The current Grand Cherokee has been a huge success for the Jeep brand. The beautiful vehicle is available with four engines, drivelines five, and in many balances, the best of which can give the Range Rover a run for its money. Altitude, introduced in 2014, is an interesting model, which takes Jeep many desirable features, wrapped in a monotone exterior with sports black wheels, and the package price well.
Grand CherokeeIn the past, I have discussed with the V8 and diesel engines. The Overland V8 felt like a hot-rod with tons of instantaneous power, but fuel economy was predictable poor. The Ecodiesel is a smooth operator with a ton of torque and great fuel economy, but it comes at a high price. this property optioned V6 model could be the middle?
The 3.6-liter Pentastar generates 20hp, which is more than the hot rod 5.9 has limited in the 0 and 260lb-ft of torque. In this configuration, it is mated to a new 2014 eight-speed transmission and the base Quadra-Trac I 4WD with a single-speed transfer case. The EPA estimates that combination to 17mpg in the city and 24 mph on the highway, with 19mpg combined. These figures are very close to what I am driving real world, I average about 18mpg with little heavy foot around South Florida.
This engine is surprisingly smooth, quiet, and has plenty of power on tap. The acceleration and highway passing is effortless and likes to cruise. The transmission has a normal mode, which makes things a little lethargic until you really stomp the gas pedal, and a Sport mode that quickens magically throttle response and changes move points where they should really be. It also has a bad Eco button that is supposed to save more fuel when engaged but actually makes things more slowly.
Grand Cherokees Pentastar-powered are rated to tow a maximum 60lbs. Unless the tow is a serious purchase target, or if you have a fetish diesel understandable, it is really no good reason to choose one of the other engines to the fundamental objectives of travel to work or transport children around. The Ecodiesel and Grand Cherokee V8, including SRT, are rated to tow up to 7400lbs (70lbs for 4 × 4 models).
The wheels twenty inches black, which are wrapped in 265/50 Goodyear Fortera HL rubber, does not exactly scream "Trail Rated" but the ride is surprisingly smooth and quiet. The side profile of a tire is the percentage of its width, so that, despite what is dub, there is still a good amount of meat to absorb potholes. I know a handful of people who possess JGC with wheels twenty inches and none of them even bent a wheel. I saw the Ecodiesel Grand Cherokee with similar sized wheels in winter and that Jeep got through deep (6 "-8") fresh snow surprisingly well. The altitude has the coil spring suspension with conventional shock absorbers based, unlike other models that have adjustable air suspension height. Like the V6, for a vast majority of people this configuration offers a beautiful blend of ride comfort, handling and payload.
The panel is properly installed with the minimum amount of buttons and just the right amount of buttons. The gauge cluster is composed of the central screen that can be configured in a multitude of ways by the steering wheel. The seats are comfortable, but could use more support in all, and the headrests have a tilt feature that can support your neck on long journeys without falling asleep. The center console has a cubby for your phone with all connections, two cupholders and a large separate enclosed compartment. Reclining rear seats are split 60/40, but do not have a pass-thru center. The rear window does not fire as once used to.
The Unconnect touch screen is one of the most user-friendly systems on the market, with programmable buttons for all major functions and auxiliary audio controls on the back of the steering wheel. If there is a drawback, it is that the seats / Heated steering wheel controls are hidden in it. The system plays music on every imaginable phone apps, including Pandora and iHeartRadio. Your phone can be connected via Bluetooth, USB or auxiliary input. There is also an SD card slot. The system even has a hotspot (subscription required) to listen to music regardless of your phone data program.
The interior is not perfect, however. Visibility is great and there are blind spots in the back and in the front because of a large A-pillar, side mirrors and mirror mounts. Being picky, I noticed some wiring and not under the metal body under the seats, visible when you drop something, for example, and the uneven trim around the sunroof when looking from the outside. The biggest annoyance is the electronic shifter that rocks like a joystick, which requires a look down or gauge cluster for indicating speed.
altitude is priced and positioned between Laredo and Limited loaded with some options. For $ 37,095 Elevation offers body colored cladding SRT-like, fascia and grill, glossy black badges, black light trim, and black wheels. Inside are leather and suede seats Heated black (the only color choice) and a large "touchscreen Uconnect 8.4 without nav. The driver gets a seat of power, but lacks the memory function. Power hatch, 115vAC receptacle, and a remote start feature as altitude package. Sunroof is $ 1,095 more, 506-watt audio is $ 495, reverse camera with sensors is $ 395, and the destination load $ 995, for a total of $ 40,075 as seen here.
the Altitude has many desirable characteristics and it certainly looks good. it is too much jumping the features that most buyers will not care, but it lacks some things, such as roof racks. some options are not available on it, detecting the blind spot and specifically warning collision and active migration before crash that can literally save your life - those that are only available on Limited and senior loaded. Other versions of the Grand Cherokee provide some very impressive off-highway equipment and / or performance of the road, but no one will buy the altitude for his power or off-road capability, but for peace of mind and functionality an all-wheel drive SUV offering.
Kamil Kaluski is the East Coast Editor for Hooniverse.com. His ramblings on Eastern European cars, $ 500 runners, and other various automotive things can be found there. In the past, he has owned two Jeeps, a CJ-7 and Wrangler TJ. His mother just bought a new Wrangler he may have started modding.
FCA US LLC provided the vehicle for the purpose of this review, as I thaw in Florida.
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