Read More Customer Reviews

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

For 2012, Jeep has made a few notable changes, brought back the SRT8 high-performance model, and added an Overland Summit to the top of the luxury range.  Many Grand Cherokee models come with piped leather, and the list of features includes a heated, power tilt-telescope steering column, ventilated front seats, and collision warning system.  Two-wheel drive is standard across the board. Four-wheel drive, low-range gearing, and a full-size spare tire required for genuine off-road activities are optional. And while you can get tow hooks, they're optional on most and chrome plated on the top of the line. A variety of all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive systems and suspension arrangements are available. A 3.6-liter V6 engine is standard and more than sufficient.  A 5-speed automatic goes with the V6, and mileage has improved slightly for 2012.  The Grand Cherokee interior is stylish and made with high-quality materials.  The 60/40 rear seats recline for comfort, enabling passengers to look up at the sky through the optional panoramic sunroof that extends over both rows of seats; and the front seat folds flat for kayaks or two-by-fours.  One can also upgrade the 3.6 liter V-6 engine to a 5.7 liter V-8 engine.

Inside the '12 Jeep Grand Cherokee

A fold-flat front seat is standard, adding to the cargo space with the rear seats flat. The rear seats recline, and with the four inches of added legroom, life is easy back there. There's also an abundance of storage pockets and bins, including two bins under the cargo floor. A new rear suspension allows the spare tire to be stored inside the vehicle under the cargo floor.  The instrument panel features clean white numbers and needles and clear lighting. The tachometer adds a blue area, from 800 to 2500 rpm, a reminder of the best fuel-mileage range. The three-spoke steering wheel tilts and telescopes, and includes cruise control with audio buttons at the back of the spokes.  The LED lighting in the cabin works well, and there's an optional giant dual-pane panoramic sunroof that opens wide to the sky.  The sloped backlight and rear headrests pinch the space for visibility.  The SRT8 comes with a special steering wheel with paddles. The SRT8 also comes with sport seats to keep you in place working them. Gauge graphics are revised for the SRT8 and the electronic vehicle information center adds functions not found on other Grand Cherokees such as performance parameters.  Underway, the Grand Cherokee cabin is very quiet. There are three layers of noise insulation making the quiet very impressive.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Design

The seven-slot chrome grille is defined by six chrome slats over the black slots, while the headlamps sweep like winglets out from the top corners. Smooth frontal fascia with black airdam, recessed to lessen drag, and tidy small foglamps in trapezoid pockets. Aerodynamic bellypans run the full length of the chassis, chasing fuel mileage.  The backlight balances the slope of the windshield. The taillamps are big and extend into the liftgate, with four backup lights whose beams improve the video view of the rear back-up camera, a detail where some cars are lacking. There's an aerodynamic body-colored spoiler, level with the roof and over the sloped liftgate, and it looks good.  The vehicle locks with the press of a button on the door handle, as at the tailgate.  The SRT8 model has unique touches from the window-line down. A painted grille is flanked by bi-xenon headlamps and LED running lights, while a gaping maw below the bumper feeds cooling air to engine and brakes. The bulging hood has a pair of air extractors forward and you needn't worry about rain or snow given the copious amounts of hot air generated below. Clean wheel arches help cover foot-wide tires and menacing wheels, while extended rocker panels channel air and runoff. A deep rear bumper and substantial exhaust ports highlight the rear end.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Power

There are two automatic transmissions with manual modes. The unit matched to the V6 is called a five-speed and, like most, offers a single overdrive. It is calibrated for fuel economy.  The 5.7 liter V-8 uses a six speed automatic.  For 2012, the V6 adopts electro-hydraulic power steering, usually an aid to fuel economy, and it has not compromised steering feel at all. The V6 is a double-overhead cam 3.6-liter with variable valve timing, making 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. For 2012, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a huge fuel tank. The V6 engine feels like a winner, silky smooth and powerful. The SRT8 uses a 6.4-liter V8. With 470 horsepower, 465 lb-ft of torque, a crisp-shifting automatic, full-time all-wheel drive and foot-wide sticky tires it goes quickly.

Grand Cherokee Model Lineup

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in five models, all but one with a choice of two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

Grand Cherokee Laredo comes with cloth seating, fold-flat front passenger seat, dual-zone air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo, separate rear glass/hatch open, fog lamps, 17-inch aluminum wheels, auto headlamps, power heated mirrors, rear wash/wipe, laminated front door glass, floor mats, tilt/telescope leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, illuminated visor mirrors, trip computer and 12-volt auxiliary outlets. Laredo is available with all-wheel drive.

Grand Cherokee Limited 2WD and Limited 4WD go beyond Laredo X with more chrome exterior trim, panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon smartbeam headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, driver memory, heated seats front and rear, 8-way power passenger seat, and rear camera and park sensors. Limited options include V8, Quadra-Drive II 4WD, air suspension or milder off-road package, front sunroof with rear-seat DVD entertainment, power liftgate and tilt/telescope steering wheel, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control with collision warning, blind-spot monitors, cross-path detection, and two towing packages.

Grand Cherokee Overland comes with air suspension system, real wood trim and leather seating with piping, ventilated front seats, wood and leather power tilt/telescope heated steering wheel with memory, power liftgate, cargo net, navigation with voice-recognition and SIRIUS travel-traffic information, 20-inch aluminum wheels, black mesh grille and trailer tow package. Overland is available with Quadra-Drive II 4WD. Options include V8, rear-seat DVD, advanced warning package, and off-road package.

The new Overland Summit and 4WD get a chrome mesh grille, unique paint selection, wheels and stitched saddle and black cabin with black olive wood, chrome tow hooks, and the advanced warning package. Only the V8 and rear DVD system are optional.

Grand Cherokee SRT8 is all-wheel drive and comes with a 470-hp 6.4-liter V8, 5-speed automatic, Brembo brakes, unique steering and suspension, Bilstein adaptive damping, paddle shifters, 295/45ZR20 tires on forged aluminum wheels, SRT specific seats and heated steering wheel, and a one-day track driving SRT experience. (We especially recommend that last bit.)  Features roughly mirror a Limited, and options consist of a panoramic sunroof, conventional sunroof with rear DVD, 19-speaker 825-watt Harman Kardon sound system, three-season Pirelli P Zero tires, tow package, and a luxury group (advanced warning package, premium cabin trim and power liftgate).

Conclusions

The Jeep Grand Cherokee boasts a capable chassis, comfortable interior that's utility useful or fashion friendly, competitive powertrains. It offers the off-road capability that mid-size SUVs should offer. It offers serious towing capability. The new SRT8 puts the Germans on notice that there are super-ute alternatives.  We were particularly impressed with Laredo with a V6 and think it offers the best value proposition.  For more information on this great SUV, go to official website of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Some of the information in this review was obtained through newcartestdrive.com