2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

Specifications

Aside from the EPA which so desperately tried to snuff out the usage of diesel engines in passenger cars by requiring them to comply to the Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards (it is only 42-state legal, so you can’t buy one in CA, CT, MA, ME, NY, PA, RI, VT) and inadvertently feeding it regular unleaded, one of the most grueling things a diesel can face is the cold. When the temperature drops, life for a diesel gets hard, for a number of reasons, the most important of which is that it has a tendency to gel, or, at the very least become thicker. So, in addition to our normal testing routine, we brought Jeep’s Grand Cherokee CRD up to northern Ontario, a place that while beautiful, gets mighty chilly in the winter, where 0 degrees is actually a daily occurrence, to see how its diesel engine fares.

But the Grand Cherokee doesn’t come with an old-fashioned diesel. No, it’s actually packing one of the finest on the market, a 3.0-liter V6 with four valves per cylinder, common rail injection and a variable geometry turbo. It was developed and is built by none other than Chrysler’s ex-partner, Mercedes-Benz. On paper, the horsepower count doesn’t seem particularly impressive; it makes 215 hp, 5 more than the standard 3.7-liter gas-powered V6, but when you consider torque it’s a completely different story. With 376 lb-ft available, there’s more twist on tap than with any other engine on offer, with the exception of the mad, mad 6.1-liter HEMI V8, exclusive to the SRT8 model. And then there’s the matter of fuel economy, which bests the most fuel-efficient gas-powered engine by a significant margin at 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. It’s really a win-win situation.

But none of that really matters if the next morning, when it’s time to go to work the engine won’t wake up from its slumber. Fueled with winterized diesel fuel (treated to prevent gelling), the Grand Cherokee was left to sit in -10 degree weather, while we slept inside our cozy hotel. The next morning, we went to start it up. After waiting a couple of seconds for the glow plug light on the dash to turn off, the diesel engine cranked, and then settled into an idle without the usual diesel puff of white smoke. No fuss and no need for a block heater, the GC diesel shrugged off this test as if it were just any other day of the year. Starting a diesel used to be a difficult task under cold conditions, but not so with this one. The standard remote starter, which is integrated into the Mercedes-style keyfob, makes things even easier.


And while it takes a while for the diesel engine to heat up, providing the interior with heat, Jeep offers a temporary warming solution for the back and toosh through the form of dual-stage heated seats for front and rear passengers.

Once the first few minutes of a higher, slightly rougher sounding idle pass, the CRD engine settles into a surprisingly smooth and quiet idle. It’s strong in standing and in-gear acceleration, which yields just the faintest hint of the turbocharger’s whistle, but once at cruising speed it’s as quiet as the 5.7-liter Hemi. In fact, it’s difficult to see why anyone would opt for the Hemi over the diesel, especially when it can tow the same amount (7,200 lbs and 7,400 lbs with 2WD models), and has a cruising range of 466 miles.

The Grand Cherokee also didn’t have any troubles with the journey getting up there. The five hour drive north posed no problems for the Jeep, which felt confident on snow-covered roads thanks to its wide track, and advanced Quad-Drive II permanent four wheel drive system. Compared to other more car-like SUVs, and some of its premium rivals, the Grand Cherokee’s ride isn’t quite as smooth; over bumpier stretches its live axle is particularly obvious, and despite being fine on the highway, the steering rack feels slow to react and has an unusually viscous feel.

But you’re unlikely to mind because, as a long distance vehicle, the Grand Cherokee is comfortable. Our tester was a top of the line Overland model, which included supple high-quality Saddle Brown perforated leather seats that remained comfortable and supportive over the trip, and we remained entertained, listening to the music selection loaded up onto the standard MyGig system’s 20 gb hard drive by other journalists. Although none of us brought along DVDs, the Grand Cherokee Overland has a rear-seat entertainment system for $1,200 (and you can add Sirius Backseat TV for $470), which will undoubtedly come in handy for keeping kids quiet over long trips. Ergonomics were generally solid, with all controls where you’d expect them to be and an ideal driving position easy to find thanks to adjustable pedals, though the positioning of the memory switch for the driver’s seat is located right where both myself and contributor Steven James Day rest our knees. On several occasions, Steven - who is significantly taller than me - was humorously plunged into the steering wheel.

Surprisingly, for a vehicle of its size, the Grand Cherokee’s cargo bay is on the small side. We managed to fill up its loading space completely with three suitcases, photography gear and a couple of pairs of snow boots. It’s not particularly deep, and the loading lip is high.

Just the same, the CRD is a logical choice for any motorist who travels a long daily commute thanks to its excellent cruising range and good fuel economy, but it’s also the one to choose if you’re considering off-roading. On its own, the Grand Cherokee is a capable Trail Rated machine with a proper low-range transfer case, good ground clearance and fairly rugged Goodyear Fortera HL tires as standard equipment. Additionally, the SUV has been further upgraded this year with hill-start assist and hill-descent control. If you including the CRD’s copious quantities of torque, which are available at just over idle, off-roading becomes easier. The diesel engine chugs along, pulling it forward, and, should you need to make it up a hill, just flex your ankle, and the Grand Cherokee feels as if it’ll charge up just about any grade, no matter how slippery or steep.

The 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine is available on Limited and Overland models, costing $1,655 on the Limited and just $1,010 on the Overland. No matter what you opt for, it’s cheaper than purchasing the same engine in a Mercedes-Benz, and unlike a hybrid, you’ll be saving a considerable amount of fuel in the real world, which will help to pay back the initial investment sooner. Our overall average for the trip was 24 mpg, which isn’t bad considering the temperature, nor the fact that our Grand Cherokee was loaded up with passengers and gear. At one point, our high was 29 mpg.

Compared to last year, the ‘08 Grand Cherokee is a better buy in general, as parent company Chrysler has spent a bit of time upgrading the quality of the cabin materials. The dash and door panels are new, and there’s greater use of soft-touch plastics. Classy looking gauges, and a revised center stack with new-style audio systems also help enhance the appearance, while its Mercedes-style key adds sophistication. And while the Grand Cherokee isn’t quite to the level of Audi’s Q7 or the BMW X5 in terms of fit and finish, it’s a world away from what Jeep was producing just a few years ago. The exterior also sees a new front valance, and certain models come equipped with HID headlamps plus automatic high-beams, dimming driver and passenger’s side mirrors.

Equipped with the CRD engine, the Grand Cherokee makes sense. It’s just as capable as the original, and in a way, it does everything that the current Hemi-powered model can do, but with less effort and less consumption. Overland, Limited or Laredo, it’s not hard to warm up to the Grand Cherokee. This engine helps it to remain relevant in today’s declining SUV market, and in my eyes makes it one of Jeep’s best vehicles to date.

A Note to the Reader: Not all diesel fuels are created equal; in climates where temperatures drop into the region where diesel gels, it is common to find fuel suppliers with Winter grades of diesel. We ran the Grand Cherokee CRD on this blend which features an additive to prevent gelling. In addition, the CRD doesn’t qualify for Chrysler LLC’s unlimited powertrain warranty; coverage is complete after 36 months and 36,000 miles.

Specifications (Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD 4X4 ):