Jeep Grand Cherokee S-Limited Editions

He was in Geneva as a concept but well-equipped Grand Cherokee coming to the Netherlands. Developed for the European market this S-Limited is fully equipped.

In Geneva stood Jeep with three concept models based on the Grand Cherokee, Compass and Wrangler. The former is the concept badge now picked because he is unchanged in the showroom. The Jeep Grand Cherokee S-Limited is distinguished by its comprehensive equipment and sporty appearance. The latter is accomplished by 20 inch glossy black wheels, keyed door handles, tinted glass and dual sports exhaust. The famous grille, spoilers and roof are also implemented in the black. The interior is especially worked to meet the high European quality requirements. A heated leather steering wheel, bucket seats and racing pedals should further strengthen this feeling.

Equipment
as mentioned, the Jeep Grand Cherokee S-Limited richly supplied with extras. Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Sports detection and Rear Cross Path detection are all standard equipment. Underneath the car is equipped with the Quadra-Track II four-wheel drive with good off-road features should guarantee. The new Quadra-Lift suspension, the increase in ground clearance but also lower the car 3.8 cm after parking the trip easier, convenient.

Diesel
Driving in the S-Limited only on diesel. He has developed the Fiat 3.0-liter V6 CRD engine with MultiJet technology. With a peak power of 241 hp and a torque of 550 Nm, this SUV relatively smoothly from place to come. Consumption is relatively low for such a big car; every 100 km is 8.3 liters consumed.

Price
The Grand Cherokee S-Limited is from € 87.990, - in the praise list. New owners can choose from six colors including the very cool sounding Max Steel. If not (a lot) deeper into their pockets would affect a Grand Cherokee can now also contact the dealer for half tones costing SRT8 that sends 465 hp to the ground.

READ MORE - Jeep Grand Cherokee S-Limited Editions

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Review

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8: Engines and performance. One manufacturer that still retains the features of real all-rounder in their models is Jeep, while seemingly offering vehicles designed for asphalt than for cross country. This year the Grand Cherokee has received a major cosmetic change but his philosophy in the background has not changed. Its off-road qualities are still present as ever, but just be a new configurable version for this model. This is the SRT8 version we've seen in some models from other manufacturers.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is not only the most powerful version of the model, and it is also by far the most powerful vehicle of the brand. Never before had built many Jeep horsepower under its hood. His aesthetic has also been modified to give a more aggressive and elegant at the same time. But his mechanics have not changed because although appears to be an upscale SUV that does not stain with mud, it is a true off-road and can enjoy it on the road and in the wild.

With the new version SRT8 find a front and rear bumpers completely unique for the occasion, with a front air intake much larger than in other finishes. The side has been smoothed to achieve a more elegant and also acquire exclusive wheels. The assembly of the vehicle acquires a slightly larger width and a reduction of the distance from the ground.

Motorization
to determine the potential of the new version of the Grand Cherokee has had to resort to installing a 6.4L HEMI V8 engine with 468CV equipped, it also found in the SRT8 version of the new Chrysler 300. This takes a maximum torque of 624 Nm, both engine power and maximum torque are numbers that have never been seen before in a Jeep so we are ahead of the more aggressive and radical model of the U.S. manufacturer.

The new line Grand Cherokee SRT8 can combine a unique style typical of the brand with excellent functionality, both on and off road track, despite having no gearbox. In order to take over the high performance of this version, the elements that had been developed for the rest of the range Grand Cherokee fell short when installed on this SRT8, so it has a whole new mechanical and unique to this series.

Performance
With 470CV power we could expect anything from the Jeep, is that besides being the most potent of all, it is also the fastest with a top speed of 257 km / h and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in only 5 seconds. It also highlights the great braking as Slowing from 100 to 0 km / h in just 35 meters.

Its benefits have been increased considerably but the mechanical assembly is not only based on that, and also found a greater management control when the vehicle in any situation. The suspension and brakes play an important role in this regard.

