2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review and Prices
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Price: $30,995 - $42,995
MPG: 16 / 23 / 18
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Table of Contents
Past and Future Reviews
Also Consider
Related Articles
Calculators
Cons
- Unimpressive fuel economy with the all-new V-6; sobering with the carryover Hemi V-8
- A heavy SUV that feels slightly underpowered without the V-8
- Noisy traction control sounds when using 4wd on limited-grip surfaces
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Buying Advice
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the best SUV for you if you’re a Jeep loyalist keyed up about this all-new flagship or a Jeep newbie curious for a taste of authentic sport-utility talent.
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the first fully redesigned Grand Cherokee since model-year 2005. It remains a five-passenger four-door wagon but edges into the premium class with a higher level of luxury, technology, and features. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee marks the first appearance of Chrysler’s Pentastar V-6, an efficient new engine that’ll spread throughout the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram truck lines. Updated technology for the 2011 Grand Cherokee includes a height-adjustable all-independent suspension and a sophisticated 4wd system programmable to suit various terrains.
Should you buy a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee or wait for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Buy the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee if you want to be among the first to drive a domestic-brand SUV that equals some of the snootier imports for fit, finish, and features -- and boasts a heritage they can’t match. Wait for the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee if you want to be certain Jeep’s worked the bugs out of this rig’s considerable roster of fresh technology.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Changes back to top
Styling: The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee styling has a distinct European flavor and the redone interior adds appealing upscale materials and content. Indeed, parent-company Chrysler seeks to reposition the 2011 Grand Cherokee from merely a midsize SUV with good off-road ability to a premium SUV with great all-terrain capability. It claims Grand Cherokee is now in the same class as the BMW X5. BMW buyers aren’t likely to consider a Jeep. But some upscale Land Rover LR4 intenders might, and shoppers of the 2011 Toyota 4Runner and all-new 2011 Ford Explorer certainly should. The 2011 Grand Cherokee returns Laredo and Limited models. It adds the top-line Overland model and also slots in Laredo X trim. The high-performance SRT8 model goes on hiatus. Jeep touts the 2011 Grand Cherokee as a full-size SUV based on interior volume. In reality, the 2011 Grand Cherokee remains solidly in the midsize-SUV category. Its body is just 1.8 inches longer than the outgoing 2005-2010 model and it’s only slightly wider and taller. The biggest change is a wheelbase stretch of 5.3 inches, to 114.8 inches. That’s among the longest in the midsize-SUV class and is important because wheelbase – the distance between the front and rear axles – is key to a vehicle’s interior space. Indeed, the 2011 Grand Cherokee has a significant 4.0 inches more rear-seat leg room than the outgoing model. Cargo volume increases by a generous 5.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat (to 35.1 cubic feet) and by 1.9 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded (to 68.7).
Despite being more sculpted and aerodynamic, the 2011 Grand Cherokee celebrates seven decades of Jeep heritage by retaining the seven-slot grille. And designers maintained its aggressive approach and departure angles – the abbreviated front and rear sheet metal overhangs that allow it to negotiate rocky and rough terrain. New and arty are the raked headlamps with jeweled reflector parabolas. Also new is an integrated, body-colored rear spoiler that contributes to improved aerodynamics. Bigger taillamps integrate into the liftgate and four backup lights improve nighttime visibility. Fog lamp, stainless steel window trim, and chromed roof rack side rails are standard. Limited and Overland models have auto-leveling xenon headlamps. Grand Cherokees with the V-6 engine have a single exhaust outlet; V-8s get chromed dual exhaust tips. Tow hooks are optional and can be integrated into the lower front fascia. Off-road enthusiasts will appreciate the approach-angle benefits that come with easy removal of the front air dam. Alloy wheels are standard: 17-inchers on Laredo, 18s on Limited, 20s on Overland. The 20s are Grand Cherokee’s largest-ever wheels and can be special-ordered on Limited models.
