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Jeep GC SRT NZ 100
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Jeep GC SRT NZ 183
Matt Brogan9 Jun 2017
REVIEW

Jeep Grand Cherokee 2017 Review

Revised MY17 Grand Cherokee range adds a new variant, extra safety technology and more refinement
Review Type
Local Launch
Review Location
Auckland, New Zealand

Jeep’s flagship Grand Cherokee first launched in Australia 25 years ago. Now, the current generation scores its most significant overhaul in seven years, loading more infotainment and electronic safety equipment plus performance improvements, and Jeep’s comprehensive ‘There & Back’ after-sales program. Inclusion of the off-road focussed Trailhawk variant as a regular model boosts the range to five, but stand-by for major headlines when a sixth variant arrives - the stonking 527kW Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, the world’s fastest SUV. Prices start from $47,500 (plus on-road costs).

Jeep announced its MY17 Grand Cherokee range in March this year. Considering the extent of the updates and inclusion of the North American brand’s ‘There & Back’ after-sales support program price rises are moderate.

Starting price is just $500 dearer (from $47,500 plus on-road costs) and Fiat Chrysler Australia hopes the updated Grand Cherokee’s strengthened after-sales support and extra inclusions will arrest the model’s 58 per cent sales slide so far this year (which comes on top of a 47 per cent slump in 2016 when it was Australia’s most recalled vehicle). To the end of April, Jeep sold just 1559 Grand Cherokees, well behind the class-leading Toyota LandCruiser Prado’s 5067 sales.

Entry to the Grand Cherokee line-up remains the Laredo model and the MY17 version now offers a 213kW (+3kW) 3.6-litre V6 petrol with fuel-saving idle-stop technology in 4X2 ($47,500) and 4X4 ($52,500) configuration. The 4x4 model is also available with a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel ($59,000).

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All are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, ride on 18-inch alloy wheels and offer considerable standard equipment levels, including a 5.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system with reversing camera (which can also monitor your trailer on the move), seven airbags, eight-way powered and heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, bi-xenon headlights and dual-zone climate control.

Four-wheel drive models add Jeep’s acclaimed Quadra-Trac II 4X4 system with Selec-Terrain controller, hill-descent control, two-speed transfer case and Off-Road Pages infotainment assistant via a larger 8.4-inch touch-screen.

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Braked towing ability for the trio varies considerably at 1600kg, 2812kg and 3500kg respectively.

Next-up is the Grand Cherokee Limited – Jeep Australia’s best-selling variant – which is exclusively 4X4 and also employs the 3.6-litre V6 petrol ($62,500) or 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel ($69,000). The $10K price hike buys 20-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery (front seats with memory function and there’s heating for both the first and second rows), satellite navigation, a nine-speaker Alpine audio system, powered tailgate, tinted windows, and electrochromatic mirrors.

Respective towing capacities mirror the Laredo 4X4 variants.

Off the road, again
Mid-range in the MY17 Grand Cherokee line-up, and now a permanent member of the squad, is the Trailhawk. The off-road focussed model was previously offered as a limited edition variant, but popularity with buyers has earned its full-time inclusion in five-member Grand Cherokee team.

Specified exclusively with the torquier 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel and eight-speed automatic combination, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is priced at $74,000 and the extra $6K buys significant off-road goodies.

Trailhawk extras include mechanical elements such as Jeep’s Quadra-Drive 4X4 system, Quadra-Lift air suspension, rear electronic limited slip differential, and Selec-Speed hill-descent control. In addition, there are four underbody skid plates, three recovery hooks, a black anti-glare bonnet decal and 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres. Inside, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is differentiated from the Limited by combination suede and leather seats with front-row ventilation.

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Like all diesel-powered Grand Cherokee variants, the Trailhawk offers 3500kg braked towing capacity.

From the Trailhawk, it’s a $6K step to the second-from-the-top Grand Cherokee Overland ($80,000). Also now propelled exclusively by the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, eight-speed auto combination, the four-wheel-drive-only variant features a suite of electronic driver aids and luxury items. It adds Quadra-Lift air suspension to the Limited’s mechanicals, as well as a dual-pane sunroof, Nappa ventilated leather seats, and a wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Electronic safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning with AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and self-parking technology.

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The performance flagship, for now…
Currently leading the range is Jeep’s burger with the lot: the Grand Cherokee SRT ($91,000). Thanks to its mighty 344kW/624Nm 6.4-litre HEMI V8, the performance-oriented Grand Cherokee model is actually Australia’s most powerful SUV under $100K, and sprints to 100km/h in 4.9sec. The SRT delivers four-wheel drive traction courtesy of Jeep’s Quadra-Trac Active on Demand 4X4 system.

Jeep tunes the SRT’s version of the eight-speed auto for sportier performance and quicker response from the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The package also includes launch control for slingshot quick starts.

