Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011-2019
Performance
|
8.6
|
Reliability
|
7.6
|
Safety
|
9.7
|
Driver Experience
|
8.1
|
Interior
|
8.9
|
Value
|
8.0
|
For the 2011 model year, Jeep ushered in its fourth-generation Grand
Cherokee. Unlike an increasing number of competitors, this 4-door, 5
passenger vehicle retained its true off-road capable SUV platform with
3 off-road 4x4 systems. Although offering improved levels of
refinement, it still retained the key Grand Cherokee attributes of
formidable off-road capabilities, rugged style and on-road
competence. It also offered a more fuel efficient 6 cylinder
engine, all new body, improved passenger and cargo space, redesigned
interior and new premium features.
The
2011 Grand Cherokee was offered in three trims: Laredo (E and X),
Limited and Overland. Both V6 and V8 engines are available. The optional
V8 engine can be added to everything except the Laredo E. Both
were initially paired with a five-speed automatic gearbox. American
buyers could get the Grand Cherokee in two-wheel drive, but all Canadian
models were four-wheel, with three separate systems available ranging
from the simple full-time Quadra-Trac I system (Laredo E and X),
Quadra-Trac II, optional on Laredo X and standard on Limited and
Overland and the highly capable Quadra-Drive II system.
Interior Cabin
Off Road Capability
Safety Score
Comfort |
No Third Seat Option
High Liftover Height
Limited Cargo Area
Early Electrical Gremlins |
Both Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II boast a new Selec-Terrain system
that lets drivers quickly adjust vehicle behavior for a variety of
driving environments. The system alters torque distribution, as well as
transmission and throttle behavior along with the stability control and
the air suspension - if equipped - to maximize performance on snow,
rocks, mud, sand or tarmac.
Also available was the aforementioned optional Quadra-Lift air
suspension. When raised to maximum height, the system
creates 10.7 inches of ground clearance. The system can also lower
the vehicle, easing entry and egress as well as improving aerodynamics
at higher speeds, enhancing fuel economy.
Base Model - The base 2011 Jeep
Grand Cherokee featured cloth seats, rear-wheel drive, an eight-way
power driver's seat, automatic headlights, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and a
six-speaker audio system with auxiliary input. Standard safety features
included stability control, traction control, electronic roll
mitigation, trailer sway control, six-airbags and active head
restraints. Optional entertainment and communications features included
a premium nine-speaker audio system, USB audio port, rear-seat DVD
entertainment system, navigation and the UConnect hands-free
communications system. Other high-tech options available were rear
parking sensors with a backup camera, adaptive cruise control,
blind-spot alert and rear cross-traffic detection.
Laredo E - Features on the
Laredo E included 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone air conditioning,
passive keyless entry with pushbutton start, active front head
restraints, eight-way power driver’s seat, cloth seats, 60/40
flat-folding rear seats, fold-flat front passenger seat, fog lamps,
CD/MP3 stereo, Sirius satellite radio, heated mirrors, removable and
rechargeable LED flashlight, tilt and telescopic leather-wrapped
steering wheel, automatic headlamps, variable intermittent wipers, rear
wiper, floor mats, cruise control, illuminated vanity mirrors, tire
pressure monitor and hill start assist.
Laredo X - The Laredo X added
18-inch alloy wheels, heated leather-trimmed seats, eight-way power
passenger seat, premium Alpine stereo, CD/DVD/HDD media centre with
Uconnect phone connectivity, remote starter, parking sensor and security
alarm.
Limited – The Limited
upped the ante with 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, dual-zone
automatic climate control, heated second-row seats, ventilated front
seats, power liftgate, heated steering wheel with power tilt and
telescopic column, driver’s side memory, bi-xenon headlamps with
SmartBeam automatic control, backup camera, and rain-sensing wipers.
Overland - The
upscale Overland added 20-inch alloy wheels, leather-stitched instrument
panel, door uppers and center console armrest, navigation system and
heated wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
 |
| The Grand Cherokee gets high
marks for comfort. |
2012 - New SRT8 (6.4-liter
Hemi put out 470 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque). It mated to a
five-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle
shifters. Had sportier styling with new front and rear fascias, fender
flares, rocker-panel extensions, a vented model-specific hood, and a
rear spoiler. Interior details included a heated flat-bottom steering
wheel, carbon-fiber trim, and Nappa-leather sport seats with
color-contrast stitching and SRT logos.
2013 - SRT8 added new white
“Alpine” and black “Vapor” special-edition appearance packages.
