"Reedman Toll was the perfect place to buy my first "new" car. When we met Doug he listened to everything that I wanted out of a new car, Monthly payments, Model even color. He didn't try and push us towards anything other than what we were there for, I would refer my friends and family to Doug in a heart beat" 8/19/2011
The much anticipated 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has arrived at dealerships and is making a strong first impression. The Grand Cherokee is a total redesign, with an all new engine, better mileage, and an improved cabin and exterior design. The new Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 is not only more powerful - by 80 horses - but gas mileage is 11% higher. The Grand Cherokee is available in either a two- or four-wheel drive configuration with three trims levels: Laredo, Limited, and Overland. Available features of 2011 Grand Cherokee models include a rear load-leveling suspension, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated leather seats, heated steering wheel, power liftgate, rear seat DVD entertainment system with Sirius Backseat TV, rear parking camera, and a multimedia infotainment system with 30-gigabyte hard drive, navigation system and UConnect wireless connectivity. Standard safety features include dual front airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags for both rows. Active head restraints, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system are also standard. Safety options include a blind spot monitoring system and Chrysler's new Rear Cross Path detection, which alerts drivers pulling out of a parking spot if there's oncoming perpendicular traffic. Also optional are adaptive cruise control and a collision alert that warns the driver if he or she is approaching another car too quickly.
Powering the 2011 Grand Cherokee
The standard engine is the Pentastar V6 on all models; the 290 horsepower. The new V6 engine is said to be smoother than competitors from Toyota, Honda, and GM, and has variable cam timing to allow for good gas mileage. The Hemi will remain optional across the board, and may be pushed by Chrysler while V6 production ramps up. The V6 Grand Cherokee has more horsepower than Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and GMC Acadia, with more torque than Highlander or Pilot, and similar gas mileage to all three competitors (within 1 mpg) according to Chrysler Canada's materials. Towing is rated at 5,000 lb with the V6, similar to or more than the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and GMC Acadia; but goes up to 7,200 lb with the Hemi V8 (equipped properly). The Pentastar V6 is attached to the Mercedes W5A580 five-speed automatic, with Chrysler's controls and the driver-interactive control. The gas tank has been increased to 24.6 gallons, which allows for a range of around 500 miles.
'11 Grand Cherokee Lineup
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo offers a new, upscale interior, advanced four wheel drive system, 290-horsepower Pentastar V6, five-speed automatic, numerous standard features, and towing capability. The Laredo includes keyless entry, stability control with anti-roll, hill start assist, trailer sway control, side curtain airbags for both rows, active head restraints, power driver's seat, fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, satellite radio, and 17-inch aluminum wheels; the 360 horsepower Hemi V8 will be optional.
The Limited adds Quadra-Trac II with Selec-Terrain (if you get the 4x4), front and second-row heated leather seats, memory settings, High Intensity Discharge auto-leveling headlamps, CommandView dual-pane panoramic sun roof, rear back-up camera, rear park assist, premium audio, automatic temperature control, 18-inch aluminum wheels, Garmin navigation, rain-sensitive wipers, and bright door handles.
The ultimate Grand Cherokee, the Overland model, adds a premium interior with Nappa leather-trimmed and heated seats, vented front seats, wood/leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with memory, power tilt/telescope steering column, wood bezels, leather-stitched instrument panel/doors/center console armrest, power liftgate, and 20-inch aluminum wheels.
2011 Grand Cherokee Off-Road Ability
All 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokees equipped with either the off-road or the Quadra-Lift group are Trail Rated which means it passed off-road conditions in traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water crossing. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system (for 4x4 only) has five height settings, two for off-road use (raising 1.3 and 2.6 inches above normal, to a maximum 11.1 inches of ground clearance), "aero" (lowering .5 inches for aerodynamics at speed), and entry/exit, which lowers the car by 1.5 inches. Quadra-Lift operates four-corner air springs automatically, or via console controls; the Aero control is automatic and speed-controlled.
The Selec-Terrain traction control coordinates up to 12 powertrain, braking, and suspension systems, including throttle control, shifting, the transfer case, and stability control. It is included with the Off-Road Group and Hemi, and is standard on Limited and Overland, provided either Quadra-Drive or Quadra-Trac II is specified.
Quadra Trac I has full-time four-wheel drive without controls. This light-weight single-speed case is proven and efficient. Quadra Trac II has a two-speed transfer case and uses Throttle Anticipate to sense quick movement in the throttle from a stop and maximizes traction before slippage occurs. When tire slippage is detected, all available torque can be routed to the axle with the most traction. Quadra Drive II has a rear (and rumored front in the future) Electronic Limited-Slip Differential which detects tire slip and sends torque to tires with traction. As with Quadra Trac II, in some cases, the Jeep will anticipate low traction and proactively limit or eliminate slip.
2011 Grand Cherokee Design
Sleeker-looking than the model it replaces, the Grand Cherokee still resembles a Jeep, but it's perhaps the brand's greatest stretch so far. Traditional Grand Cherokee cues, including a seven-slot grille and horizontally arranged headlights, remain, but the rear end has been completely reworked. Enormous fenders house 17- or 18-inch aluminum wheels on the Laredo and Limited, and 20-inchers are available on the Limited and standard on the Overland.
The cabin sports improved materials, with better-integrated center controls and genuine wood trim on uplevel models. Jeep says rear legroom is up more than 4 inches over the previous Grand Cherokee. The seats can recline several degrees or fold flat in a 60/40 split. With the seats down, maximum cargo volume totals 68.7 cubic feet. Overland models get a leather-wrapped dashboard, something usually reserved for luxury cars. Other available features include heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel with power tilt/telescope adjustments, a navigation system and a panoramic sunroof.
Conclusions
For 2011, the Grand Cherokee has been completely redesigned and offers a new stiffer body structure, a new V6 engine, new front and rear independent suspension systems, a new traction control system and other advanced technology features. The new design moves this Jeep model further into the crossover realm by giving it a carlike four-wheel-independent suspension. Other new features include an air suspension system that can provide up to 10.7 inches of ground clearance, a driver-selectable terrain system that configures suspension and drivetrain settings to suit various situations, and a 3.6-liter V-6 that's 11 percent more fuel efficient than the V-6 it replaces. Backseat legroom and cargo room have also been increased. A 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is also available; last year's 4.7-liter V-8 has been dropped. The new Grand Cherokee is better than ever, and it succeeds in pleasing both traditional Jeep owners looking for trail rated abilities, and those looking for a smooth driving fuel efficient every-day vehicle. For the latest updates, visit the official 2011 Grand Cherokee site.