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This week’s 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee helped me realize just how great a vehicle can be when its manufacturer goes the extra mile to make a design statement. Driving 50-plus cars a year is loads of fun. But every once in a while, typically when I’m tired, things start to get fuzzy. Sometimes it manifests itself by forgetting which...




This week’s 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee helped me realize just how great a vehicle can be when its manufacturer goes the extra mile to make a design statement.



Driving 50-plus cars a year is loads of fun. But every once in a while, typically when I’m tired, things start to get fuzzy. Sometimes it manifests itself by forgetting which car is mine in the parking lot. Other times, it’s searching for the remote control for the power mirrors, only to remember 5 minutes into the search this particular vehicle has manual mirrors.



It’s vehicles like the all-new Grand Cherokee that make test-drives memorable and fun. From headlight to taillight, the largest SUV in the Jeep family makes a bold statement that won’t soon be forgotten.



Weighed against significant undertakings like turning the economy around or catching crabs off the Alaskan coast, worrying about design statements in a vehicle may seem a little … frothy. But, whether we admit it or not, our vehicles are more than just tools for transportation. Dozens and dozens of books and hundreds of articles have been written on America’s love affair with cars and what lies behind the attraction. Let’s just say “personality” counts big time in our car-buying decisions.



From the moment I walked up to the all-new-for-2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, its personality drew my attention. Jeep’s distinctive toothy grille is still there, even bolder than before. Although the 2011’s grille may have one or two fewer teeth than the original Cherokee, there’s no mistaking this vehicle for anything other than a Jeep.



Atop the chromed grille, the hood sports more pronounced creases that make this full-size SUV appear aerodynamic. The way the windows taper in height toward the back of the vehicle plus softer lines all around add up to a more sculpted look.



The look belies the fact that the new Grand Cherokee is nearly a couple of inches longer and 2 ½ inches wider than its predecessor. The wheelbase is also a little more than 5 inches longer, resulting in additional legroom for rear passengers.



The taillights have gone from ho-hum rectangles to substantial design elements, making the Grand Cherokee as easily identifiable from the rear as a BMW X5.



Once inside the top-of-the-line Grand Cherokee Overland, I was greeted by the sturdiest-looking steering wheel I’ve ever seen. Half wood/half hand-stitched leather, with the traditionally round Jeep hub and three-spoke design, the heft and diameter of this steering wheel qualifies it as the mother of all steering wheels. Talk about making a statement!



A leather-stitched dash, door panels and center console, Napa leather on the seats, and wood accent trims on the dash and doors, complete the ruggedly handsome interior. But don’t fret if you can’t afford the Overland’s top-shelf price and its heated steering wheel, the quality of interior materials on the 2011 Grand Cherokee has much improved across all trim levels.



Another area where the 2011 JGC has improved is in ride quality. “Not only are interior appointments in line with those in luxury SUVs, but the ride quality and quietness have improved,” said Harry Schmidt, sales manager at Bergeron Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Metairie.



The Grand Cherokee’s additional width helps prevent the “head wagging” feeling many tall full-size SUVs experience at times. Reportedly, more welds and a stiffer frame in 2011 are also to thank for the quieter and less jittery ride.



I for one appreciated the quietness. It allowed me to hear the throaty growl of the Grand Cherokee’s exhaust. My Overland model, which came with a 5.7-liter Hemi

Tags: Jeep

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Jeep Grand Cherokee: Jeep does Cherokee proud was originally published by New Orleans Auto Reviews: Jeep. Read the full story by clicking here.