DRIVEN: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

It's been a year since Chrysler has emerged from bankruptcy and it's been in survival mode awaiting new products. The first product launch under the Chrysler-Fiat umbrella is the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, ironically a project that started when Jeep was still part of DaimlerChrysler.

While traditional luxury SUVs have waned a bit in popularity since the start of the automotive sales meltdown that started in 2008, the Grand Cherokee isn't just another SUV, it's an American icon and one of the two foundations of the Jeep brand. And like car-based crossovers, it's always been built on a unitized platform, going all the way back to the first generation launched for the 1993 model year.

Now in its fourth generation, the Grand Cherokee sports smart new styling, a new high-efficiency V6, MDS Hemi, class-leading trailer-towing capabilities, new all-wheel-drive systems, and a world-class interior. Automotive Traveler's Rich Truesdell drove it last week in Northern California and can answer the question posed elsewhere on AutoSpies, STUD or DUD? It's a stud and helps to re-define the category it helped launch almost two decades ago.
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kussimek - 6/20/2010 3:48:14 PM

+5 Boost

I really like hows this looks, I think they did a great job with it. Hopefully the fuel economy is a little better.

LACMAN - 6/21/2010 7:28:07 AM

+3 Boost

Agreed. The "frog eye" thing going on with the headlamps of the 05-10 model was very unattractive.

SilentMajority - 6/21/2010 12:25:15 AM

+3 Boost

I like the chrome touches, finally! Bravo-





Silent Majority-

truckman - 6/21/2010 12:38:32 AM

+1 Boost

30.5in tall tires on low profile rims, not an off road tire, but a great engine with a 5 speed tranny, Again I would like to see an off road version of one of these with racing suspension with 35in tires with max 17in rims with double the wheel travel.Not going to happen.

LACMAN - 6/21/2010 7:29:13 AM

+2 Boost

^Count on the aftermarket to make it happen...

pennfootball - 6/21/2010 11:04:03 AM

+2 Boost

Then buy a fre@kin Wrangler yum yum

pennfootball - 6/21/2010 11:02:35 AM

+3 Boost

It looks awesome and Don't Worry Chrysler Announces Shift to ZF 8HP Eight-Speed Automatic Transmissions and they will be in in the Jeep Grand Cherokee probably by MY 2012 So the 5 speed slush box is going way of the DoDo bird in a year.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/06/chrysler-announces-shift-to-zf-8hp-8speed-automatic-transmission.html

PlanB - 6/21/2010 11:21:01 AM

+2 Boost

My guess is we'll see that tranny in the 2012 SRT8 version, which would be awesome and make this my next Jeep for certain.

Willis - 6/21/2010 11:57:13 AM

+3 Boost

My brother is thinking of purchasing one. Looks good, good review to.

Caraficionado - 6/21/2010 3:44:57 PM

+1 Boost

Instant classic and initial incoming reviews are good