Shereen Shabnam

With over 100 years of tradition and history, it is always a pleasure to get up, close and personal with the Jeep models and the Grand Cherokee has always been my favourite in the Jeep lineup. We recently had the pleasure of testing the new Jeep Grand Cherokee that features an all-new architecture, exterior design and interior with world-class craftsmanship and technology. The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup comes in four models – Altitude, Limited, Overland and Summit Reserve and we were lucky to get our hands on the Summit Reserve.

Interior

Designed to maximize overall passenger safety, comfort and convenience, the new Grand Cherokee offers class-leading space and versatility. The four-zone automatic climate control, massage seats, ventilated front and second rows, premium hand-wrapped, quilted Palermo leather seats, genuine open-pore waxed walnut wood, and the premium wrapped suede-like fabric on the A-pillars and headliner are just a few of the available features that enhance passenger comfort in the all-new 5-seater Grand Cherokee.

Exterior

The Grand Cherokee’s all-new architecture and sculpted aerodynamic body style combine to improve vehicle performance, safety and reliability, while significantly reducing vehicle weight, noise and vibration.The front grille keeps to the DNA of the Cherokee and both front and rear have ample LED headlights, daytime running lights, and front fog lights.

There is a choice between a two-row Grand Cherokee with plenty of cargo room and spacious seating for five passengers or the extended Grand Cherokee with three-row seating offering multiple configurations and room for up to seven passengers. The 21-inch aluminum wheels give the Grand Cherokee a rugged yet sophisticated look.

Safety & Technology

The new Grand Cherokee packs a powerful punch with next generation features and technologies. A front passenger screen offers co-pilot assistance with navigation, camera viewing and visual entertainment, while the digital rearview mirror, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and TomTom navigation ensure a premium driving experience alongside greater connectivity with two Bluetooth-enabled phones paired simultaneously. The latest Uconnect system offers an intuitive user experience as passengers can stream videos, play games, listen to music, get information and watch downloaded content.

Engine & Performance

The newest iteration of the Jeep Grand Cherokee line-up delivers legendary capability and advanced safety features. The legendary off-road capability is courtesy of three 4×4 systems to improve traction. The class-leading Selec-Terrain traction management system lets customers choose the on- or off-road setting for optimum 4×4 performance. This feature electronically coordinates 4×4 torque split, braking and handling, steering and suspension systems, throttle control, transmission shift, transfer case, traction control, stability control, antilock brake system (ABS) and steering feel.

The Grand Cherokee is available with night vision camera, full-color Head-up Display (HUD), Active Driving Assist for hands-on-wheel and eyes-on-road automated driving using lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. The system uses multiple sensors, including radars and cameras to dictate appropriate roads for the technology. Intersection Collision Assist helps detect vehicles approaching when nearing a crossroad while Drowsy Driver Detection tracks vehicle movement, such as lane deviation.

Verdict

Best-in-class capability, premium style, and high-tech features make the new Grand Cherokee perfect for city drives and off-road adventures. It still gives a strong rugged vibe of a SUV ready for dune bashing but is just as comfortable for day to day use and has enough space for just about any adventure you have in mind all year round.