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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Palm Beach

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The present, fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee represents a complete redesign for 2011. The new Grand Cherokee shares a platform with the Mercedes-Benz ML and, as such, it employs unibody construction and a fully-independent suspension. Initial development dates back to the days when Chrysler was known as Daimler-Chrysler and was a division of Mercedes-Benz.Long-standing criticisms, such as the underpowered V6 engine, mediocre cabin materials and the lack of rear seat room, have been thoroughly addressed. In addition to the traditional well-equipped Laredo and luxurious Limited trims there is also the Overland, which tops the range with upscale features such as 20-inch alloy wheels, a power-adjustable/heated steering wheel and a navigation system. EPA fuel economy estimates are 16 city and 22 highway mpg for the all-wheel-drive versions, with 16/23 for rear-wheel-drive models. The new Grand drives like no Jeep ever has. On the road it feels stable and planted, and it has a firm, yet compliant ride. Handling is responsive, with restrained body roll. The cabin is quiet. And that new 290-hp, 3.6-liter, Pentastar V6 is smooth and refined, but the new engine has its work cut out for it hauling the GC's hefty 4,900 pounds around. The 5.7-liter (Hemi) V8 is still available and boosts the tow rating from 5,000 to a maximum 7,400 pounds.The base Laredo is equipped with lots of standard features, such as 30.5-inch tires. The Limited comes standard with wider 18-inch tires while the Overland gets 265/50-20?s. Standard on all models are tilt and telescoping steering wheels, wrapped in leather with controls for cruise and audio functions. Automatic headlights and power folding exterior mirrors are also included.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Interior

Overall fit and finish quality shows a big improvement in the all new Grand Cherokee. Front seats offer six-way adjustment as well as heating and cooling functions, depending on the option package. The rear seats are wider, offer more bottom cushioning and give passengers 4 more inches of knee room (thanks to the longer wheelbase). The rear seats will recline up to 18 degrees to allow for more comfort and easier viewing of the outdoors (when optioned with the oversize two-piece sunroof) or the DVD screen. Additionally, interior noise levels have been substantially improved thanks to added interior insulation, glass coatings and exterior aero engineering. The new center stack and instrument panel are closer to the driver and passenger, so all controls are now within arm's reach. Likewise, the newly formed dual-barrel tach and speedometer readouts have large and readable fonts, and the information center is easily accessible with steering wheel controls, providing plenty of engine, trip and 4x4 system data. Likewise, materials choices and textures work well together with the new layout, and seams and mating surfaces are much tighter than we've ever seen on any Grand Cherokee, or other Jeep product for that matter. The interior is the Grand part of the name with a more luxurious touch than previous models to the degree that some might forget they are in an SUV. There is wood trim and lots of soft surfaces on the dash top and soft smooth leather seating that would be comfortable enough for cross-country treks. The navigation system and other controls will be of no mystery to anyone who has driven a Chrysler product and easy to figure out for those who haven't. Inside, all-new seats have been sculpted and designed to save space while providing solid side and lower back support.

Driving the New Grand Cherokee

Ride and handling dynamics are better thanks to a more rigid chassis and a new, fully independent suspension. A new Selec-Terrain feature for the uplevel all-wheel-drive systems allows drivers to choose from five pre-programmed settings to best handle a given road or trail condition. The new Selec-Terrain rotary controller mimics Land Rover's 'Terrain Response', and it's teamed with a first-for-Jeep 'Quadra-Lift' air suspension. It can lift the 'JGC' to eleven inches off the ground or drop it for passenger loading. There are two off-road-oriented AWD systems available. Quadra-Trac II has an intelligent center diff and a brake-operated traction control system all the way around. Quadra-Drive II adds an electronically-controlled LSD in the rear. Both variants feature a hill descent control that also works in reverse to permit a safe back-out from over-enthusiastic climbing attempts. 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. Features Chrysler says are slated to arrive later in the model year 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.

Powering the All New Jeep GC

The new Grand Cherokee standard engine is the much-anticipated all-aluminum 3.6-liter 24-valve Pentastar V6, rated at 290 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. To serve its hard-core towing buyers, Jeep will still offer the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with MDS (multidisplacement system or cylinder shutoff) in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. Some models have an air suspension that will raise the body for true off-road adventures while protecting vital stuff underneath. You start the process with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and it can tow up to 7,400 pounds. To do that, you will need the 360 horsepower, 5.7-liter hemi with 390 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. This engine will haul even with a cur b weight of up to 5,200 pounds.

2011 Grand Cherokee Design

The Jeep Grand Cherokee was one of the pioneering SUVs that ushered in the modern midsize SUV segment in the early 1990s. When it debuted, the Grand Cherokee represented a bigger and better version of Jeep's smaller but still popular Cherokee. The company's designers wanted it to be maneuverable enough for urban duty, roomy enough for family duty, stylish enough to take out on the town and capable enough to get to the more remote campsites. 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. 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 a load-leveling suspension.

Summary

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is redesigned, with freshened styling, a new V6 engine, and new features. This midsize SUV seats 5. For a modern SUV that still has the ability to take on dirt and rocks, the latest Grand Cherokee is a smart pick. The new 3.6-liter V6 engine makes a stout 290 horsepower, the interior boasts quality construction and there is now considerably more passenger and cargo room. Other notable improvements include easier-to-use radio and climate controls and a more inviting cabin design. 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. This evaluation is based on preview test drives of pre-production vehicles. For updates and pricing info on this model, visit the official Jeep Grand Cherokee site!