Alberni Chrysler Dodge Jeep
2611 Alberni Hwy
Port Alberni, BC
V9Y 7L6
Phone: (250) 723-5331
Fax: (250) 723-7170
Toll-Free: 1-866-734-9657
E-Mail:


Jeep Grand Cherokee

Build it, Price it. Anyway you like it


Fuel Economy

City
13.0
L/100K
Highway
8.8
L/100K

Vehicle Dimensions (mm)

4821
1938
2915
1762

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo

Fuel City 13.0L/100K
Fuel Highway 8.8L/100K
Transmission Automatic
Max Power 216 KW 290 HP
Body Type Sport Utility Vehicle
Number of Doors 5
Engine 3.6l
Drive Wheels 4X4

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 Road Test Review

Since it was first introduced as a midsize SUV for the 1993 model year, the iconic Grand Cherokee has been a cornerstone of Jeep’s
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
The new 2011 Grand Cherokee boosts Jeep into premium status. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)
lineup, and key to the company’s financial health. So one can imagine Jeep and parent company Chrysler executives holding their collective breath whenever a redesigned Grand Cherokee hits the showrooms. The Grand Cherokee was last redesigned for the 2005 model year and the latest version, the all-new WK2, was introduced as a 2011 model. I recently tried out a Limited trim V6 version for a week, and came away impressed.

While the basic body shape remains unchanged, the new Grand Cherokee’s styling is more unified and — dare we say it? — car-like than the previous generation model. There are fewer sharp edges, and instead all the parts flow into one another, with blacked-out B and C pillars creating a sleek side profile. The front end styling in particular has been cleaned up and simplified. Gone are the round, overlapped quad
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
New styling is cleaner and more upscale than the outgoing model. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)
headlights and awkward chopped-up bumper lines, replaced by squared-off, slightly upswept headlight openings and a smoothed-out, unobtrusive bumper. The result more closely resembles the WJ model of 1999 to 2004 than the outgoing WK model, and that’s a good thing, really. With its big chrome seven-slot grille and stunning inferno red paint, our test car looked dramatic, masculine and upscale — exactly the qualities one imagines Jeep would like associated with the Grand Cherokee.

Climb aboard and the upscale impression continues. Jeep has really picked up the game in the interior department, and the 2011 Grand Cherokee’s appointments are miles away from the rubbery fittings of Jeeps from only a few years back. Instead, our Grand Cherokee Limited featured plenty of quality soft-touch materials, beautiful wood grain trim, supple leather seats
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Yipee! Snow to play in and just the right sled to ride on! (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)
and all the mod cons one could hope for. Even in base Laredo trim, the Grand Cherokee is a surprisingly well-equipped machine with remote keyless entry, power windows, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, electronic vehicle information system, Sirius satellite radio with one-year prepaid subscription, and much more.

The Limited trim adds all sorts of luxury touches like heated, perforated leather seating front and rear, auto-dimming side mirrors, HID headlights, automatic air conditioning, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, remote start system, and a heated steering wheel (though a colleague complained that it didn’t actually heat the spots where he most often places his hands). Perhaps most importantly the Limited trim (and the Laredo X trim for that matter) adds an upgraded touch-screen media system with USB input, 30 GB hard drive, backup camera and sensors, plus superb nine-speaker audio. Our test car also had an optional GPS navigation package. Altogether — and despite a couple of nitpicking details like the fact that the phone and power plugs are hard to access, buried deep in the centre-stack’s lower cubby — it adds up to an impressive level of functionality and an air of refined opulence on par with European luxury sedans.

Underpinning
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Grand Cherokee handling is good for the class. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)
all this luxurious goodness, Jeep has introduced a new base powerplant for 2011. This is the long-awaited 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V6, which develops 290 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm, and is hooked up to a 5-speed automatic transmission. I found the new V6 to be smooth and plenty powerful, and while a 5.7L Hemi V8 is still offered as an option, unless you’re doing some serious towing the base engine should prove more than adequate. That said, I do have a complaint about the Grand Cherokee’s low-speed performance characteristics. If you are trundling along at moderate speed and give the throttle a gentle prod to get some acceleration ... nothing happens! Mashing your foot firmly toward the floor mat will wake up all the horses and get you moving in a hurry, but anything less than that produces a response so lethargic that it feels like you’ve run out of gas. I’m not sure whether this trait is a function of the engine’s throttle mapping or the transmission programming, but I’d prefer a more linear throttle response. My colleague, who has driven a number of Mercedes M-Class vehicles, reckons this is a leftover Mercedes trait aimed at trying to improve fuel economy — the new Grand Cherokee was, after all, initially developed during DaimlerChrysler days on the same platform as the M-Class.

