2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Standard features across the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup include:

• 17-inch wheels
• Rearview camera
• Parking sensors
• 5.0-inch LCD touchscreen for audio — or you can upgrade to an 8.4-incher

Buyers looking for a comfortable and versatile family vehicle should be satisfied with the base Laredo, Laredo E, or Limited trims, which start at $31,390 (including $995 destination charge), $33,690, and $38,990, respectively.The Limited is a step up in materials and features chrome door handles, power driver and passenger seats, roof rails, remote start, and a heated leather steering wheel.

Drivers looking for a little more luxury should target the $44,795 Overland or $50,495 Summit versions. Equipment and features improve greatly on these models, with their leather trimmed seats, 8.4-inch UConnect infotainment systems, and heated leather/genuine wood steering wheels. The Summit distances itself from the Overland thanks to its 19-speaker surround-sound stereo, polished aluminum wheels, and host of safety features, including blind spot sensors, forward and rear collision warning, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning.

Rounding out the versatile Grand Cherokee lineup is the off-road-oriented Trailhawk and the performance SRT variant. The Trailhawk starts at $44,090 and gets a unique front bumper with a colored grille, all terrain tries, and added skid plates. The SRT, which has a starting MSRP of $67,890, masters on-road performance with its 6.4-liter, 475-horsepower V8 engine. Chrysler says it goes 0-60 in 4.8 seconds.

Under the hood, the base 3.6-liter V6 makes 295 horsepower, but drivers can also opt for a 5.7-liter, 360-horsepower V8 or the efficient 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. All four engine options are paired to an eight-speed automatic.

• The 2017 Grand Cherokee wide range of engine options allows it to meet almost every need, from fuel-sipper to trail raider to straight-line rocket to commuter.
• With responsive steering and smooth road manners, the Grand Cherokee is one of the best riding and handling SUVs in the class. And that doesn't go away when drivers head off-road either.

• The optional V8 engine doesn't offer enough everyday improvement to make its penalty in fuel economy worth it.
• It's a Jeep – why is rear-wheel drive even an option?
• The Diesel engine is noisy at low speeds.

• The spacious and finely finished interior holds up against rival luxury models.
• The perfect combination of cargo space and second-row legroom.
• Materials and textures step up in a big way in Limited, Overland, and Summit models, giving these customers a near-luxury experience in terms of comfort and quality.

• The flat cloth seats on base Laredo models pale in comparison to the comfortable seating in other versions.
• Big square mirrors sometimes lead to noticeable wind noise at higher speeds.

We found the 2017 Grand Cherokee's most underrated talent to be its ability to carry five adults and cargo with ease. Seat cushions are wide and supportive on all models beside the base Laredo, and its large doors open up 78 degrees for easy entry/exit. Leg room is adult-friendly in the front and back, while storage capacity remains very good.

The Grand Cherokee's biggest red flag is its below average crash-test scores and lack of some standard safety gear. Auto emergency braking is an option only available on the Limited trim and above. Grand Cherokee is not an IIHS Top Safety Pick and rear-drive models only scored 4-stars with the NHTSA. However, 4WD models do carry a 5-star NHTSA rating.

The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers plenty of versatility, utility and luxury, making it a benchmark SUV suited to fit almost every need. It's only let down by its poor crash-test ratings and average fuel economy.