Jeep appears to be obliged nailed it this time. After two decades of assembling its Grand Cherokee amusement utility vehicle, the American automaker has finally delivered a world-class off-roader open of taking on everything in its section – and more – with a eminently likelihood of coming out on rise above others.
And if you drove last year’s type, it’s time to climb astern the wheel again as Jeep has significantly updated the SUV in opposition to 2014 with a bold new extrinsic appearance, an upgraded interior with enhanced electronics and a repaired transmission that completely transforms the progression it drives.
We recently spent a filled week with a dark blue 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4×4, a well-optioned type fitted with the standard gasoline-fed V6. While it didn’t desire the punch of the range-eminent V8-powered SRT8, or the material for burning-sipping economy of its new EcoDiesel sibling, the prominent-volume variant left us quite impressed.
Related Gallery2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland: Review
Without investigation, the 2014 is significantly improved above its predecessor.
Slightly more than 20 years ago, Jeep launched its all-new Grand Cherokee concerning the 1993 model year. The current chassis is its fourth-production iteration (known as the WK2 to stain purists), which made its debut at the 2009 New York Auto Show, excepting it didn’t go on sale until the following summer as a 2011 original. Three short years later, Jeep has introduced the revised 2014 facsimile with a slew of significant upgrades.
Jeep is sacrifice its 2014 Grand Cherokee in not at all fewer than six different models (listed in class of increasing base price): Laredo, Laredo E, Limited, Overland, Summit and SRT. Depending adhering the model, there are three machine choices (3.6-liter V6, 5.7-liter V8 and the recent turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 diesel) and separate powertrain choices (4×2 and three contrary 4×4 systems). While the aforementioned diesel and to a great height-performance SRT models capture most of the spotlight, the rule gasoline-powered V6 models comprise the major part of sales – more than justifying this inspect.
As indicated, Jeep made several improvements to the Grand Cherokee in opposition to the new model year. Mechanically talk, a smooth-shifting eight-speed self-acting transmission replaces the outgoing five-fare gearbox and the four-wheel-ride system has been improved with of the present day modes. Cosmetically, the front fascia has been redesigned and there are new taillamps, a larger liftgate robber and more wheel choices. Jeep didn’t license the interior alone either, as the 2014 models are fitted by a new steering wheel with paddle shifters, revised utensil cluster, redesigned center stack with the meeting of friends’s larger 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, upgraded Uconnect Access and other enhanced inward materials. Without question, the 2014 is significantly improved throughout its 2013 predecessor.
The Overland in model configuration is fitted with a exceedingly high level of equipment.
Our finical 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4×4, painted in True Blue Pearl into the bargain two-tone Vesuvio Indigo Blue and Jeep Brown inner part upholstery, started with a base estimation of $45,995. Few would disapprove the owners who add absolutely none options, as the Overland in model configuration is equipped with a self-same high level of equipment that includes leather upholstery, heated and ventilated gift-operated eight-way driver and encounter passenger seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, Chrysler’s Uconnect system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, 506-watt audio package, heated steering wheel, power liftgate, bi-xenon headlamps and greater degree. Even so, our tester was upgraded with the Customer Preferred 23P package ($1,695), which included adaptive cruise control, forward conflict warning, advanced brake assist, blind sully and rear cross path detection. The power of endurance line on our SUV’s window sticker, including the directory $995 destination charge, was $48,685.
Like greatest in number late model Grand Cherokees on the passage today, our vehicle featured Chrysler’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, rated at 290 horsepower and 260 enclose-feet of torque. New for 2014 is a pennon ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic that provides not sole improved fuel economy and better acceleration, but a new lower crawl ratio of 44:1 to aid on the farther side-road prowess when equipped with the two-succeed transfer case (Jeep’s Quadra-Trac II is streamer on the Overland). The EPA rates the SUV at 17 miles through gallon city and 24 mpg public road, which is a slight improvement throughout last year’s 16 mpg incorporated town and 23 mpg highway. The implement is also E85 compatible, but ardent the ethanol fuel blend delivers reduced management.
The 2014 Grand Cherokee starts opposite strong even before the engine is started.
Underpinning the Grand Cherokee is an independent suspension mounted to a case-harden unibody chassis shared with the current-succession of descendants Mercedes-Benz M-Class (consider it a subscription from the earlier DaimlerChrysler days). The head features upper and lower control panoply while the rear is fitted through a multi-link design. Twin-pipe, gas-charged shock and coil springs full out the package. The Quadra-degree of elevation air suspension, with four drive heights and a grovelling Park mode to ease ingress/exit (4.1 inches of total expedition), is standard on the Overland. The steering is electrically assisted, and the Grand Cherokee requires blameless 37.1 feet to turn restraint-to-curb. Our Overland was equipped through 20-inch cast aluminum wheels, wrapped in 265/50R20 Goodyear Fortera HL completely-season tires.
First impressions mean wholly a bit in the automotive terraqueous globe, especially when emotion sells more vehicles than a single one pushy salesman. In that regard, the 2014 Grand Cherokee starts from strong even before the engine is started.
The outer surface refresh is attractive, as it maintains the Jeep’s obligatory aggressive and capable appearance while loss some of the shiny chrome in the advance. Headlights are now sleeker and further detailed, and the lower fascia receives the identical attention. The alterations to the back of the instrument are less obvious, but Jeep has repositioned some of the flashy trim and cleaned up its overall apparition.
All of the touch surfaces be conscious of being substantial and of high quality, solving that worn out complaint.
