Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD V6 Limited 5dr Pre-Model Car Review - February 2012

It has a hefty V6, 24-valve 2993cc turbocharged diesel engine which produces a massive 237bhp and 405 lb-ft of torque. Speed is not class-leading but the car attains the magical 62mph in just 8.2 seconds, quite commendable of a large 4x4 diesel. You will be able to cruise at a top speed of 126mph.

The Cherokee Limited does not give as smooth a ride as you would hope for, and you can feel every bump on the road. It’s a shame really when the top rivals it hopes to overtake such as the BMW X3 have damper control systems that adjust suspension to suit the condition of the road. However, the steering is light and precise and the 5-speed automatic gearbox is accurate and smooth. There is a bit of body roll in corners, but other than that body control is great at speed.

Wind noise is subdued but the engine is loud and the tyres give off too much road noise.

Jeep’s exceptional performance comes to light when you take the Grand Cherokee off-road. Grip is extremely good and the car is equipped with everything needed to conquer rough terrain.

Jeep has tried to tone down the chunkiness that defined the older Grand Cherokee of 20 years ago. The modern day Grand Cherokee Limited still has the three side, muscular, wheel arches, but the headlamps have a squarer appearance. The front vertical grille is also smoother. It measures 4822mm x 1943mm and is almost 400kg lighter than top rival the Land Rover Discovery.

The interior is also more refined, with plenty of dark colours and high quality materials. Wood panels and leather give the car a touch of class, but the BMW X3 remains the class leader in cabin lavishness.

Even though the Grand Cherokee Limited is the basic and cheapest trim, it is packed with all the luxury kit you would want, from power steering, stability control, central locking, climate control, cruise control, electric door mirrors, electric window mirrors, driver airbag, passenger airbags, front side airbags, immobiliser, alarm, rear parking sensors, alloy wheels, leather seats, Bluetooth, MP3 connectivity and CD player.

Basically everything is covered, except Sat Nav and metallic paint which you can get for £1,500 and £670 respectfully.

Five doors ensure that entry into the Jeep is easy from all sides. However, its five seats fall short of class expectations, bearing in mind that most rivals provide as many as seven seats. Legroom is also tight in the rear.

The driver’s area is not well-laid-out. The pedals are placed to the right and the positioning is not precise. The driver’s footwell is not spacious enough and there is no footrest. You have to place your feet beneath the brake pedal. There is no steering wheel adjustment so you have to make yourself comfortable with what’s there. On the plus side, the powered seat is fully supportive and comfortable. The dashboard and controls are neat and easy to use.

There is adequate storage space in the cabin, and the glove compartment is large. The boot has a 782-litre capacity but could have been larger. The full-size wheel placed beneath the floor does occupy a considerable amount of space. When you have lots of luggage to transport and not as many passengers, fold down the rear seats to get up to 1554 litres of space, which is still far below what you get in the Discovery.

Jeep has never been known to manufacture low quality vehicles. The build and engineering used on the Grand Cherokee is just right. It is fitted with all the safety essentials to ensure your protection. In the Euro NCAP, the Grand Cherokee scored only 4-stars but so far, nothing about the 4x4 is cause for alarm.

At £36,795, the Grand Cherokee is pricey. Its asking price is in the range of more competent rivals. But a fuel economy of 34.0mpg is decent for its class. Emissions are high at 218g/km but not the class worst. You will pay £580 in VED for the first year and £260 thereafter. Anticipate average insurance prices - the vehicle is place under insurance group 34.

Compared to rivals, resale values for the Grand Cherokee are weak. For buyers who intend to keep the car for long, the high price will eventually even out, particularly in MPG returns. There is also a three year warranty up to 60,000 miles to take care of any mechanical problems that may arise during this period.