The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Crossover cars are nothing new in today’s market; doing it well takes a lot of careful planning an eye for innovation. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a SUV-utility crossover, is an exemplar for that process, as Chrysler seems to be ready to send a new heavy hitter into the fray.

On the outside, the design shows hereditary markings of its predecessors while not being too flashy; slightly box-shaped and bearing the instantly recognizable front grille of a Jeep, this vehicle commands an image of simplicity and power. It shows signs of luxury by means of chrome trim on the windows and handles and various other exterior locations, while well positioned curves hide the boxy frame and make it more visually appealing.

On the inside, simple becomes elegant, as heated and cooled leather-bound seats, door and dash panels denote, as well as real wood trim on other surfaces. The steering wheel has an array of control options (such as phone-control and volume, cruise control, and audio volume), and the sound system is standard but well-thought out, with an input audio jack, Sirius Satellite Radio, CD/DVD player, a hard drive, and AM/FM radio, controlled through buttons, touch screen, or voice command, offering the driver multiple options for preferred use. The interior also offers a lot of storage using built-in space use or plenty of luggage room (the back seats can fold to provide more room) that does not affect passenger comfort. Finally, a spare tire rack on the undercarriage is also provided, a feature whose efficaciousness speaks for itself.

The award-winning safety features of the Grand Cherokee also deserve mention. It has a blind spot system that alerts the driver when other vehicles are present in the blind spots, and a parking system that involves camera assistance and sonar for reverse parking. A full set of airbags is also included, as well several other systems that help prevent rollovers, help start the Jeep on a hill, and also ensure control of anything attached to the trailer hitch.

The Grand Cherokee comes with two engine choices, depending on the variation bought. The first is the new 3.6L V6 that offers 290 horsepower, while the second, more powerful, more seductive option is a 5.7L V6. This engine gives out 360 horsepower at 5150 rpm and 390 lb.-ft. of torque at 4250 rpm, giving out a towing capacity of up to 7200 lbs. Its average mpg comes out to about16, 13 for city and 19 for highway.

Overall, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee shows considerable design with a lot of power under the hood.