2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is redesigned, with freshened styling, a new V6 engine, and new features. This midsize SUV seats 5. The 2011 model is about 5 inches longer in wheelbase and 2 inches longer overall than the 2010 Grand Cherokee. Trim levels include base Laredo, mid-level Limited, and top-end Overland and Overland Summit. Each offers rear-wheel drive or Jeep's Quadra-Trac all-wheel drive. Quadra-Trac I is a full-time AWD system without low-range gearing. Quadra-Trac II has a low-range gear for off-road use. Jeep offers various off-road option packages that can include skid plates, hill-descent control, front tow hooks, and Quadra-Lift adjustable air suspension. The standard engine on all models is a new 290-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, which replaces a 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. This engine is capable of running on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. A 360-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 is optional. The sole transmission for both engines is a 5-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds with the V6 and 7,400 pounds with the V8. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. Hill-descent control is standard on Limited and Overland and optional on Laredo. Other available features include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot alert, and Rear Cross Path, a system that activates when the transmission is in reverse; it detects any traffic moving towards the vehicle. Also available is Chrysler's Uconnect multimedia suite, which can include a navigation system with real-time traffic alerts, wireless cell-phone link, and 30-gigabyte hard drive for storing digital-music and picture files.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buy choices are the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Kia Sorento, and Mazda CX-9. Our Recommended picks are the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Flex, GMC Terrain, and Toyota Highlander.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Dodge Durango, Dodge Journey, Ford Edge, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Kia Sorento.