Luxury Jeeps, part one: 2009 Grand Cherokee Overland
(All photos: Bill Griffith/Boston.com)
One of the big stories coming out of April’s New York Auto Show was the unveiling of Chrysler’s 2011 Grand Cherokee, scheduled to go on sale next spring.
The date may be pushed back now that Chrysler has filed for Chapter 11 protection as it reorganizes. But it’s an important coming event.
That Grand Cherokee launch is the biggest product event on the Chrysler horizon before it starts to introduce vehicles produced as part of its alliance with Fiat. Ironically, the new vehicle is built on a chassis shared with the Mercedes M-Class vehicles, a project that began in the Daimler-Chrysler days and will overlap the continuing ownership changes.
But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. For the present, the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee remains an interesting vehicle, one that carries the DNA of Jeep’s true off-road capabilities.
Of course there are negatives. Chief among them is that the Grand Cherokee is a gas guzzler (get 15 around town and you’re doing well; figure 19 at best on a trip).
On the plus side, the Grand Cherokee is a pleasure to drive. The front seats are comfortable, visibility is excellent, handling is OK by SUV standards, and the 5.7-liter Hemi packs a lot of punch and sounds great. It’s mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.
On the negative side was the price. Our test vehicle was a loaded Overland with an MSRP of $44,545. The only add-on was a special blue pearl paint ($225). With the $780 destination charge, the final sticker price was $45,550. The only major geegaw not included was the rear seat DVD system, a $1,725 option.
On the plus side, deals still should abound for SUVs in the current market, and Chrysler does offer a $500 incentive on the Overland.
On the negative side is the backseat legroom. It’s OK for kids, not so great for adults for a long trip. Those rear seats are heated, however.
On the plus side, the Grand Cherokee is set up for those long trips, particularly ski trips in New England. Safety-wise, it’s got stability control, a top-of-the-line Quadra-Drive II all-wheel-drive system with limited slip front and rear differentials, hill-start assist, and rollover-sensing systems.
On the negative side is the rear cargo room. It’s less than you’d expect. However, there’s a big tray to carry wet or muddy boots and gear.
Back on the plus side are the electronics. This is a car that appeals to the driver who wants all the bells and whistles. This has remote start, backup camera, iPod interface, self-leveling and auto-dimming high intensity headlights, adjustable pedals (with memory) and rain-sensitive windshield wipers.
Should you need a third-row seat, Jeep’s got the even-bigger Commander available, though that model’s future may be in jeopardy.
Meanwhile, the Grand Cherokee should continue to be a significant player in the mid-sized SUV market. It’s an unusual mix of comfort and toughness, one that Jeep owners have come to love. They go into this relationship with their Jeep with their eyes open and, for them, the negatives are more than offset by the positives.
And that you have to respect.
Check back for our review of the 2009 Commander Overland.
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about boston overdrive
Boston.com reports the latest trends, auto shows and wrings out the newest cars in our city's hellish maze - and across the great roads of New England.In the garage: 2008 MBTA Zone 1A monthly pass, 1995 21-speed Iron Horse. Bill Griffith is an automotive correspondent for The Boston Globe and has reviewed cars for 10 years. He was also the Globe's assistant sports editor for 25 years and the paper's sports media columnist.
In the garage (over the years): 1956 T-Bird, 1959 Nash Metropolitan, 1980 El Camino, 1997 supercharged Camry TRD.