Mechanical: The 2011 Grand Cherokee isn’t technically a crossover, partly because it doesn’t share its chassis engineering with a car or minivan. But it does continue to employ unibody construction in which body and frame essentially are a single unit as in the manner of cars and crossovers. This is in contrast to the shrinking number of old-school SUVs, such as the Toyota 4Runner, in which the body attaches to a separate frame. The 2011 Grand Cherokee’s big news underhood is the first appearance of a new 3.6-liter V-6 named for Chrysler’s Pentastar logo. It’s standard on all models and rated at 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Those are increases of 38 percent and 11 percent, respectively, over the 3.7-liter V-6 it replaces. Optional on all 2011 Grand Cherokees is Chrysler’s 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. It carries over with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque and again features Chrysler’s multiple displacement system (MDS). This saves gas and reduces emissions by automatically idling four cylinders during low-demand cruising. Both engines use a five-speed automatic transmission with floor shift that includes a separate gate for manual shifting. Maximum towing ratings for the 2011 Grand Cherokee are 7,400 pounds with the V-8 and 5,000 pounds with the V-6.
All versions of the 2011 Grand Cherokee are available with rear-wheel drive (2wd) or with one of three four-wheel-drive (4wd) systems. Quadra-Trac I actually is an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system because it’s always engaged and does not include low-range gearing for severe off-road conditions. Quadra-Trac II is a full-time 4wd system that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. Quadra-Drive II upgrades to include an electronic limited-slip differential that directs engine power to either axel or even to one wheel for enhanced grip in severe conditions. Standard with Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II is Jeep’s new Selec-Terrain system. A center-console knob dials in one of five 4wd-traction/suspension programs to suit various conditions. The programs are: Sand/Mud, Snow; Rock, Auto to automatically adapt to any on- or off-road situation, and Sport for sharper on-road response. Included with Quadra-Drive II is Jeep’s new Quadra-Lift air suspension system. Its console buttons have settings for five ride heights, from lower-than-normal for easier passenger entry and exit, to off-road settings that provide about 11 inches of ground clearance, to an aero mode that reduces ride height for less drag and more stability at highway speeds. Systems similar to Selec-Terrain and Quadra-Lift are typically found only in upscale SUVs. In an even more pronounced change as Jeep repositions this SUV, the 2011 Grand Cherokee switches to a four-wheel independent suspension, abandoning the less-sophisticated coil-spring/solid rear axle setup.
Features: Jeep reinforces its premium aspirations for the redesigned 2011 Grand Cherokee with an extensive range of comfort, convenience, and connectivity features. Standard and optional upscale amenities include leather upholstery, real wood cabin trim, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a power tilt/telescoping steering column with memory. Standard on all 2011 Grand Cherokees is an eight-way power driver seat with a four-way power lumbar. Laredo X, Limited, and Overland models add an eight-way power passenger seat with a four-way power lumbar. A fold-flat front passenger seat is standard on the Laredo E, and 60/40 fold-flat rear seats with recline are standard on all models. Heated front seats are standard on the Laredo X. Limited and Overland models get heated front and rear seats. Cooled front seats are standard on Overland and optional on Limited models. Among features new to the Grand Cherokee is Jeep’s CommandView, a two-pane sunroof that extends from the windshield to the rear of the vehicle; the front panel opens. CommandView is optional on Laredo and standard on Limited and Overland; a conventional power sunroof is optional on all models. The rear liftgate gains a flipper-glass window for easier cargo access. Also new to the Grand Cherokee is a power liftgate; it’s optional on the Limited and standard on the Overland. Connectivity and infotainment technology includes live satellite TV via the FLO TV and Sirius Backseat TV services, plus a navigation system with Sirius traffic, and Chrysler’s Uconnect Bluetooth cell-phone and iPod interface, which now includes voice control of iPods linked through the USB port.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Test Drive back to top
From behind the wheel: Jeep’s PR people say the 2011 Grand Cherokee is the most refined and capable Grand Cherokee ever. Believe the hype. The new Jeep not only is more solidly built and quieter than the 2005-2010 Grand Cherokee, it’s as stable, responsive, and refined as some SUVs costing thousands more.
