Review

Review: Jeep WK2 Grand Cherokee (2011-on)

3.5 stars [su_row][su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]

  • Responsive 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine
  • Refined V6 and V8 petrol engines
  • Excellent eight-speed ZF automatic transmission
  • Generally impressive ride/handling balance…

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  • … though abrupt bumps shudder through body
  • Light steering lacks feel
  • Cheap interior plastics
  • Foot-operated park brake can contact driver’s shin
  • High body and no side steps

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Review: Jeep WK2.I Grand Cherokee (2011-13)

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Overview

Released in January 2011, the Jeep WK2 Series I (WK2.I) Grand Cherokee was a five-seat, four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Detroit, USA, the Grand Cherokee range initially consisted of the 3.6 V6 and 5.7 HEMI V8 variants, with the 3.0 CRD variants following in June 2011 and the performance-oriented SRT8 in October 2012. Beyond the engine-based variants, the Grand Cherokee was available in Laredo, Limited and Overland editions.

Engines

Of the engines:

  • The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine was produced by VM Motori and featured common-rail direct fuel injection, double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder;
  • The 3.6-litre ‘Pentastar’ V6 engine had a die-cast aluminium cylinder block, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and dual variable valve timing; and,
  • The 5.7-litre EZD and 6.4-litre ESG ‘Hemi V8’ engines had a pushrod design with two valves per cylinder, variable valve timing and displacement on demand which enabled the engine to shut down four-cylinders under light throttle inputs.

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Jeep WK2.I Grand Cherokee specifications
Variant Editions Years Engine Trans. Peak power Peak torque
3.6L V6 Laredo, Limited 2011-13 3.6-litre
‘Pentastar’ petrol V6
5sp auto 210 kW at 6350 rpm 347 Nm at 4300 rpm
Overland 2012-13
3.0L CRD Laredo, Limited, Overland 2011-13 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 5sp auto 177 kW at 4000 rpm 550 Nm at 1800-2800 rpm
Trailhawk 2013
5.7L HEMI V8 Limited, Overland 2011-13 5.7-litre EZD
petrol V8
6sp auto 259 kW at 5200 rpm 520 Nm at 4300 rpm
SRT8 N/A 2012-13 6.4-litre ESG
petrol V8
5sp auto 344 kW at 6250 rpm 624 Nm at 4100 rpm

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4WD systems: Quadra-Trac, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II

The WK2 Cherokee was offered with three four-wheel drive systems:

  • For Laredo and Limited editions, the ‘Quadra-Trac II’ four-wheel drive system provided a 48:52 front/rear torque distribution in normal conditions. If a loss of traction was anticipated, however, an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch could proactively lock the centre differential. The Quadra-Trac II system could also brake an individual wheel to transfer torque to the opposing wheel (i.e. cross-axle torque transfer).
  • For Overland editions, the ‘Quadra-Drive II’ system also included front and rear electronic limited slip differentials which could provide variable torque up to full axle lock.
    • Both the Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive systems included a low range transfer case which provided a 2.72:1 low range reduction ratio and a ‘Selec-Terrain’ traction control system with selectable ‘Snow’, ‘Sport’, ‘Auto’, ‘Sand/Mud’ and ‘Rock’ settings.
  • For SRT8 variants, the ‘Quadra-Trac’ system was an ‘active on-demand’ four-wheel drive system with an electronic limited-slip rear differential. As such, the SRT8 was predominantly rear-wheel drive in normal conditions. If slippage was detected, however, the SRT8’s transfer case could direct up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque to the front axle.

Dimensions

Compared to the Jeep WH Grand Cherokee , the WK2 Grand Cherokee was 72 mm longer (at 4822 mm), 73 mm wider (1943 mm), 41 mm taller (1781 mm) and had a 135 mm longer wheelbase (2915 mm). Furthermore, the steel uniframe chassis achieved a 146 per cent increase in torsional stiffness.

Suspension

The WK2 Grand Cherokee had four-wheel independent suspension with short/long arm front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. The Overland editions were fitted with ‘Quadra-Lift’ air suspension – rather than conventional coil springs – at each wheel with five drive modes that provided a further 100 mm of suspension travel. The SRT8, however, had Bilstein Adaptive Damping Suspension (ADS).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Jeep WK2 Grand Cherokee included dual front airbags, front side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbag, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, rollover stability control, trailer sway control, hill ascent control, hill descent control, active front seat head restraints, load limiting seatbelts for all seats and front seatbelt pre-tensioners.