Many features from the previously optional Luxury Group were now
standard, including a power liftgate and leather trim on the door
panels, dash, and center console
2014 - The “8” was
dropped from the SRT8 name, so it was now Grand Cherokee SRT. New
upgrades included an eight-speed automatic transmission with new console
and paddle shifters, reprogrammed Selec-Track system, and launch-control
capability. Exterior refresh with front LED accent lighting, LED
taillamps, a new rear spoiler, and a redesigned tailgate assembly that
eliminated the flip-up rear window to improve rear visibility
- Revised front and rear fascias, interior update including a new
instrument panel
- Standard V6 and available V8 engines get new 8-speed transmissions,
and an optional 3.0-liter turbo diesel V6 joins the lineup
2015 - New Summit
trim level gets a standard Active Noise Cancellation system, updated
interior trim, and an available California Edition appearance package
- SRT model adds noise canceling technology, along with a
five-horsepower bump (to 475 from 470) and a Red Vapor special-edition
trim package
2016 - All Jeep
Grand Cherokees (except SRT) get electric power steering and aluminum
suspension components in an effort to reduce weight and increase fuel
economy
- The available 3.6-liter V6 gains engine stop/start, along with
modifications to its valve gear to increase both horsepower and fuel
savings
- The unpopular joystick-like transmission shifter has been replaced by
a conventional shift
- SRT model (which packs an exclusive 475-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8)
gets a new instrument cluster
2017 - New
off-road-oriented Trailhawk model
- Summit model gets revised styling inside and out
- Grand Cherokee SRT has a new front fascia
- Lane-departure warning, parallel parking assist, and trailer-hitch
camera are newly available features
- All Grand Cherokees now have standard reaview camera and rear parking
sensors
2018 - New Diesel and SRT/Trackhawk
high-performance models
- New Sterling Edition model that commemorates Grand Cherokee’s 25th
anniversary
- All Grand Cherokees now have standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
capability
2019 - New Limited X
model
- Blind-spot alert and rear cross-path detection now standard on all
models
The 2011
Grand Cherokee’s new design demonstrated a clear connection with its
predecessor while looking completely new and modern. The front end
bears Jeep’s signature seven-slot chrome grille, a chunky front
fascia, hexagonal wheel arches and rectangular headlights. At the
back, the vehicle has a raked windshield and an almost upright
tailgate, which softens the SUV’s rigid lines. In back, for the
first time on a Grand Cherokee, buyers could select a power rear lift
gate.
Standard features included a chrome roof rack,
foglights, 17-inch aluminum wheels, automatic headlights and power
mirrors. Optional features included 18-inch wheels, a dual-pane
panoramic sunroof, a tow hook and off-roading skid plates. The
panoramic sunroof adds lots of natural light inside the cabin but
creates quite a bit of wind noise when open.
The SUV is about 2 inches longer (4821mm), 3 inches
wider (2154 mm w/mirrors) and one-half inch taller (1761mm w/roof
rails) than the 2010 model, but its wheelbase has grown by healthy 5.3
inches (134 mm) to 114.8 inches overall (2915mm), resulting in more
backseat legroom.
The previous-generation Grand Cherokee lacked an interior to match its
price, but the all-new cabin in the 2011 model featured soft materials
and upscale trim and a less blocky design. Improved materials included
a stitched leather dashboard and real wood trim on Overland models,
and interior panel fit is better compared with the old Grand Cherokee.
Most controls are easy to use, with some complaints
about the audio controls being located on the steering wheel which can
be accidentally disturbed with your hand in some situations or while
off-roading. Jeep opted not to squeeze in a third row of seats
so the Grand Cherokee remained a five-seater, unlike some of its
competitors. In all fairness to Jeep, most of those third row
seats are only suitable for small children.
Thanks to the SUV’s tall height and traditional
body style, there’s plenty of interior space. Passenger space is good
in all seating positions, with rear seat passengers enjoying an extra
4.4 inches (113mm) of leg room. This along with a reclining feature on
the seat solves the previous issue of cramped quarters for rear
passengers. Most owners report that the seats are comfortable
but some complain the cushions are too flat. Seats are available
with ventilation on the Limited and Overland. The rear seats are
heated on the two upper trim levels. They also fold flat to increase
the cargo area, dropping in a single motion while they tuck their
head-restraints in by themselves which is far more convenient than the
top of the backrest where some automakers choose to place the release.
Jeep claims the Grand Cherokee's cargo area
increased by 19% up by 5.6 cubic feet. It measures 35.1 cubic
feet (994 litres) which is less space than what the Toyota 4Runner
(47.2 cubic feet) and Nissan Pathfinder (49.2 cubic feet) of the
period provided behind their second rows. With the backseat folded,
cargo room increases to 68.3 cubic feet (1934 litres). The wheel
wells intrude somewhat into the sides of the cargo area, but the
bigger issue for some will be clearing the tall rear bumper. The
optional air suspension's Park mode provides some relief by lowering
the ride height 1.5 inches.
