The fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) is a mid-size crossover SUV introduced in Spring 2010 for the 2011 model year by Jeep. It was unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show. The fourth-generation Grand Cherokee retains its classic Jeep styling combined with a modern and sleek body style. The interior is luxurious, featuring leather trim and real wood accents, plus state-of-the-art electronics options. The 2011 Grand Cherokee has won 30 awards for off-road capability, luxury, value, best-in-class, and safety, making it the most awarded SUV ever. Among the awards are: Top Safety Pick for 2011 from the IIHS, listed as a Consumers Digest Best Buy for 2011, Safest SUV in America by MSN Autos, and Truck of the Year for 2011 by The Detroit News.
Video Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Design
The body design is all new and has undergone testing for aerodynamic efficiency while improving ruggedness with more than 5,400 welds in the body alone. This results in a 146% increase in torsional rigidity compared to the previous design. This improves durability and reduces noise, vibration, and harshness.
Like the previous generations, the chassis is a steel unibody. Unlike previous models, the new WK2 features four-wheel independent suspension for better on-road handling. The Grand Cherokee (with the 2011 Durango) WK2 platform uses a derivative based on Mercedes-Benz's W166 series.
Four wheel drive systems include Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II. Using Selec-Terrain, the driver can select modes for Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock.
Optional Quadra-Lift height adjustable air suspension can raise the vehicle's ground clearance up to 11.1 in (282 mm). Lift modes include Park, Aero, Normal Ride Height, Off-Road 1, and Off-Road 2.
Maps Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Powertrain
Engine choices include the all new 3.6 L Pentastar V6 and 5.7 L Hemi V8. The Hemi V8 retains the Multiple Displacement System (MDS) that shuts down four cylinders in low-power driving situations. And the V8 remains coupled with the multi-speed automatic transmission which includes Electronic Range Selection (ERS) to manually limit the high gear operating range. Trailer tow is rated 7,400 lb (3,400 kg) for Hemi models and 5,000 lb (2,300 kg) for Pentastar models.
The 3.6 L Pentastar V6 replaces the 3.7 L and 4.7 L PowerTech engines. The 5.7 L Hemi engine was retained as the V8 option, although no Hemi badging is used on the exterior of the vehicle. Also, the WK program code remains.
A 3.0 L turbocharged diesel V6 developed and built by Fiat Powertrain Technologies and VM Motori (with Multijet II injection) rated at 177 kW (241 PS; 237 hp) and 550 N?m (410 lb?ft) of torque will be offered in export markets by mid-2011. The new 3.0 L CRD turbodiesel engine will also be offered in European markets as 140 kW (190 PS; 188 hp) low-power version.
In mid-2012, electric vehicle manufacturer Amp Electric Vehicles, announced that it would be producing an electric vehicle version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, offering a great electric range and the same features of the Grand Cherokee. Slated to be available in early 2013, the AMP Grand Cherokee will have a starting price of around $50,000.00. AMP also produces electric vehicle versions of a step van and the Mercedes-Benz ML. As of April 8, 2017 the SRT Hellcat supercharged v8 was announced for the Trackhawk edition Grand Cherokee. With 707 hp, it will be the most powerful SUV Chrysler has ever produced.
Trim
The Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 is available in several different trim levels, each offering their own, distinct level of standard and optional equipment:
Laredo: The Laredo became the base model of the Grand Cherokee starting in 2014. Standard equipment includes: seventeen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a five-inch, color touch screen radio (starting in 2018, a seven-inch infotainment system), a six-speaker audio system, manually-adjustable front bucket seats, a split-folding rear 60/40 bench seat with backrest recline, premium cloth seating surfaces, air conditioning, keyless access with push-button start, a seven-inch TFT color display instrument cluster, the 3.6L Pentastar VVT FlexFuel-Capable (where applicable) V6 gasoline engine, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. There are no additional options or packages available for this trim level, due to the Laredo being a "budget" trim level for the Grand Cherokee. The differences between the Laredo "E" and Laredo are that the Laredo does not offer SiriusXM Satellite Radio like the Laredo "E", has a manually-adjustable front driver's bucket seat in place of the Laredo "E" 's power-adjustable front driver's bucket seat, and offers no additional options or packages in addition to its standard equipment.
