.Also on the SRT8's extensive safety features list is adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning system, stability control (including anti-rollover function), emergency brake assist with forward collision warning, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. The spare is an 18in steel, with 245/65 rubber - it doesn't quite match the 20s on the SRT8 but also doesn't quite fit into the temporary spare either.Rain-sensing wipers, bi-xenon headlights, an automatic brake drying system, auto-dimming headlights, trailer sway control, seven airbags (including a driver's knee), a tyre pressure monitoring system, but in a nod to its limited 4WD application the hill descent control is deleted.Ferocious is the first word that springs to mind for several aspects of this car. The engine is feral and powerful, leaving little doubt as to the intent thanks to the active exhaust and living up to the noise with pace. The manufacturer claims five seconds is all it needs to reach the state limit and its own performance computer tows the company line.Not bad for something that tips the scales at 2.3 tonnes, but you pay for such outlandish bouts of right-foot brutality at the pump, with a thirst that can go close to 20 litres per 100km, but it's not like you're shopping this leviathan against a Prius.The weak link in the chain is the five-speed auto, which doesn't always respond with the alacrity of the six-speeder bolted to the back of the turbodiesel - using the paddles is a better option given the high (for a V8) torque peak in press-on driving.Track mode on the adjustable suspension offers good body control but super-rigid ride and the latter doesn't soften as much as it should when the dial is turned back to Auto mode and the runflats probably don't help the ride either. The steering is serviceable - not pin sharp but not vague either, but it feels like it is left alone when the suspension modes are changed.The big, comfortable and well-bolstered seats fight lateral forces admirably - it's the tyres that complain first - but the more-expensive European super SUVs show their class in the corners. The Jeep's stopping power also elicits some expletives - the big Brembos haul the wagon to a standstill remarkably well, giving credence to a claim (not tested on our public roads of course) of a 0-160-0km/h “go to whoa” time in the mid-16-second range.Even moderate braking force can halt this demon from 100km/h in 40 metres, although some extra pedal force can apparently bring that down by another five metres. Unlike its more sedate Grand Cherokee siblings, this is more Mount Panorama than Mount Kosciusko - a deep front spoiler and 190mm of ground clearance, not to mention the absence of low range and the least "off-road" compatible all-wheel drive system mean this Grand Cherokee is unlikely to hop over any rocks.What it can do is blow by a whole stack of purpose-built performance cars from standstill - and probably out-brake some of them as well. A tighter machine than the old one, the rocketship Grand Cherokee is a rough diamond - try going faster in an SUV for the money.

There's something gloriously inappropriate about the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.In a world where many people spend their lives worried about saying the wrong thing, where whole departments have been established devoted to playing it safe, the big, bad Jeep sends all the wrong signals and makes all the wrong noises but that's why we love it.Producing 10 per cent more power and 10 per cent more torque than its predecessor, the SRT8 is a product of Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology arm  a bunch of crazy guys and gals who spend their days turning Chrysler, Dodge and Jeeps into the equivalent of Olympic athletes.And, like its predecessor, the five-seat Grand Cherokee continues to sit on the same platform as the Benz ML SUV, even though the two have parted company  the chassis is incidentally 146 per cent torsionally stronger.Eager buyers have been stumping up $20K deposits for this vehicle, even before knowing the price. No one would have predicted a $76K price tag $7000 less than the old one. For the price, nothing else comes close. The SRT8 is choc full of equipment befitting a luxury vehicle. It rates highly for safety too, although missing out on a five star rating.It's a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 that delivers 344kW of power and 624Nm of torque, 90 per cent from 2800 revs. The previous 6.1-litre V8 produced 313kW and 569Nm. The engine is hooked up to a five-speed sequential auto with smallish steering wheel mounted paddle shifts. But, given the amount of torque that it produces, they're unlikely to see much use.A rotary control enables the driver to dial in more aggressive settings, with Sport and Track modes. Drive of course is to all four wheels. At 189mm it sits 25mm lower than the already good looking standard model, with LED lights, a deeper front dam and more aggressive stance.Ducts provide air to the brakes and take the heat away from the engine. The car rides on 20 inch alloys fitted with big, beefy 295/45 series Pirellis. They're run flats too, which means if you get a puncture you just keep on driving to the nearest servo even though a full sized steel spare is provided.The adaptive Bilstein suspension is controlled by the Selec-Track system and the stoppers are Brembos, 6-pot at the front and 4 at the rear