2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Full-sized sport-utility vehicle is king of off-road trails

By Nina Russin

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland

The Grand Cherokee is Jeep’s biggest and most lavish sport-utility vehicle. For 2011, the automaker is introducing an all-new model with more comfort and convenience features, plus the off-road capability the brand is famous for.

The new Grand Cherokee is slightly longer and wider than the outgoing model. Designers pushed the rear axle back five inches to increase legroom in the second row.

An all-new flex-fuel V-6 engine comes standard on all three grades, with a five-speed automatic transmission. Buyers needing more than the standard engine’s 5000 pound towing capability can upgrade to a hemi V-8 that tows 7400 pounds. The hemi incorporates Chrysler’s multiple displacement technology which deactivates cylinders when engine loads are low to save fuel.

Jeep is introducing several new technologies to improve the Grand Cherokee’s performance on and off-road. A new air suspension system can raise the vehicle up for extreme off-road trails to create 10.7 inches of ground clearance.

The same system automatically lowers the Jeep from its normal setting to an aero position on the highway, to improve performance and fuel economy. The driver can lower the vehicle even further in park, to ease access and egress.

New front and rear independent suspensions contribute to a 146 percent improvement in torsional rigidity for better steering response. A Selec-Terrain system on the center console lets the driver choose from one of five conditions, to provide optimal engine and suspension tuning, with the appropriate safety technology.

Jeep is using the same trim designations as the outgoing model. The four-wheel drive Laredo starts at $32,995, while the upscale Overland  4X4 is priced from $42,995. 2011 models begin rolling into dealerships the end of July.

Northern California test drive

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland

I drove the new Grand Cherokee at a media program in the San Francisco bay area this week. Our drive route included a mix of city streets, rural canyon roads, highways and an off-road segment at the Hollister Hills sport vehicle recreation park.

The test car is the upscale Overland grade with the new V-6 engine and 18-inch alloy wheels, priced at $43,695. Options include adaptive cruise control, the Quadra-Lift air suspension, Selec-Terrain system and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

The V-6 engine carries a 290-horsepower rating and produces 260 lbs.-ft. of torque. While this should be plenty of power for the car, the powerplant falls slightly short. Motoring around town is not an issue, nor is merging into high speed traffic on the highway.

But climbing the steep canyon roads between San Francisco and Hollister was a challenge for the smaller engine. The Grand Cherokee is a heavy vehicle: 5210 pounds for the 4X4 Overland. Options such as the large glass panels in the sunroof add mass, as does wiring for the high-tech options.

Buyers need to weigh their power requirements against the loss in fuel economy which the larger engine brings. The V-6 engine averages 22 miles-per-gallon on the highway; the V-8 averages 19. Both engines work well in off-road applications, though the V-8 is easier to control, due to its enhanced low-end torque.

Engineers did an excellent job of isolating passengers from road and engine noise by triple sealing the glass and adding extra insulation under the chassis. Because all Jeeps must be able to ford 20-inches of water to carry the automaker’s trail rating, engineers sealed the underbody to prevent water intrusion.

The five-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, though there are some harsh downshifts when the driver accelerates up steep grades.

Steering response from the rack-and-power system is excellent at all speeds. Despite being a large vehicle, the driver has no problem feeling connected to the chassis. A 37.1-foot turning radius makes it possible to do U-turns on wider urban roads.

A new blind spot detection system illuminates LEDs in the side mirrors when cars in adjacent lanes pass through blind spots to the Jeep’s rear corners. This option is well worth the money for buyers who commute on crowded urban highways. It makes merging into the dense South Bay traffic much easier.

Visibility around the car is good. The side mirrors minimize blind spots in the rear corners without obstructing the driver’s view when cornering. Over-the-shoulder visibility is adequate for monitoring traffic in the adjacent lanes.

The Overland grade comes standard with a rearview camera and rear park assist: an important safety feature for parents with small children who may wander behind the car.

Exceptional off-road capability

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

In order to carry the manufacturer’s trails rating, a Jeep must be able to negotiate extreme off-road terrain, which includes maintaining directional control with one or more wheels off the ground.

The Hollister Hills park is a dedicated facility for off-road driving. Trails include large rocks, roots, boulders, and grades of over sixty degrees.

We took the Grand Cherokee on such a course, to see how well its four-wheel drive, Selec-Terrain and hill descent control features would handle the challenge.

After going through a series of rollers, the trail snaked up a steep grade to a ridge overlooking the park. The Grand Cherokee’s long wheelbase makes it less maneuverable than the smaller Wrangler, but capable of maneuvering through pitchy hills and sharp turns.

The off-road adventure II option package on the test car includes skid plates to protect the chassis, a full-sized spare tire, off-road tires and a two-speed transfer case. The transfer case provides the extreme low gears necessary for driving on uneven terrain. When wheel sensors detect slippage, the system can transfer up to 100 percent of engine power to the axle with the best traction.

Switching the air suspension into “off-road 2” mode raises the chassis to provide maximum ground clearance. The front air dam on the Grand Cherokee is removable to prevent the car from hanging up at the bottom of a steep grade and rock damage.

Hill descent control uses the throttle, transfer case and differentials to maintain speeds as low as one mile-per-hour without engaging the brakes. The system gives the driver much more control over steering, allowing him to easily maneuver around obstacles.

While the V-6 engine doesn’t have the hill climbing power of the eight cylinder hemi, it can easily handle the steep grades at Hollister. The Grand Cherokee offers passengers a more compliant ride through rugged off-road terrain than the smaller Wrangler.

Well-equipped interior

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland

The Overland grade comes standard with leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. Keyless entry and start enables the driver to unlock the vehicle and fire the ignition without removing  the key fob from his pocket. The dual-pane sunroof covers both rows of seating with glass, allowing plenty of ambient light into the interior.

Both rows of passengers have access to bottle holders and map pockets in the doors. Dual-zone climate controls keep front-row passengers comfortable, while vents behind the center console bin circulate air through the back of the cabin.

A Garmin navigation system calculates routes quickly and accurately. It can reboot and reconfigure routes within about 30 seconds.

The eight-way power driver’s seat includes a power lumbar control. The seats are a little soft for my taste, but comfortable enough for drives several hours in duration.

The standard audio system includes an iPod dock, CD changer, AM/FM and Sirius satellite radio.

Twelve-volt power points up front and in the cargo area recharge portable electronic devices. A 115-volt power outlet on the Overland allows rear passengers to plug in games or a computer.

The rear seats fold flat in a 60/40 pattern to create an uninterrupted cargo floor. The Grand Cherokee easily meets our bicycle-friendly standards.

Standard safety

All grades come with front, side, seat mounted pelvic and side curtain airbags. Electronic stability control includes electronic roll mitigation, hill start assist and trailer sway control.

Active head restraints deploy during a rear collision to prevent whiplash.

Jeep builds the Grand Cherokee at its Jefferson Avenue assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan

Likes: A versatile, upscale sport-utility vehicle with exceptional off-road performance, and a high level of standard safety features.

Dislike: Six-cylinder engine lacks the low-end torque to accelerate hard on steep grades.

Quick facts:

Make: Jeep
Model: Grand Cherokee Overland 4X4
Year: 2011
Base price: $41,120
As tested: $43,695
Horsepower: 290 Hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 260 lbs.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
Zero-to-sixty: N/A
Antilock brakes: Standard
Side curtain airbags: Standard
First aid kit: N/A
Bicycle friendly: Yes
Towing: Yes
Off-road: Yes
Fuel economy: 16/22 mpg city/highway