Targeting an extremely niche market, Jeep has always been known to produce boxy vehicles with flared fenders and obnoxious face. And while the Wrangler still remains to be the brand's original off-roader, Jeep continues to create cars such as the Commander, Compass, Patriot and the Grand Cherokee for comfort and capability.
Since the launch of the Patriot early last year, Jeep has been on the lowdown due to the bad patch the brand was facing in America. But just recently, Jeep pushed out the latest face of its Grand Cherokee and boy, does the car take you by surprise.
Jumping back to the last decade, the Grand Cherokee was a luxury vehicle that included four-wheel-drive systems and other interesting features that allowed it to muscle its way through a niche segment without much difficulty. In fact, as the years went on, the car saw numerous modifications and improvements to its Quadra-Drive four-wheel-drive system and engines to better suit consumers' tastes. But there was still a problem - they were all lacking the plushness that consumers have come to expect.
With the market changing unrecognisably, Jeep decided to map out a new route to keep up with the current motoring trend and ensuring that its stable is more completed with a large and luxurious mud-plugger. Luxurious enough to rival even the German-dominated SUV segment.
Exterior
On the outside, the 2011 Grand Cherokee looks like nothing it was before except for the signature chromed seven-slot front grille design that instantly makes it recognisable as a Jeep. It looks stronger and muscular but no less sleek with lines that define beauty with aerodynamic assurance. Some may reckon that it's a tad too big but one cannot deny its good looks. The rear reminds you of the mouth-watering BMW X5 while the front looks like nothing we've seen before.
Since the launch of the Patriot early last year, Jeep has been on the lowdown due to the bad patch the brand was facing in America. But just recently, Jeep pushed out the latest face of its Grand Cherokee and boy, does the car take you by surprise.
Jumping back to the last decade, the Grand Cherokee was a luxury vehicle that included four-wheel-drive systems and other interesting features that allowed it to muscle its way through a niche segment without much difficulty. In fact, as the years went on, the car saw numerous modifications and improvements to its Quadra-Drive four-wheel-drive system and engines to better suit consumers' tastes. But there was still a problem - they were all lacking the plushness that consumers have come to expect.
With the market changing unrecognisably, Jeep decided to map out a new route to keep up with the current motoring trend and ensuring that its stable is more completed with a large and luxurious mud-plugger. Luxurious enough to rival even the German-dominated SUV segment.
Exterior
On the outside, the 2011 Grand Cherokee looks like nothing it was before except for the signature chromed seven-slot front grille design that instantly makes it recognisable as a Jeep. It looks stronger and muscular but no less sleek with lines that define beauty with aerodynamic assurance. Some may reckon that it's a tad too big but one cannot deny its good looks. The rear reminds you of the mouth-watering BMW X5 while the front looks like nothing we've seen before.
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There are a lot of chromed plastics on the car, too. But despite that, it doesn't feel like the Grand Cherokee is trying too hard to appear upscale. Instead, the chromed parts which appears on the front lower grille opening, door handles, window edges, across the side doors and on the boot subtly complete the visual enhancements on the titanic's exterior.
What's good about this car is that it simply takes off positively. Unlike a Rangie, where mixed reactions are often resounded (either people love it or loathe it), we feel the Jeep Grand Cherokee looks the part of a luxurious SUV where you cannot help but to stare at it without feeling it's snobbish. Avid fans of Jeep (possibly more of the Wrangler buffs) may reckon this car looks too rounded a tad and has failed to give it a rugged appearance which warrants the Jeep logo but we beg to differ. In a time of climatic change, we reckon this look could succeed in appealing to a wider audience.
Best of all, with squared-off wheel arches and the detail of Jeep's iconic grille carved within the inner headlamps (as shown in the header picture of page 2), there isn't a need for enthusiasts to worry that this tweaked model will soon fade off within the rest of the gigantic cars. Its appearance is simply far too tight and distinctive to become "just one of those" cars.
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Interior
If you think that the cabin is going to be another typical full-of-drab-black-plastic Jeep, think again. The interior is where Jeep has exceeded our expectations. The hard plastics have been thrown out of the cabin and are now dressed finely with stitched leather, varnished wood and bits of aluminium. The only think lacking to make passengers feel like they're in first-class seats of an aeroplane is a cabin crew serving them.
Before climbing onto the driver's seat, the first thing you'll notice is the Overland logo embroidered onto the back of each of the front seats with an old-school cursive font. It's a pride thing and attention to such details just reminds you that you're seated behind the wheel of something exceptional and humble. The seats are comfortable and supportive and allow occupants to bear extended driving time without having the need to see a chiropractor.
One of the two features that we couldn't get off our minds is the chunky multi-function steering wheel. It's possibly one of the thickest steering wheels we've come across so far and it feels good to the touch. It may come across as a whole new thing with high quality wood trimmings, yet it preserves an old-school looking circular centre piece with the brand staring right back at you.
If you think that the cabin is going to be another typical full-of-drab-black-plastic Jeep, think again. The interior is where Jeep has exceeded our expectations. The hard plastics have been thrown out of the cabin and are now dressed finely with stitched leather, varnished wood and bits of aluminium. The only think lacking to make passengers feel like they're in first-class seats of an aeroplane is a cabin crew serving them.
