First Drive: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Review and photos by Paul Williams

Photo Gallery:
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Austin, Texas – The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee arrives in late March/early April 2013 with a diesel engine option, new exterior and interior trim, descent and ascent control, a new eight-speed automatic transmission and new wheels and lighting. Even though this is not an “all-new” Grand Cherokee, the differences are significant enough to call the 2014 model a “major refresh.”

Along with the drivetrain enhancements, Jeep designers have more clearly delineated the different trim levels of the five-passenger Grand Cherokee, emphasizing its luxury, off-road and performance characteristics.

The Laredo, Limited and Overland remain, joined this year by the high-luxury Summit trim level. The SRT (no longer SRT8) returns with startling performance, better towing, and special design. In fact, each of the trim levels now wears a distinctive front fascia, and is equipped with specific wheels (17-, 18- or 20-inch) along with variations of front and rear lighting.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Click image to enlarge

Three four-wheel-drive systems continue: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, supplemented by the available Quadra-Lift air suspension and Selec-Terrain traction management system. All Canadian Grand Cherokee models are four-wheel drive.

Starting at $39,995, the Laredo is powered by a 3.6-litre “Pentastar” V6 engine making 290 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. Fuel consumption for this engine is rated at 12.4/8.5 L/100 km, city/highway (the Grand Cherokee is fitted with a huge 93 L gas tank).

Standard equipment includes the new-to-Jeep ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, projector fog lamps and LED tail lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power driver’s seat, dual zone automatic climate control, a seven-inch reconfigurable in-cluster display, 17-inch aluminum wheels, five-inch “Uconnect” display with satellite radio, keyless start and capless fuel filler. The new radios in the Jeep Grand Cherokee can stream music through a paired Bluetooth compatible phone.

Laredo’s single-speed transfer case full-time 4×4 system normally splits power 50/50 front and rear and transfers additional torque to the axle with the most traction if slippage occurs. Its seats are upholstered with cloth, and like the full line of Grand Cherokees, it gets a new steering wheel, which I liked, but my driving partner found “bus like.” It’s not dainty, I’ll grant that.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Click image to enlarge

While the Laredo is a well-equipped and highly capable in-town and off-road vehicle, Canadian buyers apparently favour the Limited (and higher level) models according to Jeep Canada. The $46,995 Limited, for instance, also arrives with the V6 but makes available a 5.7L V8 engine that produces 360 hp at 5,150 rpm and 390 lb-ft torque at 4,250 rpm for an additional $2,150 ($49,145 MSRP). Fuel consumption for this engine is estimated at 16.6/9.9 L/100 km, city/highway.

The Limited includes leather upholstery, rear back-up camera and park-assist, the Quadra-Trac II 4×4 system with Downhill Descent Control and Selec-Trac terrain management, heated steering wheel, power liftgate, automatic garage door opener and 18-inch aluminum wheels among other enhancements (a popular option will be the navigation with the bigger eight-inch display for $900).

Quadra-Trac II has a two-speed transfer case (low and high range) and uses sensors to detect tire slip whereupon corrective action is taken. Up to 100 percent of available torque can be directed to either axle, while the Selec-Trac system enables the driver to maximize vehicle dynamics for snow, sand, rock, sport and normal conditions. The Overland also receives a two-pane sunroof and the Quadra-Lift air suspension with its five height settings.

The $54,995 Overland can also be purchased with the V6 engine, but its standard powerplant is the V8 at $57,145. However, an additional engine option for the Overland is the new 3.0L EcoDiesel ($4,995), giving the Overland diesel a starting price of $62,140. Fuel consumption for this engine is rated at a frugal 10.3/7.1 L/100 km, city/highway.

The $62,145 Summit comes standard with the V8, but likewise makes available the diesel as a $4,995 option or the V6 as a $2,150 credit, with the diesel priced therefore at $67,140. Both the Grand Cherokee Overland and Summit feature special two-tone interiors with various real wood trim components, premium leather and audio, and comprehensive luxury appointments. Jeep designers had the BMW X5 in mind as a competitor.

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.

Actually, the contrasting stitching is a feature found throughout the Grand Cherokee Overland interior, and for good measure, the seats are also piped, vintage British car (and modern Range Rover) style, and embossed (you’ll pay dearly for that from some other manufacturers) should you have to have it. Maybe a little much?

Maybe not. We also drove the V6 on the off-road course, where it exceeded expectations. Our hosts wanted to make the point that the Grand Cherokee is a rock-crawler in the full Jeep tradition, subjecting them to two courses with extreme ascents and descents, along with deep-sand dry river beds and sundry ditches and boulders.

