Our long-term 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee arrived during the snowy season here in Michigan, but winter’s worst only seemed to bring out the best in our Inferno Red machine.
“I actually found myself wishing for more snow,” one editor wrote. Another reported that the Jeep made easy work of a treacherously slick interstate drive, while a third staffer applauded the easy operation of the drivetrain controller, a single knob for dialing up better control and seemingly instant traction when conditions turn surly.
All the while, the Grand Cherokee lived up to the “ grand” part of its name, providing a plush, steady and quiet ride inside a cabin replete with soft-touch surfaces, leather and satin and chrome metallic finishes. All agree that the interior represents a huge upgrade over the swaths of hard plastic inside the previous model.
“The layout of the interior is clean and easy to navigate, and all of the major touch points are of high quality, from the door pulls to the soft leather steering wheel that falls ever so nicely into your hands,” one editor said.
“At freeway speeds, this thing is as quiet as any luxury car,” another noted.
That said, the jury is out on Chrysler’s decision to change its central do-everything touch screen to a more colorful yet seemingly harder-to-use interface. The new system also tucks away various MP3 plugs and power sources, while the past head unit kept most of those ports front and center for easier access.
In our first 6,507 miles, we’ve noted a bit of play in the steering (maybe related to the meaty SUV tires), but most discussion has centered on whether the all-new 290-hp, 260-lb-ft, 3.6-liter V6 will be up to the job when we start packing the cargo bay and hitching up trailers.
We like the engine’s efficiency—we’ve recorded a number of 20-mpg tankfuls—but we’ve logged some complaints about having to hammer the accelerator to summon the desired power and torque, especially in highway passing situations.
So far, maintenance has been minimal and mostly related to warranty-covered reflashes of computer chips controlling various onboard systems.
As you’re reading this, summer is upon us. While we might take in some needed vacation downtime, we have no doubt that the Jeep will continue to work hard to keep us happy.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4×4
AS-TESTED PRICE: $44,205
MILES DRIVEN: 6,507
FUEL ECONOMY: 17.2 mpg
FUEL COST: $1,268.44
DAYS OUT OF SERVICE: None
MAINTENANCE: First scheduled service, including oil change, rotate tires, top off fluids, general inspection ($40.58); flash ESC module for electronic-stability-control enhancements (warranty); flash HVAC control module (warranty); flash PCM (warranty)
The 2012 Jeep Liberty inherits Jeep’s 4X4 Trail Rated four-wheel-drive systems namely: the Command-Trac II and Selec-Trac II. Command-Trac II is a part-time four-wheel-drive system – the standard 4WD configuration. The Command-Trac II can be operated in 2WD, 4WD Lock, 4 WD Low and Neutral, while the optional Selec-Trac II is a full-time, active on-demand four-wheel-drive system and the Select-Trac II operates in 2WD, 4WD Auto, 4WD Low and Neutral.