Throttle characteristics aside, driving the Grand Cherokee is a thoroughly pleasant — and commendably quiet — experience. In Limited 4x4 trim (and all Canadian Grand Cherokees are 4x4s) the Grand Cherokee tips the scales at a hefty 4,850 lbs (2,201 kg),
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
What a gorgeous interior, and so well made you'll think you're in a European luxury car. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)
and you can sense all that weight when driving. But the steering is well-balanced, turn-in is predictable and smooth, the 4-wheel disc ABS brakes do their job without fuss and, thanks to the Quadra-Lift air suspension in our test car, everything remains level and composed — if not exactly sports-car like — when pushed reasonably hard on pavement. Luckily for me, we had a big dump of snow during the week I had the Grand Cherokee, so I was also able to try it out in the kind of conditions it excels in.

While hardcore off-roaders have muttered darkly that the independent front suspension introduced in the WK model has compromised off-road capability and durability, the truth is that the new suspension has introduced all sorts of on-road refinement, yet the Grand Cherokee remains a serious off-road machine with an astounding array of available four-wheel drive technology.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Features are plentiful plus fit and finish superb. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)
The Limited trim upgrades the drive system from the light-duty Quadra-Trac I system with a single-speed transfer case to the Quadra-Trac II system with a two-speed transfer case. Our test vehicle was also equipped with Jeep’s Quadra-Lift air suspension which provides load-leveling control and a very nicely cushioned ride, and can vary the ride height up to 10.4 cm (4.1 inches) from the lowest position (park mode) to a best-in-class maximum off-road ride height of 27.1 cm (10.7 inches). All of this technology is adjustable either manually or automatically through Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system. Working with the two-speed transfer case, Selec-Terrain is controlled via a console-mounted panel and offers five different terrain options (Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock, plus neutral for towing), and has buttons for manual ride height selection, low range selection, and hill descent control. Selec-Terrain optimizes the vehicle for different surfaces by adjusting torque-distribution, brake force, traction control settings and ride height, among other things.

In practice, all this technology comes together seamlessly to provide an effortless driving experience no matter the road or trail conditions. During our winter snow storm, I was able to point the key fob through the living-room window and hit the remote start button, and by the time I got my snow boots on and got out of the house the Grand Cherokee had the cabin, seat and steering wheel all warmed up for me. Once on the road, with the Selec-Terrain switch set
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Full panoramic sunroof is a nice touch. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)
for snow I found the straight-line traction entirely sure-footed, and the electronic stability control did a good job of keeping things orderly around corners (and yes, the laws of physics still apply, but multistage front airbags and side curtain airbags provide a cushion of safety in case you really overcook it). By late afternoon, with the snow plows falling behind their workload, the Grand Cherokee’s advantage was clear — I was one of the few people in my neighbourhood able to navigate our side streets and get where I was going.

If there’s a price to be paid for this four-wheel drive peace of mind, it’s in fuel economy: even with the V6, the Grand Cherokee Limited has an estimated fuel consumption rate of 13.0 / 8.9 L/100km (city/hwy), and my actual consumption was substantially higher. And of course with suggested pricing starting at $37,495 for a base Laredo and
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
The entire door lifts up or you can pop up the rear window for quick access to the back. (Photo: Simon Hill, Canadian Auto Press)
climbing to $54,445 for a loaded Overland edition, the Grand Cherokee isn’t exactly cheap. Still, given the generous features included in our test vehicle, and the high levels of luxury and technology built into all Grand Cherokees, the as-tested price of $50,245 (plus $1,400 destination charges) for our tester seems pretty reasonable. And with Jeep’s 60-month/100,000km powertrain warranty and 36-month/60,000km basic warranty, owners should be protected from any unexpected expenses.

