Something of a Swiss Army Knife among midsized SUVs, the Grand Cherokee is a versatile, well-rounded vehicle. When properly equipped, it is capable on or off road. It also makes a good choice for trailer towing. The ride is comfortable and the interior is quiet, as well as nicely finished.
A 2014 freshening brought a significant boost to the Grand Cherokee's road-test score. Improved controls, better fit and finish and a new eight-speed automatic -- which improves performance -- are high points of this update. Unfortunately, the transmission did nothing to improve the overall fuel economy of the V6 version we tested.
What sets the Jeep flagship apart from its competition is its wide range of powertrains and available trim levels. Those choices can make it anything from a comfortable suburban errand runner to a sure-footed off-road vehicle. Buyers can choose from V6 and V8 gasoline engines, as well as a diesel, in addition to rear- and all-wheel drive.