Beyond this, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland and SRT8 were further equipped with:

  • Forward Collision Warning (FCW): using forward-facing radar sensors, FCW could detect when the Grand Cherokee was approaching a vehicle too rapidly and alert the driver;
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): when cruise control was active, ACC could reduce vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle ahead. Furthermore, when the road ahead cleared, the Grand Cherokee would automatically accelerate to its previously selected cruising speed;
  • Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM): used dual ultra-wideband radar sensors to detect vehicles approaching from behind and in the driver’s blind spot. If detected, the system would notify the driver of the vehicle(s) via illuminated icons in the door mirrors and with a driver-selected audible chime; and,
  • Rear Cross-Path Detection (RCP): when reversing out of parking spaces, RCP could detect approach traffic that may cross the Grand Cherokee’s intended path. If detected, the driver would be alerted by illuminated icons in the door mirror and a driver-selectable audible chime.

AustralianCar.Reviews, however, understands that these technologies were not available for initial shipments of the 2011 Grand Cherokee Overland.

Brakes

The Jeep Grand Cherokee was fitted with 350 mm by 32 mm ventilated front brake discs with dual-piston floating calipers and 330 mm by 22 mm ventilated rear discs with single-piston floating calipers. The Grand Cherokee SRT8, however, had 380 mm by 34 mm ventilated front brake discs with fixed six-piston Brembo calipers and 350 mm by 28 mm ventilated rear discs with fixed four-piston Brembo calipers.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Jeep WK2 Grand Cherokee 3.0L CRD received a four star safety rating which included an 81 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 69 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset crash test, the driver’s inboard seat rail almost broke in two, causing additional forward movement of the dummy which caused its head to make contact with the steering wheel rim. In the side pole impact, protection of the chest was rated as marginal.

Features: Laredo, Limited, Overland and SRT-8

Standard features for the Grand Cherokee Laredo included 18-inch alloy wheels with Kumho 265/60 R18 Solus KL21 all-season tyres, a six speaker sound system with a CD player and auxiliary inputs (MP3/USB), dual-zone climate control air conditioning, voice recognition, eight-way power adjustable and heated front seats, cruise control, Bluetooth, split and folding rear seats, reversing camera, DVD player, bi-xenon headlights, front and rear fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows and heated mirrors, power folding mirrors, remote central locking, proximity key, tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlets, cargo cover, roof rails, tinted windows, a trip computer, motion-sensing alarm and an immobiliser.

Beyond this, the Grand Cherokee Limited added 20-inch alloy wheels with Kumho 265/50 R20 Solus KL21 all-season tyres, an Alpine nine speaker sound system with a 506 watt amplifier, Capri leather seats with vinyl bolsters, heated rear seats, power adjustable steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, driver’s memory settings (steering wheel and seat position), privacy glass and tyre pressure monitoring.

The Grand Cherokee Overland was further equipped with satellite navigation, Nappa leather seats, ventilated front seats, radar-based adaptive cruise control, a heated steering wheel, powered tailgate and a dual-pane sunroof with sunshade.

Relative to the Overland, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 was distinguished by its 20-inch forged alloy wheels with Pirelli 295/45 ZR20 run-flat tyres and Nappa leather seats with suede trim.

2011 Grand Cherokee 70th Anniversary edition

In May 2011, 70th Anniversary editions were released of the 3.6L V6 and 5.7 HEMI V8 variants. The 70th Anniversary editions were distinguished by their 20-inch polished aluminium wheels with grey accents, stainless steel Mopar grille, dual-pane panoramic sunroof and 70th Anniversary badges. Inside, there were black leather with chestnut accents (for the seats, steering wheel, door and centre console), berber floor mats, chrome-plated and graphite anodized paint with ‘Black Lacewood’ interior finish and a new instrument cluster overlay.

2013 Grand Cherokee SRT8: Alpine and Vapor editions

In December 2012, limited-run Alpine and Vapor editions of the SRT8 variant were released, with Bright White and Brilliant Black paint finishes respectively. Compared to the standard SRT8, both editions featured a nineteen speaker sound system with an 825 watt amplifier and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. Visually, both editions were distinguished by their black chrome finished alloy wheels, gloss black grille inserts, gloss black grille surrounds, gloss black finishes for the rear step pad and rear light bar, and gloss black lettering for the ‘Jeep’ bonnet and ‘Grand Cherokee’ door badges.