because if you're going to go fast you need to be able to stop fast too. They certainly haven't skimped with this one.It's rated at 14.1 litres/100km. The rating is helped along by the Multi-Displacement System that shuts down four of the engine cylinders when not required to help reduce consumption by as much as 20 per cent.The twin centrally located Boxster-style exhaust was such a defining feature of the previous model we're sad to see it go. This one still has twin exhausts but the pipes have been pushed out to either side. The good news is that you can now tow a boat (you couldn't before because the location of the exhaust precluded a tow bar from being fitted). It can tow 2268kg by the way.Jeep claims the car will do the dash from 0-100km/h in less than 5.0 seconds. Our best run was 5.2 but the record is 4.8 seconds. It handles too. We were able to put the SRT8 through its paces at Anglesea proving ground outside Melbourne, with glimpses of the new Commodore passing in the background. It's perhaps not as sharp as Porsche's GTS Cayenne through the twisty bits but hey, it costs half as much. In a straight line, however, there's not much in it.Jeep is building only 4000 of these cars worldwide this year. Australia has been allocated just 250 of them, but is hoping to get another 1000 next year. Unfortunately most of this year's allocation is already spoken for.It looks fantastic, it goes extremely well and in this segment represents a real bargain. Start shopping it against the likes of Range Rover Sport, BMW X5 M or the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG and it's a walk up start.

When grouped together, there are certain letters in the alphabet that conjure up images of motoring excitement and out-of-the-ordinary performance and handling. Various companies Ford, Holden and Subaru use FPV, HSV and STI respectively for super-tweaked versions of some of their models.Not to be outdone, Chrysler Jeep uses three letters and a number – SRT8 – for its stove-hot offerings. SRT stands for Street and Racing Technology and the latest model to hit our shores under this banner is the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.Jeep’s new $76,000 Grand Cherokee SRT8 has sports-car-like performance, a generous standard-kit inventory and all the practicality of a big family SUV.The new Jeep comes standard with an impressive array of goodies and some of the standout features include great-looking 20-inch alloy wheels shod with P295/45ZR20 Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat tyres and superb Brembo brakes. HID headlights and rain-sensing wipers make like safer and simpler.While the Benz ML 63AMG and BMW’s X5 M might seem the new Jeep’s obvious competitors – given that you can buy two SRT8s and have a heap of change for the price of each of the German offerings. But image is everything in the car business and the big Germans are in a league of their own in that regard.Basically it’s a Dodge Challenger (which doesn’t come here) in SUV clothing with a Jeep badge and the beefy brute comes armed with a 6.4-litre hemi V8  boasting 344 kW of power at 6250 rpm a hefty 624 Nm of torque that is on tap all the way from 2800 rpm to 6000 rpm.The result is a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of five seconds and while people who fork out a $76,000 cheque for the big 2.3-tonne Jeep probably won’t be too concerned, the SUV’s claimed combined fuel-consumption figure is 14.1 litres/100km. That said, it is a 13 per cent improvement on its predecessor.This has been achieved despite the bigger-capacity engine churning out 10 per cent more power and 10 per cent more torque than the old model. To help in the fuel-consumption department, the big Jeep SRT8 has a cylinder-deactivation system that shuts down four cylinders when relaxed driving is the order of the day.The glorious-sounding Hemi V8 is mated with a five-speed automatic transmission and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters add to the fun. While the transmission does a perfectly adequate job, it is not one of the SRT8’s finest features. One excellent feature is Jeep’s so-called Selec-Trac system that, via a big console-mounted button, allows the driver to choose from five dynamic modes – auto, sport, tow, track and snow. Trailer-sway control is there for the person who wants to use the Grand Cherokee for towing.Inside you will find adaptive cruise control, Nappa leather and suede seats, satellite navigation, a powered fully adjustable steering column and keyless entry and “go”. Also on the standard-kit menu is a great-to-hold multifunction, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bilstein adaptive damping, fair-dinkum carbon-fibre interior highlights, a powered tailgate and polished-alloy pedals.In the electronic driver aid and safety departments the hot 4WD Jeep boasts ABS brakes, brake-assist and override, active head restraints, roll mitigation, forward collision warning, a rear-vision camera, a limited-slip differential, stability and traction control, a full suite of airbags including one for the driver’s knees, blind-spot monitoring and an enhanced accident-response system.During an extensive media-launch drive program that included time at Victoria’s Anglesea proving ground, the big Jeep Grand Cherokee proved itself to be a dynamic, great-handling, great-sounding performance car with stopping power as impressive as just about any car I’ve driven.