Before climbing onto the driver's seat, the first thing you'll notice is the Overland logo embroidered onto the back of each of the front seats with an old-school cursive font. It's a pride thing and attention to such details just reminds you that you're seated behind the wheel of something exceptional and humble. The seats are comfortable and supportive and allow occupants to bear extended driving time without having the need to see a chiropractor.
One of the two features that we couldn't get off our minds is the chunky multi-function steering wheel. It's possibly one of the thickest steering wheels we've come across so far and it feels good to the touch. It may come across as a whole new thing with high quality wood trimmings, yet it preserves an old-school looking circular centre piece with the brand staring right back at you.
The other feature is Jeep's Quadra-Lift air suspension system. With toggles available just below the gear lever, the system allows you to raise the car up to an additional 105 millimetres from Park mode to a maximum of 270 millimetres ground clearance should you decide to head out for some mud plugging. But once the system detects an increase in speed and stability, the suspension will lower itself to its suitable ride height.
Needless to say, space is more than adequate. Coupled with an astounding boot space of 1556 litres, the updated Grand Cherokee sees an increment of 134 millimetres to its wheelbase which adds 80mm of leg room to the rear passengers, giving them plenty of space to even sit cross-legged. And with the CommandView dual pane panoramic sunroof available, the already spacious interior is made more airy and fresh.
Needless to say, space is more than adequate. Coupled with an astounding boot space of 1556 litres, the updated Grand Cherokee sees an increment of 134 millimetres to its wheelbase which adds 80mm of leg room to the rear passengers, giving them plenty of space to even sit cross-legged. And with the CommandView dual pane panoramic sunroof available, the already spacious interior is made more airy and fresh.
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The Drive
The Grand Cherokee is powered by an all-new 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine. This muscle underneath the bonnet churns out a maximum power of 286bhp and 347Nm of torque, allowing the humongous car of close to 2.3 tonnes to glide from zero to hundred in 9.1 seconds. And yes, it neither charges nor sprints. It glides.
When driven at a relaxing pace, the car is so quiet it could be mistaken for a Lexus. And because it is so quiet, you won't even realise you're way pass the legal speed limit. The car just glides across the roads with every bit of pressure that is exerted by the right foot and when you release it, it feels forever for the speedometer to drop. With adequate power sent to all four wheels, the car never struggles and it certainly won't leave you wanting more.
Should you decide to push the car hard, the Grand Cherokee won't disappoint. On straight roads, the car retains its buttery smoothness and revs with a throaty but cultured edge, with just enough exhaust note to make you conscious of the V6. And despite its size and heft, it doesn't show signs of wallow around bends and the well-weighted steering feels like a mini-bus when negotiating tight spaces.
Where crossovers and SUVs such as the Nissan Qashqai and Mitsubishi Outlander have a knob to toggle between two-wheel and all-wheel-drive, the Grand Cherokee has that same knob to toggle between five options - Sport, Snow, Auto, Sand/Mud and Rock - all of which the car adapts to the road conditions by raising its height or improving its road performance and capabilities.
The Grand Cherokee is powered by an all-new 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine. This muscle underneath the bonnet churns out a maximum power of 286bhp and 347Nm of torque, allowing the humongous car of close to 2.3 tonnes to glide from zero to hundred in 9.1 seconds. And yes, it neither charges nor sprints. It glides.
When driven at a relaxing pace, the car is so quiet it could be mistaken for a Lexus. And because it is so quiet, you won't even realise you're way pass the legal speed limit. The car just glides across the roads with every bit of pressure that is exerted by the right foot and when you release it, it feels forever for the speedometer to drop. With adequate power sent to all four wheels, the car never struggles and it certainly won't leave you wanting more.
Should you decide to push the car hard, the Grand Cherokee won't disappoint. On straight roads, the car retains its buttery smoothness and revs with a throaty but cultured edge, with just enough exhaust note to make you conscious of the V6. And despite its size and heft, it doesn't show signs of wallow around bends and the well-weighted steering feels like a mini-bus when negotiating tight spaces.
Where crossovers and SUVs such as the Nissan Qashqai and Mitsubishi Outlander have a knob to toggle between two-wheel and all-wheel-drive, the Grand Cherokee has that same knob to toggle between five options - Sport, Snow, Auto, Sand/Mud and Rock - all of which the car adapts to the road conditions by raising its height or improving its road performance and capabilities.
Not only does it feel like an oversized crossover, the Jeep Grand Cherokee behaves well and is good to drive on the road. Riding on the 20-inch wheels presented no signs of road noise and is comfortable even over dips and bumps. More importantly, regardless of how fast you're going, the brakes are always up to task to put this big boy to a halt - something we are always grateful for.
Conclusion
In the past, Jeep should be worried about selling their cars given that it is catered to a very niche market and for the fact that we do not have ample space for mud-plugging in Singapore makes it twice as bad. But with the 2011 Grand Cherokee available in its showroom now, the tables may just change.
With such impressive on-road manners and classy looks inside and out, the redesigned Grand Cherokee is a grand slam courier that deserves popularity.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Conclusion
In the past, Jeep should be worried about selling their cars given that it is catered to a very niche market and for the fact that we do not have ample space for mud-plugging in Singapore makes it twice as bad. But with the 2011 Grand Cherokee available in its showroom now, the tables may just change.
With such impressive on-road manners and classy looks inside and out, the redesigned Grand Cherokee is a grand slam courier that deserves popularity.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