2013 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk editions

In March 2013, 160 limited-run 3.0L CRD Trailhawk editions were released. Like the Overland editions, the Trailhawk editions had the Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive and Quadra-Lift air suspension systems. Furthermore, the Trailhawk editions were fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres, underbody protection plates and recovery-rated tow hooks.

Compared to the Limited, the Trailhawk editions were further equipped with satellite navigation, black leather/suede seats and a power-operated tailgate. Visually, Trailhawk editions could be identified by their Bright White exterior paint finishes, black and red bonnet decals, black headlight bezels, Mineral Grey accents for the mirror caps and grille, ‘Trailhawk’ badging and solid steel Mopar rock rails.

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Review: Jeep WK2.II Grand Cherokee (2013-16)

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Overview

Released in July 2013, the Jeep WK2 Series II (WK2.II) Grand Cherokee introduced a new 3.0-litre ‘EcoDiesel’ V6 engine and an entry-level rear-wheel drive model. Eight-speed automatic transmissions – with steering wheel gearshift paddles – were also fitted as standard across the range; these transmissions had an improved crawl ratio of 44.1:1 and an ‘Eco Mode’ which adjusted gearshift behaviour to reduce fuel consumption.

Visually, the WK2.II Grand Cherokee could be identified by its new bumpers, headlights with daytime running lights, larger LED tail-lights, tailgate and alloy wheel designs. Inside, there was a customisable seven-inch Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) instrument display, an updated ‘UConnect’ infotainment system with 5.0- or 8.4-inch touchscreens and a three-spoke steering wheel.

The new 3.0-litre ‘EcoDiesel’ V6 had a compacted graphite iron block, ‘MultiJet II’ common-rail injection operating at 2000 bar, a variable geometry turbocharger, intercooler, chain-driven double overhead camshafts and finger-follower actuated valves (four per cylinder) with hydraulic adjusters. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

Jeep WK2.II Grand Cherokee specifications
Variant Drive Editions Engine Trans. Peak power Peak torque
3.6L V6 RWD Laredo 3.6-litre
‘Pentastar’ petrol V6
8sp auto 210 kW at 6350 rpm 347 Nm at 4300 rpm
3.6L V6 4WD Laredo, Limited,
Overland
3.6-litre
‘Pentastar’ petrol V6
8sp auto 210 kW at 6350 rpm 347 Nm at 4300 rpm
3.0L EcoDiesel V6 4WD Laredo, Limited, Overland 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 8sp auto 184 kW at 4000 rpm 570 Nm at 2000 rpm
5.7L HEMI V8 4WD Limited, Overland 5.7-litre EZD
petrol V8
8sp auto 259 kW at 5200 rpm 520 Nm at 4300 rpm
SRT8 4WD N/A 6.4-litre ESG
petrol V8
8sp auto 344 kW at 6250 rpm 624 Nm at 4100 rpm

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Safety equipment

Compared to their WK2.I predecessors, standard safety equipment for the WK2.II Grand Cherokee was unchanged.

For the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland and SRT8, however, the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system was replaced by Jeep’s Forward Collision Warning Plus (FCW+) system with mitigation. Operating at speeds above 10 km/h, FCW+ used radar sensors in the grille and a forward-facing camera inside near the rear view mirror to monitor the distance to objects ahead. If there was a collision risk with an object ahead, FCW+ would provide the driver with audible warnings and visual warnings (within the Electronic Vehicle Information Centre, or EVIC). The brakes may also be applied briefly to alert the driver. If the driver did not respond to these warnings, the system would provide around one-third of maximum braking force to reduce vehicle speed and mitigate the anticipated collision. If the driver reacted by braking and the system determined that the driver intended to avoid the collision but had not applied sufficient brake system, then the system would automatically provide additional brake force (‘Advanced Brake Assist’). FCW+ also used inputs from other sensors to determine if the driver was actively driving and aware of their surrounds, in which case warnings may be suppressed on the assumption that the driver was in control.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing , the post-March 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.09 out of 37. In the frontal offset test, occupant protection for the driver’s head, neck, thighs and feet were rated as good, though chest and lower leg protection was rated as acceptable (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). Maximum points were awarded in the side impact and pole tests.