America's four-wheel drive rocket has landed in Australia with a price ready to blitz its European rivals.And that price is south of $80,000. It's a price that staggers even Fiat Chrysler Australia's boss, Clive Campbell. "It's $76,000 - that's special. It has no competition,'' he says. "Dealers were quoting around $90,000 - even they don't know the final price - and were taking deposits, most around $20,000."We've sold about 300 - all this year's allocation. "Maybe we could have taken $90,000 for the Jeep, maybe $177,000 (the price of the Mercedes ML63 AMG SUV). But that's not our goal here. We want to build the brand, build our customers.'' The Grand Cherokee SRT8 joins the Chrysler 300 SRT8 that was launched in July.The Jeep version is so well equipped that it only has one option - a dual-pane electric sunroom for an additional $3250. Other features include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, ABS brakes with rough-road detection, forward collision warning, sat-nav and rear camera, six airbags, tyre-pressure monitoring, heated/vented front seats and heated steering wheel with heated rear seats, and an 825-watt Harman Kardon audio with 19 speakers.The company says it has just posted its best year-to-date sales figures on record, including the best sales month for the Grand Cherokee. In the year-to-date sales, the group has sold more than 15,000 vehicles this year."We've sold, in the year to August, more vehicles than we did for the whole of 2011,'' Mr Campbell says. "Some of our models have a waiting list. The diesel versions of the Grand Cherokee diesel Laredo and Overland are now out to up to five months depending on specification. "Demand for the Grand Cherokee is so strong that diesel buyers are no opting to take the petrol models, which is realigning our model mix. A special edition Jet Pack sold out in three months.''Now, he says, the problem goes back to Detroit (Chrysler Jeep head office) as it realises how popular the model is in Australia. "I want 1000 Grand Cherokee SRT8s for the 2013 year,'' he says. "That may be difficult for Detroit - they only will make 4000 a year - but it's not impossible. "Australia is the third biggest market for Jeep - after the US and China - and clearly the biggest right-hand drive market.''The frenetic Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, now in its second generation with a whopping 344kW/624Nm 6.4-litre V8 and a sub-5sec acceleration time, has come in tens of thousands of dollars under its performance rivals. The latest Jeep SRT8 is 10 per cent more powerful, has 10 per cent more torque and yet the fuel consumption is reduced by 13 per cent. It retains the chassis and five-speed automatic transmission and full-time drivetrain of the previous model.Fiat Chrysler Australia's performance vehicle manager David Mutton says the five-speed was a durable box that suited the engine characteristics of the V8 engine's torque. There was no need, he says, to go to the eight-speed automatic as fitted to the new 300 sedan.The Grand Cherokee SRT8 has a resculptured body that sits up to 30mm lower than the standard model; has extra bracing to boost rigidity by 146 per cent; and has a unique front bumper with running lights, bonnet vents and a new rear diffuser.The permanent all-wheel drive system is Jeep's Quadra-Trac with the hydraulic steering featuring a faster ratio, the suspension including active dampening, the wheels are 20-inch alloys and the brakes from Brembo with six-piston front calipers on 380mm discs and at the rear, four-piston units on 350mm discs.It's the sound that gets to you first - that gutteral burble of a big-capacity V8 petrol unforced with turbochargers or superchargers. At idle, it's cleverly muted but press the loud pedal and the engine responds so quickly, sparking to attention with an accompanying roar from the trumpet-shaped exhaust pipes. The SRT8 is every bit as aggressive in sound - and appearance thanks to its body kit and 20-inch wheels - as its predecessor but, at the same time, more refined.The data doesn't say it all - the 0-10km/h time of less than 5 seconds is quick, but it doesn't feel as fast or as raw as the old one. But more people will appreciate this. It's been tamed and, push it harder, and it's far more positive, confident and reassuring though the corners. Jeep fixes the SRT8 with a five-mode control dial that changes the programming of the engine, transmission, stability control and, thanks to the adjustable dampers, the suspension. It works perfectly on Auto - the fail-safe switch - but don't expect a compliant, US-inspired ride.Instead, it's firm and that shows up how much work has been put into making the body tauter and the suspension more tied down. The sports seats make it more lovable on the track, holding the body as Jeep claims the SRT8 can get to 0.9G in lateral forces. But though it's positively fun on the track, it's just as much a hoot on the roads.The engine burble is so good you'd forgive the 19-spakr audio, while the firm steering is very well weighted and has plenty of feel. The big wagon grips confidently through corners and is an absolute pleasure to steer.It has a Select-Track driving mode with five functions that control the engine, transmission, dampening, brakes and differentials through conditions from snow, track, sport, automatic and for towing purposes. The latter mode allows the Jeep to tow up to 2360kg with trailer-sway control. This is the first time a Jeep SRT8 can tow - the previous model had central exhaust pipes that prohibited the fitting of a tow bar.Above all, it's half the price of some Europeans who match its performance but can't match its features.

