Test drive: Jeep Grand Cherokee V6

Some may say - rather unkindly - that it has taken Jeep 70 years to get it right, but undoubtedly on all fronts the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a cracker.

Earlier in the year we put a V8 Grand Cherokee through its paces and came away suitably impressed. This time around we drove the entry-level Laredo V6 petrol and again we have nothing but praise for it.

The Grand Cherokee ticks all the boxes, simply being a vehicle for all seasons and all reasons. Its muscular body is contemporary and purposeful, yet conservative enough to live comfortably in an urban environment. As a daily drive it is very agreeable, has an exceedingly high equipment package, and is easy to drive with the five-speed auto well calibrated to suit the excellent V6 petrol engine.

While it is a bulky vehicle, the new V6 Pentastar engine is more than up to the task, and propels the Laredo with good acceleration and importantly, livable fuel consumption. During our time with the vehicle we did a lot of highway kilometres and some pretty dirty off road driving in the mud and slush of the Otway Ranges in south western Victoria. We found a 700 km range from the 93-litre tank realistic and recorded consumption figures as low as 8.1L/100km on the highway to 12.4L/100km in four-wheel drive conditions.

Unlike many SUVs that are purchased to complete the school run, rather than ever experiencing any of our great Outback touring opportunities, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a dark side of which potential buyers should be aware.

While happy to blend into the city set with more docile wannabe four-wheel drives that may look the part, but lack genuine off road credentials, in true Jeep tradition the Grand Cherokee can shrug off its comfortable trappings and get down and dirty without missing a beat. This is an extremely capably four-wheel drive vehicle that is up for most challenges.

For our testing, we acknowledged some limitations due to the standard road tyres, and while there were a few tracks I longingly pointed the Grand Cherokee at, road tyres are not a successful choice for trekking some of Australia's most notorious clay tracks, so I chose caution over the prospect of a possible difficult recovery session. Having said that, I drove a number of wet and boggy tracks that I have used to compare a number of other 4x4s over the years, and despite conditions being at possibly the most difficult for a number of years, the Grand Cherokee conquered them with disgusting ease!

It's fair to say that economic confidence is waning at the momentum throughout the community and if purchasing a new 4x4 is on your shopping list, you will want a vehicle that is reliable, comfortable and meets all your requirements.

If you are seeking a 4x4 that meets those requirements, as well as offering genuine 4x4 ability the Laredo Grand Cherokee must be placed on your list. For the sort of vehicle we are talking, you can expect to budget north of $75,000 - stretching into the high nineties for say a high spec Land Rover Discovery. To driveaway in a Laredo Grand Cherokee with a MLP of $45,000 is a value package that I cannot fault.

The Grand Cherokee is available with the all-new V6 petrol engine, 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel and 5.7-litre Hemi V8.

Our test vehicle was powered by the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 that delivers 210kW of power and 347Nm of torque.

The Pentastar engine was developed for use in a range of Chrysler vehicles, with the Grand Cherokee the first application to reach the market. It features dual double overhead camshafts and a high-pressure die-cast aluminium cylinder block in a 60-degree configuration and Quad Variable-valve timing. It is coupled with the W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth shifts and optimum fuel consumption. The five-speed transmission includes adaptive electronic control or Electronic Range Select driver-interactive manual control and an electronically modulated torque converter clutch.

The V6 is quiet and while acceleration isn't in the same league as the Hemi V8, is still potent. On road the Grand Cherokee rides and handles very well, with a suspension that is well sorted.

Two 4x4 systems - Quadra Trac II and Quadra Drive II - are offered on Grand Cherokee, with the Laredo fitted with Quadra Trac II active full time 4x4.

Four-wheel driving is aided by the Jeep's new Selec-Terrain system, which provides five driving modes at the twist of a dial: Auto, Rock, Sand/Mud, Snow and Sport. The latter lends an unexpected pleasure, as it improves the Laredo's performance characteristics, lowering the vehicle a little and seemingly unleashing extra power for a more exhilarating drive.

The default-driving mode is Auto, which is full time 4x4, with the other settings selected, as needed - some operating only in conjunction with low range selection. Chrysler refer to Selec-Terrain as a traction control system that allows the driver to choose the drive system that best matches the on or off road driving conditions. Standard safety programs include ESC, ERM, ABS, ASTC, trailer sway control and push button start/stop. There are also front airbags, full length side curtain airbags that extend to rear passengers and driver knee bolster airbag.

The only option that was fitted to our entry-level vehicle was Chrysler's all new air suspension Quadra Lift. As a $2,500 option, it provides two off road ride heights, which greatly enhance the four-wheel drive capabilities of the vehicle and lessen the likelihood of sill body damage in rough terrain. Off road 1 raises the vehicle up an extra 33mm and only drops back down when 80km/h is exceeded. For even more clearance, off road 2 raises the Jeep 65mm for maximum ground clearance of 272mm. It reverts to the lower level when 40km/h is exceeded. At the other end of the scale, the air suspension affords a parking mode that lowers the vehicle 38mm for easy entry and exit.

Inside, the cabin is roomy and seating is first class for all passengers. Back seat passengers have generous knee and legroom and also enjoy a fold down centre armrest and rear air conditioning. Seats are finished in a pleasant soft touch material and the second seat has a 40/60 split fold, as well as rake control. The cargo area is roomy, and comes with 4 tie down points, 12-volt plug and cargo blind. A full size spare wheel resides under the cargo floor. Access to the rear is either through a flip-up glass back window or a full-opening top hinged hatch door.

The cabin is well insulated and very little road noise intrudes. The dash has been completely redesigned and is dominated by a central monitor - complete with wide angle reversing camera - which has touch screen features to control audio and other entertainment functions. Audio and cruise controls are also located on the steering wheel. Located in front of the driver is an information centre, which shows such information as fuel consumption, distance to empty, trip metres, digital speed and Selec-Terrain settings.

The bottom line is that this is an entry-level vehicle that simply offers so much. There are no shortcuts. Engineering, traction controls, new fuel efficient engine, cabin ambience and standard equipment is all first rate. As a value for money proposition, there is just no other 4WD in the same league at the moment.

BRIAN TANNER