With the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, not only found a very powerful car but we also have available a capacity for SUVs with 4 × 4 and an image also very muscular and attractive. If you really look for a vehicle that is hard to do go unnoticed and we are also fans of the SUV world, this is our dream car. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 as a project started with the Maserati Kubang, but for now the latter is not available.

READ MORE - 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Review

Jeep began an offensive on the European market

Jeep U.S. company for three years, sometimes going to increase sales of their products in the Old World.

Last year, European consumers bought 23,745 Jeep vehicles as well as at the end of April this year the company sold in the Old World models 9807 through December and expects to sell at least 20,000 vehicles. According to marketing director Yann Chaberta Europe Jeep, Jeep has to increase by 2015 the volume of sales in Europe up to 125 thousand cars.

To achieve the planned North American lead the European market, three new crossovers. The first subcompact debuts "SUV", which was built on the future of Fiat model 500X. According to rumors, "American" teams gasoline engines and 1.4 volume of 0.9 liters and 1.3 liters diesel. After the "twin" Jeep Fiat 500X present the successor of Liberty, which in Europe developed by Fiat Group engineers will have 2.0-liter turbo diesel unit, and a new "SUV", to replace two models: Compass and Patriot.

Near the plans, the company also includes the construction of new dealers in Europe. Within two years, will open Jeep in different countries an additional room 132 for the sale of their vehicles.

READ MORE - Jeep began an offensive on the European market

Jeep Wrangler Mountain: only for fans

Jeep Wrangler Mountain: Special Edition 4 × 4. Jeep is ready to make a special series Wrangler; the famous 4 × 4 is now called Mountain, with only 60 units. The car firm specializing in SUVs, Jeep just to launch a special series Wrangler Mountain, but only reduced to sixty units, very well equipped with special bodywork in exclusive colors: Lime Green or yellow 'bulldozer'. This new wonders of Jeep, waiting to sneak into the top of top ranking in SUVs, and needs clean air lovers and countryside. A 'mountain' to the mountain ...

According to Europe Press, the most important of this model 4 × 4, which is available in body with two and four doors, has alloy wheels of 17 inches and all kinds of Mopar accessories. Also boasts an automatic gearbox and removable hardtop. All this is available in the standard equipment of the model, similar to the Suzuki Jimny JX Ranger.

The Jeep Wrangler Mountain off-road, riding a splendid turbocharged 2.8-liter diesel with an output of 200 hp associated with a five-speed automatic electronically controlled and interactive, to the delight of those who love the mountains.

Remember that you have two colors to choose from, lime green and yellow 'Bulldozer', and plenty of customization options. A little 'loud' the new Jeep.

Features 4 × 4
the striking exterior, we highlight the black adhesive, to customize the center of the hood. The logo "Mountain", which can be read on the sides, playing the coordinates of a compass.

As I said before, features a removable hardtop Freedom-Top in black, with the lid of Mopar, add a touch of the most distinguished and futuristic, like the Mercedes M-Class will remember 2012.

Highlight of the interior, distinctive elements that make it unique to the new terrain, such as cloth seats with gray stitching and the logo "Mountain" on the back. Carpets play with a highlight of the tire footprint, very original. Also by Mopar.

The Jeep Wrangler off-road Mountain, ride a turbocharged 2.8-liter CRD diesel with an output of 200 hp at 3,600 rpm and 460 Nm of torque between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm. With Dana 30 front axle and Dana 44 rear axle is able to go through any route of any road, powerful as the 2012 Mitsubishi Montero that we saw recently.

The 4 × 4, is associated with an automatic five-speed electronically controlled interactive Electronic Range Select (ERS), to the delight of those who love the mountains.

Price and promotion
regarding the price, the limited special series Jeep will be sold, priced at 36,195 euros to promotion to four-door and 34,023 euros for the two-door version. So is the offer:
• Mountain Wrangler 2.8 CRD diesel 4p 200 hp from 40,385 euros (36,195 euros with promotion)
• Mountain Wrangler 2.8 CRD diesel 2p 200 hp from 37,959 euros (34,023 euros with promotion)

Of course this terrain is spectacular, both inside and out, with plenty of details and extras that make it unique and special among SUVs sum segment. We want a pistachio green...