Jeep are treating customers to an all new model line up of the popular Grand Cherokee, with a varied range of price tags and drive trains to suit all different budgets and requirements.The five-seat Grand Cherokee comes in three specification levels: Laredo, Limited and Overland. Our test vehicle had the Overland spec. The entry level Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.6-litre V6 petrol starts at $45,000, while the top of the range Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.0-litre turbo-diesel is priced at $69,000. All models are available in automatic only.Overland has adaptive cruise control, hill descent control, hill start assist, automatic high beam, park assist, and a reversing camera that includes a warning when a vehicle crosses the vehicle's path when reversing.The 2012 model also has a new design 3.6-litre V6 engine, as we recently tested in a Jeep Wrangler. While it is an improvement in both performance and economy, it is still no fuel saint. Other engine choices are a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 259 kW of power and 520 Nm of torque. We tested the latter.The big V8 is linked to a six-speed automatic with a manual flick-across shifter. On paper and in reality 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 (and the 3.0-litre diesel) will haul up to 3500 kg while the V6 is just 2268 kg. Be warned though the V8 will be thirsty with a load on the back in addition to around 2.4 tonne of vehicle.The engine has an Eco mode and the transmission is smooth through the shifts. Grand Cherokee is fitted with Jeep's Quadra-Drive II active, full-time 4WD system with low range transfer and electronic limited slip differential for the rear axle.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. It sits on 20-inch painted alloy wheels that set off that rugged athleticism. Late 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 slurped 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. We also liked the colour scheme of black upholstery with ivory roof liner than also ventured down the a-pillar with the other roof supports kept in black.If we have a dislike it's the size of the steering wheel rim which is designed to fit the mit of a Sumo wrestler. Small people might find it simply too broad. We liked the word ‘Overland' in traditional Willys style embossed into the front seat uprights.The rear seat is also firm but comfortable. Being leather they will wear in. Storage areas abound and the rear seat passengers now have improved leg room. There's a fold down centre armrest when two occupy the second row. Head and shoulder room is good. The rear seats have heating while the front seats have heating and cooling.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.The Grand Cherokee Overland is well up in the safety stakes and comes standard with ABS brakes, traction and stability control, forward collision warning, front and side airbags, side curtain airbags, driver's knee airbag and active front head restraints.The Quadra-Drive II system is brought back to the basics for ease of use giving the driver a simple series of dial in terrain choices via a centre console selector: Snow, Sport, Auto, Sand/Mud and Rock.In addition, for off-road work, you can hit the Quadra-lift button to raise the body out of harm’s way, with the maximum height of 271 mm. 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 tonne (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.Much as we like the rumble of the big American-style V8 engine, if we were forking out our own hard-earned on the Grand Cherokee we would take the 3.0-litre diesel ahead of it.

