We say The Grand Cherokee offers a good mix of on- and off-road ability but feels rather basic against its rivals.Performance The standard Grand Cherokee uses a 3.0-litre V6 diesel in combination with a five-speed automatic transmission. With this lot the SUV can do 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds and the top speed is 126mph. If you want more power, you can order a 5.7-litre V8 petrol engine with 360bhp, while the SRT-8 special edition has a 465bhp 6.4-litre V8 and can do 0-60mph in just 4.8 seconds.Emissions Rarely a strong point for big SUVs, the Jeep Grand Cherokee doesn’t do too badly, with a recorded average fuel economy of 34mpg and CO2 emissions at 218g/km. It does better than some rivals but not all.Driving The two standard trim models, Limited and Overland seem vastly different. The Limited model is disappointing to drive on road; it struggles around corners and grip seems low all the time. The Overland specification however is much better, with features like air suspension and performance brakes making a world of difference to the driving experience.Feel Your better off avoiding the Limited specification which feels rough, lacks composure and offers barely any steering feedback. The Overland feels much better but things like body roll are still not fully kept in check.Space The Grand Cherokee is a large vehicle with lots of passenger space; it’ll easy fit five adults in comfort. There are various storage compartments around the cabin as well and the boot is huge, with 782 litres of space at the minimum.Equipment Standard equipment on both the Limited and Overland include an auto-dim rear view mirror, Bluetooth and heated seats in the front and rear.Price On the road pricing starts at £37,995 for the Limited specification. The Overland model is priced at around £43,995.Quality Inside the Cherokee is surrounded with soft-feel materials, wood, leather and chrome with LED headlights.Safety The Jeep Grand Cherokee has undergone the Euro NCAP crash tests and received a four-star rating in safety. It has a long list of safety kit, with active head restraints, electronic stability and rear fog lamps amongst the standard features.Pros Strong engines, lots of equipment standard, inside its large, comfortable and plush.Cons Limited specification is poor on the road, body roll is noticeable through the corners, the hill descent control is unreliable and running costs are a concern.Alternatives Land Rover Discovery, VW Touareg