As an indication of where Jeep is heading, the redesigned 2011 Grand Cherokee leaves a lasting and very good impression — it’s rugged as always, and more refined than ever.

Interior

  • Seating: 5 passengers
  • Audio system with AM/FM
    radio, CD player (reads
    MP3 format) , satellite
    radio
  • 12V in cargo area and
    front
  • Front and rear reading
    lights
  • Main dashboard display
  • Tachometer
  • Trip computer: includes
    avg fuel econ and fuel
    range
  • Floor covering: carpet in
    passenger compartment and
    carpet in load area
  • Driver and passenger 3rd
    row windows
  • Seat upholstery: cloth
  • Rear seat center armrest
  • Rear seats: split-folding
    bench with seating for
    three
  • Power steering
  • Ventilation system with
    cabin filter
  • Air conditioning
  • Rear side windows: on
    driver side and passenger
    side
  • Front power windows with
    2 express, rear power
    windows
  • Fuel consumption(L/100km)
    : city= 13.0 ; highway=
    8.8 ; combined= 11.2 ;
    vehicle range: 834 km /
    518 miles
  • Audio Connectivity: AUX
    jack
  • 6 speakers
  • Remote audio controls:
    steering wheel mounted
  • Cruise control
  • Illuminated driver and
    passenger vanity mirror
  • Service interval
    indicator
  • External temperature
  • Luxury trim:
    wood/woodgrain on doors
    and wood/woodgrain on
    dashboard
  • Floor mats
  • Load restraint: hooks
  • Front seat center armrest
  • Front driver seat :
    bucket with 5 power
    adjustments ; details:
    power height, power
    lumbar and power tilt,
    front passenger seat :
    bucket
  • Leather steering wheel ;
    includes tilting
    adjustment and telescopic
    adjustment
  • Cupholders in front row
    and rear seats
  • Passenger seat secondary
    ventilation controls
  • Rear view mirror
  • Hinge rear window with
    defroster and
    intermittent wiper
  • Compass
  • Privacy glass on rear and
    rear side

Exterior

  • Roof antenna
  • Front fog lights
  • Roof rails
  • Windshield wipers with
    variable intermittent
    wipe
  • Doors: driver, rear
    driver, passenger and
    rear passenger : front
    hinged
  • Roof spoiler
  • Pearl paint
  • Driver and passenger door
    mirror: heated, body
    colour, power adjustable
  • Spare wheel: spacesaver
    with steel rim

Mechanical

  • Remote control
    trunk/hatch release
  • 3.060:1 axle ratio
  • Emissions data: CO2:
    5,352 kg/yr
  • Fuel: unleaded ( 87
    octane)
  • Transmission: 5-speed
    automatic w/manual mode ;
    incl. shifter on floor
  • Powertrain type :
    combustion
  • Quadra-Trac I full-time
    4WD drive
  • Electronic traction
    control (via ABS & engine
    management)
  • Fuel system: multi-point
    injection
  • Independent front
    wishbone suspension with
    stabilizer bar and coil
    springs, independent rear
    multi-link suspension
    with stabilizer bar and
    coil springs
  • Hill holder
  • Engine start button

Safety

  • 4 disc brakes (4
    ventilated)
  • Painted front and rear
    bumpers
  • Headlights: halogen with
    complex surface lens
  • Daytime running lights
  • Card key power locks
  • Front side airbags
  • Height adjustable front
    seat belts with
    pre-tensioners for driver
    and passenger
  • Electronic Stability
    Control (ESC) stability
    control
  • Brake assist system
  • Keyless Enter-N-Go smart
    key: includes central
    locking and ignition
    starter
  • ABS
  • Immobilizer
  • Headlight control with
    dusk sensor
  • Front to rear curtain
    airbags
  • Intelligent driver and
    passenger front airbag
  • 2 active height
    adjustable head
    restraints for front
    seats, 2 head restraints
    for rear seats
  • Rear seat belts for
    driver, rear seat belts
    for passenger, 3-point
    rear seat belts for
    center
  • Electronic brake
    distribution
  • Low tire pressure monitor
  • Roll stability control

