Category: Sporting 4x4s 
Price Range: £27,100 to £41,800
Good engines, improved driving dynamics over previous version, good pricing and equipment
Interior quality still lacks class and sophistication of rivals, on-road behaviour still doesn't match the best either, thirsty
The all-new Grand Cherokee is a vast improvement on the car it replaces, but it's still not one of the better cars in this ever-more competitive class.
Jeep's large, well-equipped Grand Cherokee has generally been able to cut the mustard off-road, but given how few customers actually take their big Jeeps into the wilds, the company decided that only a 'quantum leap' in terms of on-road dynamics would do when it came to replacing the last-generation model.
On sale from June 2005, this latest Grand Cherokee retains quite a few of the previous model's visual characteristics, such as the seven-slat grille, raked windscreen and minimal overhangs. So this is an evolution of the old Grand Cherokee, in terms of style if not substance. It stays as a five-seater; Jeep hopes that those wanting two extra seats - and rugged retro styling - will opt instead for the closely-related Commander (see separate road test) rather than heading for SUVs from rival companies.
Under the skin, the latest car is all-new, and a big improvement, dynamically at least, over the car it replaces. It gets independent front suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and functions like electronic stability control and electronic locking differentials for the first time, though it retains the old live rear axle layout for the rear suspension.
It's keenly priced, too, with base models starting from under £30,000, while even the well-equipped, top-spec 5.7-litre Hemi Limited is just under £35,000; competitive, for a vehicle of this size and power.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Jeep Grand Cherokee
wrote on 23 09 2006
wrote on 15 08 2006