Grand Cherokee Overland field test by Expedition Portal staff

[haven]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/veh...d-test-2012-jeep-grand-cherokee-overland.html

Scott Brady and Joe Bacal have done a comprehensive job of evaluating the current Grand Cherokee. Well worth the time to read.

In the test, the 5.7L gas V8 got about 16 mpg, and the tank holds a little more than 24 gallons. So the range of the GC is about 400 miles. I'm looking forward to the 2013 model year, when the Grand Cherokee gets a 3.0L Fiat turbodiesel. Similar engines in comparable SUVs are rated at about 22 mpg combined. The diesel would increase range by 30% to 528 miles.

 

[nwoods]

Fantastic review. Total fail that you need a Facebook log in to post a comment though. Why would I log into another site to post something on this site?

Anyway, I really enjoyed the review, and agreed with comments and suggestions. I hope Jeep is listening, which I suspect they are, given that they gave you one to play with!

 

[Christian P.]

Fantastic review. Total fail that you need a Facebook log in to post a comment though. Why would I log into another site to post something on this site?

Anyway, I really enjoyed the review, and agreed with comments and suggestions. I hope Jeep is listening, which I suspect they are, given that they gave you one to play with!

Not sure if that helps you, but you should also be able to comment using Yahoo, Hotmail or AOL (is anyone still using AOL?)?

We had anonymous comment system before but it's not as "reputable".

 

[HumphreyBear]

Hi Christian,

Could you link it to the forum directory service as well so that members can use their ExPo ID?

Humphrey

 

[Logans91XJ]

Fantastic review. Total fail that you need a Facebook log in to post a comment though. Why would I log into another site to post something on this site?

Anyway, I really enjoyed the review, and agreed with comments and suggestions. I hope Jeep is listening, which I suspect they are, given that they gave you one to play with!

Agreed if you are member of this site you should just be able to use your Site ID and not have to use a Facebook account or anything else.

 

[Scott Brady]

We were getting up to 1,000 spam entries per month. Not sustainable by our small staff. The FB module also removes anonymity from the comment, so it is amazing how much more considerate and considered the responses are. . .

 

[SSF556]

Yea going through facebook is a huge turnoff for me.....

Nice write up on the Grand though....

 

[azken]

Scott,

I do not have a Facebook account so will use this thread to compliment you, Joe, and your staff for the write up. As a one time Chrysler and Volvo test driver I can really appreciate the detailed, objective, and concise evaluation/review you did on the GC. I also like the rating system...it makes sense. Thanks!

Ken

 

[Scott Brady]

Thank you Ken.

 

[Scott Brady]

Here is the video, just incase anyone missed it.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Hey, Scott:
I watched that video, but it is actually a test of the 2011 despite titled the 2012. Also mentioned in the article was statement about the suspension comparison of the Jeep over the LR4 and further mentions you "took them out on the track together and the "video" proves it ..." Which video shows this comparison?
Thanks
Dendy

 

[nwoods]

Dendy, I read into that as meaning they shot video of the same areas, probably at different times, and reviewed back in the shop to assess their seat of the pants observations in the field. Not they they shot them simultaneously.

I am extremely familiar with the LR3/4 performance, and was frankly astounded to read that the GC hooks up and engages faster than the TC system in the LR3 platform. I guess I should not be that surprised though, same company is providing both systems, and the GC is almost 6 years more current in the Developement pipeline. Could just be a factor of cheaper / faster processor chips.

I would like to see the LR4 video, not really for comparison, but just out of general interest.

Scott, in comparing the two platforms, did you engage Super Extended Mode (two stops and nearly 5" above raised off road mode) in the LR4? About 99% of journalist reports I have read never mention that capability, and it is a big deal when nothing else will substitute for ground clearance!

Also, I do not have a Facebook account. I would far prefer to use the ExPo ID, or even Twitter, anything but FB or Picterest, due to their copyright and privacy disregards.

 

[Dan Grec]

I'm looking forward to the 2013 model year, when the Grand Cherokee gets a 3.0L Fiat turbodiesel. Similar engines in comparable SUVs are rated at about 22 mpg combined. The diesel would increase range by 30% to 528 miles.

The GC with the 3.0 diesel get 28mpg combined in Europe, almost double the EPA estimate for the current 5.7 gasser (at 15mpg)

I'm extremely interested to see what it gets rated at in North America, and what kind of emissions crap (additives) it needs (fingers crossed for none)

-Dan

 

[haven]

The Euro mpg ratings for diesels generally are more generous than the EPA's ratings. It's partly due to different emissions standards. I expect the Fiat diesel to use the same sort of emissions controls that Mercedes and VW use for their V6 engines, that is, exhaust recirculation, DEF injection, a soot trap and a catalytic converter.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Nwoods, I wasn't really interested in the LR4 vs. GC for comparison either, but more out of morbid curiosity, as I do believe the LR3/4 fantastic machines off-road, but have really never tried the GC offroad, so I was frankly surprised by the comments. (surprised in a good way).

D