REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

In-fighting
 
The Grand Cherokee was rejuvenated 3 years ago. Despite a vaguely familiar appearance, only 127 components from the former generation are back on the current one. Curiously, this Jeep is now part of the DaimlerChrysler family, which also includes a serious competitor, the Mercedes-Benz ML.In spite of an entirely redesigned dashboard, the instruments remain typical of most Chrysler products. Although seats are inviting and comfortable, rear doors are too narrow, a flaw carried over from the old models! The spare tire has been removed from the cargo area and is now stored under the vehicle’s floor.The optional engine, which is the more interesting choice, is a 4.7-liter SOHC V8 with a 260-hp output. Featuring a design that is totally different from the 5.2- and 5.9-liter V8s it has replaced, this unit is more efficient from every standpoint; it is more environment-friendly and offers slightly better fuel economy (approximately one mile per gallon better than the 5.2-liter). Of course, the base engine remains the venerable 4.0-liter in-line six-cylinder, also revised. The automatic transmission, also redesigned, includes a fairly unusual feature: a variable second gear ratio, one for upshifting and the other for kickdown. The optional Quadra-Drive transfer box incorporates a progressive, speed-sensing torque transfer differential. Combined with the Vari-Lok system on the front and rear axles, which also react to torque, the Quadra-Drive helps the Grand Cherokee pull itself out of any jam as long as there is traction to at least one wheel.

We found the Grand Cherokee equipped with the V8 to be a very quiet and very comfortable vehicle, not to mention the fact that the engine provides surprisingly good acceleration and pick-up given the vehicle’s weight – very possibly the best in this market niche, as a matter of fact. This model’s quiet and smooth ride will no doubt impress many a luxury car owner. The new steering system keeps the vehicle right on course and you won’t even know the Quadra-Drive transfer box is there, since it works like a regular all-wheel drive system. As for the six-cylinder, we found it to be as responsive and energetic as always. It’s also smoother than before, but the Selec-Trac transfer box is still balky and hard to use. Lastly, on a brief but particularly demanding off-road foray, we saw proof that the Grand Cherokee is very agile even on virtually impassable terrain.

PROS
Pleasant V8 engine
Remarkable handling
Off-road capabilities

CONS
Narrow rear doors
Ancient transfer box (base model)
Sluggish 4.0-liter engine

CRASH TEST (five stars indicate the best protection)
Driver: * * *
Passenger: * * * *