Jeep Grand Cherokee 2009 Review

Summary

Redesigned last year, the Grand Cherokee is an excellent off-road vehicle with a luxurious interior, plenty of options and five strong engine choices. For 2009, the the Grand Cherokee features a new 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine along with new option packages. The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in four trims: the base Laredo, Limited, Overland and performance-minded SRT8. All are available in two- or four-wheel drive, with the exception of the SRT8, which comes only in 4WD. A V6 diesel engine is optional for Limited and Overland trims. If you are looking for the legendary quality with towing and off road capability that cannot be matched in a luxury SUV, the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is for you.

Full Review 2009

The Jeep Grand Cherokee offers superior off-road capability comparable to that of the upscale Land Rover LR3. With nearly 70 cubic feet of cargo space, the Grand Cherokee is useful for hauling whatever a family may need.

A wide range of engines is available. The Hemi is particularly good for towing or driving at higher elevations. The high-performance SRT8 model has a 420-horsepower 6.1-liter Hemi V8 and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. The Grand Cherokee also offers a Mercedes-Benz 3.0-liter common-rail turbo-diesel (CRD) V6, allowing it to tow up to 7,400 pounds (with proper equipment) and range 425 miles between fill-ups. Grand Cherokee was last redesigned for the 2005 model year. The current Grand Cherokee offers better handling than that of pre-2005 models, leaning less in corners. Four-wheel-drive models have hill-start assist and hill-descent control. Hill-descent control uses the ABS to control the rate of speed when driving down steep hills.

A trailer sway control system is available that applies braking pressure to individual wheels to help stabilize trailers during towing.

First Drive 2009

The single overhead cam V6 produces 210 horsepower and gets an EPA-rated 15/20 mpg City/Highway with four-wheel drive and 16/21 with rear-wheel drive, not much better than the V8s. The 4.7-liter V8, on the other hand, works really well in the Grand Cherokee. This modern, overhead-cam engine is smooth and powerful for around-town and highway driving. The 4.7-liter V8 produces 305 horsepower at 5650 rpm and 334 pound-feet of torque at 3950 rpm. It's EPA-rated at 14/19 mpg with rear- or four-wheel drive. Fuel economy is an EPA-rated 13/19 mpg with rear drive and 13/18 mpg with four-wheel drive.

Note that the Hemi delivers much stronger torque yet matches the fuel economy of the 4.7-liter. The 3.0-liter common-rail turbo-diesel (CRD) V6, engineered by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 horsepower at 3400 rpm and 375 pound-feet of torque at 1600 rpm. Towing capacity also matches the Hemi, at 7400 pounds (with 2WD); while EPA fuel economy of 18/23 mpg with rear-wheel drive (17/22 mpg with four-wheel drive) yields a driving range of more than 400 miles on one tank of fuel. The Grand Cherokee offers a nicer ride and better cornering than any other Jeep in history. The base-level system that comes with the V6 is called Quadra-Trac I, a single-speed, full-time four-wheel-drive that uses electronic clutches in the center differential to pass torque out to the front or rear wheels as needed for best traction. Both systems are slightly rear biased, with 52 percent of the torque normally going to the rear tires and 48 percent to the front.

Quadra-Drive II, Jeep's most sophisticated system, uses electronic limited-slip differentials (ELSD) at the front, center, and rear. Like those cars, the Jeep comes with a 6.1-liter Hemi V8. It is rated at 420 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 420 pound-feet at 4800 rpm in the Grand Cherokee, five horsepower less than in the Charger and 300. The SRT8 Hemi V8 features a higher compression ratio (10.3:1 vs. 9.6:1), a more aggressive cam, and higher-flow cylinder heads when compared with the standard Hemi. It's mated to its own super-duty five-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive transfer case. The SRT8 rides an inch lower than a standard Grand Cherokee, on specially tuned springs, shocks, bushings, and anti-roll bars. Jeep claims it can stop from 60 mph in less than 125 feet.

Trims and Styling

The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is offered in four trim levels.

The Grand Cherokee Laredo ($30,150) comes with a 210-hp, 3.7-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission. Air conditioning is standard, along with cloth upholstery, cruise control, power windows, power heated mirrors, power locks with remote keyless entry, eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, tilt/telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, AM/FM/CD audio with auxiliary input jack, Sirius satellite radio, driver information center, 60/40 split folding rear seat, engine immobilizer, water-resistant storage compartment, roof rack and P245/65R17 tires with alloy wheels.

