Jeep Grand Cherokee Preview
Jeep is an iconic brand in most places around the world, including in India, and not just because Mahindra used to assemble WW2 Jeeps. The go-anywhere ability of the Jeep brand has been retained over the decades, and an element of luxury has been added especially to their big models like the Grand Cherokee.
The 'Grand' in the name offers a hint of luxury all on its own, but it also denotes the fact that this Cherokee is the larger of two siblings, but there still is no capacity for three rows of seating. However, in markets around the world, it goes toe to toe with two-row SUVs like the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5, with a notable three-row mention being the Land Rover Discovery 4.
The Grand Cherokee seems to be a good fit for the Indian market: the current generation boasts a 3.0-litre V6 diesel that generates 237bhp and 549Nm and feeds power to all four wheels. The only other engine option is a 470bhp, 6.4-litre petrol V8; it is extremely unlikely that anyone in India will want one of those. The suspension is tuned for comfort rather than handling, just like the steering - and that will be perfect for Indian roads. It helps that it has electronic control over the suspension, differentials and stability control that is programmed for a one-touch suitability to different surfaces like Land Rover's Terrain Response System.
Where the Grand Cherokee will lose ground to the others is in the area of perceived quality: the leather, wood and dashboard quality all lag behind the segment average, which is something Indian consumers won't overlook for very long. Other quirks include the lack of a footrest for the driver's left foot and the full-size spare wheel that limits boot space and makes the load bay really high off the ground.
We expect the Grand Cherokee to make its way to the Indian market very soon; as soon as March next year is likely.
It retails in most European markets for Rs 34 lakh before taxes and duties, so expect it to be priced around X3/Q5 territory when it goes on sale here.
Specifications Summary
Jeep Grand Cherokee in News
Latest Jeep Grand Cherokee news from CarWale.
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Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler spied testing in Goa
The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler (in both wheelbases) have been
spied testing in Goa by the team from GoaonWheels. This is the third
sighting of the same trio [...] - 12 May 2013
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Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler caught testing on Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway
The Jeep Grand Cherokee and both the long and short-wheelbase
version of the Wrangler have been spotted during testing at the Naigaon
exit on Mumbai-Ahmedabad [...] - 04 Mar 2013
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2013 Detroit Auto Show: Jeep Grand Cherokee facelift unveiled
Jeeps are coming to India and the Grand Cherokee will be the first car
from their range to arrive on our shores. Fiat-Chrysler will initially
opt for the CBU [...] - 15 Jan 2013
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Facelifted Jeep Grand Cherokee spied
Fiat recently announced that it would bring the Jeep brand to India in
the form of the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee. This got the Indian
motoring enthusiasts [...] - 08 Jan 2013
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Fiat announces Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler for Indian market
Fiat has announced that it will launch the Jeep Grand Cherokee and
Wrangler for the Indian market in the third quarter of 2013. Both models
will be brought into the [...] - 06 Dec 2012
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