2011 Jeeps

By John LeBlanc, MSN Autos
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee first drive
Under Fiat, Jeep's Grand Cherokee looks to return to its former upmarket spot



Photo: John LeBlanc
San Francisco, Calif. - It's a trip back in time with Jeep's all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee. Specifically, Chrysler's off-road brand wants to party like it's 1999. Back then, Jeep had just launched the second-generation Grand Cherokee, a vehicle considered by well-to-do customers as a legitimate alternative to the much pricier Range Rover. Following a decade-long down-market detour with the past two generations, Jeep has returned with some serious upmarket aspirations.

Fundamentally, the latest Grand Cherokee hasn't strayed far from the 1993 original. It's still a midsize, five-passenger SUV with a car-like unibody frame, but it possesses outstanding off-road abilities. Compared to the outgoing model, it boasts a new level of refinement unheard of for Jeep in terms of exterior detailing, interior décor, and the overall driving experience. It may be optimistic to think Jeep can compete against $100,000 luxury SUVs like the Range Rover or Porsche Cayenne, but after a day's drive in various Grand Cherokees, it's safe to say it's as good or better than similar-priced rivals like the Land Rover LR4, Volkswagen Touareg, Toyota 4Runner and Honda Pilot.

Gallery: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee first drive

There's a lot of Mercedes in this Jeep



Photo: Jeep
Although the 2011 Grand Cherokee is the second Chrysler Group product launched under the reign of its new Italian parents (the first was the Ram HD pickup), it was actually developed during the DaimlerChrysler era. So even if from the outside the new Grand Cherokee retains the outgoing model's proportions and styling theme, its structure is based on the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class. And, interestingly enough, it's not the current ML, but the next-generation model due sometime next year.

Arriving at Canadian Jeep dealers now, the four-model Grand Cherokee range starts with the $37,995 Laredo E and tops out with the loaded $49,995 Overland. A new V6 is standard across the board; buyers of the Laredo X, Limited and Overland can upgrade to the carryover 5.7-litre Hemi V8. And although our friends to the south will be getting 4x2 versions, all Grand Cherokees destined for Canada come with traction at all four wheels.

Related Autos links:
Research a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Compare the new Grand Cherokee to its rivals

Grand Cherokee's interior goes from no-star to four-star



Photo: John LeBlanc
Whatever Grand Cherokee you opt for, you'll be treated to an interior that's well-built, roomy and easy on the eyes. Surfaces that aren't made from soft-touch plastics are either some kind of faux metal or wood. Everything is assembled with tight panel gaps. While the big Jeep's interior isn't revolutionary from a design standpoint, it's competitive with premium rivals. The leather looks like it actually came from cows, not tar sands. And in the Overland, real wood covers the dash and doors, including the top of the leather-wrapped, tilt and telescoping steering wheel.

Rear-seat passengers will be equally pleased; now that the Grand Cherokee rides on a longer wheelbase, there's a whopping 10 cm more rear legroom - more than any of the aforementioned competition. The rear seats also recline for added comfort. Addressing customer criticism of a tiny cargo bay, Jeep's engineers have increased volume by an equally impressive 20 per cent, to over 990 litres. That's good, but still short of the 4Runner or LR4.

Related Autos links:
Build a new Grand Cherokee
Find a Jeep retailer near you

Refined and luxurious road manners



Photo: Jeep
The mix of a structure that's as rigid as the Rock of Gibraltar (it's almost 1.5 times stiffer than the outgoing model), a fuel-efficient and rev-happy V6, and proper four-wheel independent suspension sets the table for the Jeep's refined road manners and extreme off-road capabilities.

First, the newly available Quadra-Lift air suspension can raise or lower the Jeep to five different heights. Select Park mode, and it squats down 38 mm. Select Off-Road 2 and the ride height is jacked up by 270 mm.

Next is the optional Selec-Terrain system. Similar to Land Rover's Terrain Response, you can select five different drive surfaces via a console-mounted dial. Married to the stability and traction control systems, 12 different settings for power, throttle, braking and transmission adapt to either on or off-road conditions.



Photo: John LeBlanc
The Grand Cherokee debuts an all-new V6; it's the first we've seen of Chrysler's so-called "Phoenix" engine family. With an aluminum block, and variable valve timing, it adds 80 horsepower (now 290) and 25 lb.-ft. of torque (now 260), compared to the old 3.7-litre boat anchor. Better yet, fuel economy improves to 13.0 L/100 km city, and 8.9 L on the highway, versus 13.9 L and 10.1 L. If you have a lot of towing to do, it may be worth sticking with the 360-hp, 390 lb.-ft. of torque Hemi, which can lug 7,400 lbs. The six can only manage 5,000 lbs.
Continued: Track and field
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By Tom Krisher, The Associated Press, thecanadianpress.com, Updated: June 7, 2010 4:22 PM
Chrysler recalls 700,000 Jeeps, minivans


FILE - In this June 18, 2009 file photo, the Chrysler logo shines on the grille of a 2009 Chrysler Town & Country minivan at a Chrysler-Jeep dealership in the Colorado city of Centennial. Federal regulators say Chrysler is recalling nearly 600,000 Jeep Wranglers and Chrysler and Dodge minivans for brake or wiring problems. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)
DETROIT - Chrysler is recalling almost 700,000 minivans and Jeep Wranglers worldwide because of brake or wiring problems that could create safety issues, the company said Monday.

In Canada, the company issued a recall of approximately 29,000 Jeep Wranglers from the 2007 through 2010 model years due to a potential brake fluid leak. It also recalled about 15,000 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans from the 2008 and 2009 model years because a wiring problem can cause a fire inside the sliding doors.

Chrysler said it is recalling 288,968 Jeep Wranglers and 284,831 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans in the U.S.

Neither problem has caused any crashes or injuries, Chrysler Group LLC said.

It was the second notable recall in the past week for Chrysler. The company recalled nearly 35,000 Dodge Calibers and a limited number of Jeep Compasses last week to fix a potential problem with sticky gas pedals, the same issue that has afflicted millions of Toyotas.

In the latest recall, the front inner fender liners on the Jeeps can rub against the brake fluid tubes and cause a leak. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the leak could lead to a partial brake loss.

The minivans can have improperly placed wires that can come into contact with sliding door hinges that could cut through the insulation, Chrysler and NHTSA said.

Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa said the defect could lead to a fire inside the minivan door "in rare instances."

Chrysler will notify owners and dealers about the repairs, which will be made free of charge. The recall is expected to start later this month.

The Wranglers affected by the recall were made from May 15, 2006 through Aug. 9, 2010, according to NHTSA. The minivans were made from February 2007 through September 2007.

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Associated Press Writer Ken Thomas in the Washington, D.C., bureau contributed to this report.