Jeep has completely redesigned the Grand Cherokee for 2011.
Americans love comeback stories. So there would seem to be hope for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a vehicle that’s had a tough time recently but it’s made a pretty big comeback in 2011.
The new 2011 Grand Cherokee has been stretched out to open up more passenger room, primarily in the second row. It’s still a five seater, but layout changes to the center stack and storage areas have allowed for huge visual and functional improvements. The driver and front passenger areas are visually pleasing and inviting, and the radio and climate controls are more visual and user friendly.
Under the hood, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets an all-new 290-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 that’s vastly more powerful and fuel-efficient than last year’s. A 360-hp V8 is still offered as an option. To make sure the vehicle keeps a firm grasp on its off-road credentials, Jeep has made an air suspension available (it can raise the JGC’s ride height) and a drive-mode selector that tailors the powertrain and suspension for specific types of terrain. Also new is a fully independent rear suspension (a first for the vehicle) that improves ride quality.
Overall, Jeep has done well here. As a choice for a midsize crossover or SUV, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is pretty competitive against models like Ford’s Edge and Explorer, the Honda Pilot, Toyota 4Runner and Volkswagen Touareg. True, not all comebacks actually happen. But we think Americans are going to like the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.