Sadly, hype about the Pentastar V-6 gives way to reality once you need to hustle the Grand Cherokee. The lightest V-6 version tips the scales at a substantial 4,470 pounds with 2wd and climbs to 4,850 for the 4wd Overland. The Pentastar is smooth and willing and its power output is competitive with rival V-6s. But it produces its best torque – the force that actually gets you moving -- rather high in the rpm range. So throttle response can be unsatisfying from around-town speeds and in gentle cruising. Using the manual-shift capability of the automatic transmission affords better control over engine speed for snappier response. But the real recipe for robust acceleration in the 2011 Grand Cherokee is the always willing Hemi V-8.
Hard-core off-roaders still may prefer the arcane traction benefits of a solid rear axle, but the rest of us ought to applaud Jeep’s brave move to an all-independent suspension. It provides the 2011 Grand Cherokee with confident road manners on any paved surface, a quality complimented by predictable steering and an eagerness to carve in and out of traffic. Grand Cherokee’s off-road capability should never be in doubt, and the 2011 model’s sophisticated new 4wd/traction/suspension hardware delivers tractor-like grip when the going gets gnarly. Our only complaint is some whirring and thudding emanating from the electronics that control wheel slip and braking when you’re really in the rough stuff.
Dashboard and controls: The 2011 Grand Cherokee’s new interior appointments include a two-gauge, chrome-surround instrument cluster and a thick-rimmed three spoke steering wheel that would be at home in a European sports sedan. Controls for climate and audio systems are clearly identified, unobstructed, and fall easily to hand. Striking nighttime instrument backlighting is a particular highlight. So is the aircraft-inspired LED ambient illumination for the map pockets, door grab handles and foot wells; it adds to the upscale ambience and is a great aid getting in and out of the Jeep in the dark.
Particularly distinctive is the opulent Overland edition, in which hand-craftsmanship is evident throughout. But every 2011 Grand Cherokee features careful attention to detail in the finish of the cabin materials, the generous number of padded interior surfaces, and in even panel gaps inside and out. The 2011 Grand Cherokee was designed before Chrysler’s takeover by Italy’s Fiat, but hats off to the new owners for not ordering a retreat on quality to save a few bucks. It’s a good sign that bodes well for future Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram truck models.
Room, comfort, and utility: Front and rear doors that swing notably wide team with generous openings to provide easy access to the 2011 Grand Cherokee’s roomy cabin. Space and comfort are impressive, with the front seats hugging just right to support your body in turns and the rear bench benefitting from this year’s additional 4-inches of leg room.
Storage space is well-thought-out. Agreeable details include a small covered bin at the base of the central dashboard; it’s lined with a rubber mat and illuminated -- perfect for tucking away a cellular phone, iPod, or the like. The cargo bay is wide and its carpeted floor is embedded with handsome metallic-finish rub strips. The split folding rear seatbacks drop easily to form a nearly flat load platform.
The available full-size spare tire stows underneath the cargo floor in a cavity that also contains two removable bins ideal for storing beverages or muddy gear. A removable/rechargeable flashlight and grocery hooks can be found on the rear cargo walls.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Prices back to top
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a base price range of $30,995-$42,995.That’s highly competitive with direct rivals such as the 4Runner. (Base prices in this review include the manufacturer’s destination fee; Jeep’s fee for the 2011 Grand Cherokee is $780.)
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo base price is $30,995 with 2wd and $32,995 with 4wd. Standard equipment on the 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo includes the features mentioned above, plus remote keyless entry, trailer sway control, and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited base price is $37,495 with 2wd and $39,995 with 4wd. In addition to features listed above, the Limited adds to Laredo’s standard equipment leather upholstery, a navigation system, memory front seats, rear back-up camera and rear park assist, premium audio, automatic temperature control, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, and bright door handles.
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland base price is $39,495 with 2wd and $42,995 with 4wd. The Overland builds on the Limited by adding as standard the features noted above, plus premium interior with Nappa leather-trimmed and heated seats, vented front seats, wood/leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with memory, power tilt/telescope steering column, wood cabin trim, and leather stitching on the instrument panel, doors, and center console armrest.