Laredo "E": The Laredo "E" was the base model of the Grand Cherokee from 2011 until 2013 until the base Laredo model debuted in 2014. Standard equipment includes: seventeen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, an A/M-F/M stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (from 2014 until 2017, a five-inch, color touch screen radio, and a new, seven-inch infotainment system starting in 2017), a six-speaker audio system, power-adjustable front driver's and manually-adjustable front passenger's bucket seats, a split-folding rear 60/40 bench seat with backrest recline, premium cloth seating surfaces, air conditioning, keyless access with push-button start, the 3.6L Pentastar VVT FlexFuel-Capable (where applicable) V6 gasoline engine, and a five-speed (from 2014 on, an eight-speed) automatic transmission. Optional features on the Laredo "E" include eighteen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, an 8.4-inch infotainment system, heated front bucket seats, remote start, a power single-pane moonroof, and a power rear tailgate. An Altitude package for the Laredo "E" is also available that adds gloss black-finished twenty-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and exterior accents, leather-trimmed seating surfaces with microfiber inserts, heated front bucket seats, and other "value-added" features that are regularly optional equipment on the Laredo "E".
Upland: The Upland, available for 2018, was based on the Laredo E trim level, and utilized styling elements from the Trailhawk trim level. It included twenty-inch black-painted aluminum-alloy wheels, light blue-accented emblems, and light blue stitching on the seats, interior door panels, and center console.
Laredo "X": The Laredo "X" was available from 2011 until 2013, and was the "step-up" trim level of the Grand Cherokee. It added the following equipment to the base Laredo "E" trim level: eighteen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, leather-trimmed seating surfaces, dual power-adjustable front bucket seats, a touch-screen infotainment system, a nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine premium surround-sound audio system, Bluetooth for both hands-free phone and wireless stereo audio streaming, heated front and rear seats, remote start, and a power rear tailgate. Optional equipment for this trim level included the 5.7L HEMI MDS/VCT gasoline V8 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, a dual-pane panoramic moonroof, and GPS navigation.
Trailhawk: The Trailhawk is the "off-road" model of the Grand Cherokee, and was based on the Laredo "X" in 2013, and returned for 2017 based on the Limited. It adds the following features to these models of the Grand Cherokee: leather-trimmed seating surfaces with microfiber inserts, eighteen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a dark gray finish, the Selec-Terrain control system with Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Kevlar-coated on/off-road tires. Most of the optional features on the Laredo "X" and Limited are also available on the Trailhawk.
Limited: The Limited is the "step-up" trim level of the Grand Cherokee, and succeeded the Laredo "X" when it was discontinued after 2013. It offers the same basic standard equipment as the Laredo "X", but offers additional optional features such as heated and ventilated front bucket seats, a driver's memory system, Nappa leather-trimmed seating surfaces, twenty-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and other luxury features. The 5.7L HEMI MDS/VCT V8 gasoline engine, as well as the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 turbocharged diesel engine (starting in 2014), are the other engine options for the Limited.
Sterling Edition: The Sterling Edition is a celebratory trim level of the Grand Cherokee that will only be available for the 2018 Model Year (MY), celebrating its 25th year of production. While offering the same basic standard equipment as the luxurious Limited model, the Sterling Edition adds the following features to the trim level: twenty-inch (20") tires with twenty-inch (20") "Heritage" aluminum-alloy wheels, an 8.4-inch touch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine surround-sound premium audio system with subwoofer, special interior color combination options with perforated and patterned seats, unique interior trim, and special exterior badges commemorating the special edition model. A Sterling Edition Luxury Group is available for the Sterling Edition that adds features such as ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, a panoramic dual-pane sunroof, and other luxury options. Most of the other options available on the Limited trim level are also available on the Sterling Edition, which includes the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine.
Overland: The Overland is the luxury trim level of the Grand Cherokee, adding the following standard equipment to the already well-equipped Limited: Nappa leather-trimmed seating surfaces, a dual-pane panoramic moonroof, standard GPS navigation (which is otherwise an optional feature on the Limited), twenty-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, and other exclusive features. The 5.7L HEMI MDS/VCT V8 gasoline engine, as well as the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 turbocharged diesel engine (starting in 2014), are the other engine options for the Overland.
Overland Summit: The Overland Summit (2011-2013) and Summit (2014-present) are the most luxurious trim levels of the Grand Cherokee, and are based on the luxurious Overland, but add additional features, such as: Summit-exclusive interior color options, a nineteen-speaker Harman Kardon premium amplified surround-sound audio system with 825-watt amplifier (2014-present models ONLY), twenty-inch chrome-clad aluminum-alloy wheels, and other exclusive features. In 2017, the Summit became more luxurious by offering exclusive quilted and perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, lace-style polished aluminum-alloy wheels, and the Summit California Edition package, which replaces some of the chrome exterior accents with exterior color-keyed accents.
