Beginning with its WWII exploits, the Jeep, which was known as a G.P., or General Purpose military vehicle, has been a legendary archetype for rugged, go-anywhere conveyances. Since these sturdy and versatile vehicles were first offered to the public to purchase and drive (the Civilian Jeep, or CJ2A came out in 1945), the marque has evolved from Willys-Overland to Kaiser to AMC to Chrysler. Along the journey, the Jeep brand has become synonymous with toughness, agility and also luxury. Those three items are more than apparent in the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2.
From its signature 7-slot front grille to its being equally at home for a night on the town, arrival at elegant restaurants, taking a team of Little Leaguers to a ballgame or roughing it off-road across steams and powering through mud, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is one vehicle that epitomizes the term “sports utility vehicle”. The JGC is refined, yet ready for action.
I tested the 4x2 version, and while the 4x4 will do a better Jeep-tough job off-road, the 4x2 is rugged enough for dirt and uneven terrain and is well-versed enough to take to the highway with style. Priced aggressively for its niche, my test Grand Cherokee was base-stickered at $35,055, with a price-as-tested of $38,950.
Options on my test ride included Jeep Green Metallic clear coat exterior paint ($150) and Customer Preferred Package 22H consisting of a 3.0-liter V-6 CRD Turbo engine, 22-gallon fuel tank, Sirius Satellite radio and engine block heater ($3050). Destination charges are $695.
A turbo-diesel power plant linked to a 4-speed automatic transmission, the 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine has Daimler roots, as the engine and transmission are German while the vehicle was assembled in Detroit. The CRD delineation means common rail turbo diesel and the system rumbles out 215hp and 376 lbs.-ft. of torque, while it is EPA rated at 20mpg/city and 25mpg/highway on low-sulfur diesel fuel. My week of testing in Central Pennsylvania and down to Inner Harbor Baltimore, averaged about 21.2mpg. Don’t expect blazing speed with this solidly built 4819-lb. carriage, but you do get great thrust over, around and out of mud holes and you can probably tow 6500 lbs. without any difficulty – actually, Jeep rates it at a 7400-lb. towing capacity. Accelerationwise, I was able to run my test Jeep from zero to 60mph in the mid-9s, en route to a 17.5-second quarter-mile, and on the highway, there is decent velocity increase at all ranges with only slight hesitation.
The engine’s electronically controlled, common-rail, high-pressure injection system also has an exhaust particulate filter and is green-friendlier than many non-hybrid SUVs.
The CRD engine puts out typical diesel tones and loudness, but the ride is comparatively quiet. Handling is average in tight turns, though the center of gravity causes some yaw on curves at higher speeds. The driving position is also a bit high and buslike, but adds to visibility. Independent front suspension smoothes out the macadam and adds to a solid driving experience.
A true mid-size SUV, the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee measures 186.7 inches in length, 73.3 inches in width and a height of 67.4 inches on a 109.5-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance is 8.5 inches.
Exterior features include auto-power heated folding mirrors with memory, automatic foglamps, Flipper liftgate glass, roof side rails, P243/65R17 BSW Goodyear Fortenza all-terrain tires, full-size spare with matching wheel and 17-inch aluminum wheels with machined face.
The roomy interior provides seating for five and 39.3 inches for front head room (39.2 in row two), 41.7 inches of front leg room (39.2 behind) and a spacious 59.1 inches of front shoulder room (58.4 in the second row). Maximum cargo capacity is 69 cu. ft. and luggage capacity is 35 cu. ft. Easy-to-read circular gauges and a power sunroof are additional standard accompaniments.
The Jeep Green Metallic exterior is matched to a Dark Khaki/Light Graystone interior with leather-trimmed buckets, dual-zone air conditioning, power adjustable pedals with memory, power locks, speed control, remote keyless entry, tilt steering wheel, leather-wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM stereo radio with in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 player, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, Boston Acoustics premium sound system, lumbar adjust for driver and passenger, auto-dimming rearview mirror, traveler/mini trip computer and driver information center, premium floor mats and 12-volt auxiliary power outlet.
Attention to safety is a Jeep standard, and the Grand Cherokee is outfitted with a theft-deterrent system, illuminated entry, security alarm, front advanced multi-stage air bags, supplemental side curtain front and rear air bags, supplemental side air bags, LATCH seats for children, enhanced accident response system, electronic stability program, anti-lock 4-wheel disc brakes with brake assist, remote start, rain-sensitive windshield wipers and tire pressure monitoring display. It achieved a 5-star crash rating from the NHTSA.
Jeep’s ads for the vehicle call for the driver/owner to “Come out and play,” and “Have fun out there.” With the 2007 Grand Cherokee Limited 3.0 CRD, drive time can be playtime. You can have fun in this SUV while attending to business, the kids, work or a vacation while being relatively green friendly.
Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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