Dimensions

  • External dimensions:
    overall length (mm):
    4,821, overall width
    (mm): 1,938, overall
    height (mm): 1,762,
    ground clearance (mm):
    216, wheelbase (mm):
    2,915, front track (mm):
    1,623, rear track (mm):
    1,627 and curb to curb
    turning circle (mm):
    11,311
  • Cargo capacity: rear seat
    down (litres): 1,944 and
    all seats in place
    (litres): 993
  • Fuel tank: 93 litre
    capacity
  • Power: 290 hp @ 6,400
    rpm; 260 ft lb of torque
    @ 4,800 rpm
  • Front and rear alloy
    wheels: 17"x 8.0"
  • Internal dimensions:
    front headroom (mm):
    1,013, rear headroom
    (mm): 996, front hip room
    (mm): 1,448, rear hip
    room (mm): 1,427, front
    leg room (mm): 1,024,
    rear leg room (mm): 980,
    front shoulder room (mm):
    1,491 and rear shoulder
    room (mm): 1,473
  • Engine: 3.6L Pentastar V
    6 DOHC with VVT
  • Front and rear
    all-terrain tires
    245/70/T
  • Weights: gross vehicle
    weight (kg): 2,948,
    published curb weight
    (kg): 2,114, gross
    trailer weight braked
    (kg): 2,268 and payload
    allowance (kg): 834

Misc

  • Charges: Air Conditioning
    Tax $ 100.00
  • SUV specifics approach
    angle (degrees): 26.3 and
    departure angle
    (degrees): 26.4
  • Delivery/freight charge:
    $ 1,500.00

(J003) Standard Metallic Paint

Metallic paint

Excludes: [J005] Standard Gloss Paint And [MET] Metallic Paint And [PER] Pearl Paint


(J005) Standard Gloss Paint

Gloss paint

Excludes: [J003] Standard Metallic Paint And [MET] Metallic Paint And [PER] Pearl Paint


(DGJ) Transmission: 5-Spd Auto W5A580

Transmission: 5-speed automatic w/manual mode ; incl. shifter on floor

Excludes: [DG1] Transmission: 6-Spd Auto 65RFE


(ERB) Engine: 3.6L V6 VVT

Engine: 3.6L

Excludes: [EZH] Engine: 5.7L V8 Hemi MDS VVT


(26E) Quick Order

Base vehicle with standard equipment


(AHT) Trailer Tow Group

Trailer towing preparation includes: trailer hitch Automatic rear suspension levelling

Excludes: [AHX] Trailer Tow Group IV


(WPD) Wheels: 18 x 8 Aluminum Chrome Clad

Front and rear alloy chrome wheels: 18"x 8.0"

Excludes: [2_X] Quick Order


(AWL) Off-Road Adventure I

Underbody protection for fuel tank, for transfer case and for engine Spare wheel: fullsize with steel rim (stored under body) Full and part-time 4WD drive with manual & automatic selection and descent control Center differential lock Dual range transmission: selection for 4WD high and 4WD low Front and rear tires with outline white letters :

Excludes: [AWY] Off-Road Adventure II And [AD3] All Weather Capability Group


(AEE) Mopar Chrome Edition Group

Chrome side tube step


(RSP) UConnect Hands-Free Communication

Bluetooth Uconnect voice activating system; includes phone Electrochromic rear view mirror Audio Connectivity: AUX jack, USB and iPod

Excludes: [2_X] Quick Order And [AJY] Security and Convenience Group And [RHB] Media Center 430N CD/DVD/MP3/HDD/NAV


(2_X) Quick Order

110V power supply Heavy duty alternator Front and rear alloy wheels: 18"x 8.0" 9 speakers Air conditioning with automatic control, dual-zone fully automated climate control Cargo area cover DVD Entertainment display screen located in front Front and rear all-terrain tires with black sidewall : 265/60/ Rear radar & camera parking distance sensors Remote engine starter Electrochromic rear view mirror Voice activating system; includes phone Anti-theft protection includes: remote control and peripheral Garage door opener Coming home device Audio Connectivity: AUX jack and USB Bluetooth Front driver seat : heated, front passenger seat : heated with 5 power adjustments ; details: power height, power lumbar and power tilt