READ MORE - Jeep Wrangler Mountain: only for fans

Jeep Commander 2010 Review

When Jeep introduced the Jeep Commander in late 2005 as a 2006 model, SUV buyers weren't too impressed, causing leadership at DaimlerChrysler to gulp, swallow hard, and wonder if the vehicle was worth the investment. On a positive note, it manages to project authentic Jeep ruggedness—both in styling and trail ability.

Jeep styles the cabin of the Commander in a straightforward fashion. Performance for the 2010 Jeep Commander is decent, and Jeep brings back last year's newly introduced 5.7-liter HEMI engine making 357 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque.

Jeep Commander

The 2010 Jeep Commander does away with last year's midrange 4.7-liter V8 and Overland trim level. The entry-level Sport model makes modest gains with third-row seats and foglights as standard equipment.
Inside, you'll find a third-row seat -- the Commander is the only Jeep product to offer one.
The 2010 Jeep Commander is a seven-passenger midsize SUV that is offered in two trim levels: Sport and Limited. Stepping up to the Commander Limited includes all of the Sport's Sun and Sound Group features plus auto-dimming exterior mirrors, dual-zone climate control, heated second-row seats, power-adjustable pedals, a power lift gate, driver-seat memory and remote engine start. A chrome exterior trim package is also available for both Sport and Limited models.

Two engine choices are offered with the 2010 Jeep Commander. The Sport model's standard power plant is a 3.7-liter V6 that produces 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. A 5.7-liter V8 is standard on Limited models and available as an option on the Sport. The 3.7-liter V6 feels woefully overtaxed when trying to accelerate all 4,600-plus pounds of Jeep Commander. The EPA estimates a two-wheel drive Jeep Commander V6's fuel consumption at 15 mpg city/20 on the highway and 16 in combined driving -- which is subparts for this segment. Both Sport and Limited Commander models are offered in either two- or four-wheel drive. Optional on the Limited is the more advanced Quadra-Drive II system, which includes hill start assist, hill descent control, and front and rear electronic limited-slip differentials. Properly equipped, a V8-powered two-wheel-drive Jeep Commander can tow a maximum of 7,400 pounds, while V6 models top out at 6,500 pounds.

As with many Jeep vehicles, the 2010 Commander's interior features user-friendly controls and functional instruments in a fairly simple and clean layout. The front seats offer plenty of comfort, and the raised stadium-style second-row seats provide a good view of the road, but taller passengers will likely find legroom lacking. The third-row seats are even more cramped. Luggage space with all seats in place is a minuscule 7.5 cubic feet.

The Jeep Commander features an upright windshield and rear window. In ascending order of ruggedness, Jeep calls its four-wheel-drive systems Quadra-Track I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II.

READ MORE - Jeep Commander 2010 Review

Jeep Gladiator 2012

Jeep Gladiator produced in 2005, this car is a car engine sabgat realize a simple design and the Jeep Gladiator expected to arrive in 2012. 2012 Jeep Gladiator is not going to be the 2.8-liter diesel engine, 4-cylinder common rail turbo (163 horsepower and 295 pound-feet • of torque) mounted on the version presented. Jeep Gladiator added fuel capacity in the ignition chamber.

To get more capacity, these vehicles utilize four-door Wrangler Unlimited chassis by removing the two rear doors and the addition of rear seats that have a capacity of four passengers.
Jeep Gladiator produced in 2005, this car is a car powered sabgat da has a simple design and planned that the Jeep Gladiator Coming in 2012. For the next generation will use the Wrangler plaform, pickup version of the model inspiration from the now five years old Jeep Gladiator concept model.

commensurate with motori.it, the model has long passed the rumor stage and is solidly thought-about by the combined Italian-American management.
The model is meant to induce prepared for a market entrance in 2012, based mostly on succeeding era Wrangler base. From the visual standpoint, the pickup truck version of the model can take inspiration from the currently 5 years previous Jeep Gladiator concept model.

