Road test: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Think Jeep, think rugged off-road vehicles, boisterous overseas US military campaigns, canvas roofs and knobbly tyres. But, of course, the cars have moved way beyond all that, none more so than the aptly named Grand Cherokee, flagship of the UK range.

Powered by a smooth three-litre, V6 diesel, this Jeep is the glitzy big daddy of the range with squashy suspension, tons of equipment, a large load area and plenty of attitude. Aimed at those who put a premium on style, it won’t disappoint, with commanding looks (it wouldn’t look out of place in a Presidential cavalcade) and tons of road presence.

The driver — and passengers — feel pampered. In the Summit version, standard equipment includes dual-panel sun roofs with power shades, deep-tinted privacy glass, comfy leather seats, suede-effect material in the cabin, heated front and second-row seats, ventilated front seats and so on.

The driver gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel, hill-descent control, adaptive cruise control (very useful on a long journey), forward collision warning with crash mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensitive wipers, air suspension and more. It cruises well despite some engine noise and — despite the weight — feels poised, making it a fantastic long-distance mile-muncher.

The boot is usefully squared-off although it’s a shame it’s not deeper. Although there’s still only seating for five, you won’t hear a peep of complaint about comfort, headroom or legroom from your passengers.

Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0
CRD V6 Summit
Top speed: 126 mph; 0-62 mph: 8.2 secs;
Combined MPG: 37.7 (claimed);
Emissions: 198g/km;
Price: £49,495