Features

Compared to their WK2.I predecessors –

  • Laredo editions gained a 5.0-inch touch screen;
  • Limited and Overland editions were fitted with an 8.4-inch touch screen with satellite navigation; and,
  • SRT8 variants were fitted with adaptive headlights and the Uconnect system had a ‘Performance Pages’ application which provided vehicle performance information. As an extra-cost option, the SRT8 was available with an 825 watt Harman Kardon surround sound system with 19 speakers and Logic 7 technology.

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

In November 2013, a limited-run Summit edition was released. Powered by the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, the Summit edition was based on the Overland but could be identified by its 20-inch satin-finish alloy wheels, unique lower front fascia with chrome bar, body-coloured wheel arch flares, chrome lower door finishers, unique lower rear fascia with integrated chrome exhaust finishers and ‘Summit’ tailgate badge.

Inside, the Summit edition was further equipped with a Harman Kardo surround sound system with nineteen speakers, ‘NaturaPlus’ leather trim (Jeep’s highest grade of leather), a suede-like headlining and genuine open-pore wood trim (available with the Grand Canyon finish).

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Blackhawk

Released in July 2014, the Grand Cherokee Blackhawk was based on the Laredo edition but further equipped with combination suede/leather seats and heated front seats. Visual cues for the Grand Cherokee Blackhawk included 20-inch gloss black painted alloy wheels, a body-coloured grille with gloss black and platinum accents, gu Nmetal headlight bezels, deep tint windows, neutral grey satin gloss tail lights, black roof mouldings (in place of roof rails), bright exhaust tips and high gloss black ‘Jeep’ and ‘Blackhawk’ badging.

2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Platinum

Released in February 2015, the Grand Cherokee Summit Platinum was based on the Overland edition and powered by the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine. For greater refinement, the Summit Platinum had ‘acoustic’ laminated windscreens (front and rear) and second row door glass, and ‘Active Noise Cancellation’ which reduced ambient noise by emitting reverse phase sounds from the audio system.

Inside, standard features for the Summit Platinum were extended to include an 825 watt Harman Kardon audio system with nineteen speakers, illuminated ‘Summit’ door sill plates and a Berger carpet cargo compartment floor mat. Visually, the Summit Platinum could be identified by its:

  • 20-inch Platinum Chrome alloy wheels;
  • Platinum Chrome accents for the grille, front fog lamp bezels, lower fascias and side sills, rear boot step pad and tail-light bezels; and,
  • Body-coloured lower fascias, side sill cladding, door mirrors and handles.

2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Blackhawk

Released in August 2015, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Blackhawk was based on the four-wheel drive Laredo variant and powered by 3.6-litre V6 petrol or 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engines. The 2015 Grand Cherokee Blackhawk could be identified by its 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with a high-gloss black paint finish and black centre caps, body-coloured front fascia with gloss black applique, body-coloured Jeep grille with gloss black surrounds and chrome vents, body-coloured lower rear fascia, wheel arch flares and side sill cladding, gloss black bezels (for the headlights, fog lights, and tail-lights), a gloss black rear step pad, gloss black badging and bright exhaust tips. The Grand Cherokee Blackhawk was also fitted with black roof mouldings rather than roof rails.

Inside, standard features for the Grand Cherokee Blackhawk were extended to include black Capri leather seat upholstery with perforated suede inserts and black accent stitching, and heated front seats.

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee 75thAnniversary edition

Released in 2016, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 75thAnniversary edition was based on the Limited but could be identified by its:

  • Unique front fascia, grille and headlamps;
  • Low gloss bronze finish for the alloy wheels, tow hooks, grille rings, fog lamp bezels, lower fascia appliqué, roof rails and badges; and,
  • Gloss black painted body accents.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee 75thAnniversary edition was available in Recon Green, Brilliant Black, Bright White, Billet Silver and Granite Crystal paint finishes.

Inside, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 75thAnniversary edition featured Gode-Tex seat cloth inserts or leather trimmed seats that were embossed with a ’75thAnniversary’ logo.