Jeep is meant to be aiming a much bigger transport capability with the Wrangler pickup truck. Apparently, an idea version of the new Jeep Wrangler pickup has already been shown recently to dealers.

READ MORE - Jeep Gladiator 2012

2011 Jeep Patriot Compact SUV Reviews

The 2011 Jeep Patriot Compact SUVs. The Jeep Patriot is an affordable off-road SUV. Reviewers say that the Jeep Patriot is just the opposite: a capable off-road SUV with a touch of practicality and comfort. The 2011 Kia Sportage is an affordable small SUV that trumps the Patriot when it comes to interior comfort and standard features. It starts at about $500 more than the Patriot, and while it lacks the Patriots classically-Jeep styling, reviewers say it’s a more well-rounded SUV.
Reviewers like the Forester’s practical interior and great safety scores.

Details: Jeep Patriot
For 2011, the Patriot gets some changes.
The 2011 Jeep Patriot gets updated exterior styling and a few better-quality interior trim pieces, plus standard cruise control. All models also get reworked steering and suspension hardware, while four-wheel-drive versions benefit from increased ride height. New options include 17-inch alloy wheels and a voice-control system for audio functions.

The 2011 Jeep Patriot is a compact SUV that's offered in three trim levels. The entry-level base model comes with 16-inch steel wheels, foglamps, rear privacy glass, roof rails, cruise control, outside temperature display, a tilt-only steering wheel with audio controls, 60/40-split-folding rear seatbacks and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio input jack. The midrange Latitude model includes the Power Value Group and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning (available on base), heated front seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat, 60/40-split-folding rear seats with recline, keyless entry, remote ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a 115-volt AC power outlet, a trip computer and an upgraded sound system with a six-CD changer and satellite radio (available on base). The Latitude trims are available with a number of option packages. This sound system is available separately. Available on all 4x4 models is the Freedom-Drive Off-Road Group, which includes a more advanced four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing, skid plates, hill descent control, hill start assist, all-terrain tires and tow hooks. On the base model, this Group includes 17-inch alloy wheels and a height-adjustable driver seat.

The 2011 Jeep Patriot is offered with one of two four-cylinder engines. The 2.0-liter version, which is standard on two-wheel-drive Sport and Latitude models, puts out 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, but there are two different four-wheel-drive systems offered. The Freedom Drive I system is intended for light-duty conditions like snowy roads, whereas the Freedom Drive II is a more traditional 4WD system with a low-range transfer case that makes it much more capable off-road.

Patriots with the smaller 2.0-liter will be slower still.
EPA fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined for the 2.0-liter FWD Patriot with the manual transmission and 23/27/24 with the CVT. The 2.4-liter engine gets almost the same fuel economy with front drive and CVT (21/27/24), and 21/26/23 with all-wheel drive. All 2011 Jeep Patriots comes standard with stability control with rollover mitigation, traction control, whiplash-reducing active front head restraints, and side curtain airbags. Front-seat side impact airbags are optional on all models. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Jeep Patriot its top "Good" rating in its frontal-offset crash test. The Patriot was deemed "Good" in side impact testing when equipped with the optional side impact airbags, but without those bags, it was rated a second-to-worst "Marginal."

Driving Impressions
Even when fitted with the 172-hp 2.4-liter engine, the 2011 Jeep Patriot feels sluggish under hard acceleration. Fitted with the available Off-Road package, which provides a healthy 9.0 inches of ground clearance, skid plates and a low-range transfer case, the Patriot is certainly better in the dirt than most compact crossovers.

