2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Tester's Comments
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2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee ▼
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- MSRP: $27,415 -$42,680
- Invoice: $25,179 -$38,800
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Find out what the Consumer Guide Automotive testers had to say about the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. See if the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee is right for you.
Vehicle Evaluated
| Make/Model: | 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|
| Trim Level: | SRT8 |
| Arrival Date: | 08/17/2006 |
| Engine: | ohv V8 |
| Bodystyle | 4-door wagon |
| Transmission: | 5-speed automatic |
| 4WD/AWD: | Yes |
| Base Price: | 39,300 |
| Price as Tested: | 45,630 |
| Mileage at Beginning of Test: | 5263 |
| Mileage at End of Test: | 6094 |
| Total Measured Miles: | 831 |
| Total Fuel Used: | 60.587 gals. |
| Consumer Guide Fuel Economy: | 13.78 mpg (what's this?) |
| Problems During Test: | None |
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Major Options
Customer Preferred Package 29L (Electron Infotainment Group, overhead rear console, rear seat entertainment video system) SRT Option Group 1 (power 8-way driver memory, 4-way passenger seats, power sunroof, deluxe door trim panel, driver auto dim exterior mirror, heated fold-away mirrors with memory, air condition ATC with dual zone control, rain sensitive windsheild wipers, power adjustable pedals with memory, bright pedals, heated front seats, SmartBeam headlamps, SIRIUS satellite radio, UConnect hands free communication, ParkSense rear park assist system, supplemental side air bags, front and rear side curtain air bags) Engine Block heater, 6CD/Full Map GPS Display and Navigation Radio.
From the Back Seat
Damon Bell
The Grand Cherokee SRT-8 is blisteringly fast for its size and handles about as well as any midsize SUV has a right to. It's still incongruous to me, since an SUV's size, weight, and high center of gravity detract from handling and performance. DaimlerChrysler has done a nice job optimizing this Jeep's on-road performance, but I would still choose any of its SRT-8 stablemates over it. Also, wallet-draining premium fuel thirst is a given in any large, 420+ hp vehicle.
Ed Piotrowski
There's no debating Grand Cherokee SRT8's fun-to-drive quotient. It's wicked fast, stable, and handles quite nicely for an SUV. But don't rush out and buy without also trying Chevy's TrailBlazer SS. It gives up some horsepower, steering, and handling response in favor of a more accomodating interior, better cargo room, and greater towing capability. It also costs about $4,000 less than the SRT8 when comparably equipped (AWD, DVD, nav system).
Kirk Bell
Versus other Grand Cherokees, buyers might find this rides too harsh. Maybe this rating should come down to a 4. Yes, the SRT8 is wicked fast, but nobody really needs the extra power, especially with the willing 5.7-liter Hemi. I'm torn, though, because the base price isn't all that high considering the gobs of power.
Rick Cotta
Leaning heavily toward the "sport" side of sport-utility, the SRT-8 boasts a better performance-per-dollar ratio than any other SUV on the planet. In fact, it may well be the best street-performance SUV of ANY price. Unfortunately, that's its only real selling point, in other ways, the Grand Cherokee (and by extension, the SRT-8) is a mediocre mid-size ute with limited interior room and no third-row seat.
Tom Appel
Somewhat less conspicuous than a Hummer H2, and only slightly more efficient, Jeep's take on the SRT theme is a pretty silly exercise. It handles fairly well, and it's rocket fast, but Grand Cherokee SRT8 seems needlessly wasteful in this new era of hyper-precious petroleum. Want a sporty SUV? Skip this beast and check out the (relatively) lithe Acura RDX or Mazda CX-7. I think the pointless muscle era has passed.
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