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Night

The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Night was released in June 2016 and Australian deliveries were limited to 120 vehicles. Compared to the standard Grand Cherokee SRT, the SRT Night could be identified by its 20-inch satin black ‘5Ten’ wheels (a split five-spoke design), black grille, black lower front fascia, black side window surrounds, black roof and black badging. Inside, the Grand Cherokee SRT Night had ‘Black Laguna’ leather interior upholstery with silver accent stitching, and black chrome and anodised silver bezels. Standard features were also extended to include an 825 watt Harman Kardon audio system with nineteen (19) speakers and a dual-pane sunroof.

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Review: Jeep WK2.III Grand Cherokee (2016-on)

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Overview

The Jeep WK2 Series III (WK2.III) Grand Cherokee commenced production in late 2016 and was on sale in Australia from March 2017. Key changes for the WK2.III Grand Cherokee included:

  • For the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine , an engine stop/start system, two-stage variable intake valve lift and cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR);
  • The introduction of electric power steering;
  • Aluminium components (previously steel) in the suspension to reduce mass; and,
  • A new Trailhawk variant.

In December 2017, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk was released.

The Jeep WK2.III Grand Cherokee could be identified by its slimmer seven slot grille, new headlights, front fascia and LED fog lamps. The Grand Cherokee SRT was also further differentiated from the other variants with a unique front fascia and fog lamps. Inside, all WK2.III Grand Cherokee models had a new gear selector, while ‘acoustic’ windscreen and front door glass was fitted to reduce interior noise.

For the 3.6-litre ‘Pentastar’ V6, Jeep’s ‘Engine Stop-Start’ (ESS) function was introduced which reduced fuel consumption by shutting down the engine when the vehicle was stationary; the engine would then restart when the driver released the brake. Furthermore, a new ‘Gen II’ transmission was introduced for the rear-wheel drive Pentastar and four-wheel drive EcoDiesel variants. According to Jeep, the Gen II transmission provided shift quality and driveability improvements, and an optimised lubrication system. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

Jeep WK2.III Grand Cherokee specifications
Variant Drive Editions Engine Trans. Peak power Peak torque
3.6L V6
(Stop/Start)
RWD Laredo 3.6-litre
‘Pentastar’ petrol V6
8sp auto 213 kW at 6350 rpm 347 Nm at 4300 rpm
3.6L V6
(Stop/Start)
4WD Laredo, Limited 3.6-litre
‘Pentastar’ petrol V6
8sp auto 210 kW at 6350 rpm 347 Nm at 4300 rpm
3.0L EcoDiesel V6 4WD Laredo, Limited,
Trailhawk, Overland,
S-Overland
3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 8sp auto 184 kW at 4000 rpm 570 Nm at 2000 rpm
5.7L HEMI V8 4WD S-Limited 5.7-litre petrol V8 8sp auto 259 kW at 5200 rpm 520 Nm at 4300 rpm
SRT 4WD N/A 6.4-litre ESG
petrol V8
8sp auto 344 kW at 6250 rpm 624 Nm at 4100 rpm
Trackhawk 4WD N/A 6.2-litre super-charged petrol V8 8sp auto 522 kW at 6000 rpm 868 Nm at 4800 rpm

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Safety equipment

For the Jeep WK2.III Grand Cherokee, standard safety equipment for the Overland and SRT variants was extended to include Lane Departure Warning Plus (LDW+). LDW+ used the forward-facing camera to detect lane markings and would issue audible and visual alerts if the driver approached these markings without having previously applied the lane change indicators. The system would also provide steering assistance to guide the vehicle towards the centre of its lane.

From November 2017 deliveries, the Grand Cherokee Limited and Trailhawk were equipped with Forward Collision Warning Plus with mitigation (FCW+), Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection – these had previously been reserved for the Overland and SRT variants.

Features: Jeep WK2.III Grand Cherokee

Initially, standard features for the Jeep WK2.III Grand Cherokee were extended to include front and rear parking sensors (previously omitted from Laredo editions). Beyond this, though four-wheel drive models had an 8.4-inch touchscreen (previously a five-inch display for the four-wheel drive Laredo), though rear-wheel drive Laredo editions continued with a five-inch display.

From November 2017, rear- and four-wheel drive Grand Cherokee Laredo editions had a seven-inch touchscreen and the Uconnect infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. While the Grand Cherokee Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, SRT and Trackhawk continued to have 8.4-inch touchscreens, they also gained Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

For a complete list of features, please refer to the Buyer’s Guides, below.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

Like the Overland edition, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk was fitted with:

  • Jeep’s ‘Quadra-Drive II’ four-wheel drive system (described above) which included front and rear electronic limited slip differentials to provide variable torque up to full axle lock; and,
  • ‘Quadra-Lift’ air suspension provided an additional 100 mm of suspension travel. As such, ground clearance for the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk was 260 mm.