If you’re looking for an SUV that can actually perform in off-road situations, the 2011 Jeep Patriot should be high on your list of vehicles to check out. This moderately-priced SUV is better equipped for off-road use than many other comparable vehicles. Jeep has added higher ground clearance, a low-range gear, and steeper approach and departure angles to improve the Patriot’s off-road capabilities. The basic appearance will remind you of the older Jeep Cherokee, and that’s exactly what Jeep intended with the Patriot’s design. If you’re serious about taking your new Patriot off-road, make sure that you add the optional hill-descent control system that will control the brakes to ensure a low-speed on steep declines. New for 2011, the Jeep Patriot Extreme also adds a two-inch Rocky Road suspension lift, custom rock rails, and an upgraded wheel and tire package.

Engine: 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine, 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine, or a Pentastar V6 engine
Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission or the optional continuously variable transmission (CVT)
Drive: front wheel drive or 4-wheel drive

On The Road
The 2011 Jeep Patriot offers a smooth, comfortable ride. It corners well with minimal roll and feels well-balanced even over bumpy roads. The handling of the 2011 Jeep Patriot is comfortable, and turns are stable with little body roll. It is reported that Jeep will offer their Pentastar V6 engine as an optional feature for the 2011 Jeep Patriot. The 2011 Jeep Patriot’s interior has been upgraded for 2011 and will feature additional sound insulation. Choose from manual windows and doors in the base model or upgrade to powered windows and doors, cruise control, air conditioning, and cloth seats with the Patriot Limited. This Jeep Patriot’s interior is a far cry from the stripped-down older Jeeps.

Safety Features
Optional keyless entry, anti-theft devices, and engine immobilizers will deter vehicle theft.
Exterior
The 2011 Jeep Patriot continues to feature the classic seven-slot grille, round headlights, angular lines, and trapezoidal wheel openings. From the outside, this model of the Jeep Patriot looks much the same as older models.
The 2011 Jeep Patriot Extreme was featured in the March 2010 New York Auto Show.
The pros of choosing a 2011 Jeep Patriot are its low entry price, many standard safety features, and its classic styling. The 2011 Jeep Patriot will remind you of the very popular Jeep Cherokee of years past.

Cons
Overall, the 2011 Jeep Patriot is a good entry-level vehicle that is capable of some off-roading.

READ MORE - 2011 Jeep Patriot Compact SUV Reviews

2011 Jeep Wrangler Overviews

The 2011 Jeep Wrangler Compact SUVs. Reviewers love the way the Jeep Wrangler can tackle rugged trails, but hate its clumsy and unrefined road manners.

The 2011 Jeep Wrangler is like a lumberjack (and that’s okay). The Wrangler excels at off-road pursuits, but reviewers say it’s hard to live with every day.
"The four-wheel-drive, go-anywhere Wrangler remains the quintessential rugged Jeep,” says Car and Driver.

Other Off-Road SUVs
There are few other off-road SUVs that offer styling as distinctive and off-road abilities as rugged as the Wrangler.

Details: Jeep Wrangler
For 2011, Jeep has improved the Wranglers interior, which has long been a sore spot for reviewers. The updated Wrangler has nicer materials, as well as more sound-deadening material and available high-tech features.

Jeep will be the first to tell you the Jeep Wrangler is a unique vehicle. We'll have to wait for a major update, but in the meantime, Jeep has subtly updated the iconic Wrangler with a new interior. Mike Manley, president and CEO of Jeep, knows he has a difficult task in front of him: Keep Jeep true to its heritage without ignoring the changing needs and desires of today's customers. On a more subtle note, Jeep's design team has tackled the angular and spartan 2011 Wrangler interior. Both Wranglers have a 15/19-mpg EPA rating, even though the four-door model weighs about 250 pounds more. For the most part, the changes to the 2011 model are centered on the dash layout. The head of Jeep Design, Mark Allen, wanted to soften up the interior by using more flexible and padded materials. Gone are the hard plastics on door handles and center console, replaced by soft-touch materials and new moldings. Headrests, as well, have been reshaped and designed to feel.

