(below me with Grand Cherokee Feb 2011)
I have just returned from a 2 week Holiday in Colorado USA. After arriving at Denver Airport we went to our Avis pick up, and was greeted by the All New Jeep Grand Cherokee. Ok i admit i was not shocked to get one, as i knew it had been launched in the USA and having had 2 Grand Cherokees in my time i was keen to try one out. ( I currently have an X5 so i am looking to change) Nothing winds me up more than having to make a car choice based on a 15min test drive, so living with it for 2 weeks gave me a real feel for the Car on a day to day basics.
Once taken out of the Avis car park i was met with Snow coming down, it was 5pm, getting dark, and ahead of me lay a 100 mile drive to the Hotel. I settled in switched the electronic Suspension and traction control to Snow setting and set off. This car has grip i can tell you. I arrived at our hotel still feeling refreshed. The seats are well fitted for me, Heated and (not that i needed it) have perforated leather seats which pump a/c cold air through the seats in the summer months, (yes i tried it, very nice)
The whole Car is larger and has a much more aggressive front end (bonnet reminds me of my X5 as does looking at the back. My Car had the HEMI V8 and only returned me 20mpg, im sure by the time it gets here it will have a diesel in it and proper MPG figs.
The following morning once it was light so i took a good look around the Car. I was very impressed at the quality, this Car is in another league to any other Jeep product that came before. The build quality was very clean and precise, no gaps, no bad fitting, I would even go as far to say that some parts of the interior were more solid that some of the interior in my current X5.!! Lots of buttons on the Steering wheel a fantastic music system, with a hard drive to store thousands of tracks on, you can even press a button on the steering wheel speak the name of the track and it will find it. Rear seats were very nice plenty of leg room for the Wife and Daughter. The boot has plenty of space, we were able to get 3 large bags with Ski gear, Ski boots for all 4 of us plus carry on stuff. Lift up tailgate and the Flipper glass if you want it. We had a massive sun roof all electric, (more buttons for my Son to play with) I liked the Key you have to press key flob to open car but that's it, just get in press button and it starts.
I must just go back to the Suspension, You can raise and lower the suspension, just like a discovery or range rover. all very impressive.
the Snow had cleared and i had the chance to try it in sport mode. you could feel the suspension tighten and it just rode the corners like it was on rails.
only 2 bad points. 1) Sitting in driving seat trying to close drivers door. as the door is wide opening its a long reach to grab the handle to close the door. 2) Interior mirror very large. but maybe im just being picky !!!
I have already spoken to my local dealer in the Uk who tells me that they will be out on the Uk around June/July 2011. they will be very fuel efficient 40-50 mpg. i have told him that as soon as the order book opens up, Ring Me.
Im sure there is more i could write and im sure some of you would of appreciated more spec info but im not a writer, ive just put my thoughts on what is a wonderful car and living with it for 2 weeks. I think Jeep will have a Hit on there hands when this gets to the UK.
Jeep UK if you read this, an Overland with all the gadgets at around £30,000 please !!!!
Paul
