   2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit. Click image to enlarge |
Review and photos by Peter Bleakney
Having driven a couple of these fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokees at some pretty extreme off-roading media events, I can vouch for their formidable boonie-bashing prowess. It’s pretty much a given.
Jeep, like Range Rover, trades on its legendary off-road ability, but unlike Range Rover, Jeep might not be first to mind when thinking of opulent luxury.
Enter the 2014 Grand Cherokee Summit. Think of Biff McWilderness in a Harry Rosen suit… okay, Tip Top Tailor. This top-spec GC sees a number of improvements for 2014 – most significantly an eight-speed auto transmission replacing the old five-cog unit – and it drops last year’s “Overland” handle.
Available with either the 290 hp, 260 lb-ft 3.6L Pentastar V6, the 360 hp, 390 lb-ft 5.7L Hemi V8, or an all-new 3.0L turbo diesel V6 that delivers 240 hp, 420 lb-ft and a claimed 7.1 L/100 km on the highway, this gussied-up Jeep aspires to snag the best valet spot in front of the Ritz, even if it had crawled through brush and over boulders to get there.
Granted, not a likely scenario, but entirely possible.
With a starting price of $59,995 for this V6 model, the Summit comes with all the requisite hardware to get you far off the beaten path. Quadra-Trac II 4WD with Hill Decent uses a two-speed transfer that splits power 50:50 for normal driving, has electronic locking and an improved 44:1 low range for off-roading (up from last year’s 30:1). The Summit also gets Quadra-Lift variable height air suspension that can raise the ride height by 104 mm (4.1 inches), providing best-in-class ground clearance of 287 mm (11.3 inches). Selec-Terrain dials up five settings (Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud, Rock) that adjust the parameters of twelve functions to provide ultimate traction.
With all this capability, the fact that Jeep deleted the aluminum skid plates and toes hooks on the Summit for 2014 suggests an awareness to the fact that those who pony up for luxury off-roaders don’t really do much luxury off-roading. In other words, the Selec-Terrain knob and its surrounding buttons will likely see as much use as a Scottish pay toilet.
So how does the Summit play out as a cut-price Range Rover?
Exactly that. The Jeep’s interior is certainly well appointed, decently finished and sports the requisite dash-top stitching, but it can’t come close to the exquisite experience served up by the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, or even the refreshed 2014 BMW X5, that in 300 hp six-cylinder guise (xDrive35i) starts at a similar $62,900.
   2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit. Click image to enlarge |
South of the lovely open-grain wood trim that bisects the Jeep’s dash lives some cheap, hard plastic, alerting one to its humbler roots.
Nonetheless, there’s much to like here. The heated steering wheel keeps your mitts toasty and the dual-pane panoramic sunroof keeps the cabin bright and airy. The standard 825-watt, 19-speaker audio is decent too, although if you want to play your old-fashioned CDs, a single-disk remote CD player runs 200 bucks.
The Grand Cherokee’s revised instrument cluster has a configurable TFT centre display that drivers can customize to their liking.
    2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit. Click image to enlarge |
For 2014 the Summit now gets Chrysler’s 8.4-inch touchscreen interface which is the best of this ilk when it comes to usability. Upgraded for 2014 with Chrysler’s uConnect2 software, the system boasts all the latest connectivity features – smart phone integration, text message reading, improved voice commands, and it can be configured to act as a wi-fi hot spot. On the down side, the Garmin navigation graphics are pretty rudimentary.
I wasn’t nuts about the seats. Like those in the Chrysler 300, you feel like you’re sitting “on” them, not “in” them. Last year’s notched shift gate gets replaced with Chrysler’s electronic joy-stick thingy that mimics those by BMW and Mercedez-Benz, but misses the mark big-time with its finicky and imprecise operation.
If it’s any consolation, they’ve fitted this thing to the new Maserati Quattroporte. Mamma mia! (cue forehead slap).
Back seat room is generous, and said seats are heated, recline and easily fold to create a large, flat load space.
 
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit. Click image to enlarge |
If you’re comparing the 2014 V6 Summit to a similarly equipped Range Rover Sport HSE (340 hp supercharged 3.0L V6) or BMW X5 xDrive35i (300 hp turbo 3.0L straight-six), you’ll be delighted by the Jeep’s all-in 60 large sticker. The Rangie starts at $80,560, and while the Bimmer bows at just under $63,000, you’re looking at another 10 grand minimum to bring it up to spec.
The 2014 Grand Cherokee Summit comes very well kitted: adaptive cruise, 20-inch wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with washers, proximity key with push button start, remote start, powered lift gate, front/rear park assist, blind spot and rear cross traffic detection and forward collision warning. The front seats are heated/ventilated and the rears are heated.
On the road the Summit conducts itself in a suitably upscale fashion. The cabin is well isolated and the ride generally civilized, although the slight pitchiness is typical of tall SUVs that struggle to maintain acceptable on-road body control. This chassis carries a lot of Mercedes DNA after all, so the bones are good.
The 3.6L Pentastar V6, here making 290 hp and a peak 260 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm benefits mightily from the new ZF-sourced eight-speed auto.
This engine has its work cut out – the Summit checks in at 2247 kg (4955 lbs) which confirms this SUV as a bonafied porker. It feels heavy.
Acceleration is adequate, but if you really need some go, the V6 doth protest when caned. And while handling is competent, it’s hardly agile in the way the aforementioned BMW and Range Rover are. Plus the latter two’s pressurized engines generate a helping of mid-range punch the Jeep’s naturally-aspirated V6 can’t match.
The Summit’s fuel economy improves slightly over last year’s model thanks to this transmission and a new Eco mode that alters gearbox strategy and reduces throttle sensitivity. Yes, the truck feels more sluggish in this green mode.
A quick fix for this? Pony up $2,150 for the 360hp/390 lb-ft 5.7L Hemi V8. You’re still well below the RR and BMW stickers.
I did enjoy my snowy week in this sure-footed SUV. From its new squinty headlights to the LED taillights, the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit is most certainly the real deal. It may not be as natty or refined as the European representatives of this luxury off road niche, but it sure walks the walk, has all the toys, and in this company can be considered a bargain.
Pricing: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit V6
Base price: $59,995
Optional equipment: Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl Coat $195; single CD player $200
A/C tax: $100
Destination charge: $1,595
Price as tested: $62,085
Competitors:
BMW X6 M
Infiniti FX50
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Mercedes ML-Class
Porsche Cayenne
Crash Test Results:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
