2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review
Off-road capable and on-road comfortable.
2008 Grand Cherokee Review Summary & Specifications
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an icon among sport utility vehicles and this latest-generation version is far better than older models. It looks wonderful. It's powerful and quiet at the same time. It offers good space efficiency and comes loaded with standard and optional features. The Grand Cherokee is a great choice for those who want to tow, go off-road, or both. And if fuel economy is your goal, the available diesel has it without sacrificing power.NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Jim McCraw filed this report from Santa Barbara, California, with Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles and correspondent Kirk Bell reporting from Chicago.
|
|
| Vehicle Category | Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor | Jim McCraw |
| Model Lineup | Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 2WD ($28,520); Laredo 4WD ($30,490); Limited 2WD ($35,965); Limited 4WD ($38,555); Overland 2WD ($40,005); Overland 4WD ($43,440); SRT8 4WD ($40,525) |
| Engines (standard) | 5.7-liter ohv 16-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 5-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) | 215-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve turbo-diesel V6; 210-hp 3.7-liter sohc 12-valve V6; 305-hp 4.7-liter sohc 16-valve V8, 330-hp 5.7-liter ohv 16-valve V8; 420-hp 6.1-liter ohv 16-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | front airbags, side-curtain air bags with roll detection, ABS, Brake Assist, electronic stability program with roll mitigation, traction control, tire-pressure monitor, LATCH-style anchors for the rear seats |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | traction control, rear obstacle detection, rear backup camera, hill descent control, hill start assist, trailer sway control |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Detroit, Michigan |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-334-9200 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.jeep.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 28520 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD ($38,555) |
| Standard Equipment | side-curtain airbags with roll sensor; dual-zone automatic climate control; power sunroof; leather upholstery; one-touch power windows; power locks with remote keyless entry; eight-way power driver's seat; power passenger seat; power adjustable pedals; memory function for seats, mirrors, and pedals; Boston Acoustics AM/FM/CD six-speaker premium 276-watt AM/FM/6CD with MP3; driver information center; 60/40 split folding rear seat; engine immobilizer; water-resistant storage compartment; automatic headlamps; rain-sensing automatic wipers; auto-dimming rearview mirror; HomeLink universal garage door opener; tire-pressure monitor with display; adjustable roof rack crossrails; machined-face 17-inch aluminum wheels |
| Destination Charge | 695 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | 5.7-liter Hemi V8 ($845); Quadra-Drive II ($795); Sirius Satellite Radio ($195); Navigation with ParkView reversing camera ($1,890); Class IV trailer tow group ($255) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 43230 |
| Layout | four-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 330 @ 5000 |
| Torque | 375 @ 4000 |
| Fuel Economy | 13/18 |
| Wheelbase | 109.5 |
| Length/Width/Height | 188.0/72.6/68.9 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 37.1 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.7/57.6/41.7 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.3/60.6/35.5 |
| Trunk Volume | 67.4 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | 7200 |
| Front Suspension | independent, double-wishbone, coil springs over gas-charged shocks, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | live axle, upper and lower trailing links, track rod, coil springs, gas-charged shocks, anti-roll bar |
| Ground Clearance | 8.0 |
| Curb Weight | 4778 |
| Stock Tires | P245/65R17 Goodyear Fortera |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/solid disc with ABS |
| Fuel Capacity | 21.1 |
|
Submodel Select
| |
|
|