What is it?
It’s a new Jeep everyone, the company’s flagship no less, called the Grand Cherokee Summit. There’s a lot to like here – like big comfort, a big features list and big off-road capability. It’s stuff that challenges the best in the segment only at a more palatable price and that’s always a good thing.
On the outside
It’s a big thing, carrying that typically imposing stature of an American SUV. Those sharp lines and squared off edges create an impressive looking machine.
Of course there’s a fair whack of ground clearance – as you’d expect of a Jeep. What’s more is this one goes up and down according to your selected driving mode and speed. So on the motorway it hunkers down to try eliminate drag, but if you’re roughing it then it lifts up its skirt to keep from dragging important bits. Clever girl.
On the inside
It’s typical Jeep in here. Large, comfy seats. Plenty of ‘chromed’ plastic. Big cup holders. Everything your average American might want. And you know what, it’s everything I want when it comes to an SUV too.
What’s more is that this thing comes with everything that opens and shuts, all centred around the infotainment system that has DVD players (one in the front, two in the back), all kinds of multimedia options, sat nav, the list goes on. Oh and did I mention comfy seats? Like your favourite sofa comfy, not like those German seats that feel more like one of Hitler’s inventions than something you’re supposed to willingly sit in. My only gripe is that there aren’t seven of them.
Behind the wheel
Mine had Jeep’s 3 litre turbo diesel unit, mated to a nine speed automatic ‘box. Yes, nine cogs. It’s got some decent grunt on offer, only the gearbox isn’t quite so willing to deliver it to the wheels in any hurry. It cruises nicely though.
There are two off-road options, ‘Quadra-Trac’ and ‘Quadra-Drive’. The ‘Trac’ version uses fancy electronics to decide which wheel needs power when you’re out in the bundus. So the traction control grabs on the individual brakes when it detects slip from that wheel, diverting power to the others. It works well enough as I discovered on my favourite off road course, conquering all the obstacles just fine. The ‘Drive’ system will do a better job of it though, using limited slip differentials rather than your brakes.
Pricing
As near as makes no difference to R1million. It sounds a lot, but there’s a bucket load of car here. To put it in perspective the equivalent Land Rover starts a little above that and needs a few ticks on the options list before its spec’d the same. Same goes for the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Merc M.
Verdict
Great car this – and in my opinion a worthy alternative to a lot of big SUV’s out there at the moment.
Price: R1,019,990
Engine: 3.0 litre turbo diesel
Power (kW): 179
Torque (Nm): 550
Consumption (l/100km): 7.5 (claimed)
Service: 6 year 100,000km maintenance plan