The Pentastar V6 produces 290 horsepower and 260
pound-feet of torque while achieving a fuel economy rating of
13.0L/100km city and 8.9L/100km highway according to Jeep.
Natural Resources Canada reports fuel economy of 14.6L/100km highway
and 10.5L/100K city. The 5.7L V8 with cylinder-deactivation makes 360
horsepower and 390 ft-lbs of torque. Fuel economy remains
unchanged with this engine, and towing capacity maxes out at 3,266 kg
(7,200 lbs) with the V8.
Click on this link to access complete Canadian fuel efficiency
estimates for
2011-2019 Grand Cherokee.
Most large V-6 crossover vehicles have fuel economy
ratings better than the Grand Cherokee. The early Grand Cherokee's
somewhat older-tech five-speed automatic might be part of it as well
as its weight of close to 5,000 lbs. on the V6 Overland. The cost of
offering actual heavy-duty, rugged off-road capability is weight, and
weight needs fuel.
When driven off paved roads, the 2011 Jeep Grand
Cherokee impresses with its sure-footedness and solid traction. In
addition to a trio of four-wheel drive systems, each offering an
increasing level of capability and sophistication, the Jeep's
relatively compact dimensions allows it to squeeze through narrow
passages that would stop other larger off-roaders. This
fourth-generation Grand Cherokee featured an independent rear
suspension instead of a live axle, an improvement for almost all
situations, save rock crawling!
Most Grand Cherokees however, stay on pavement and
during normal driving, the Grand Cherokee delivers a comfortable ride,
good levels of grip when cornering, decent steering feel and a quiet
interior, even at freeway speeds. The new four-wheel independent
suspension absorbs bumps easily and it corners well without any of the
top-heavy motions normally associated with SUVs. The ride gets a
little better still if you get the optional Quadra-Lift adjustable air
suspension, but the difference is subtle. Some complaints of
excess body lean during quick maneuvers and substantial dive under
hard braking have been reported, but those a pretty common complaints
of all larger SUV's.
The 2011 model year was somewhat troublesome, largely due to engine
problems that surfaced from a defective TIPM power module. The TIPM
controls and distributes power to all of the electrical functions of
the vehicle. A law suit, filed November 1, 2013, accused Chrysler of
ignoring problems with their model 2011-2012 model year Jeep
Grand Cherokee, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Dodge Durango vehicles which
caused a variety of electrical problems including non-starting,
stalling and fuel pump problems. The plaintiffs claimed Dodge
and Jeep owners spent considerable money on unneeded repairs for
batteries, fuel pumps and other car parts when the real trouble was
caused by defective TIPMs.
Chrysler issued a recall in September 2014, but
that recall included only the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge
Durango SUVs. In February 2015, another recall was issued for the
2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs.
Later models seem to have improved markedly, a sign
that those woes are behind the Grand Cherokee.
The value equation for the Grand Cherokee is a
mixed bag. While earlier models have a less than stellar record,
it's likely that they have been sorted out through the recall
process. Make sure you get verification that the recall fix was
performed on any example you may be considering.
Still, the Jeep brand in general enjoys relatively
strong resale value, so you're likely going to have to pay a strong
price to drive one off the lot. You may want to consider the
identical Dodge Durango as a slightly cheaper alternative. It's
all the vehicle without the Jeep name.
Current Grand Cherokee values.
The 2011, 2012 and 2013 Grand Cherokee were Top Safety Picks from the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To earn the designation, it
received Good overall scores in IIHS' frontal-offset crash test,
side-impact crash test, roof-crush test and whiplash-prevention test.
The final requirement for the award is the availability of an
electronic stability system, which is standard in the Grand
Cherokee. The ease of use of the child seat anchors (latches)
were rated as marginal on 2015-2018 models. Prior to these years
there were no ratings.
Standard safety features included antilock brakes, side-impact airbags
for the front seats, side curtain airbags for both rows and active front
head restraints. Rear parking sensors and a backup camera were optional
(became standard on 2017 models), and collision-warning and blind spot
monitoring systems were bundled together in an option package for
Limited and Overland trims. In 2017, lane-departure warning, parallel
parking assist, and a trailer-hitch camera were newly available
features. Also, all Grand Cherokees received standard rear view
camera and rear parking sensors.
Overall
2011,2012,2013,2018 - 4
2014,2015,2016,2017 - 5
Front Impact Test
2011,2012,2013,2018 - 4
2014,2015,2016,2017 - 5
Side Impact Test
All Years - 5
Rollover
All Years - 4
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