Could the Jeep Grand Cherokee be the best value large SUV on the market today?  Depending on what you want from an offroader - and as long as that doesn’t include blistering  performance -- it has a lot to offer,  and competes well with its rivals on price.The latest rendition of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited sits higher and wider than its predecessor, is more elegant and less boxy, with a more modern, yet blander design. The 7-bar Jeep radiator grill remains as distinctive as ever, bordering on intimidating for smaller vehicles in their rear view mirrors.The Limited is a big vehicle by any standards measuring in at almost five meters long and 5cm shy of two meters wide. Yet, even though the design is very macho, it still appeals to the ladies - a favourite with my wife and her friends. However, the ride height is just a smidgen above perfect, requiring a stretch on every entry and exit.From the driver’s seat, everything is at hand through the comfortable leather bound steering wheel controls - all major menus including stereo, phone, cruise control and on-board computer. Driving at night is quite the calming experience, with a gentle green glow emanating from various feature points around the cabin.The seats are super-supportive and comfortable, wrapped in thick leather and double stitched. They are fully electrically manoeuvrable, but the best bit is the electric lumbar support which can be moved vertically and with varying intensity.“Daddy, it’s got hot seats in the back”, another all-important feature for some - and certainly to my five-year-old son. It goes without saying the fronts are also heated. This really is a super comfortable sofa on wheels.Four stars are awarded for ANCAP Safety, with front, side, head and knee airbag protection.  Really, Jeep should be aiming for five stars with a car at this level.  The usual safety features abound: electronic stability control, ABS and forward collision warning, but more importantly, it now comes with a host of new features which didn’t appear to be fitted to our test car, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and rear cross path detection. The forward collision warning sensors are slightly too sensitive, frequently alarming when buses and trucks pulled up next to us in traffic - but useful nonetheless. The mirrors are superb and three quarter visibility is excellent for such a large vehicle, but it was let down by the large A-pillars which obscured little old ladies and children at zebra crossings.Taking the Grand Cherokee Limited for a drive is a lethargic experience, almost so relaxed you could fall asleep on the road. The steering is light yet accurate, but bland and devolved. Luckily the main computer has a host of features to play with, to keep the experience more involving.Trying to overtake can be frustrating, with a mild depression of the throttle yielding no results. When more aggressive throttling, it takes a full second to respond in “Auto” mode and about half a second in “Sports” mode. It’s akin to pushing your foot into soft custard and hoping for a reaction at the other end. You might get a little sticky, but not a lot more happens. Remember, the Grand Cherokee Limited is carrying at least 500kg more than the Wrangler Sport powered by the same engine, so it’s no real surprise that it’s quite the slouch.  Interestingly, the CRD diesel engine option has phenomenal torque and is able to tow 3,500kg, a huge plus for those wanting to trail a float and two horses or a large caravan.On our undulating test roads, the cruise control proved close to useless. When set to exactly 60kph, going downhill the speedo managed to reach 75km/h before the lower gear was auto selected to reduce speed, and going uphill it dropped to 55km/h before changing gear to accelerate back to 60km/h. That’s a 20km/h variance in speed at 60km/h - enough to lose your licence.  With the active braking feature installed this may now be resolved.Efficiency is not the petrol Limited’s strong point. Over a week of light cruising and commuting, we managed just 13.9 L/100km compared with the quoted 11.2 L/100km. It’s a big heavy vehicle whichever way you look at it, so if you’re worried about economy get the diesel.The Limited is incredible value at a pinch over $60,000 drive away in NSW, coming fully loaded with all the trimmings.  I particularly loved the black metallic paint of our test car, with a stunning blue/green fleck which enhanced the deep rich colour and firm stance.It’s not a “drivers” car, being all about functionality, comfort and elegant understated style - the perfect large family car, commuter or open road cruiser. The daily commute was never more relaxing, like putting your feet up and visiting the spa, letting the heated seats and lumbar support do their work, arriving at your destination fully relaxed and ready to go.The Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is the smart man’s Range Rover Sport. Save the extra $50,000 and use it to buy a Wrangler for weekend fun, or a Toyota 86 sports coupé, and still walk away with change.

