2013 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

When I was a young fellow getting seriously into road testing cars back in the 1980s, Brock Commodores were the kings of the Australian roads. On the main straight at Oran Park raceway in Sydney I strove to get standing quarter mile (400-metre) times under 15 seconds from each new Brock as it was introduced, but could never quite manage it.Fast forward to 2013 and I’ve just done acceleration figures on a hot ‘car’ on the drag strip at Willowbank raceway in Queensland. It ran an easy 13.4 seconds up the strip, almost two seconds quicker than the hot Brocks. That 13-second ‘car’ was actually a truck, a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT to be precise.Like the hot Commodore the SRT had a big-cube V8 engine. While the modified Holden had a capacity of ‘only’ 5.0 litres, the big Jeep had no less than 6.4 litres behind its iconic seven-slot grille.Not only was the Jeep SRT helped by the relentless improvements in automotive technology over the years, it also had the benefit of four-wheel-drive to minimise wheelspin off the line, electronic launch control ensured each of the Jeep’s four tyres got just the right amount of torque from moment to moment through the Quadra-Trac 4WD system. Finally, it was running on sticky tarmac at Willowbank.OK, it had a lot going for it, but the big Jeep SRT was still a two-tonne truck and it was putting down ridiculously quick times. I mentioned the relentless improvements in technology, but the engine of the Grand Cherokee SRT (the acronym for Sport & Racing Technology) is still an old-style Hemi V8 without any overhead camshafts or multi-valves. No, siree, this big 392-cubic inch, 460 powerplant has just two overhead valves per cylinder and they’re activated by old-fashioned pushrods.Where the technology is evident, though, is in a thoroughly modern electronic fuel injection system. The Hemi V8 produces 344kW of power at 6250rpm (big revs for a large capacity V8) and a handy 624Nm of torque at 4100rpm.Fuel consumption? If you need to ask you should be shopping for something else. Despite having an engine that can revert to being a four-cylinder unit in light-duty running this big machine still likes a drink. Expect to be using 12 to 15 litres per hundred kilometres in normal driving, and even more in around town commuting.On the subject of safety, the big Jeep Grand Cherokees have numerous crash avoidance and/or minimisation items. These include Forward Collision Warning with Crash Mitigation; Adaptive Cruise Control; Reversing camera; and ParkSense park assist. The 4WD models also have Hill Ascent Control and Hill Descent Control.Secondary safety sees the protection of seven airbags (multi-stage driver and front passenger); front seat side airbags; curtain airbags; and a driver’s knee airbag.There’s no mistaking the new Grand Cherokee SRT thanks to its sporting body features, with a black, seven-slot front grille. The LED tail lamps have black surrounds. A new design of rear spoiler is integrated into the electronically-operated tailgate. Naturally there are SRT badges, done in the new design for this latest upgrade of the model.Priced at a pretty reasonable $77,000 (plus on-road costs) the hot Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is something for those who love big and brash stuff in their motoring lives. Grand Cherokee SRT has standard 20-inch Goliath polished alloy wheels, 20-inch split five-spoke Spider Monkey alloys are available as an option.Should you get tired of the sound of the engine, which seems unlikely, the Grand Cherokee SRT has a high quality 19-speaker, 825-Watt Harman Kardon surround sound audio system.Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT uses an exclusive leather interior in two colours combinations – Black Nappa leather with perforated suede and light slate grey accent stitching as standard, and Laguna leather with perforated suede in Sepia with silver accent stitching as an option. Both leather trim combinations are matched with sporting carbon fibre details on the instrument panel and doors.Not only did the big Hemi V8 perform to perfection on the dragstrip, it sounded the part as well. After winning my two drag races against other journos (it’s hard to sound modest when you’re talking about a hotrod like this!) I stood at the start line and enjoyed the big V8 roar as others competed. The way the noise echoed from the concrete side walls was simply magnificent.Out on public roads we loved the sound and feel of the big Jeep, though it has to be said the feel is on the firm side at times on rough and ready Aussie backroads. Near instantaneous acceleration and the fast acting eight-speed automatic transmission made for ridiculously short overtaking distances, making this one a very safe SUV.

