Driving Impressions

The new high-output 4.7-liter V8 is lively. It produces a noticeable 25-horsepower increase over the standard 4.7-liter V8. To get this boost, you need to fill the Overland with premium fuel, since the primary reason for the extra power is a bump in the engine's compression ratio from 9.3:1 to 9.7:1. The more powerful engine also uses more of the pricier fuel, sucking down a gallon for every 13 miles on the EPA's city test cycle. That's one mpg worse than the standard 4.7-liter V8, and the Jeep's fuel tank keeps its 20.5-gallon capacity, so overall range is reduced. The high-output 4.7-liter V8 accelerates the Grand Cherokee smoothly, and it sounds refined. It produces 260 horsepower at 5100 rpm and 330 pounds-feet of torque at 3600, compared with the standard 4.7-liter V8's 235 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 295 pounds-feet of torque at 3200 rpm. In other words, it produces more power, but revs higher to do that. The five-speed automatic transmission that comes standard with the V8 engines shifts unobtrusively. Hurrying up a mountain or around weekend-warrior crazies is a breeze with the higher second gear. With two overdrive gears, cruising on the highway at 70 mph means the engine is turning over at just 2000 rpm in fifth. You can brag to your friends that this transmission is actually a six-speed automatic: There are two second-gear ratios, a low second gear ratio for upshifting from first and a higher second gear ratio for downshifting from third. No more than five gears, however, are used in sequence. The long-travel throttle pedal made our Overland seem sluggish off the line, but this is a perceptual illusion. Experienced off-road drivers prefer a longer pedal travel for precise manipulation of the throttle in tricky situations. Deliberate mashing of the throttle pedal brings a quick launch, quicker than most other SUVs in this class. That's due in part to the relative light weight of the Jeep, whose figure is kept trim by its unitbody construction; many truck-based SUVs are built on a separate frame. This unusual design strategy, also used by the smaller Nissan Pathfinder and Mitsubishi's Montero, results in a platform that is lighter and more rigid than it would be using more traditional designs. This relative light weight helps the Jeep feel faster and more responsive than most V8 SUVs, especially the huge Tahoes and Expeditions. A surprisingly tight turning circle adds to the Jeep's spirited, nimble feel when maneuvering in close-quarters. But the reality is that it's a big, heavy truck. In most street driving conditions, the Grand Cherokee drives like a truck, with a tall, body-rolling ride. Off-road, or driving down a bumpy, rutted rural lane, it feels controlled and steady. It feels more buttoned down, more maneuverable, and more fun to drive than your neighbor's (pre-2002) Explorer. There's no need to slow down for rough railroad crossings in the Grand Cherokee. Steering is quick but isolated, despite sophisticated tuning of the front engine cradle and front suspension and steering component mounts. When you turn the wheel you can't feel how much the front tires want to slip on pavement. You don't really steer the Grand Cherokee as much as guide it. But that's the same for all of the top-selling sport-utilities. Like them, the Jeep is still a truck, sitting tall, rolling side-to-side in corners and high winds. Our 2002 Overland stopped confidently, but with the telltale dive motion of a high-riding off-roader. The Overland's standard off-road suspension lifts the body an inch higher than the standard suspension. Underneath, the Grand Cherokee still sits atop live axles. The trend among competing sport-utilities is to use independent suspensions for better highway performance. Jeep's new Liberty has an independent front suspension and the 2002 Ford Explorer uses an independent rear suspension. But the big Jeep's live axles are only a drawback on washboard-rutted roads, where the wagon will bounce

Final Word

Jeep Grand Cherokee is a popular choice for families on the go who like its rugged image. We think, however, that it's creeping too close to the $40,000 mark in Overland guise. It tracks like Daniel Boone through the backcountry, and Jeep claims that a higher than average percentage of its customers use their vehicles for that purpose. Indeed, only Land Rovers and Toyotas can compete with Jeep when it comes to trail running. When the going gets rough, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a thoughtful design that delivers.