This is what happens when SUVs go bad. Or good. A muscle car makeover has just transformed the best Jeep in generations into a hotrod rival to a bunch of family heavyweights including the BMW X5M, Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG and even the Porsche Cayenne turbo.The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT picks up the classy engineering and cabin quality of the regular models that arrived in Australia last year, then gives the package a giant thump with a 6.4-litre V8 engine, big wheels and brakes, and sports-tuned suspension.It's not going to be a cheap machine, from around $90,000, but the SRT badge gives a Jeep just as much credibility for potential buyers as an M tag or AMG label in the BMW and Benz world.Downsides? The new SRT hauler is a little slower than the previous model, just as thirsty, and is not going to cash-in the savings that Chrysler Jeep Australia is delivering on other new models coming downunder.But the Nascar-style exhaust thunder from the ultimate Grand Cherokee will be more than enough compensation for some people.There are a surprising number of SUV muscle cars in Australia, since people with Porsches and Ferraris also need something more family friendly to fill their garage. The benchmarks are the X5 M and ML63, both in the $150,000-plus range, and that makes the Jeep SRT look like a bargain. Then again, they are from two of the best luxury brands in the business, just like the Cayenne Turbo from a whacking $248,600.So the SRT needs to be compared with the luxury stars, not a regular Grand Cherokee from $45,000. That makes it look pretty good, with everything from classy leather trim in an upscale cabin to climate control and beefy bodywork.The previous SRT didn't do particularly well in Australia, but that was probably down more to the base car than the upgrading."We think the new model will have wider appeal, based on the refinement of the Grand Cherokee overall. It's the same as the current Laredo and Limited, which are far more popular," says Dean Bonthorne of Chrysler Jeep Australia.Everything is new on the SRT8, starting with the body. That means more space and comfort inside, a better chassis with improved suspension - with switchable active ride - and all the latest safety gear including a knee airbag for the driver.The heart of the car is a 6.4-litre Hemi V8, up from the previous 5.7 and now with 344 kiloWatts and 624 Newton-metres. But there are only five gears in the automatic and the overall gearing is unchanged, which means slightly less go with an extra 150 kilograms to haul around.Chrysler says the SRT8 will still belt to 100km/h in less than five seconds, a mark we could not match in Nevada, but there is cylinder deactivation to improve the efficiency of the engien even though it still only managed 14.1 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 328 grams/ kilometre.Oh, and there are now crawler gears, despite the off-road credentials of the Jeep brand. Not that an SRT8 owner is ever likely to head into the bush . . .For me, the best thing about the SRT8 is the beautifully sculpted bonnet, with twin scoops to tell the world what's happening in the engine room. The overall shape and soft-touch cabin - which is a massive improvement across the Grand Cherokee range - are much as before, including a driver's side rear-vision mirror that needs to be bigger.The SRT upgrade is predictable stuff, from the deeper front spoiler with blacked-out air intake to the 20-inch alloys, Pirelli tyres and six-piston front brake calipers. The look is tough but still restrained, even for the blacked-out big- bore exhausts.There is no ANCAP ruling on the Grand Cherokee, by Bonthorne says the Grand Cherokee have received the equivalent of a five-star ranking in the USA and the car is a top safety pick by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.The Grand Cherokee, like a lot of models developed when Chrysler was partnered with Daimler, gets a lot of Mercedes-Benz safety gear from impressive ESP stability control to blind-spot monitoring. There are a total of seven airbags, a rear-view camera, and even what Chrysler calls an enhanced accident response system - which turns on the interior lights, unlocks the doors, hits the hazard flashers and shuts off the engine and fuel in an impact where the airbags are triggered.The Grand Cherokee SRT8 makes an immediate impact, even in Sin City. There are lots of upscale cars in Las Vegas, and we spot a Lamborghini Gallardo Spider and Rolls-Royce Phantom in less than 30 minutes, but the Jeep easily holds its own. And when we head out towards the desert for some private picture work, the Nascar rumble from the 6.4 brings plenty of smiles.More smiles are provided by the comfy-yet-supportive leather buckets, the punchy sound system and aircon that copes easily with any conditions. It's the same with the roomier new back seat and a cabin that's well designed and screwed together so there are no squeaks or rattles - or any hint of future trouble.The stopwatch says the SRT8 is a few ticks slower than the previous model but it's not something you really notice, even if the upcoming ML63 has Benz's monster 5.5 twin-turbo V8 - a big advance for the ML that we need to trial at home for a serious score - and the Cayenne Turbo has a belter 4.8 V8 that will whack the Jeep. It's more like the Range Rover Sport, although not as hunkered-down and grippy for cornering work.It rolls along smoothy with little tyre or wind roar, and when you hit the go pedal it does. The cornering grip is good, either in the standard or Sport setting for the suspension, although it rocks and rolls a bit as you'd expect from a big and very heavy SUV. It also stops very well.The steering feel is not great, and I think the flagship Grand Cherokee needs a bigger colour display in the dash. It also gets very thirsty if you want to play.But the SRT8 cashes-in the quality of the Grand Cherokee update last year and it ticks the boxes for someone who wants an SUV with the sort of punch and packaging you get from Holden Special Vehicles or Ford Performance Vehicles.The SRT8 is not really a rival to the ML or X5, let alone the Porsche turbo, but it's a solid choice for anyone who wants a family SUV with real punch - and doesn't have an unlimited budget.A solid performance upgrade on the impressive new Grand Cherokee means another winner from Jeep.