Adaptive damping, Brembo high-performance brakes and a rear electronic limited slip differential also enjoy star billing amongst the SRT’s go-fast features. Not to be overlooked are functional bonnet vents, a flat-bottom steering wheel, 300km/h speedometer, chunky leather and suede sports seats, plus a downloadable series of Performance Pages included as part of the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system.

Pricing and Features
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But the SRT’s reign as the Grand Cherokee’s performance flagship will end later this year when the scintillating SRT Trackhawk model arrives. Powered by a supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 found in the Dodge Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcat, the “world’s quickest SUV” promises acceleration to 100km/h in 3.6sec and a v-max of 290km/h.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but motoring.com.au understands $140K is likely. Watch this space for more.

Spit and polish
Unless you own a current model, or have a Grand Cherokee fetish, you’ll be hard pressed to notice the changes to the MY17 range. Physically it looks very familiar both inside and out, and in terms of specification and price, it’s a clear case of SUV cryptomnesia.

Nevertheless, the improvements across the range clearly improve the value proposition.

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As well as those changes we’ve detailed above, for enhanced road feel and handling, the Grand Cherokee also adds lighter aluminium suspension componentry and improvements to the electrically-assisted steering. The communication through the tiller is impressive for a vehicle which, at its lightest, weighs over 2000kg.

We also found retuning of the eight-speed automatic has smoothed delivery and shift feel. At the launch in New Zealand, we drove the (diesel-powered) Trailhawk and mighty SRT and were impressed by the polish shown by both models’ transmissions, especially considering the loads each handled (off-road and on track respectively).

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Off-road it’s the Trailhawk’s chassis electronics which most impress. Judiciously dispatching drive fore and aft, and shrewdly controlling traction, the model’s ability seems to belie its suspension geometry and articulation specifications. And it’s an easy 4WD system to use, which should prove a selling point among those recreational buyers new to adventure travel.

Outward visibility does remain something of a sticking point off-road, with blame apportioned to the Grand Cherokee’s large, squared-off bonnet and thick A-pillars. But otherwise manoeuvring is easy and the 11.6m turning circle is a highlight.

Track attack
Auckland’s Pukekohe Raceway mightn’t seem like a natural habitat of the family SUV, but don’t be fooled. The Grand Cherokee SRT lapped the race circuit with a level of poise matched earlier in the morning when it conquered the black sands at Kariotahi Beach.

On the race circuit we sampled the SRT’s punch-in-the-back launch control and its effortless cornering ability. To be honest, despite its high centre of gravity, the V8-powered SUV made impressively short work of Pukekohe’s demanding turns, tucking in and then powering out with a level of confidence similar to say a Holden a Commodore SS. Impressive, really.

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Another prominent aspect of the SRT around Pukekohe was the transmission’s ability to quickly dispatch commands from the paddle shifts, both up and down the spread; and let’s not forget the spine-tingling charisma of that NASCAR-like soundtrack.

But, not surprisingly, the Pukekohe action was thirsty work for the SRT - we saw fuel consumption of 22.9L/100km after a handful of laps.

Town or tow, trail or track…
With the something-for-everyone line-up somewhat better focussed for thrill-seeking four-wheel-drivers, the updated Grand Cherokee stands alone in its segment.

The refined ride of a monocoque body, wide choice of amenity, generous technology and safety levels, and an oh-so-quiet interior (thanks, noise-cancelling technology) once again give the Grand Cherokee an edge over the competition – especially the growing number of rivals based on ute underpinnings.

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And Jeep deserves kudos for introducing its ‘There & Back’ after-sales program to underwrite increased support of a model once troubled by recalls. This should provide new confidence for buyers, and reinforce the merits of an otherwise deserving vehicle.

Overall, the New Zealand launch experience speaks not only of the SRT’s high performance ability but also how versatile the entire range is; delivering vehicles capable of carrying the family, hauling a trailer, heading on or off-road, and lapping a racetrack all without raising a sweat.

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo pricing and specifications:
Price: from $47,500 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.6-litre six-cylinder petrol
Output: 213kW/347Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBC
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited pricing and specifications:
Price: from $62,500 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.6-litre six-cylinder petrol
Output: 213kW/347Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 10.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBC
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

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2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk pricing and specifications:
Price: from $74,000 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 184kW/570Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBC
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland pricing and specifications:
Price: from $80,000 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 184kW/570Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBC
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

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2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT pricing and specifications:
Price: from $91,000 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 6.4-litre eight-cylinder petrol
Output: 344kW/624Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 14.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: TBC
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

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Written byMatt Brogan
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
73/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
15/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
14/20
Safety & Technology
16/20
Behind The Wheel
15/20
X-Factor
13/20
Pros
  • On and off-road manners
  • Kit-for-coin ratio
  • Cabin quietness
Cons
  • SRT’s fuel use
  • Foot-operated park brake
  • Busy Uconnect infotainment menus
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