The 2014 Grand Cherokee, even with piped seats, is no less adept at handling the tough stuff than previous generations. It’s better, in fact, what with the speed selectable hill ascent and descent feature and electronics to help manage traction requirements. We came out of water, for instance, and headed almost straight up a steep rocky incline with no wheel slip at all; we climbed a steep rock face that truly looked impossible to ascend, and descended the other side at an angle that had us pressed into our seatbelts. Granted, the Grand Cherokee’s front fascia was removed, but that’s standard practice.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Click image to enlarge

Will typical owners subject their Grand Cherokees to this? A handful, I expect. But nonetheless, a Jeep Grand Cherokee has to deliver the off-road goods if the brand is to maintain its authenticity. Even if you’re not going to bash your new Grand Cherokee over tree stumps and rocks, or crash through forest trails, one supposes that owners gain satisfaction from knowing that if they needed to, they could.

We drove back to Austin in a diesel-powered Overland. The 3.0L V6 engine is sourced from Italian maker VM Motori Cento (Fiat owns Jeep now) and as mentioned above, is being made available to Overland and Summit buyers for $4,995 over the V8 price. This engine pulls like a locomotive from standstill with its output of 240 hp at 3,200 rpm and 420 lb-ft torque at 2,000 rpm (both the 5.7L V8 and 3.0L EcoDiesel will tow 3,266 kg/7,200 lb; the 3.6L V6 is rated for 2,812 kg/6,200 lb).

The diesel is exceedingly quiet on the highway, although it generates a background hum at idle or when driving around town. Personally, I don’t mind the muted diesel clatter when it’s operating at low speeds; it sounds brawny and capable to me, and fully in character. And why go diesel? We achieved 8.1 L/100 km on the highway, which is excellent fuel consumption for a vehicle of this type.

For me, given the Grand Cherokee’s ability to traverse extreme terrain, it’s fair to describe it as a high-performance vehicle in the world of off-roading. Of course, Jeep has another high-performance vehicle in its stable: the SRT.

While the first generation SRT was somewhat of a brute, this new one is even more so. Okay, I exaggerate. Let’s put it this way: the 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT is every bit as much of a brute, but it’s now under control. The eight-speed transmission works perfectly with the big engine and its huge output; the suspension feels refined, the steering sharp, the brakes massively responsive. The details that bothered me in the Overland were forgotten when the opportunity emerged to step on the gas and experience the SRT at full chat. The engine absolutely roars through the gears, which don’t seem to drop one rpm as it blasts eagerly through them. Total control. My word, this is an awesome ride!

But it’s not all straight-line thrills (even though the SRT is now equipped with the entertaining Launch Control). No, the SRT guys didn’t pick Austin just for its available boulders and river beds; race aficionados will know it’s the location of the new Circuit of the Americas (COTA) Formula One racetrack, which we duly visited to put the Grand Cherokee SRT through its paces.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Click image to enlarge

I was only able to do two laps, although they were preceded with a warm-up lap in a Challenger SRT driven by Ralph Gilles himself (I was late for the minivans, and was offered this as an alternative…).

Suffice it to say that the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is a thrilling ride on a big race track like the Circuit of the Americas. Two long straightaways, numerous corners both sharp and sweeping, changes in elevation, the SRT behaved flawlessly. This is a vehicle you have to look at if you’re in the market for a genuinely high-performance SUV. It’ll even match the 3,266 kg/7,200 lb towing capacity of the EcoDiesel and 5.7L V8.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Click image to enlarge

But there’s a difference, however, between being luxurious and being a luxury brand, and likewise being high-performance and a being a luxury high-performance brand. Jeep isn’t a luxury brand but apparently wants to compete with the likes of BMW and Mercedes. On the other hand, Jeep is one of the most recognizable brands in the world and I believe it’s held in high regard, at least, within its traditional domain.

So, will luxury buyers – or typical Jeep buyers, for that matter – look at a $60,000–$70,000-plus Grand Cherokee? The company says their Summit includes about $17,000 worth of items that are optional in vehicles like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class. So in that sense, there’s value. But still, it’s a real shame that the EcoDiesel is only available with the highest Grand Cherokee trim levels, placing it out of the reach of most buyers.

However, the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a lot going for it, and with all of its engines, 4×4 systems, trim levels and options, it will still appeal to a wide spectrum of SUV buyers.

Pricing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Laredo V6: $39,995

Limited V6: $46,995
Limited V8: $49,145

Overland V8: $57,145
Overland V6: $54,995
Overland EcoDiesel: $62,140

Summit V8: $62,145
Summit V6: $59,995
Summit EcoDiesel: $67,140

SRT: $62,995

Crash test results
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)