SRT 392: The SRT 392 was the highest-performance Grand Cherokee model available from 2012-2017, and then became the second most high-performance Grand Cherokee model in 2018. The SRT 392 is powered by the 6.4L HEMI MDS/VCT V8 gasoline engine, and features more "performance-oriented" exterior and interior styling unique to the SRT 392. Several special edition models, such as the SRT 392 Alpine and Vapor Editions, and the SRT 392 Red Vapor Edition, were "limited-run" models that were based on the SRT 392.
SRT Trackhawk: The SRT Trackhawk model debuted for 2018, and became the highest-performance model in the Grand Cherokee lineup. While offering the same standard and optional equipment as the SRT 392, the SRT Trackhawk swapped the SRT 392 's 6.4L HEMI V8 gasoline engine for the same 707-horsepower 6.2L Supercharged Hemi V8 gasoline engine that is currently used in the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and the Dodge Charger (LX) SRT Hellcat. The SRT Trackhawk is the most powerful Jeep Grand Cherokee model to ever be produced, following the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ) 5.9L Limited, the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) SRT-8, and the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) SRT 392.
Issues
Maneuverability and handling, 2012
In 2012, Swedish automotive magazine Teknikens Värld revealed that the Jeep Grand Cherokee failed one of their avoidance maneuver tests known as the "Moose test". Other SUV models in its class had no issues passing the test. German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport (AMS) later tested the same press vehicle in a slightly different avoidance maneuver test that meets ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards. Unlike the results of the Swedish test, the Jeep remained on all four wheels and did not lose any tires to a blowout. Teknikens Värld tested the updated 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and found that it passed the test; even up to a speed of 44.1 mph (71 km/h).
Updates
2011
On April 20, 2011, Jeep announced that the SRT8 version would be debuted at the 2011 New York Auto Show. According to Chrysler, it is the most powerful Jeep ever built. 0-60 and quarter-mile times time in at 4.7s, 13.4 seconds respectively. Auto reviews measured this at 4.5 seconds, making the 2014 SRT the fastest Jeep ever produced. The 2013-14 SRT Jeep Grand Cherokee includes a 6.4l Hemi motor, producing 470 hp/465 lb-ft, the strongest engine ever included in a Jeep, and one of the strongest naturally aspirated versions produced by Chrysler.
The Grand Cherokee SRT8 debuted alongside two other vehicles manufactured by Chrysler Corporation: the Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Dodge Charger SRT8, both of which also took a one-year hiatus while the new models debuted.
The new Grand Cherokee SRT8, which started production on July 16, 2011, is equipped with a 470 hp (350 kW; 480 PS) 6.4 L Hemi V8 engine. Jeep claims the new SRT8 gets 13 percent better fuel economy than its predecessor. To keep the gas mileage respectable, Jeep has employed a new active exhaust system that lets Chrysler's cylinder-deactivating Fuel Saver Technology operate over a wider rpm band. Chrysler claims that with the larger gas tank, the SUV can now travel up to 500 miles (800 km) on a single tank, while other sources estimate range to be 450 miles (720 km).
2014
On January 14, 2013, Jeep unveiled a revised WK2 Grand Cherokee at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center, along with a revised 2014 Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot. The new Grand Cherokee offered a 3.0 L DOHC V6 diesel engine that gets up to 30 MPG, a 3.6 L Pentastar V6 engine that gets up to 24 MPG and has 290 horsepower, a 5.7 L HEMI V8 engine that gets up to 21 MPG and has 360 horsepower, and the 6.4 L HEMI engine that produces 470 horsepower (SRT only). The models are the Laredo, the Limited, the Overland, and the Overland Summit Edition model has been renamed Summit. A new front end with a revised body-colored grille, new, smaller headlamps, and new tail lamps round out the exterior changes. The silver bezel on the back was removed. The opening rear tailgate window of previous models has been replaced with fixed glass. There are also new seventeen, eighteen, and twenty-inch wheel and tire choices. The SRT8 model will continue to be offered but as an "SRT" and not an "SRT8" badged model, and for the first time will offer signature details like blacked-out head and tail lamps. Inside, the Summit model receives the SRT's nineteen-speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound system, all Grand Cherokees receive a new steering wheel with standard paddle shifters in every model, an eight-speed TorqueFlite 8 automatic transmission, and an 8.4-inch touch screen display with Garmin navigation software, an optional CD player, and the U Connect Access System first introduced in the all-new 2013 Ram 1500. A U Connect 5.0 touch-screen radio will also be available with an optional CD player. The Selecterrain System receives multiple upgrades on four-wheel-drive Grand Cherokees. New exterior colors, new interior fabrics and materials, and new interior colors become available.
