Jeep Grand Cherokee is the-top-of-line, five-door, sport utility vehicle, built by Chrysler Corporation. Jeep division builds three different sport utility vehicles: Wrangler, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. Wrangler, Jeep's entry-level sport utility, is being completely reworked, and is not offered as a '96 model, although 1997 models will be available by spring. All three have the trademark Jeep front grille with vertical bars. Grand Cherokee was first introduced in the spring of 1992 as a 1993 model. Grand Cherokee is currently marketed in two trim levels: Laredo and more upscale Limited. How important is Jeep Grand Cherokee in Chrysler Corp.'s scheme of things? Chrysler sells proportionally more lights trucks, which includes minivans and sport utilities, than either Ford or General Motors. As the sport utility segment continues growing, Chrysler is toying with the idea of adding a 'luxury' version of its Jeep Grand Cherokee, which would most likely be priced above $40,000. Other manufacturers, including Toyota's Lexus division and Ford's Mercury division, have already jumped on this upscale sport utility band wagon. The Lexus LX 450 has already started trickling into dealerships while the Mercury Mountaineer is due out later this year. Even Mercedes Benz is working on an 'all activity vehicle' to be built in the United States and due to dealerships sometime in 1997. Laredo and Limited both come standard with a 4.0-liter, in-line six-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower. Drivers thirsting for more punch can choose the optional 220-horsepower 5.2 V-8 power plant. We had a chance to test drive a flame red, Grand Cherokee Laredo with a base price of $26,571. After adding options, including the larger V-8 engine, our bottom line was $31,332, including a $500 destination charge. This sticker price, however, did not reflect Chrysler's recent price increase. Grand Cherokee prices were raised an additional $150 to $300 depending model and options. The increase was due to more standard features, such as remote keyless entry, being offered according to officials. The impressive list of Grand Cherokee standard equipment includes four-speed automatic transmission, dual air bags, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, power steering, air conditioning, power windows, rear window wiper/washer and cruise control. The upscale Limited adds automatic temperature control fog lamps and steering wheel radio controls. All Grand Cherokees have child protection rear locks, preventing back-seat occupants from unlocking and opening doors from the inside. Most of what's new this year can be found inside. Grand Cherokee boasts a larger interior than previous years, and the dashboard is redesigned to accommodate dual air bags. Headlights are activated from a dashboard dial left of the steering wheel. Fan speed, temperature settings and blower directions are controlled by dashboard dials located between front seat passengers. Rear seat occupants have access to dual cup holders, which retract out from the front seat arm rest. Folding back seats are available in either full bench, or with 60/40 split. Speed sensitive power steering is optional on Laredo, and standard in Limited. This feature allows more steering wheel feedback when making tight maneuvers, such as parallel parking, and less feedback when traveling at highway speeds. As with all sport utilities, drivers are seated higher up, providing a good perspective of the road. Large, dual side view mirrors also enhance road feedback. Grand Cherokee's outside mirrors are heated. Headroom for drivers and passengers is generous. Depending on driving needs, Grand Cherokee is available in rear-wheel drive Selec-Trac full-time four-wheel drive, or Quadra-Trac permanent four wheel drive. Switching to four-low, used in rugged or slippery terrain, maximizes four-wheel drive by locking the front and rear drive shafts. Engaging four-low involves slowing down to three miles per hour, shifting into neutral, and then switching to four-low. The spare tire is located in the cargo area, on the left side, and takes up quite a bit of room. Drivers using the cargo area often can purchase an aftermarket device, which affixes the tire to the rear door. New this year is a lift gate window, which now flips up. This allows access to the cargo area without swinging open the entire rear door. Fuel estimates are unimpressive at best. Our test-drive vehicle, featuring the upgraded V-8 engine, listed estimates at 14 miles per gallon in city driving, and 18 mpg highway. With 7,700 odometer miles, we registered 15.5 miles per gallon combined city and highway driving. The fuel tank holds 23 gallons of unleaded gasoline. Chrysler assembles Grand Cherokee in Detroit Mich. |