The Drive
Both two-door and four-door Wranglers have four different models (Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon) and range in price from $23,500 (2DR) to as high as $40,000 with all the options (4DR, nav, leather, premium audio, hardtop, etc). Thank goodness our Rubicon Wrangler was equipped with the extra-low (4:1) low-range gear and 4.10:1 axle ratios to overcome the anemic 202-hp V6 engine that is long overdue for an upgrade. In fact, Jeep's overall lineup offers three different V6 engines in three different models—the new PentaStar 3.6L (rated at 290 hp) in the new Grand Cherokee, the 3.7L (rated at 210 hp) in the Liberty and the 3.8L (rated at 202 hp) in the Wrangler.

True to the Jeep heritage most models will come standard with four-wheel drive; though a rear-wheel drive is available on the Unlimited model.

Here are the specifications of the 2011 Jeep Wrangler that we currently know:
Fuel economy: previous model got 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway and this model is expected to be very similar.
Warranty: three-year/36,000 mile basic warranty; five-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty; three-year/36,000 mile roadside assistance warranty; five-year/100,000 mile corrosion warranty

Wrangler Models
As expected the Wrangler is back with the base model X available along with the midlevel Sahara, and the serious off-road capable Rubicon. The 2011 Rubicon models offer the best in off-road readiness with heavy-duty axles, extra-low gearing, and electronically locking front and rear differentials. Again in 2011 the Wranglers will come with 2-door and 4-door frames available on all models.

Exterior Features
The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most recognizable cars on the road today and regarding the outside, the 2011 Wrangler looks nearly identical to its predecessors in the current Wrangler body style. Jeep made few changes to the outside of the 2011 Wrangler. The regular version of the Wrangler is a two-door car, but the four-door version is available, called the Unlimited.

Interior Features
Drivers will also notice a quieter ride inside the 2011 Wrangler as Jeep focused on reducing noise levels that previously plagued the Wrangler.
The 2011 Jeep Wrangler will have the same engine as the 2010 Jeep Wrangler; as a result, the 2011 model is expected to perform very similar to the 2010 model. Jeep vehicles are built for off-road fun, and the chances are that this vehicle will perform admirably off-road.

While the new 2011 Wrangler has made some impressive leaps forward with new creature comforts, it doesn't deviate much from the core principles Wrangler drivers hold dear.

How the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Compares to Other Small Affordable SUVs
Jeep vehicles are great for taking off-road; however, in the past, the Wrangler isn’t as refined on-road. The 2011 Jeep Wrangler, with its new engine, could perform better on-road as well; it’s too early to tell.
Jeep Patriot (for better fuel efficiency)

READ MORE - 2011 Jeep Wrangler Overviews

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee .With a redesign for 2011, the Jeep Grand Cherokee bridges the gap between luxury SUV and rugged four-wheeler. It offers even beefier off-road capabilities, a more refined interior and a more comfortable on-road ride.

The redesigned Grand Cherokee is a bona-fide off-road SUV with an interior that rivals a German car -- a rare combination. CNET concludes that the Grand Cherokee “has few equals in the luxury SUV segment for off-road prowess. The Grand Cherokee’s fuel economy continues to disappoint. Jeep estimates that base two-wheel-drive models will net 16/23 mpg city/highway, while 4WD models will net 16/22.

Other Off-Road SUVs to Consider
No vehicle on the market can really match the off-road prowess of a trail-rated Jeep. If you want an off-road vehicle with better fuel economy, consider the Jeep Patriot.
Details: Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in four trims -- the base Laredo E, Laredo X, Limited and top-of-the-line Overland.
It's clearly a Grand Cherokee, but it has a sleekness that its predecessor lacked. The old Grand Cherokee's design was blocky, but the new model looks like it was shaped by a wind tunnel. The SUV is about 2 inches longer, 3 inches wider and one-half inch taller than the 2010 model, but its wheelbase has grown by 5.3 inches to 114.8 inches overall, resulting in more backseat legroom. Mark Allen, Jeep's head of design, said current Grand Cherokee owners made it clear they didn't want the SUV to get too big with its redesign, and it's evident that Jeep listened. (To see a side-by-side comparison of the 2010 and 2011 Grand Cherokee, click here.)
Ride Comfort
The Grand Cherokee's ride comfort is its most impressive quality. Grand Cherokees with the air suspension do a better job of masking pavement imperfections, and the SUV floats a little more over bigger bumps.