For 2014, "SRT8" was no longer a model of Jeep, but a separate corporate entity. The "8" was also dropped in the "SRT" line for this year, the Grand Cherokee being referred to as a "SRT Jeep Grand Cherokee." The SRT model received many new and unique features. For example, in the interior, it received a unique steering wheel with the SRT insignia, twenty-inch alloy wheels, performance tires, and additional SRT-only details including:
- SRT-only 6.4l, 470 hp/465 lb-ft, the strongest engine offered in a Grand Cherokee ever, propelling it to 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, making it the fastest jeep ever produced
- four-piston brembo brakes
- 3 season tires (optional)
- SRT-only performance pages in the head unit, displaying engine statistics, quarter mile/0-60, and other metrics
- Napa leather seats with SRT-only alcantara inserts and headliner
- SRT-only facia covering hitch (if so provisioned)
- SRT-only suspension modes, including track mode
- SRT-only "launch" mode, designed to modeled world class professional driver techniques
- upgraded software for transmission, with over 90 gear shift programs
2015
The 2015 Limited Edition model no longer has the dual exhausts. This feature only comes in the Overland and up editions. There are no other major changes for the 2015 model year. However, the Limited, Summit, and Overland trims will include HD Radio as part of the U Connect feature. The SRT receives a modest 5 hp bump, in part due to a reflash of the PCM. This model became the last to be sold to Canadian market.
2017
At the 2016 New York International Auto Show, the Jeep brand announced new updates for its Grand Cherokee midsized SUV, which included two new trim levels:
The Trailhawk trim level is the "off-road" oriented trim level, which made its initial appearance in 2013, returns for 2017. It includes Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system along with Quadra-Lift air suspension system, the Selec-Speed control, and Hill Descent Control. It will offer the same seven-slot front grille that was first offered on the 2016 Grand Cherokee Laredo and Limited 75th Anniversary Edition models, red-painted front-mounted tow hooks, standard eighteen-inch and optional twenty-inch alloy wheels, special off-road tires with Kevlar coating, Neutral Gray-painted exterior accents and badges, optional Mopar side rock rails, a standard U Connect 8.4-inch touch-screen infotainment system, red accent stitching throughout the interior, a 'Trailhawk' emblem on the steering wheel, brushed Piano black interior trim panels, and gunmetal finished interior components.
The Summit trim level is the "upscale" version of the Grand Cherokee, which was last revamped in 2014, and is revamped again for 2017. It offers a restyled front grille with LED front fog lamps, and new, twenty-inch polished alloy wheels. It features include cross-stitched leather-trimmed interior, Active Noise Cancellation, an acoustic windshield and front side glass, leather-trimmed dashboard and door panel inserts, a nineteen-speaker, 825-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system with Green Edge technology, automatically-folding power side view mirrors, a suede-trimmed headliner, a Blind-Spot Monitoring System, Lane Departure Warning, Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist Systems, Berber carpeting, and other Summit-exclusive interior appointments.
New exterior paint color options include Rhino, Diamond Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Light Brown Stone, True Blue, and Ivory Pearl Coat (availability varies by trim level).
All 2017 models received a second facelift that features new alloy wheel designs, reshaped headlights and a reshaped grill. The new grill and headlights come from the 75th Anniversary Edition models of 2016, however, without the bronze-painted accents. In addition, all models receive a new 'GRAND CHEROKEE' emblem for the front doors.
The 75th Anniversary Edition models, based on the base Laredo and mid-level Limited, also continue on for 2017.
The SRT trim for 2017 got a new front fascia and a new interior.
2018
Jeep introduced the all-new 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk at the 2017 New York International Auto Show. The Trackhawk is the highest performance Grand Cherokee model to date.
