Sir Sam Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 What an ugly envoy copy. Seriously if this is Jeep what wanted to make then they should have just licensed the envoy. Chrysler showed us the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee in person last week and frankly, we're impressed. It's the most attractive Chrysler interior and exterior we've seen in a while. But is that enough? The next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee's built on the same rear-wheel-drive unibody platform underpinning the new Mercedes-Benz ML. It's one of the few things Chrysler got out of its ill-fated "merger of equals" with the German automaker. There's also a new Quadra Lift air suspension system that provides height control and lifts the new Grand Cherokee up 4.5" from park mode to a maximum ride height of 11.1" for better off-road capability. There's also a select-trac system with four separate 4x4 systems, each set up for different driver needs. But of all that, the chassis's about the only thing they get from Mercedes. It's at this point in a preview piece on a Chrysler vehicle where we'd attack the rest of the vehicle for being a complete waste of time. It's not. The exterior body of the new Grand Cherokee gets an all-new sculpted body that helps give the new Grand Cherokee an athletic profile despite the increase in size and weight. It looks good in photos. In person it looks, and most importantly, feels, fantastic. The interior's all-new too. And by all-new, we mean it looks like what we expect a luxury SUV to look like. That's good, because it'll need it to go up against competitors like the new Cadillac SRX and new Lexus RX. It may actually succeed, mostly because it's not just about the looks, there's also engineering changes that come from listening to current-generation owners — things like more than 4" of extra rear-seat knee and leg room (38.6") compared to the previous model allowing it to get reclining second-row seats. The problem is still the fuel economy. That's not to say it's not good — for a Jeep. It is. In addition to the base model flex-fuel 3.6-liter V6 with an estimated 280 HP, the new Grand Cherokee gets the available 5.7-liter HEMI V8 generating 360 HP and 390 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm – features VVT and despite features like VVT and fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS) technology, we're still talking about fuel economy in the 16/23 (FWD) and 16/22 (AWD). The HEMI gets 14/20 (2WD) and 13/19 (4WD). Good for an SUV. Unfortunately, will it be enough for a Chrysler lineup that currently doesn't have any vehicles with over 31 MPG? We'd have to say no. But for the Jeep brand, this is a hell of a top-of-the-line for the lineup. We approve. We'll have more including live shots later. http://jalopnik.com/5203380/2011-jeep-grand-cherokee-good-looking-but-is-it-enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I think its pretty sweet.. But still, Envoy doesnt come to mind but Isuzu does.. The cockpit is pretty sweet.. Wonder the asking price.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WahooSteeler Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Lots of styling cues from other SUVs IMO. I don't know about the Eyesuezue Axemeeum, but I see the Chevy Traverse in how the roof line tapers down going back, and even the Audi Q7. I have to say I like it. I bet if they did an SRT8 on that body style it would look killer in black with those steamroller tires on the SRT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glundblad Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I guess it does sort of resemble an Envoy and all the SUVs are starting to look like that. I hoped Jeep would ignore it. My first thought was it looked like a larger version of the Patriot. I am not a fan of that. I have an older Chevy Tahoe and I don't think it is nearly as offensive as the new style Tahoes. The air lift and the 3 off road systems tell me that Jeep hasnt forgot what Jeep is all about. I wish them luck with this. I really don't want Jeep to fail. Too bad they got rid of the diesel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdocdave Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 i'm not a fan of the new styling, and i agree with what everyone has said. they all look alike. what about this, to the untrained eye how much difference is there between the new grand cherokee, patriot, compass, liberty and comander? they are way to similar, and they wonder why daimler chrysler isn't surviving. and don't even get me started on the first wrangler to offer 2wd :fs1: the j/k "just kidding" wrangler. i just heard some more news about fiat this morning, but only caught the end, whats up there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akula69 Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I don't particularly care for the exterior changes as well, but seems like if the 'commentary' only openly dings the gasoline mileage (even with the slight increase) you could reasonably say the change in styling was for reducing air resistance. Now the interior has some changes that remind me of the Mercedes styling, and that could be cool, especially if they have worked to reduce wind noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdocdave Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 Now the interior has some changes that remind me of the Mercedes styling, and that could be cool, especially if they have worked to reduce wind noise. WHAT???? i can't hear you :rotf: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aemsee Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 i'm not a fan of the new styling, and i agree with what everyone has said. they all look alike. what about this, to the untrained eye how much difference is there between the new grand cherokee, patriot, compass, liberty and comander? they are way to similar, and they wonder why daimler chrysler isn't surviving. and don't even get me started on the first wrangler to offer 2wd :fs1: the j/k "just kidding" wrangler. i just heard some more news about fiat this morning, but only caught the end, whats up there? Not sure how much to make of this, but Jim Press drove out in a Fiat 500 to introduce the new Grand Cherokee in the press release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ndru911 Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 It looks nice, just like the Gm crossovers. I'm glad they have more rear leg room , the current ones stink .The self lifting suspension will impress your buddies on the golf course. Good luck when it breaks . It's obvious there's only one real Jeep anymore . Maybe they should go back to that slogan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comanche County Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 Its not a Jeep if there's no wind noise!!! :driving: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdocdave Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Its not a Jeep if there's no wind noise!!! :driving: what??? i can't hear anything in my jeep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joop Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 :ack: :nuts: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Its not a Jeep if there's no wind noise!!! :driving: On my 3 week trip out to Moab, I gave up on the radio after the first day. :D Maybe it'd be better if I had fixed the A/C so I didn't have every window open. :shake: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comanche County Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Just wait one dangblabant minute,,,,I thought the windows were the A/C, :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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