Laredo 4WD ($32,120) features Quadra-Trac I full-time four-wheel drive and a full-size spare tire. Quadra-Drive II full-time active 4WD is optional ($795) with either engine. Quadra-Drive II adds low-range gearing, hill ascent and descent control, a special axle ratio, and front, center, and rear limited-slip differentials. Grand Cherokee Limited ($36,920) comes with leather upholstery; heated first- and second-row seats; rear obstacle detection; rear backup camera; dual-zone automatic climate control; sunroof; Boston Acoustics six-speaker, 276-watt AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 capability; power adjustable pedals; four-way power passenger seat; leather-wrapped steering wheel; memory function for the seats, pedals and mirrors; automatic, self-dimming headlamps; rain-sensing automatic wipers; auto-dimming exterior and rearview mirrors; HomeLink universal garage door opener; an upgraded tire-pressure monitor that displays the status of individual tires; fog lights; remote engine starting; and a 115-volt power outlet.

The Limited also comes with Jeep's UConnect GPS and UConnect Phone. Limited 4WD ($39,010) gets all that plus hill start assist, hill descent control, and Quadra-Trac II with low-range gearing. Quadra-Drive II is an option.

The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is optional ($1750) for both 2WD and 4WD Limiteds, and the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 is optional for both 2WD ($2760) and 4WD ($3560) models. Other options consist of a rear DVD entertainment system with Sirius BackSeat TV ($1720), chrome 18-inch wheels ($995), Class II and IV trailer hitches ($280-$430), and high-intensity discharge headlamps with auto leveling ($500). Grand Cherokee Overland ($41,110) comes with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, and adds a wood-and-leather steering wheel, real wood accents on the doors and console, two-tone leather and ultra-suede seats embroidered with the Overland logo, a leather-covered console and armrest, the high-intensity discharge headlamps with auto leveling, a Class IV trailer hitch, and chromed 18-inch aluminum wheels with P245/50R18 tires. Overland 4WD ($44,545) adds Quadra-Drive II. The 3.0-liter diesel engine is optional for 2WD and 4WD Overland models ($1010).

Grand Cherokee SRT8 ($42,665) comes with a 6.1-liter Hemi rated at 420 horsepower, a lowered suspension, performance brakes, its own electronic all-wheel-drive system, and P244/45R20 front and P285/40R20 rear run-flat tires. Distinctive bumper fascias and 20-inch wheels make SRT8 instantly identifiable. Inside, the SRT8 adds to Laredo trim with leather and suede sport seats, special trim, a four-way power front passenger seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a Boston Acoustics sound system with six-disc CD changer, and a universal garage door opener. Also available are rear obstacle detection, a rear backup camera, hill descent control, hill start assist, and trailer sway control.

The Grand Cherokee has earned a five-star safety rating in both front and side impact tests from the federal government.

Styling and Interior Features

The seats are large and cushy (in all trim levels except SRT8). In Overland, the seats are upholstered in saddle-perforated high-contrast two-tone Ultrasuede, featuring accent piping and embroidered Overland logos. Overland also features real wood trim on the steering wheel, instrument panel, door panels, and gear selector. The rear DVD entertainment system comes with Sirius Backseat TV and, for 2009, a nine-inch screen instead of an eight-inch screen. One area of concern for family shoppers is rear seating. Despite its midsize SUV dimensions, the Grand Cherokee's rear seat lacks the leg room to make rear adult occupants comfortable, especially if taller passengers are riding up front.

Conclusions

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an icon among sport utility vehicles and this latest-generation version is far better than older models. It looks wonderful. It's powerful and quiet at the same time. It offers good space efficiency and comes loaded with standard and optional features. The Grand Cherokee is a great choice for those who want to tow, go off-road, or both. "If you need to go off road or tow something this top-of-the-line Jeep is still a great way to go." says Edmunds "With a throaty exhaust note from the big block HEMI V-8, the SUV delivers a powerful, precise and responsive performance," says the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "This fun-to-drive vehicle will make one wonder if it is a sports car or an SUV."And if fuel economy is your goal, the available diesel has it without sacrificing power. Families may want a vehicle with more seat room, and if you don't plan on going off road, you might not want to pay the Grand Cherokee's price premium.