There is an opinion that modern foreign-made SUVs are no longer adapted to such impassability as their “ancestors” from the 90s. This is partly true. But do not forget about such a manufacturer as the Jeep. This company originally specialized in the production of SUVs. The concern produces four-wheel drive jeeps with high ground clearance, a transfer case and locks. Therefore, those who are looking for a real SUV should pay attention to the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Owner reviews, technical specifications and features of this car, see our today's article.
Appearance
By design, the Cherokee is a true "American." Rough shapes, massive arches and square lines. This car was definitely not designed for the European public. Although in Europe it is also popular (often in Belgium and the Netherlands). In Russia, such instances are rare. But at the sight of this jeep, the heart skips a beat. The machine impresses with its massiveness. To be subjective, the Cherokee looks a lot better than the Prado and other Cruisers. This is a male fashion car - say the reviews of the owners.
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK has a massive radiator grille with vertical slots and double "big-eyed" optics. At the bottom, neatly placed round fog lights. Arches bulge significantly beyond the line of the body. This gives the car even more extravagance.
What do the Jeep Grand Cherokee reviews say? Owners note the good quality of painting. This "American" is not afraid of scratches and steadily withstands the blows of pieces of rubble from under the wheels of the cars in front. How corrosion resistant is the Jeep Grand Cherokee? Reviews say that a car like a tank is not afraid of either dirt or road reagents. But the main plus is still the design. In most cases, the car is chosen precisely for its shape and appearance.
Salon
Let's move inside the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Reviews say that getting into the car is quite comfortable. However, the doors close with a distinctive metallic click. This scares off some motorists. Still, for this price I would like more quiet door locks. Interior design - brutal, in a men's style. Here, the most angular lines and large appliances. Amazes with its size and the center console. There is a climate control unit and a multimedia complex. The latter, by the way, supports the voice control function. But as the reviews say, the system does not recognize the Russian language well.
As a finish, plastic with imitation wood is used. The seats are leather and can be decorated in different colors. The armrest is wide enough - the passenger and driver will not touch their elbows. This is a big plus. But the Americans missed the glove compartment - say the reviews. It is very small, and there are no other niches for things here (or their sizes do not allow even a half-liter bottle of mineral water to be put).
Many owners of Cherokee complain about the quality of the plastic. He is tough enough. However, this is common to all American brands, such as Chevrolet, Ford and even Cadillac.
Another feature is the lack of the usual handbrake. Instead, a “scissor” is used here, as on old Mercedes. It takes a very long time to get used to it. Fortunately, the system informs about the current state of the brake with a lamp on the dashboard.
Despite the high landing, visibility in the car is very limited - say the reviews. The reason is the front right pillar. If the windshield is dirty, you may not notice at least a minibus near you. This is essentially a blind spot in the Cherokee. By the way, the Mitsubishi Pajero has the same disease.
Among the advantages of the "Jeep Grand Cherokee" reviews note the presence of parking sensors in the basic configuration. But over the years, he begins to junk - say the owners. So, when snow hits the surface, the sensors begin to go crazy. Glitches can occur during rain. Therefore, it is not always possible to trust parking sensors in this car.
Also in the "base" provides heated seats. But here there were some excesses. Reviews say that the system automatically turns on at four degrees of heat. On the one hand, it’s good - you don’t have to once again reach for the button. But not everyone likes it - the heating here is quite strong. However, the owners found a way out of the situation. If an on-board computer is provided in the configuration, you can manually configure the heating through it.
What are the advantages of the Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2? Reviews mark the cabin space. There is so much free space in the car that up to seven people can comfortably accommodate. Moreover, the rear passengers will not touch each other with their shoulders. There is also enough headroom. There is a dual-zone climate and power windows.
Trunk
Another plus of this car is its roomy trunk. Its volume is as much as 978 liters in a five-seater version. Plus, under the floor there is a huge tool box.
The rear seats fold into a flat floor. This allows you to expand the free space up to 1900 liters. However, there are complaints about the trunk. Since the cover is mounted on gas stops, in winter they may not cope with the load and sag. This is a "childhood illness" of all Grand Cherokee cars.
Specifications
The car can be equipped with both gasoline and diesel engines. The first line includes three atmospheric V-shaped units with a working volume of 3.7-5.7 liters. These motors develop a power of 210-325 horsepower.
As for diesel engines, one three-liter V-shaped engine is available for Russia. Surprisingly, it is more popular than gasoline ones. This unit is equipped with a turbocharger, 24-valve timing system and direct injection system "Common Rail". Thanks to these improvements, the Americans managed to get 218 horsepower with a 3-liter engine. According to reviews, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 diesel has good traction. The peak torque range of 510 Nm begins with one and a half thousand revolutions.
What are the disadvantages of the SUV Jeep Grand Cherokee (diesel)? Owner reviews say that during operation, you may encounter the problem of finding a service. Not every service station undertakes to repair American engines, especially diesel ones. And if you can find the right service, the price tag for repairs will be very huge. This scares many away from buying this American car. The most expensive components here are fuel injectors, which can be poured through 150 thousand kilometers, as well as a turbine. The latter in the event of a malfunction begins to “eat up” the oil.
Box
Most SUVs are equipped with an automatic transmission in five stages, and the very first samples are equipped with a four-stage torque converter. But as for the “Cherokee” of the last years of release, there may be problems. According to reviews, the Jeep Grand Cherokee IV, equipped with an eight-speed automatic, can "kick" when switching speeds. Although the box itself was developed by the leading German manufacturer ZF. This transmission begins to "kick" when resetting the gear to a lower one. By the way, a simple Cherokee had similar problems, but it was aggregated by a nine-speed automatic. This transmission was soon removed from the conveyor. Well, those who choose a car in the secondary market should stay away from these ultra-modern boxes.
Which gearbox to take?
If you are looking for a Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012 when choosing, reviews are advised to purchase versions with only a five-speed automatic transmission and second-generation Quadra-Drive all-wheel drive. This system has an active power distribution. If necessary, the torque can be directed both to the rear and front wheels (and in full). This allows you to make an electronically controlled differential and razdatka with a lowering number of gears.
Chassis
As noted by the owners, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 is a real tank with a frame body structure. Moreover, the car has an independent front suspension. Front mounted A-arms and stabilizer. At the back is a classic five-arm bridge.
As elastic elements in the suspension, coil springs or pneumocylinders can act. Owners are not advised to purchase the latest version. Over time, pneuma can poison the air and cause an accident. But the springs are almost eternal.
As for the steering, the “Cherokee” used a power rail. The machine is easy to operate, but due to its high center of gravity it’s quite sweeping. Therefore, you need to be careful when entering a sharp turn or to slow down in advance.
Price
In the secondary market, you can find a ten-year-old Cherokee for just 400-500 thousand rubles. At the same time, the car is well equipped already in the "base".
There is climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, power seats, parking sensors with an all-round camera, a multimedia center, heated seats, six airbags and an ABS system.
To summarize
So, we found out what the SUV "Jeep Grand Cherokee" is. This car is in demand only for a certain class of motorists. The car is suitable for those who like to "knead the dirt" (in this regard, the Cherokee deserves the highest praise) and stand out in the general stream. But it is worth remembering such things as the high cost of service and problems with finding a service.