While the contrasting dark desponding and chocolate interior would not have existence our first choice, the white piping on the seats and wood without ceasing the dashboard provided an upscale manner. All of the touch surfaces be impressed substantial and of high quality, solving that common complaint. The front seats are agreeable, with nice bolsters, long lower cushions and unsullied lumbar support, and the driving post fit your editor’s six-twelve inches two-inch frame well. A scintillating and very legible multi-configurable writing panel is easy to see, just through polarized glasses, and the Garmin-based Uconnect navigation was immediate for all who used it (be it so we didn’t like how great number of the seat heat/cooling functions required greater amount of than a few actions to admittance). To ease connectivity, the driver and face passenger are offered an AUX, USB, SD and 12-volt DC influence outlet in a panel at the grounds of the center stack.
Second tumult passengers were equally as content, with acceptable leg, knee and toe sweep; large tinted windows; and plenty of host to charge their own personal electronics (Jeep has clown twin USB ports and a 115-volt outlet on the rear of the center console, exclusively for their use). When the center armrest is raised, the cushion unworthy of below the level of it is flat to make a free from pain fifth seating position.
A lack of a third part row (Dodge will sell you a Durango because of that role) means there are none bulky hide-away cushions to thwart the 60:40 split second line from folding, thus creating a strand and expansive cargo area. The stand over against passenger seat folds flat to increase cargo space, too. There are also four metal rails, and steel entangle-downs, to help secure larger loads and grocery wallet hooks to keep the little things from rolling around (another 12-volt DC outlet is in the construct cargo hold).
The gear selector requires a cursory learning curve, and it cannot subsist rushed without drawing profanities.
The push-button thwart/start is carried over from utmost year. The more significant news is the recently made known electronic shift lever replacing its gated elder on the center console. Seemingly lifted as it should be out of the current-generation Audi A8 sedan – they are virtually identical as both share the same ZF eight speed transmission – the blunt T-handle only requires a jog to engage the gear. In constant exercise, the gear selector requires a cursory learning curve, and it cannot have existence rushed without drawing profanities, but it works well for a bit of familiarity.
Our incipient positive impressions of the exterior and inside are complemented by the Grand Cherokee’s of the present day driving dynamics.
The V6 will not at any time match the brawn of the SRT’s V8 (or on the same level the Hemi), and nobody should wait for it to, but the new diminish first gear allows the volume design to leap off the line through newfound energy. The Jeep weighs 4,984 pounds, what one. is about average in this portion, but a happy marriage between the six-cylinder Pentastar and the ZF eight-send away in haste transmission (it reportedly has 90 contrasted shift algorithms from which to make choice of) means the SUV will hit 60 miles for hour in about seven seconds smooth. On the road, the power seemed to transgress off at higher speeds, but it was further than adequate for most passing maneuvers. According to Jeep, our ground of admission car will tow 6,200 pounds (those seeking greater degree of pulling capability should look at the diesel or SRT, like those are both rated to struggle 7,200-plus pounds).
The SUV excels without ceasing the open road, especially at speed.
Once at speed, extensive soundproofing and compact door seals kept wind noise to a least quantity. Unlike the beastly SRT8, docked points in the place of road noise in our recent write a critical notice of, the narrower all-season rubber steady this four-door never howled forward the open road. While it that may be liked doesn’t help lower cabin discussion, the air suspension automatically lowers the medium at highways speeds to improve the excipient’s overall aerodynamics and aid fuel economy (the Grand Cherokee earns a make slow progress coefficient of 0.37).
Tuned on this account that on- and off-road travel, the ride was forward the firm side yet its damping response aligned with our expectations – softer than the SRT8, but still maintained a sporty edge. Its European-bred chassis is strict and responded well to steering requests. Even in like manner, we found ourselves skipping the tight mount curves where the Jeep began to experience a bit awkward, and taking the public road routes to make good use of the admirable radar-based adaptive cruise control. The SUV excels adhering the open road, especially at send away quickly.
It appears that Jeep has for good and all delivered one of the best overall vehicles in the midsize SUV segment.
Sadly, and despite setting a promised time aside for it, we never had the uncertainty to take the Grand Cherokee on the farther side the pavement and try its Select-Terrain theory (our planned trip to an right side-road park was pushed off the document when another automaker was late with a vehicle delivery). Based on foregoing experience, the new revisions will alone improve its competence after the become firm ends.
As you have likely concluded, we in truth enjoyed our time with the improved Grand Cherokee. It appears that Jeep has ultimately delivered one of the best overall vehicles in the midsize SUV segment. In base form, the $31,000 Laredo interpretation competes exceptionally well against the Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer – we’d that may be liked choose it over all four whether or not a third row of seating weren’t required, and especially granting that off-road excursions were on our extended menu.
Yet else impressive than beating a typical intervening-priced soft-roader is the Overland’s qualification to be a worthy lower-require to be paid alternative to the widely praised BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class. The American beats the one and the other in content, equals them in ride nature and is more capable on unrefined terrain. Thanks to a host of novel cosmetic and mechanical upgrades for 2014, the Grand Cherokee has emerged as America’s new midsize SUV streamer of excellence.
Vital Stats
Engine:3.6L V6 Power:290 HP / 260 LB-FT Transmission:8-Speed Auto 0-60 Time:7.0 Seconds (est.) Drivetrain:Four-Wheel Drive Curb Weight:4,984 LBS Towing:6,200 LBS Seating:2+3 Cargo:68.3 CU-FT (max) MPG:17 City / 24 HWY Base Price:$45,995 As-Tested Price:$48,685
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