Jeep Grand Cherokee: New and Improved?

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

I’m writing this  article about the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee from a distinct disadvantage: I have yet to get my hands on one. Testing one won’t happen until July, just in time for a review I’ll be working on for one of my print magazines.

Meanwhile, I’m finding myself in the same position you are: reading information shared by other online and print sources and wondering if this time Jeep got it right.

The “got it right” part is important because the Jeep Grand Cherokee has missed the mark in recent years. When it was released in the 1990s as an all new model, the Grand Cherokee compared favorably to most other upscale SUVs. Its competition was new and had yet to exploit the segment.

But those same models from BMW, Mercedes and others quickly stepped up their game by offering luxurious appointments, refinement and room Jeep owners could only dream about. Jeep may not be a luxury brand, but they did launch the SUV segment. You’d expect that its top of the line model would offer class-leading amenities in a worthy package, but this Jeep doesn’t. At least until the 2011 came along.

Jeep Evolution

If you wondered if the 2011 redesign would be revolutionary, it isn’t. But it does appear to be evolutionary as the model is cleaner and crisper on the outside and offers four more inches of rear passenger seating on the inside. Jeep stretched the wheelbase to accommodate rear passengers who have complained that the back seat lacks room.

The good news is that if you are able to get your current Grand Cherokee into your garage, this one should fit too.

Jeep says that the 2011 Grand Cherokee is all-new save for the optional 5.7L HEMI engine, five-speed transmission and four wheel drive package. Yes, it would have been great if a six-speed automatic were offered instead as that should be the bare minimum for a vehicle of this caliber, but parent Chrysler still isn’t in a financial position to go hog wild with engineering refinements.

At least the Grand Cherokee will be the first Chrysler product to be powered by its all-new 3.6L Penstar V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower and 260 pound feet of torque.

Cabin Refinements

The cabin refinements should be a Jeep owner pleaser as hard plastics have been replaced by soft to the touch plastics, leather trim and real wood on the instrument panel and steering wheel.

Indeed, according to Automotive News Grand Cherokee developed “…was centered on five areas that owners and potential buyers criticized: rear seat packaging, interior refinement, fuel economy, ride and exterior styling.”

New front and rear independent suspensions ease the ride while the Pentastar engine will prove to be more economical and more powerful. Better aerodynamics and use of lighter materials will help the Jeep achieve improved fuel economy though at 14 city and 18 highway in either 2WD or 4WD packagings, the base engine isn’t exactly fuel thrifty.

Interestingly, the V8 offers slightly better fuel economy on the highway: 20 mpg in 2WD, 19 mpg in 4WD.

Potential buyers will want to take note of other amenities offered including blind spot detection, forward collision warning, eight-way power seats, adaptive cruise control and an air suspension with six-levels of adjustment.

Sales Bounce

Sales of the 2010 model have increased year to date by 16 percent over a woeful 2009. Expect Jeep to enjoy a significant bounce with the 2011 model as long as gas prices remain stable. Should pump prices jump above four dollars a gallon, the Grand Cherokee and vehicles like it simply won’t meet sales expectations.

And that would be an unfortunate thing given the model’s apparent improvement as well as the Chrysler Group needing a strong performer.

Photo Credit: Chrysler Group LLC

Hyundai Santa Fe: New and Improved

Midsize sport utility vehicles are a dime a dozen. Or at least it seems that way. Mostly ever car manufacturer offers at least one model, a segment featuring SUVs with two or three rows, typically seating 5 to 7 passengers.

The Santa Fe is also part of the sub-segment of vehicles known as crossovers. These SUVs ride on a car chassis, in this case the one underpinning the Hyundai Sonata, instead of a truck chassis as traditional SUVs do. With crossovers you can get optional all wheel drive capabilities, but as far as off-road work light duty is as far you would dare to go with these models.

Late Arrival

For 2010, Hyundai gave the Santa Fe a mid-cycle refresh, a late one at that. The 2010 model was introduced in January, months later than when new models are usually introduced. Thus, EPA gas mileage figures have only been posted for the base trim package.