The rapidly-rising Jeep range is poised to notch up further success with this month's release of its significantly uprated Grand Cherokee range. Sales of the Grand Cherokee have shot up by 3.5 times since the new generation arrived in 2011 and Jeep dealerships in Oz have doubled from 51 to more than 100.The latest development is the introduction of an eight-speed automatic transmission across the range, subtle styling improvements, better interiors - and the launch of a 4 x 2 version of the Laredo model.Priced at $45,000 drive away, the pretty high-spec Laredo 4 x 2 V6 puts a Grand Cherokee within reach of many more potential buyers.Laredo, also still available as a 4WD, is followed by the Limited, from $51,000, Overland, from $66,000 and the fire-breathing and feature-packed SRT8 at $77,000. The 210kW/347Nm twin-cam 3.6 V6 continues as the standard motor in Laredo, Limited and Overland, with the impressive 184kW/570Nm Italian 3.0-litre turbo-diesel as an option.Limited and Overland also have the option of the 5.7-litre V8, which puts out 259kW and 520Nm, while the high-performing SRT is powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8. It's a mighty beast, capable of producing 344kW and 624Nm - and a throaty bellow.The smooth ZF eight-speed auto gives each engine option longer legs and slightly better fuel economy. And there's a bewildering list of 4x4 systems: quadra-trac, quadra-drive, quadra-lift, selec-trac and selec-trac among them. Some raise or lower the vehicle, others let the driver pick a mode suited to sand, snow, mud or rock.Slim, high density bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, new bumpers and a restyled tailgate are the most visual exterior changes of the new Grand Cherokees, which also get new instrument clusters, new steering wheels with audio, cruise and voice command buttons and paddle shifters.All models have Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth, TFT customisable displays and audio systems that range from a six-speaker kit in the Laredo to nine speakers with sub woofer and 506W amplifier in Limited and an option pack for the SRT that uses 19 speakers and an 825W amplifier. Crazy.The Laredo gets good cloth seats, Limited has leather, Overland uses Nappa leather and SRT luxuriates in premium Nappa. Get the picture?Hill start assist is standard on all models, as is auto-on headlights, seven airbags and a full suite of electronic driver aids. There's loads of room for up to five adults and 782-litres available in the cargo area .Fold down the back seats and cargo capacity increases to 1554litres.We did about 200km in a Laredo in Queensland's mountainous Maryvale region shortly after a major downpour, and never had a moment of bother, irrespective of the gamut of road conditions, including stretches of dirt, mud and some river crossings.The two-tonne SUV coped admirably, the sole niggle being a split second of nothingness on exiting tight corners while the new gearbox consulted its abacus to decide which ratio was needed.That little problem did not affect the SRT, which now comes with Launch Assist, a bit of electronic wizardry that can let the flagship take off as if fired from a catapult. We tried ours out on a drag strip, where it rocketed from zero to 100km/h in 4.8seconds and went on to record 13.4 seconds for the "quarter mile.''At $77,000 it's no wonder Chrysler can't get enough if them. They're about half the price of some of their class competition. It's meaty motor emits a wonderful sound with all the taps open, so why bother with an over the top audio system to drown it out?The SRT does 20.7 litres/100km in the urban area, but has an official average of 14.0 litres/100km. The Laredo's average is 10.1 with the petrol engine, although we didn't come within cooee of that on our brisk up-and-down route, and the diesel uses just 7.5litres/100km.Overall, an impressive line-up; classy, well engineered vehicles, big on street cred, finish and performance.The grandest Cherokees yet.