The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk was also fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels and Goodyear all-terrain tyres that had Kevlar reinforcement for greater puncture resistance.

Visually, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk could be identified by its matte black anti-glare bonnet decal, four skid plates, red tow hooks (front and rear), ‘Trailhawk’ and ‘Trail Rated’ badges with red accents. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk had a 29.8 degree approach angle (36.1 degrees when the lower front fascia was removed), 22 degree breakover angle and a 27 degree departure angle.

Inside, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk featured black Nappa leather seats with perforated suede inserts, red accent stitching (for the seats, doors and console), brushed Piano Black appliques, a gun-metal finish for all painted interior parts and a ‘Trailhawk’ badge on the steering wheel.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk was released in Australia in December 2017. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk was powered by a 6167 cc supercharged V8 engine that was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2380 cc per revolution supercharger had integral charge-air coolers, a maximum speed of 14,600 rpm and an integrated electronic bypass valve to regulate boost pressure (to a maximum of 11.6 psi or 80 kPa). To reduce friction and improve heat resistance, the supercharger’s twin-screw rotors were coated with:

  • A proprietary formula of polyimide and other resins;
  • Nanometre-sized, wear-resistant particles; and,
  • Solid lubricants such as PTFE (Teflon).

Like the Grand Cherokee SRT, the Trackhawk had Jeep’s Quadra-Trac on-demand four-wheel drive system. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, however, could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and had a top speed of 289 km/h. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk also had larger front brakes discs which measured 400 mm by 36 mm (380 mm by 34 mm for the SRT); the 350 mm by 28 mm rear brakes, however, were unchanged.

Visually, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk could be identified by its 10.0J x 20-inch Titanium-finish alloy wheels with a Satin Chrome centre cap, Pirelli 295/45 ZR20 Scorpion Verde all-season tyres (Pirelli P Zero three-season tyres could also be specified), larger front air dams, unique bonnet with dual vents, flared wheel arches, gloss black rear valance, black chrome quad exhaust tips and ‘Trackhawk’ badges. Front LED fog lamps, however, were omitted.

Compared to the Grand Cherokee SRT, the Trackhawk was further equipped with an 825 watt Harman Kardon audio system with nineteen speakers and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The initial allocation of Grand Cherokee Trackhawk vehicles for Australia was limited to 62 vehicles.

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee S-Limited and S-Overland

In April 2019, limited-run Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L HEMI V8 S-Limited and 3.0 EcoDiesel S-Overland editions were released. Both models could be identified by their 20-inch ‘Granite Crystal’ alloy wheels, dark lens tail lamps and black chrome trapezoidal exhaust tips.

Beyond this, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L HEMI V8 S-Limited could be identified by its SRT Performance bonnet, Granite Crystal and black seven-slot grille pieces, and Gloss Black finishes for the roof rails, day light opening mouldings and door mirror caps. Furthermore, the S-Limited edition was available in Bright White and Diamond Black paint finishes. Inside the Grand Cherokee 5.7L HEMI V8 S-Limited featured ‘Heritage’ leather upholstery, Liquid Titanium accents and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 EcoDiesel S-Overland had ‘Granite Crystal’ exterior badging and accents and, inside, featured a Harman Kardon sound system with an 825 watt amplifier and nineteen speakers, black Nappa leather seats with perforated suede inserts, suede door bolsters and bright pedals.

2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Night Eagle

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Night Eagle was released in Australia in June 2019 and available with 3.6L Pentastar petrol and 3.0L EcoDiesel engines. Visually, the Grand Cherokee Night Eagle could be identified by its 20-inch split five-spoke black alloy wheels, black seven-slot grille with silver mesh inserts and black exterior finishes (including inserts for the front fascia, fog lamp bezels, tail lamp bezels, rear step, badging and roof mouldings).

Based on the Grand Cherokee Laredo, standard features for the Grand Cherokee Night Eagle were extended to include the UConnect 8.4 system with satellite navigation, black Capri leather-trimmed seats with perforated suede inserts and a single-pane sunroof.

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