Among key options for the 2011 Grand Cherokee, the Hemi V-8 engine costs $1,495. The rear-seat DVD entertainment system available on Limited and Overland models costs $1,495 and includes satellite TV. Laredo models can be brought up to essentially Limited level with a $4,000 Quick Order Package that includes leather upholstery, Bluetooth connectivity, and other features.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Fuel Economy back to top
For all its tech advances, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee does not earn fuel-economy ratings that move the ball forward for midsize SUVs with V-6 and V-8 engines.
The Pentastar six is more fuel-efficient than the less-powerful 3.7-liter V-6 it replaces, but it doesn’t use notably less gas than comparable V-6s in rival SUVs. And while Jeep has found a way to squeeze the Hemi for an additional 1 mpg in the city and on the highway, its thirst for gas is the penalty of its great performance.
With the V-6 the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is rated at 16/23 mpg city/highway with 2wd and 16/22 with 4wd.
With the V-8, the 2011 Grand Cherokee is rated 14/20 mpg with 2wd and 13/19 with 4wd.
The Pentastar V-6 runs on 87-octane gas or on the E85 blend of gas and ethanol. Jeep recommends 89 octane gas for full performance with the Hemi V-8.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Safety and Reliability back to top
At the time of this review, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee had not been tested by under the government’s five-star crash-rating program (safercar.gov). However, Jeep said its internal testing makes it confident the 2011 Grand Cherokee will earn the maximum five stars for occupant protection in front and side collisions.
Standard safety features on the 2011 Grand Cherokee include electronic stability control antiskid system, torso-protecting seat-mounted front side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags for both seating rows. Hill descent control and trailer-sway control are optional along with blind spot monitoring to warn of unseen vehicles in adjacent lanes and rear cross path detection to alter of objects or vehicles to the rear and sides when backing up.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Release Date back to top
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee goes on sale in July, 2010.
What's next for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee back to top
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will likely carry over without any major changes for two to three years. There could be minor trim updates to the exterior and interior, especially in the form of factory-approved accessories from Chrysler’s Mopar aftermarket parts division.
Jeep’s drawing board no doubt includes an SRT8 high-performance version of the new Grand Cherokee, but it would have to justify it within ever-more-stringent fuel-economy regulations. The outgoing Grand Cherokee SRT8 had a 420-horsepower 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 and a sport-tuned suspension and AWD system. It was rated 12/16 mpg city/highway and started around $44,000. Jeep executives deny a diesel powertrain is in the works for U.S.-market Grand Cherokees, but a turbocharged six-cylinder diesel is a Grand Cherokee mainstay overseas and can’t be ruled out. Similarly, a gas-electric hybrid model is also possible.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Competition back to top
Ford Explorer: Ford’s popular Explorer is being redesigned for 2011 as a crossover SUV. It might not aim quite as upmarket as the 2011 Grand Cherokee, but improvements in refinement, ride, and comfort are certain. So is a passel of infotainment tech. New powertrains will include a four-cylinder version of the Ford’s hot new EcoBoost turbocharged engine, as well as an updated V-6.
Land Rover LR4: The 2011 Grand Cherokee justifies comparison with this posh British SUV, particularly if you’re interested in a Hemi-powered 4wd Overland model. Land Rover’s Discovery model was revamped for model-year 2010 and now wears the LR4 tag. It starts around $47,000 and boasts a died-in-the-wool adventure heritage, a 375-horsepower V-8, and great off-road capability. It also pioneered terrain response technology and the adjustable suspension systems now showing up on Jeep and other upscale SUVs. LR4 is roomy and refined, and is available with a small third-row seat. But its reliability ratings are weak, and a 12/17-mpg rating is a little tough to swallow.
Toyota 4Runner: Toyota’s midsized SUV is among the few that still hews to traditional body-on-frame/solid-rear axle design. It’s highly capable off-road, solidly built, and brims with comfort and convenience features. The spacious cabin even makes room for a child-sized third-row seat. But 4Runner’s road manners are generally sloppy versus the top competition, and it’s downright slow with the standard 157-horsepower four-cylinder engine. Even the 270-hoprsepower V-6 is no fireball. Base prices are roughly $28,500-$41,000.