- Specifications
- 6.2L Hellcat HEMI V8, 707 horsepower @ 6,000 RPM and 645 lb. feet of torque @ 4,800 RPM
- Requires 91-octane premium unleaded fuel
- Eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles
- Flat-bottomed steering wheel
- Five-passenger seating capacity
- All-wheel-drive (AWD)
- 6,200 RPM redline
- Premium Laguna leather interior with carbon fiber trim
- Brembo brake system (6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers)
- 55/45 weight distribution (estimated)
- 5,363 lb. curb weight (estimated)
- 6,600 lb. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (estimated)
- 1,350 lb. payload (estimated)
- Standard 20" x 10" polished forged aluminum wheels with "Titanium II"-painted pockets and satin-chrome wheel center caps
- Optional 20" x 10" loss-gloss black lightweight aAluminum wheels with gloss black wheel center caps
- Standard P295/45ZR20 Pirelli Scorpion Verde runflat all-season tires
- Optional P295/45ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero runflat 3-season tires
- 3.70 rear axle ratio
- 7,200 lb. maximum towing capacity
Additional changes to the rest of the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup (aside from the all-new SRT Trackhawk model) include :
- Standard seven-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (Laredo, Laredo "E", and Limited models, replaces the previously-standard five-inch color touch-screen radio)
- All models receive the 4C latest-generation infotainment systems with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 8.4-inch infotainment system without GPS navigation is discontinued as an option
- 75th Anniversary Edition models of the Laredo "E" and Limited are discontinued
- Laredo and Laredo "E" get new seventeen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and a new cloth seating style as standard equipment
- The eighteen-inch aluminum-alloy wheel available in the 18" wheel and 8.4" Radio Package for the Laredo "E" is redesigned
- The 3.0L EcoDiesel Turbocharged Diesel V6 engine option returns (re-certified) for the Limited, Overland, and Summit (late availability)
- The SRT 392 gets new twenty-inch "Carbon Fiber Monkey" aluminum-alloy wheels as standard equipment
- Summit, SRT 392, and SRT Trackhawk get a "Premium Real Metal" interior trim package
- Active Noise Cancelling is now included on all audio systems but the standard six-speaker audio system
- Second-generation 850RE automatic transmission replaces the previous 845RE automatic transmission (4X4 Models with 3.6L Pentastar VVT V6 engine)
- Jeep Brown and Summit Gray interior color options become available for Summit
- Sterling Edition Package celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, is available on Limited
- High Altitude Edition model, based on Overland, returns for 2017
The "base" U Connect 7.0 Infotainment System includes:
- AM/FM radio
- Three (3) USB inputs (3 charging, 1 syncing)
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
- Bluetooth with stereo audio streaming
- MicroSD card slot
- 3.5-millimeter auxiliary audio input jack
- Full voice control
- "Park Sense" rear view backup camera
- Seven-inch color touch-screen display
- Standard on Laredo, Laredo "E", and Limited
The "upgraded" U Connect 8.4 Infotainment System with GPS Navigation includes all of the existing features of the U Connect 7.0 Infotainment System, but also adds the following features:
- AM/FM radio with HD Radio
- SiriusXM satellite radio with 1-year subscription
- SiriusXM Travel Link with 1-year subscription
- U Connect Guardian Services (Provided by SiriusXM) with trial subscription (Including 9-1-1 emergency call and roadside assistance call buttons)
- 4G LTE mobile Wifi capabilities (Provided by AT&T Wireless) with trial subscription
- U Connect apps
- GPS navigation by Garmin
- 8.4-inch color touch-screen display
- Standard on Altitude, Trailhawk, Sterling Edition, Overland, High Altitude, Summit, SRT, and SRT Trackhawk
- Optional on Laredo "E" (Requires 18-inch wheel and 8.4 radio group) and Limited
Both radios include the option to add a single-disc, center console-mounted CD/MP3 player, and some trim levels equipped with the 8.4-inch radio can also be equipped with a rear seat DVD and Blu Ray entertainment systems with dual screens, HDMI input, and independent CD/MP3/DVD/Blu Ray players, with two pairs of wireless headphones also included in the package. On Limited, Trailhawk, and Sterling Edition models, the Luxury Group is required to have the rear seat entertainment system option. The option can be selected independently on all other trim levels.
A standard six-speaker, non-amplified audio system comes standard on Laredo, Laredo "E", Altitude, and Limited models. A nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine amplified surround-sound premium audio system comes standard on Trailhawk, Sterling Edition, Overland, High Altitude, SRT, and SRT Trackhawk models, and is optional on Altitude, Limited, and Summit models. A top-of-the-line eighteen-speaker, 825-watt Harman Kardon amplified surround-sound premium audio system comes standard on the Summit model, and is optional on Overland, SRT, and SRT Trackhawk models.
Production
In 2009, the company announced a US$1.8 billion, 285,000-square-foot (26,477 m2) expansion of its Jefferson North Assembly plant to allow flexible manufacture of the next-generation model, as well as the 2011+ Dodge Durango off the same platform that was developed jointly with Mercedes (ML Chassis).
Safety
Recall
Approximately 1.1 million 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as 2012-2014 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger vehicles were recalled for rollaway risks. Drivers may mistakenly believe they have engaged the vehicles in park mode, allowing the vehicle to roll away. The recall was linked to 41 injuries, 212 crashes, and 308 reports of property damage.
Euro NCAP
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
*vehicle structure rated "Marginal"
NHTSA
References
External links
- Jeep Grand Cherokee at the Internet Movie Cars Database
Source of article : Wikipedia
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