Excludes: [AJY] Security and Convenience Group And [RSP] UConnect Hands-Free Communication And [WPD] Wheels: 18 x 8 Aluminum Chrome Clad


(AWY) Off-Road Adventure II

Underbody protection for fuel tank, for transfer case and for engine Spare wheel: fullsize with steel rim (stored under body) Full and part-time 4WD drive with manual & automatic selection and descent control Center differential lock Dual range transmission: selection for 4WD high and 4WD low Interactive front and rear suspension levelling Driver selectable responsive suspensionfeatures: electronic-control Front and rear suspension with air springs Heavy duty alternator Heavy duty engine cooling system Front and center limited slip differential

Excludes: [AWL] Off-Road Adventure I And [AD3] All Weather Capability Group


(AJY) Security and Convenience Group

110V power supply Cargo area cover Remote engine starter Electrochromic rear view mirror Anti-theft protection includes: remote control and peripheral Garage door opener Coming home device Audio Connectivity: USB Bluetooth Uconnect voice activating system; includes phone

Excludes: [2_X] Quick Order And [RSP] UConnect Hands-Free Communication And [RHB] Media Center 430N CD/DVD/MP3/HDD/NAV


(GWA) Power Sunroof

Glass roof Power glass sunroof

Excludes: [GWJ] Dual-pane Panoramic Sunroof


(RHB) Media Center 430N CD/DVD/MP3/HDD/NAV

Entertainment display screen located in front Audio Connectivity: AUX jack and USB HDD navigation system: full map and voice info ; includes 6.5-in. colour screen DVD Internal Hard Drive : 30.00 GB storage Uconnect voice activating system; includes radio, phone and naviagtion system

Excludes: [RSP] UConnect Hands-Free Communication And [AJY] Security and Convenience Group


(TP6) Tires: P265/60R18 OWL On-Off Road

Front and rear all-terrain tires with outline white letters : 265/60/S


(UL) Premium Leather Bucket Seats

Seat upholstery: leather

Excludes: [F7X9] Black Cloth And [F7D3] Dark Greystone/Medium Greystone Cloth


(GWJ) Dual-pane Panoramic Sunroof

Power glass rear sunroof

Excludes: [GWA] Power Sunroof


(EZH) Engine: 5.7L V8 Hemi MDS VVT

Engine: 5.7L V8 OHV with VVT Power: 360 hp @ 5,150 rpm; 390 ft lb of torque @ 4,250 rpm 3.450:1 axle ratio Cylinder shutdown: # of cylinders: 4 Rear electronic limited slip differential Fuel consumption(L/100km) : city= 16.9 ; highway= 10.2 ;

Excludes: [ERB] Engine: 3.6L V6 VVT


(DG1) Transmission: 6-Spd Auto 65RFE

Transmission: 6-speed automatic w/manual mode ; incl. shifter on floor

Excludes: [DGJ] Transmission: 5-Spd Auto W5A580


(AHX) Trailer Tow Group IV

Trailer towing preparation includes: trailer hitch Trailer stability program

Excludes: [AHT] Trailer Tow Group


(AD3) All Weather Capability Group

Quadra-Trac II 4WD drive with manual & automatic selection and descent control Plastic/rubber floor mats

Excludes: [EZH] Engine: 5.7L V8 Hemi MDS VVT And [AWL] Off-Road Adventure I And [AWY] Off-Road Adventure II If: [2_X] Quick Order New Price 695.00:


(MET) Metallic Paint

Metallic paint

Excludes: [J003] Standard Metallic Paint And [J005] Standard Gloss Paint And [PER] Pearl Paint


(PER) Pearl Paint

Pearl paint

Excludes: [J003] Standard Metallic Paint And [J005] Standard Gloss Paint And [MET] Metallic Paint


*Disclaimer: Pricing is subject to change without notice, actual price may vary; installed options may also vary by dealer. Price does not include applicable license fees, insurance, registration, tax, freight / delivery, PDI or administration fees. See dealership for final pricing and availability.
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