Jeep found the desired middle ground with the Grand Cherokee's steering tuning. Going & Stopping
Driving the V-6 Grand Cherokee reminded me that the laws of physics can't be changed. Off-Road Capability
Jeep is one of a few car brands with an identity strongly associated with off-road capability, and even though the new Grand Cherokee significantly improves the SUV's on-road refinement, it doesn't come at the expense of its off-road chops, which are impressive. My time with the Grand Cherokee included off-road driving at Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area in Northern California, where I had an opportunity to test the Grand Cherokee's off-road hardware.

A Grand Cherokee with Quadra-Lift and Jeep's new Selec-Terrain traction system (explained in more detail later in this review) made easy work of the rocky paths and steep grades at Hollister Hills. With hill descent control, the Grand Cherokee crept slowly down steep grades without drama. Most competing hill descent systems restrict you to a single speed.

The Grand Cherokee is available with a choice of three four-wheel-drive systems: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II or Quadra-Drive II. Quadra-Drive II also adds a rear electronically controlled limited-slip differential that can apportion power between the left and right rear wheels, even on dry roads.

Choosing Quadra-Trac II or Quadra-Drive II also adds Jeep's Selec-Terrain system, which is similar to Land Rover's Terrain Response technology and a dial-operated system in the upcoming 2011 Ford Explorer. Selec-Terrain also coordinates the Quadra-Lift air suspension on models that have it. The air suspension has five height settings: Normal (8.1 inches of clearance), Off-Road 1 (9.4 inches), Off-Road 2 (10.7 inches), Park (6.6 inches) and Aero (7.5 inches).
Upscale materials include a stitched leather dashboard and real wood trim on Overland models, and interior panel fit seemed much better compared with the old Grand Cherokee.

All of the Grand Cherokees I drove had leather seats, but base Laredo versions come standard with cloth upholstery. Front-seat cushioning is firm, but the seats were comfortable for a day of driving. I'm 6-foot-1 and often find that I could do with longer seat cushions in many of the cars I test, but the Grand Cherokee's cushions were just right.

Cargo & Towing
The Grand Cherokee's cargo area measures 35.1 cubic feet, which is 5.6 cubic feet larger than the prior model's cargo area but less than what the Toyota 4Runner (47.2 cubic feet) and Nissan Pathfinder (49.2 cubic feet) provide behind their second rows. With the Grand Cherokee's backseat folded, cargo room increases to 68.7 cubic feet.

All Grand Cherokees are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds by adding an appropriate trailer hitch. Safety
The 2011 Grand Cherokee is a 2010 Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The final requirement for the award is the availability of an electronic stability system, which is standard in the Grand Cherokee.

Additional standard safety features include antilock brakes, side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags for both rows and active front head restraints. Grand Cherokee in the Market
In the '90s, the Grand Cherokee, Ford Explorer and other SUVs fueled a boom that changed the landscape of American roads. We hope reliability improves with this generation, but impressive on-road manners and stylish looks inside and out make the Grand Cherokee a model that must be on your test-drive list if you're shopping for a new SUV — even if you don't plan on taking it off-road.

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.

In the government's new, more strenuous crash testing for 2011, the Grand Cherokee earned an overall rating of four stars out of a possible five, with four stars for overall frontal crash protection and five stars for overall side crash protection. Instead of last year's heavy use of gray, hard plastic, the new Grand Cherokee features a cleaner-looking dashboard design.

Driving Impressions
Get behind the wheel and you'll immediately notice that the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee drives considerably better than before. Off-road, the JGC maintains its reputation as a capable performer thanks to good ground clearance and an advanced four-wheel-drive system.

READ MORE - 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee