2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

             2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

                    2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

                             2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

                             2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

                             2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

                             2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

                                2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

                                2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

      2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

              2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

                          2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

                             2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

                              2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

                            2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

                              2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

                                2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

                            2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

                         2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

2012 Jeep wrangler

                            2012 Jeep wrangler

                             2012 Jeep wrangler

                                         2012 Jeep wrangler

                                          2012 Jeep wrangler

                                          2012 Jeep wrangler

                                          2012 Jeep wrangler

                            2012 Jeep wrangler

                                          2012 Jeep wrangler

                                          2012 Jeep wrangler

2011 Jeep Commander

Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 Jeep Commander
Jeep was one of the first automakers to see a civilian market for the military-style vehicles post WWII. And as you’d expect, the Commander comes from a long line of Jeeps and is consistent with the Jeep heritage. With design highlights taken from its iconic brother, the Grand Cherokee, and an added 3rd row of seating, the Commander is one of the largest Jeeps in production history. Also grabbing some styling cues from the more classy Hummer and Range Rover lines, the Commander’s exterior style has some added prestige. With its menacing size, it is one of the larger vehicles on the road today.

You can't be everything to everybody. That's the lesson we take away from the 2010 Jeep Commander. Nostalgic styling, off-road prowess, seating for seven and a luxurious interior seem to be too much to all fit into this midsize Jeep. It manages to meet these goals, but just barely and not without some significant drawbacks.

The Commander's exterior styling is an obvious nod to the Cherokee from years past, but that Jeep's boxy look is a bit too fresh in our minds to be considered "retro." Inside, you'll find a third-row seat -- the Commander is the only Jeep product to offer one. However, there's just not much interior room, and consequently, adults will find both the second and third rows rather cramped. To compound the space issues, the Commander holds significantly less cargo than its competitors.

INTERIOR
The 2010 Jeep Commander is a seven-passenger midsize SUV that is offered in two trim levels: Sport and Limited. The Sport model's standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels; heated exterior mirrors; foglights; a roof rack; front and rear air-conditioning; full power accessories; an eight-way power driver seat; a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel; a 40/20/40-split second-row bench; a 50/50-split third-row bench; rear parking sensors; and a six-speaker stereo with a CD/MP3 player, an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. Adding the optional Sun and Sound Group will provide a touchscreen navigation system with real-time traffic reporting, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a rearview camera, a sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth and an upgraded audio system with a 30GB music server and iPod integration.

Stepping up to the Commander Limited includes all of the Sport's Sun and Sound Group features plus auto-dimming exterior mirrors, dual-zone climate control, heated second-row seats, power-adjustable pedals, a power liftgate, driver-seat memory and remote engine start. Xenon headlights and a rear-seat entertainment system (with Sirius Backseat TV) are available on the Limited, as are adaptive headlights and various towing packages. A chrome exterior trim package is also available for both Sport and Limited models.

EXTERIOR
The Commander comes from a long line of Jeep models and was designed to look and act as a utilitarian vehicle. It is instantly recognized as a Jeep with many design cues transcending from its brethren – the grille, the square-ish surfaces, the wheel openings and its headlamp module. For 2010, the Commander build was based on the Grand Cherokee, but is longer and taller offering a 3rd row for additional seating or for cargo space. Both the 2nd and 3rd row seats can be folded into a flat loading floor. It’s very versatile since all the rear seats can be arranged in any way for the most practical way to transport gear and people.

The Commander also comes with Jeep’s 3-year/36,000 basic limited warranty and 5-year/100,000 powertrain warranty attests to the company’s increase in build quality over the years. Also, it is engineered to include some great safety features (including side curtain airbags, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring system, and anti-lock brakes). Pair that with good crash ratings (5-star front and 3-star roll over), the Commander will be able to take the routine fender-benders and keep on trucking without a problem.

The exterior is immediately recognizable, it is essentially a larger version of Jeep’s famous Grand Cherokee which hasn’t changed much in almost 20 years. Then there is the Commander’s overall size; it’s absolutely menacing, easily being one of the largest vehicles on the road. Its tall, box-like shape along with the overhead sun roof added a lot of cabin space. For my petite stature, I definitely exuded the small-chick-in-a-big-car syndrome. Though, it had quite a presence as it lumbered down the roads – it was quite fun to see other cars and children flee in terror.

For my personal tastes though, I found the Commander styling a tad too dated and excessive. While getting to know the Commander, I couldn’t overcome the sensation of the cheapness throughout. From the hard plastic surfaces, the incongruent designed interior, to the uninspired exterior, it felt like a car which didn’t have much love put into it. And I wouldn’t expect the Commander to give back much love either. I guess I’m just not military cool.

ENGINE
Performance for the 2010 Jeep Commander is decent, and Jeep brings back last year's newly introduced 5.7-liter HEMI engine making 357 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque. The only other available engine is the base 3.7-liter V-6 (also used in the Liberty) that produces 210 horsepower. However, that's not nearly enough strength for this big Jeep, even with a standard five-speed automatic. The HEMI V-8 features a Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which is supposed to help improve fuel economy. The truth is, the 2010 Jeep Commander still gets lousy mileage regardless of which engine you choose (the 3.7-liter V-6 gets just 15 mpg city). If this alone doesn’t deter you from the Commander, go with the big engine; you won’t get much worse fuel economy but plenty more grunt.

SAFETY
All Commanders come standard with antilock disc brakes, full-length side curtain airbags, traction control and stability control with rollover mitigation.

In government crash tests, the 2010 Jeep Commander was awarded a perfect five out of five stars for frontal collision protection.

Driving Impressions

The 2010 Jeep Commander provides a quiet and comfortable ride while rolling down the highway, but potholes and bumps tend to trigger some excessive body undulations. When straying into the wilderness, though, the Commander comes into its own with its sophisticated 4WD systems, abundance of wheel travel and respectable ground clearance. Rugged terrain is easily tamed, but for those who regularly hit the trails, we would suggest a more compact Jeep, as the Commander's beefy proportions are a bit too much for narrower passages.
reference:reviews.carreview.com,www.edmunds.com,www.thecarconnection.com

2011 Jeep Wrangler

Specifications prices Modifications and Image2011 Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler and its four-door sibling, the Wrangler Unlimited, are Jeep’s best-selling models despite remaining practically unchanged for years. The Wrangler’s pure, unfiltered charm and off-road prowess are the reasons it sells so well. For 2011, Jeep has addressed one of the SUV’s biggest letdowns by revamping the interior. The new trappings look much sharper and take cues from the new Grand Cherokee.

The overall layout is the same, with exposed screw heads and a passenger-side grab handle—now bearing a “Jeep, Since 1941” plaque—but the materials have been thoroughly modernized. The clunky center stack now has a smoother, cleaner layout with chrome-ringed vents and up-to-date climate-control knobs. There’s a new three-spoke steering wheel that incorporates cruise and audio controls, and a refreshed instrument cluster. Soft-touch materials appear on the center console (now lockable) and redesigned armrests. Two-tone interiors are now on offer, too, a welcome change from the monotone plastic setup that graced earlier Wranglers.

INTERIOR
Despite the increase in available niceties, this is still a vehicle meant to drive through dust, dirt and muck and then be easily cleaned afterward. Interior materials and switchgear are improved this year, and the design now has a rounder, more organic look.

While the two-door's backseat can host only two passengers, the Unlimited has room for three. The four-door also offers 86 cubic feet of cargo space when the second-row seats are folded. With its soft top, however, storing cargo inside the Wrangler can be a risky situation since only the glovebox and center console can be locked. The optional hardtop is a smart solution, but you'll need somewhere to store it should you wish to drive al fresco.

The Connectivity Group adds an iPod/USB audio interface, Bluetooth and on the Sport, a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Optional on all trims is the so-called "Freedom Top" three-piece modular hardtop that includes a rear defroster, rear window washer/wiper and tinted glass windows. The Freedom Top is body-colored on the Sahara and unpainted black plastic on Sport and Rubicon models. The two-door Sport can be equipped with special half doors that feature plastic windows, although this eliminates the option of power accessories. The Rubicon and Sahara can be optioned with a fully integrated touchscreen navigation system and a two-tone leather-upholstery package that includes heated front seats.

All-new steering-wheel controls allow the driver to operate the radio, cruise control, hands-free phone and other vehicle functions while keeping hands on the wheel. A new USB device interface connects to storage devices (thumb drives and most MP3 players) for use with the vehicle’s Media Center, which now includes streaming Bluetooth audio. Twelve-volt accessory outlets
have been added and a new 110-volt outlet is available to provide power similar to AC outlets in the home.

EXTERIOR
The 2011 Jeep Wrangler can be had in two-door regular and four-door Unlimited body styles with Sport, Rubicon and Sahara trim levels available with both.

The Wrangler Sport comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, manual folding soft top, foglamps, cruise control, height-adjustable driver seat, tilt-only steering wheel, a one-piece flip-and-fold removable rear seat and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack and steering wheel controls. The Unlimited Sport gets air-conditioning, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat and a bigger fuel tank.

The Rubicon (regular or Unlimited) adds 17-inch alloy wheels, special tires, off-road suspension, an electrically controlled antiroll bar that can be disconnected for more wheel articulation while off-road, electronically locking front and rear differentials, a stronger front axle, a special low-range transfer case and rock rails. The Rubicon also features equipment unrelated to its hard-core off-road abilities, including acoustic insulation under the hood, automatic headlamps, air-conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel and satellite radio (optional on Sport). The Power Convenience Group (standard on Rubicon Unlimited, optional on both Sport models and the two-door Rubicon) adds keyless entry, power locks and windows, and heated mirrors.

The Sahara adds to the Sport equipment 18-inch alloy wheels, the Rubicon's non-off-road items and the Power Convenience Group, plus special exterior and interior trim, side steps and a six-speaker Infinity sound system.

To provide a more premium appearance, the 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited Sahara models boast an all-new, premium, body-color hard top.

Several new Jeep Wrangler colors are available for 2011, including Detonator Yellow, Deep Cherry Red, Sahara Tan, Cosmos Blue and Bright White.

ENGINE
The vehicles are mechanically unchanged from 2010, with a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions. Four-wheel-drive is standard on all but Unlimited models equipped with the automatic.

Every 2011 Jeep Wrangler is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 202 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual (with hill-start assist) is standard and a four-speed automatic is optional. Most Wranglers come standard with four-wheel drive (includes high- and low-range transfer-case gears), though the Unlimited can be had with rear-wheel drive. Rubicon models have a specialized transfer case that provides extra-low gearing for enhanced off-road ability.

In Edmunds performance testing, a Wrangler Unlimited with the automatic took a leisurely 9.7 seconds to reach 60 seconds. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 15 mpg city/19 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined. Opting for the rear-drive Unlimited nets you 1 additional mpg on the highway.

 SAFETY
All 2011 Jeep Wranglers feature antilock brakes, stability control and hill start assist. Front-seat side airbags are optional.

The Jeep Wrangler has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedure. Its 2009 rating (which isn't comparable to 2011 ratings) was a perfect five stars in frontal-impact protection.

Similarly, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Wrangler its highest rating of "Good" for frontal-offset impacts. However, without the optional side airbags, the Wrangler's side-impact crashworthiness was deemed "Poor" for the two-door (the IIHS's worst rating possible) and only "Marginal" for the four-door Unlimited (the second-lowest rating).
reference:www.caranddriver.com,www.edmunds.com,www.zercustoms.com\

2011 Jeep Patriot

Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 Jeep Patriot
It seems that Jeep is having quite a busy year. First we got a redesigned Grand Cherokee; then an updated Wrangler with a new interior and now this. The Patriot, the brand’s entry level trail rated vehicle is receiving some improvements of its own. On the outside, the most obvious change is a revised front fascia, with driving lights now integrated into the lower bumper assembly, a body colored grille, new exterior colors, plus newly styled 17-inch wheels. Suspension changes include retuned shock absorbers and higher rate springs, a thicker rear sway bar, plus on 4×4 models an inch increase in ride height for better clearance out on the trail.

But like hardcore brother Wrangler, the changes on the inside are perhaps even more significant. Chrysler products in general have long been criticized for chintzy interiors and the Patriot, first introduced in 2006, was no exception. In response, the automaker has made significant strides for 2011, including better quality upholstery for the seats, soft touch door panels and a new steering wheel that incorporates audio, hands free communication and cruise control functions (the last now standard on all Patriots we might add). Other inside upgrades include backlighting  for power window and mirror switches, plus on the Latitude X trim level, standard automatic climate control.

Although the Patriot is getting on in years, Chrysler is hedging its bets that these upgrades will give this little rig a few more bragging rights. And given that it’s one of the few, affordable car based SUVs that can actually work properly off-road, it’s not a bad strategy.

INTERIOR
The Patriot's cabin gets upgraded materials on the door panels and center console this year, but that does little to offset the rest of the hard plastics and poor fit and finish that give the interior a distinctly cut-rate feel. About the best we can say about this design is that the gauges and controls are straightforward and the front seats are reasonably comfortable.

There are a few bright spots, however, including a cargo area lamp that doubles as a removable LED flashlight and available premium audio systems with a 6.5-inch touchscreen and 30-gigabyte hard drive that can hold thousands of your favorite songs. Another clever idea is the optional Boston Acoustics speakers mounted in the liftgate that can be flipped down to provide a soundtrack to your next picnic.

Loading up the grub and other supplies for that alfresco dining adventure will be a bit of a challenge, though, due to the fact that the Patriot's cargo hold offers just 54 cubic feet of room. That's on par with smaller crossovers like the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, but far less than a GMC Terrain or Subaru Forester. An available fold-flat front passenger seat at least allows you to carry long items, while the removable easy-clean cargo floor should make life a little easier.

The midrange Latitude model includes the Power Value Group and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning (available on base), heated front seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat, 60/40-split-folding rear seats with recline, keyless entry, remote ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a 115-volt AC power outlet, a trip computer and an upgraded sound system with a six-CD changer and satellite radio (available on base). The Latitude X adds the bigger engine standard, plus chrome-like exterior trim, automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a six-way power driver seat, manual driver lumbar adjustment and a six-CD changer (optional on base).

The Latitude trims are available with a number of option packages. The Security and Cargo Convenience Group adds front side airbags, adjustable roof crossbars, remote ignition, daytime running lamps, a cargo cover, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth (available separately) and an iPod/USB audio interface. The Sun and Sound Group adds a sunroof and a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics sound system with satellite radio (base), subwoofer and two fold-down speakers in the tailgate. This sound system is available separately. There is also an upgraded stereo head unit that includes a touchscreen interface and 30GB of digital music storage.

EXTERIOR
Available on all 4x4 models is the Freedom-Drive Off-Road Group, which includes a more advanced four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing, skid plates, hill descent control, hill start assist, all-terrain tires and tow hooks. On the base model, this Group includes 17-inch alloy wheels and a height-adjustable driver seat.

The 2011 Jeep Patriot is a compact SUV that's offered in three trim levels. The entry-level base model comes with 16-inch steel wheels, foglamps, rear privacy glass, roof rails, cruise control, outside temperature display, a tilt-only steering wheel with audio controls, 60/40-split-folding rear seatbacks and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio input jack. The Power Value Group adds keyless entry, full power accessories and heated fold-away mirrors.

 ENGINE
The 2011 Jeep Patriot is offered with one of two four-cylinder engines. The 2.0-liter version, which is standard on two-wheel-drive Sport and Latitude models, puts out 158 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque. The 2.4-liter engine, which comes under the hoods of Sport and Latitude models equipped with four-wheel drive and all Latitude X models, ups that output to 172 hp and 165 lb-ft.

Both engines come fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox; a continuously variable automatic (CVT) is available as an option. Front-wheel drive is standard, but there are two different four-wheel-drive systems offered. The Freedom Drive I system is intended for light-duty conditions like snowy roads, whereas the Freedom Drive II is a more traditional 4WD system with a low-range transfer case that makes it much more capable off-road.

In Edmunds testing, a 4x4 Patriot with the 2.4-liter and a CVT went from zero to 60 mph in 10.3 seconds, a slow time for this vehicle type. Patriots with the smaller 2.0-liter will be slower still.

EPA fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined for the 2.0-liter FWD Patriot with the manual transmission and 23/27/24 with the CVT. The 2.4-liter engine gets almost the same fuel economy with front drive and CVT (21/27/24), and 21/26/23 with all-wheel drive. Those with the Off-Road package return a relatively poor 20/23/21.

SAFETY
All 2011 Jeep Patriots comes standard with stability control with rollover mitigation, traction control, whiplash-reducing active front head restraints, and side curtain airbags. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard on all 4WD models and the Latitude X, while others have antilock front discs and rear drums. Front-seat side impact airbags are optional on all models. In Edmunds brake testing, a 4x4 Patriot came to a stop from 60 mph in a poor 143 feet, which is about 20 feet worse than average.

While it hasn't been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedure, the Patriot's 2010 frontal crash test scores (which aren't comparable to the new tests) were four stars out of five for driver protection and a perfect five stars for passenger protection in frontal impacts, and five stars for both front and rear passengers in side impacts with the optional front-seat side-impact airbags.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Patriot its top "Good" rating in its frontal-offset crash test. The Patriot was deemed "Good" in side impact testing when equipped with the optional side impact airbags, but without those bags, it was rated a second-to-worst "Marginal."

PRICE
Pricing for the 2011 Patriot has not yet been set, but a Chrysler spokesperson tells us to expect “a surprising amount of content at a good value.” We take that to mean base prices won’t deviate too far from last year’s range of $15,995 to $25,180. The new Patriot will arrive in Jeep dealerships by the end of 2010.
reference:www.autoguide.com,www.edmunds.com,www.caranddriver.com

2011 Jeep Liberty

Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 Jeep Liberty
The 2011 Jeep Liberty ranks 21 out of 23 Affordable Compact SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 49 published reviews and test drives of the Jeep Liberty, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Jeep designed the 2011 Liberty to be a good-looking off-road SUV. The Liberty meets these standards, but compared to more capable compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage and Nissan Xterra that offer better fuel economy, increased cargo space and a cheaper price, the Liberty is easy to pass up.

The 2011 Jeep Liberty stands out for two reasons: it has an eye catching rugged exterior and a unique Sky Slider full-length canvas roof that isn’t available on the competition. Other than that, the Liberty doesn’t have much to offer. Its fuel economy ratings and cargo space are so-so; the backseat is tight and it’s pricey for what you get.

Why buy a Liberty if it obviously isn’t the best car in the class? First, it has all wheel drive, which doesn’t come with all compact SUVs. Second, the Liberty carries Jeep’s nameplate, so if you’ve always wanted a Jeep and are willing to compromise in a few areas, the Liberty will suit your needs just fine. Still, keep in mind that the Liberty is not an ideal family car.

INTERIOR
The Liberty's cabin has all the aesthetic flair of a storage shed -- it's angular and drab. The materials are also on par with a storage shed, though at least some of them get covered up with some padding and leather in the Limited. In any case, most non-Jeep SUVs feature more welcoming and higher-quality environments. At least the standard cabin controls are generally well-located and easy to use -- the optional touchscreen interface can be a tad unintuitive, however.

Rear legroom and shoulder room are adequate in the Liberty, but the seat is flat and not particularly comfortable. Luggage space with the rear seat in place is a healthy 31.5 cubic feet; fold the seatback and you're looking at 64 cubic feet, an average figure for this class.

A sunroof is optional on the Sport and Renegade, while the full-roof "Sky Slider" cloth sunroof is optional on all trims. Optional on the Sport and Limited 4x4 is the Media Center 430, which adds a CD/DVD player, digital music storage and a touchscreen interface. A navigation system can be added to the Media Center, and the two together are available on all Liberty trims. The Renegade can be equipped with the Navigation Convenience Group, which adds the Media Center 430, the navigation system, a tire-pressure monitor display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and the Limited's eight-speaker sound system. The Renegade's Premium Group is similar, but swaps out the navigation system in favor of rear parking sensors, remote ignition and Bluetooth.

EXTERIOR
The 2011 Jeep Liberty is a compact SUV available in Sport, Renegade and Limited trim levels. The Sport and Limited can be had with either rear- or four-wheel drive, but the Renegade is 4x4 only.

The Limited includes the Popular Equipment Group and adds 17-inch wheels, exterior chrome trim, heated power front seats (six-way driver, two-way passenger), driver memory functions, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and an eight-speaker sound system. The Comfort/Convenience Group adds rear parking sensors, remote ignition and automatic climate control. Also optional are 18-inch chrome-clad wheels.

The Renegade is an off-road-oriented model that to the Sport's equipment adds different 16-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, an enhanced 4x4 system, tow hooks, different exterior trim, skid plates and much of the equipment from the Popular Equipment Group.

ENGINE
Once offered with a four-cylinder, Jeep has dropped this engine option from the Liberty with the introduction of its four-cylinder Patriot and Compass models.

The only motivating source for the Liberty is now a 3.7-liter V6. Featuring lightweight aluminum components, it produces 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque.

It is connected to a standard fully synchronized six-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic, which transfers power to either two wheels or all four. The automatic has a special tow-haul button to adjust gear shifting for better efficiency when towing. When properly equipped, the Liberty can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Both the Selec-Trac II and Command-Trac II four-wheel-drive systems are very well integrated into Liberty's various systems, including traction control, Electronic Stability Program, hill-start assist, hill-descent control and available trailer tow package.

Fuel economy for two-wheel-drive models is 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 on the highway. Four-wheel-drive models achieve only slightly lower numbers, at 15 mpg city and 21 highway.

A 19.5-gallon fuel tank provides an approximate driving range of 389 miles.

Available on Liberty Limited and Sport models is a Sky Slider roof, an expansive sunroof that is 3.5 times larger than a regular sunroof. A regular sunroof is also available.

SAFETY
The Liberty comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control, active front head restraints and side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing, the Liberty came to a stop from 60 mph in a longer-than-average 134 feet.

The 2011 Jeep Liberty has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. According to 2010 ratings (which aren't comparable to 2011), the Liberty received the highest five-star rating in all frontal and side categories. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Liberty its top mark of "Good" in the frontal-offset and roof strength tests, but the second-lowest of "Marginal" in the side crash test.
reference:www.leftlanenews.com,usnews.rankingsandreviews.com,www.edmunds.com

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
With three owners in the past three years, it's been a tumultuous time for Chrysler. The lineup has aged and it's been uncomfortably quiet in terms of new product announcements. The 2011 Grand Cherokee breaks the silence and leads a handful of fresh vehicles into showrooms. While Italian automaker Fiat now controls Chrysler, development of this Grand Cherokee began in 2006, when Chrysler was still tied up with Daimler-Benz (the parent company of Mercedes-Benz). For that reason, the newest Jeep has a lot in common with the Mercedes-Benz ML.

Jeep's "other icon"
The styling is purely Jeep, though, as designers played it safe when sculpting the sheetmetal. "It's our other icon," says Mark Allen, head of Jeep design, paying deference to the brand's hardy off-road legend, the Wrangler. The familiar Grand Cherokee look is retained via the same proportions, basic shapes, and seven-slot grille as the outgoing model. But with more athletic sculpting and softer edges, the new Grand Cherokee is better dressed to mingle with the soft-roader crossovers in the suburbs. The design may suit the marketplace, but it does little to advertise the Grand Cherokee's off-road capabilities.

INTERIOR
Inside, the Grand Cherokee surprised us with exceptional quietness. Laminated glass on the windshield and front doors reduces wind noise, while insulating wheel-well liners hush road and tire noise. Under the hood, there's a panel between the engine and dashboard made from aluminum and composite material that keeps the engine hum contained. It's a great way to highlight how much the interior has grown up.

Building on the precedent set by the 2009 Dodge Ram, the well-executed cabin should be a key factor in reestablishing Jeep's claim that this is a premium SUV. The top-trim Overland receives a stitched leather dash and real wood accents that could pass muster in a Lincoln or Infiniti. Lower trim levels might not boast the same high-end finishes, but they benefit just as much from nicer materials and upgraded switchgear. The comfort features are premium as well. Standard equipment includes a passive entry, keyless ignition, a power driver's seat, and satellite radio. Options include a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, navigation, a power liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof.

 Each is available in 4x2 and 4x4 guises. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, foglamps, cruise control, keyless ignition, dual-zone air-conditioning, a power driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel and a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and a CD player. The Security and Convenience Group adds remote ignition, Bluetooth, a cargo cover, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a USB/iPod interface. A back-up camera, a power passenger seat, leather upholstery and a nine-speaker stereo with HD radio, a subwoofer and a touchscreen interface are also available.

EXTERIOR
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a five-passenger midsize SUV that comes in Laredo, Limited and Overland trims. The Limited gets all the Laredo's optional equipment plus 18-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, automatic wipers, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, driver memory functions, heated front and rear seats and a leather-wrapped shift knob. The Luxury Group II gets you a power tailgate, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats. An upgraded Media Center package adds a navigation system, real-time traffic and 30GB of digital music storage. Big 20-inch wheels are also optional. The Overland gets all the Limited's options, plus special trim including a wood and leather steering wheel.

Optional on the 4x4 Laredo and Limited is the Off-Road Adventure I package, which adds skid plates, off-road tires, tow hooks, a full-size spare and, on the Laredo, hill descent control and the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system. The Off-Road Adventure II package includes all the above items plus an air suspension, towing equipment (available as a separate package), an electronic limited-slip differential and the Quadra-Drive II 4WD system. The Limited and Overland can be equipped with a rear-seat entertainment system with Sirius Backseat TV. With that, the panoramic sunroof shrinks to normal size.

ENGINE
Price of entry for a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo will be $31,480, including destination. A four-wheel-drive Laredo will add $1990, for a total of $33,470. Like the current Grand Cherokee lineup, all 2011s will have as their standard engine a V-6. However, the 2011’s will be the new 3.6-liter “Pentastar” V-6, which makes 280 hp and 260 lb-ft—gains of 70 hp and 25 lb-ft over the previous base motor. It will also include 17-inch wheels; a six-speaker stereo with CD player, satellite radio, and steering-wheel controls; two-row curtain airbags; keyless entry and starting; a tilting and telescoping steering wheel; and eight-way power adjustability for the driver’s seat. Options will be few; just a towing package, an off-road group, an engine-block heater, and a popular-equipment bundle.

Those looking for the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, a $1645 option, will need to order an additional option package that adds 18-inch aluminum wheels, three more speakers (for a total of nine)—plus a subwoofer and 506-watt amp—automatic climate control, leather seats (heated in the front), a rearview camera, power control for the front passenger seat, and Bluetooth. The pre-Hemi total for all that comes to $36,095 for a rear-driver and $37,955 for a four-wheel drive. Once you’ve ordered the additional option package, things like a nav system, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and tweaked preferred-equipment and off-road bundles can be spec’d.

SAFETY
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.

In the government's new, more strenuous crash testing for 2011, the Grand Cherokee earned an overall rating of four stars out of a possible five, with four stars for overall frontal crash protection and five stars for overall side crash protection. In testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Grand Cherokee received the highest possible rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset, side and roof strength crash tests.
 
Interior Design and Special Features

Instead of last year's heavy use of gray, hard plastic, the new Grand Cherokee features a cleaner-looking dashboard design. You can't miss the tighter seams, higher-quality material choices and consistent textures from door to dash. Overall quality doesn't surpass the competition, but it's now certainly on par.

The rear seats are wider, offer more bottom cushioning and give passengers 4 more inches of knee room (thanks to the longer wheelbase). Folding them flat allows for about 68.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity, which is about as much as the Ford Edge's capacity but less than that of the Pilot.

The navigation system is pretty much the same as other Chrysler products. It works OK, but it's a little disappointing to see no real improvements here when Ford, GM and others are pushing cleaner, easier-to-use systems in competitive vehicles.
reference:www.edmunds.com/,www.caranddriver.com,www.automobilemag.com