Safety & Tech features - Future proof. Segment first passenger screen with privacy. Great handling and drive quality
Only Petrol Variant
In Los Angeles I was driving in smooth buttered tarmac , and the NVH levels were non-existent, while back in Mumbai it was the same feeling and that’s the first thing which you don’t expect from a Jeep. The Grand Cherokee has completely nailed it with minimalistic road noise seeping into the cabin even though riding on 20-inch rims. We were strictly told not to take this test vehicle for off-roading so will hold my verdict of the off-roading part, but whatever broken patches we did encounter , the suspension set up soaked that very well. It’s seriously a luxury off-roader with a 4x4 – Quadra-Trac system with an active transfer case that moves torque to the wheel with the most grip. What is neatly integrated is the front-axle disengaging itself automatically from four-wheel drive to two-wheel drive, when not required improving fuel economy in the process. For a 2.5-tonne SUV riding on 20-inch with 215 mm of ground clearance you do expect body roll. Again, the Grand Cherokee surprises with minimalist body roll over and drives with full autonomy and control even on sharp turns. Here is the best driving tech – its four-wheel drive automatically springs back to work when the moving vehicle senses its need. It’s available only in one variant - 2.0-litre, turbocharged petrol engine swirling out 268 HP and 400 NM of torque which kicks in post the 2500 RPM mark. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and is untouched upto 533mm of water wading.
It comes loaded with ADAS features which makes driving in terms of safety at par with cars one segment above. Its driving aids matches with Volvo XC90 like the Speed Collision Warning, Active Braking and Pedestrian including rear cross path Detection, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, LaneSense Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist and some very interesting features like the Drowsy Driver Detection system. Steering grip has a power feel to it and invites you to go hard on the SUV with total confidence.
