The current WK2 generation of Jeep's Grand Cherokee is eleven years old in 2022, however, after having spent some time in one recently, we can appreciate that sometimes old school charm can have its virtues.
With just three Jeep models available in the local market, the Wrangler, the Renegade and the Grand Cherokee, Jeep South Africa is certainly in need of a refreshed line-up, however, recently the USA-based brand offered the AutoTrader team the opportunity to drive a Grand Cherokee in Overland guise. With our team having spent a considerable amount of time on board the latest electric vehicle (EV) SUVs, the prospect of driving something that smacks of old school SUV charm meant a natural juxtaposition was in order.
Styling
The Grand Cherokee has been around for over a decade now, and while it has received several updates and enhancements during its tenure, the basic look of the model is yet to change. Our Overland test vehicle features lashings of chrome, the familiar eight-piece grille and that boxy silhouette, meaning that the Grand Cherokee is about as American as SUVs come, which is either a hit or a miss, depending on your specific taste.
Interior and space
The interior of the Grand Cherokee is where the product beings to show its age, with a centre console festooned with buttons, the obligatory wood trim panel inserts, a foot-operated parking brake and ergonomics that well and truly look and feel like previous generation items in today’s market. The 8.4-inch U Connect infotainment system is standard in the Overland and features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a GPS by Garmin and audio by Alpine. The system is not exactly cutting-edge stuff, but it is easy to use, has a reasonable resolution and is just about acceptable in a premium product in 2022. While aged inside, the Cherokee feels well built, and the general material quality will not disappoint, despite the liberal use of silver-painted plastics.
From a practical perspective, the Grand Cherokee remains a supremely capacious product for five occupants, with a large amount of passenger knee and headroom. The boot offers an impressive 782-litres of space, and with the second row of seats folded flat, the vehicle swallowed an entire TV unit, thanks to 1554-litres of space. Despite its relatively modest torque output, the Grand Cherokee can also tow, with a braked capacity of 2 800kg. Luxurious off-roading is this product’s forte, with headline figures that suggest as much, with a maximum of 271.82mm of ground clearance, a break-over angle of 23.1, a departure angle of 29.3, an approach angle of 34.3 and a wading depth of 508mm.
Performance and driving impression
Despite a healthy 213kW and 353Nm of torque from a naturally aspirated 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine, which is paired with a slick 8-speed automatic gearbox, the Cherokee’s near 2.2-ton kerb weight blunts performance, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 8.3 second and a top speed of 206 km/h. That being said, it is sufficient, and befitting of the plush ride quality and generally relaxed demeanour. It is strange to think that the reasonably quiet, refined and generally unfused Grand Cherokee that we experienced in the Overland model is even mildly related to the insane Trackhawk from a few years back.
Most grievances about the Cherokee’s age or slightly blunted performance disappear when heading off-road, though, where the brand’s Quadra-Trac II system offers various driving modes to deal with sand, mud, rocks and snow, with a low-range mode and the ability to significantly raise or drop the air suspension system, all from buttons and a toggle switch behind the gear lever. The recent torrential downpour in Johannesburg meant that our usual off-road quarry was decidedly more difficult to traverse than usual, but we were surprised at just how easily the Grand Cherokee managed to negotiate the course, which will ensure that owners can negotiate most off-road scenarios with relative ease.
Safety
In 2014, the Grand Cherokee was tested by the ANCAP vehicle safety programme, where it achieved a 5-Star rating, recording a total of 34.09 from a possible 37 points. Standard safety items include seven airbags, traction and stability control as well as hill-start and descent control.
Fuel economy
The aforementioned 3.6-litre naturally aspirated V6 paired with the ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox may provide reasonable performance and a decent soundtrack, but it was at the pumps where the Jeep surprised, with an 11.8L/100km total consumption figure over a 750km driving week. While this is far from the 10.0 L/100km claim, we were impressed with the relative efficiency of the near 2.2-ton barge and its 94-litre fuel tanks means that you will not be stopping topo frequently at filling stations.
Pricing
The Grand Cherokee in Overland guise retails for R1 070 900, placing it in the firing line of segment stalwarts such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. The model comes with a 5-year/100 000km maintenance plan as well as a 5-year/100 000km warranty.
Verdict
Driving a Grand Cherokee in 2022 felt like a throwback to the previous generation of automotive products, where things were a bit more simple, more familiar. The problem that this product faces is that at its R1.0-million-plus price point, there are many, many products that consumers will consider, and we are not sure that the Grand Cherokee will feature on their list of ‘must drive’ models.
Keyword: Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L Overland (2021) review: A well-aged but capable proposition