The first generation model was introduced in 2000 for the 2001 model year, with the second generation Santa Fe rolling out six years later. Now midway through its lifespan, the Santa Fe enjoys several important tweaks including the following:

• Exterior updates including changes to the grille, fog lights, bumper, and body trim. New wheels are evident, available in 17- or 18-inch sizes.

• On the inside, the third row option is no longer available, which will put the Santa Fe at a disadvantage to similar vehicles including the Toyota Highlander. Third row passenger space was limited anyway as the Santa Fe is smaller than its competing models.

• Where the Santa Fe lacks in passenger seating, it gains in entertainment as the Hyundai now includes a number of important features such as audio controls on the steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB iPod interface. Seats have been upgraded and if you choose higher trim level packages, a power driver’s seat is available as are heated seats.

• Under the hood, the Santa Fe has two new engine choices. A more efficient 2.4L I4 engine is now standard while a 3.5L V6 is optional. The base engine with standard trim is paired with a six-speed manual transmission while all other trim and engine packages include a six-speed automatic transmission.

According to the EPA, the base engine with manual transmission returns 19 mpg city, 26 highway. Fuel economy figures for other trim levels should be released within the next week or two.

Safety Upgrades

Last but not least are a number of safety upgrades including active head restraints for the front seats, antilock brakes and traction control, and rollover sensors which work to deploy the side impact airbags when needed.

Source: Hyundai Motor America

The All New 2010 Mercedes GLK350 SUV

The all new Mercedes GLK Class (GLK350) offers entry level sport utility vehicle practicality, fully loaded.

The sport/utility market has fallen on hard times lately as consumers are fleeing this once popular segment in favor of smaller, more fuel efficient cars. That didn’t stopped Mercedes-Benz from moving forward with their plan to take a popular concept model, the Vision GLK, and putting it into production, the result being the first 2010 model available: the GLK-Class.

Fourteenth Mercedes Model

Arriving in showrooms in late December for January sale, the GLK represents the fourteenth model line for Mercedes-Benz, five of which are now sport/utility vehicles. Looking a lot like the GL-Class, the GLK is fresh from the ground up, a five passenger vehicle sporting taut lines, a steeply-raked windshield, projector beam headlamps, and an integrated rear spoiler. Clearly, the GLK is the sportiest of all Mercedes-Benz utility vehicles, the model with the most car-like appearance.

The GLK’s lone engine/transmission arrangement is a 3.5L 24-valve gas-powered V6 paired with the automaker’s popular 7-speed automatic transmission, which includes shift paddles. The GLK has been rated at 268 horsepower along with 258 lb.-ft of torque and is available in either rear wheel drive or 4MATIC full-time four-wheel-drive. Fuel economy estimates have both versions returning 21/22 mpg in highway driving.

Well Equipped SUV

There is nothing entry level about the GLK as desired Mercedes amenities are standard. Dual zone air conditioning; comprehensive air bag system for front, side, window, and knee protection; active front head restraints; center stack with 5” display; COMAND voice and navigation system; and Mercedes’ long list of handling and accident avoidance features are found in every GLK model.

The cabin is richly appointed and includes special touches such as the upper section of the dashboard in black to help reduce glare, an MP3 port found inside of the generously sized glove box, firm but comfortable seating front and back, and optional full leather seating, lighting, and audio packages.

Plenty of Cargo Room

Cargo space is generous whether with rear seat up, completely down, or split. With seats up the GLK has 23 square feet of cargo space that can quickly expand to 55 square feet when the rear seat is folded. If additional storage capacity is needed, you can choose the appearance package which includes aluminum roof wells and 20” 7-spoke light alloy wheels.

Perhaps the most pleasantly surprising attribute of the all-new GLK has nothing to do with engineering or style, but with its price. Mercedes-Benz has aggressively priced the rear driven model from $34,775 and the 4MATIC from $36,775, undercutting its principal competition by thousands of dollars including the Land Rover LR2, BMW X3, Audi Q5, and the Acura RDX.

Photo Credit: Mercedes-Benz

See Also — Mercedes C-Class Special Edition: Wow!