Speaking of audio, a CD player is available optionally for $200, should you still prefer hard copies. Also optional are various off-road, weather and towing packages, Advanced Collision Warning and adaptive cruise control, blind spot and cross-traffic warning systems and a power sunroof (Laredo, Limited).
 SRT President and CEO Ralph Gilles. Click image to enlarge |
The SRT is the “wild child” of the Grand Cherokee family. Canada’s Ralph Gilles is now President and CEO of SRT, and his team has crafted a worthy contender to high-performance SUVs from luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. At $62,995 the SRT is actually less expensive than the Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel Summit (one wonders which model will outsell the other…).
The SRT arrives with a 6.4L V8 engine making 470 hp and 465 lb-ft torque. It is fully loaded, and comes with a choice of 20-inch wheels. Easily identifiable, the SRT features the most distinctive appearance modifications, including signature LED lighting, a more aggressive grille design, and new rear spoiler.
Like all the 2014 Grand Cherokees, it also features a new Eco Mode, although it’s the only model that gets the hair-raising Track Mode as part of its Selec-Trac system.
We drove three versions of the new Grand Cherokee: Overland V6, Overland EcoDiesel and SRT. Each has its own character and drive characteristics.
The Overland V6 was experienced on the highway and on the off-road course. The Overland was fully loaded, and gave every impression of the luxury SUV it aspired to be.
 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Click image to enlarge |
While the V8 engine would surely provide an extra measure of responsiveness and satisfaction, the Pentastar V6 seemed perfectly adequate to me. It’s a smooth powerplant, both under acceleration and when cruising, and is reasonably fuel efficient, too. It didn’t seem overmatched by the heavy Grand Cherokee doing this type of duty, although certainly more punch off the line would be supplied by the other engine options. At 120 km/h on the high-speed Texas highways, engine noise was all but undetectable, and the operation of the eight-speed transmission (other than its somewhat fussy gearshift) was super-smooth, with the vehicle always in the right gear (there are paddle shifters, by the way, if you’re inclined).
It’s a bit of work to haul yourself into the Grand Cherokee, as there’s no grab handle on the A-pillar (once seated, there’s one above your shoulder, but it’s not much use for helping you in). You do get used to this, but what did continue to bother me was that forward outward visibility was compromised by the huge rear view mirror and rain-sensor assembly with wide black surround. It seemed to take up half of the middle of the windshield. Also somewhat distracting were reflections from the dash-mounted vents in the outside rearview mirrors, and reflections of the contrasting stitching in the leather-clad dashboard visible in the windshield.