A decade ago Jeep owners overlooked their vehicles' lack-lustre quality and dubious roadholding manners. They forgave the faults and appreciated the vehicle's single-minded ability to competently cross the most difficult terrain.Time heals a lot of wounds. The latest Grand Cherokee is imposing and attractively sculpted – and while there have been improvements, most people are willing to overlook any imperfections.Chrysler and Jeep quality is improving. It's now up to average which is still less than ideal. But where the car lets you down is in the superficial stuff - the coachwork, predominantly - while the engineering seems to be increasingly more durable.At $65,000 it's a good price for a very well fitted out 4WD that's actually made to go off the bitumen. It's roomy, tows well, has a heap of safety gear, is relatively economical to run - though has no capped-price service program - and has a style that looks as good on top of a dune as alongside a downtown curb.The Overland is the top-spec model but I think there's better value in a mid-range Limited model with the diesel engine at $60,000. If you stay with petrol, the V6 is $5000 cheaper and better value than the optional V8. Be aware that there's a new model coming with upgrades including a more desirable eight-speed automatic transmission.Lovely to look at with a chunky body sculptured with neat chamfers and big wheels stuck hard up at each corner. The cabin is equally as attractive but falls down on closer inspection with average dash panel fit and large, cheap-looking switchgear. Yes, it's workable and hints at being rugged but could be improved. The foot-operated park brake is a Chrysler stable mate and is hard to work in off-road conditions. Beautiful perforated leather seats are comfortable, have heating for front and back and cooling for the front.Electric adjustment - including the tilt/telescopic steering wheel - makes it easy to find the perfect driving position. The heated steering wheel is cool, er, warming. More electrics for the tail gate - with separate lift-up glass panel, which is handy - and the dual-pane sunroof. The liberal space in the boot and the split-fold rear seats give it typical SUV flexibility. The Overland is the most expensive of the Grand Cherokee line-up and offers as much luxury as a top-spec Chrysler 300 sedan.Jeep finds another use for its 210kW/347Nm 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and creates a wagon with running costs that won't break the bank. The engine is powerful on paper but the Overland's weight curtails most of the enthusiasm. It's mated to a five-speed auto then through a two-speed transfer case with constant all-wheel drive. It gets the upmarket Quadra-Drive II transfer case with an electronic rear diff and a five-mode Select-Terrain dial-up traction program like Land Rover's TerrainResponse. The suspension is an electronic air system that changes ground clearance from 205mm to a monster 270mm. The Overland also has a stack of safety gear and a voice-activated media centre with a touch screen, sat-nav, 40Gb hard drive and 10 speakers.The Overland has one of the most comprehensive safety-related equipment on the market - certainly within its $65,000 price bracket - but only has a four-star crash test rating. It has eight airbags, electronic stability and traction control, all-wheel drive, a full-size spare, roll mitigation, tyre pressure monitoring, blind-spot assist, active cruise control with forward collision warning, park sensors front and rear, a reverse camera, an accident response system that shuts off the fuel and unlocks the doors, plus rear cross-path detection.Jeeps never feel planted on the road. There's always - and this is successive - a new model that has the wishy-washy steering and front suspension quirks that require the driver to make continuous adjustments to maintain the road line. It's almost like Jeep deliberately in-build this vagueness.The 3.6-litre V6 engine is smooth, potentially sparkling and careful drivers can get reasonable fuel economy. But the V6 is let down by drawing on a five-speed auto with a lazy torque converter. It desperately needs the eight-speed unit - that's due later this year - to close up the gaps in the ratios. To be fair, the engine is dragging around a 2.3-tonne dry-weight wagon.Driven gently, it's a very comfortable wagon and aside from the distracted steering, makes for a spacious long-distance cruiser. Off the road this is a true 4WD. It soaks up hard bumps and rarely bottoms the suspension and has a brilliant constant 4WD system that ensures maximum traction.Dial in the terrain on the dash-mounted switch and engine and transmission response, brake aids and even the ground clearance are perfectly adjusted for the conditions. Pick low-range and it's as close to unstoppable as any 4WD. While traction is excellent and assurance that this wagon will go pretty much anywhere, the ride comfort is compromised. The Jeep isn't alone here as any 4WD with a similar air suspension will also produce a hard low-speed ride.Despite a couple of grumbles, this is very competent and given its on-road comfort, makes for a true dual-purpose family 4WD wagon.