When I first wrote about the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I had serious concerns about the starting price.

Pricing is a whole ‘nother beast. I’m not a fan of the $31k starting price. I don’t think Chrysler / Jeep has done a good enough job with their vehicles over the last few decades to justify such a rich base price. Yes, I’m sure this time it’s different. Yes, I’m sure this will be more reliable than past Jeeps. Yes, blah blah blah.

I wasn’t the only one with concerns over the inflated base MSRP, it seems. The folks at Chrysler have rethought their pricing strategy, and the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee will start at $26,995. That’s slightly over $3k less than last year, which is a huge improvement.

Improvements

Those of you who opt for the 5.7 liter HEMI V6 will get a six speed automatic transmission this year, which is up a gear. Pentastar V6 buyers get a fancy electro-hydraulic power steering system. Fuel economy is also up for V6 models. The V6 4×2 now manages 17MPG city, 23 MPG highway, while the V6 4×4 gets 16 MPG city, 23 MPG highway. These are slight improvements, but welcome nonetheless.

It’s not all roses though

You thought Chrysler was just dropping the price to make you feel all warm and fuzzy? Come on now. For one, if you go with the base model for 2012, you won’t get the eight-way power driver’s seat that you would’ve last year. There’s like some more missing equipment, though what isn’t certain quite yet.

What’s more glaring, however, is the pricier options. Instead of $4,000 for leather, you’ll have to spend a whopping $5,300. The cause for the hefty price increase? We don’t know yet.

All in all, I’d say this is a welcome change for Jeep. Sure, you’ll get a few less goodies, and have to pay more for the fun stuff. But if you just want a nice basic Grand Cherokee, it’s hard to argue with paying $3k less than just a year ago.

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Autoblog got their hands on a shiny new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and put it through the paces. Here’s what they had to say:

Chrysler really has done something impressive with the 2011 Grand Cherokee. The company is plainly operating with a dearth of resources compared to both Ford and General Motors, but has managed to turn out a product capable of keeping pace, if not besting comparable metal, from those two at the same time. Here’s hoping the Pentastar can pull off similar feats of engineering and accounting wizardry with the rest of its fleet.

Read more about the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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Chrysler is recalling almost 300,000 Wranglers from the 2006 to 2010 model years. The issue is front fender liners that could cause friction on the right front and left rear brake tubes. Potential result? Leaking brake fluid, and non-responsive brakes. Neato.

Chrysler will begin notifying dealers shortly, so they can get their Jeeps patched up and safe to drive.

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The all-new and crucial-for-Chrysler 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has an official price tag – it starts at $30,995. That will get you a Laredo 4×2 model, and it includes destination. If you need to have 4×4, you’ll have to pony up an extra two grand. Under the hood is the also-crucial Pentastar V6 engine. This engine is going to be under the hood of nearly every new Chrysler model. It’s a 290 HP 3.6 liter mill, that reportedly will get 23 MPG highway in the Grand Cherokee. Buyers who want V8 power, in the form of a 360 HP Hemi will have to, of course, pay extra.

If the Laredo isn’t quite fancy enough for you, no problem. There’s a Limited trim, which adds heated leather seats with memory settings, HID’s, dual-panel moonroof, rearview camera, a fancy sound system, 18″ alloys, and Navigation. You only have to pony up an extra $6.5k-$7k (!). That puts the 4×2 Limited at $37,495, with the 4×4 coming in at $39,995. Four wheel drive buyers also get the Quadra-Trac 4×4 system with the Limited trim.

Still not fancy enough? Fine. Check out the Overland edition. With this model you get Quadra-Lift air suspension, Nappa leather seats, leather wrapped memory steering wheel with power tilt, wood trim, power liftgate, and massive 20″ alloys. The cost? A whopping $39495 for a 4×2, or $42995 for the 4×4.

2011 Grand Cherokee Gallery

Where do I start? It looks fantastic – probably the best looking vehicle in it’s class. Modern, while still obviously a Jeep, with classic Jeep design cues. The belt line is a little high, but that’s becoming the norm these days, so it’s hard to fault Jeep.

Pricing is a whole ‘nother beast. I’m not a fan of the $31k starting price. I don’t think Chrysler / Jeep has done a good enough job with their vehicles over the last few decades to justify such a rich base price. Yes, I’m sure this time it’s different. Yes, I’m sure this will be more reliable than past Jeeps. Yes, blah blah blah. The perception is that Chrysler products are unreliable. That will not change overnight. Unless Chrysler is just slapping a huge MSRP on these things to make way for huge rebates…. in which case it at least kinda makes sense.

The really disturbing part is $42,995 for the Overland 4×4. Forty three thousand dollars for a V6 powered Jeep? I pay over forty large, and you want *more* money for a V8? You gotta be kidding me. I don’t care if it’s baby seal leather, that’s crazy money.

Will it be successful?

Much too soon to tell. The midsize SUV market has been in a funk for awhile. Fresh product can’t hurt, but it won’t turn the segment around overnight. If marketed well, and if early quality / reliability reports are good, then the 2011 Grand Cherokee has a chance of doing well. It’s by no means a slam dunk. What are your thoughts on Chrysler’s latest and greatest?

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The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been making laps on the Nuburgring, and here’s a spy shot to prove it. No camouflage on the Grand Cherokee – just the finished product for all to see. All in all, it’s a good looking Jeep – one of the best to date.

Just like the current GC, the 2011 Grand Cherokee will offer a V6 and a V8 – with a 360 HP HEMI available as an option. The V6 will likely be the new “Phoenix” 3.6 liter mill that Chrysler’s been working on.

The reason for the ‘Ring laps? Possibly the testing of a new air suspension system called Quadra-Lift. This system allows the Grand Cherokee to lift up 2.6 inches, or get lowered 0.5 inches (“aero” setting).

Source.

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Here are a couple spy shots of the revised 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The overall look is very much unchanged – it’s easily recognizable as a Grand Cherokee. What you do see is a very BMW flair, especially in the taillights / rear end treatment. I have to admit, it looks good. And not just “for a Jeep” – this is all around a good looking midsize SUV.

Source.

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If there’s anyone you can count on to make a 190k Honda recall not look so bad, it’s Chrysler. Letters will shortly be on their way to the unfortunate owners of nearly 300,000 2006 & 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Commanders, 2007 Jeep Wranglers, and 2007 Dodge Nitros. What’s all the fuss about? There’s a problem with the electronic braking system that can cause momentary braking delays on hills. If you’re affected, you’ll get your letter soon – though if you’re currently experiencing the braking problem, it’s time to head over to your local dealer ASAP.

If it’s a positive thing, this is Chrysler’s first recall in 2007 – so I guess they had to make up for it with the volume of units affected. 300k vehicles with potentially faulty brakes. That’s quality for ya.

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Jeep has had the Grand Cherokee in it’s lineup for a decade and a half now, and it’s been pretty much the same vehicle. It was great offroad SUV, but just awful on-road. The road has traditionally been harsh, and there is so much body roll that turns aren’t really possible over 5 or 6 MPH. Gas mileage has also never been a forte for the Grand Cherokee.

For the 2008 Grand Cherokee, Jeep did step up a little bit and make some changes – some of which are quite impressive. For starters, there are two brand new engines available – an updated 291 HP 4.7 liter V8 ( with better gas mileage ), as well as the big story, a 3.0 liter Bluetec Diesel ( CRD ) from big brother Benz. The familiar 3.7 V6, 5.7 V8, and 6.1 V8 are all carryovers.

The looks are updated, but only the extremely observant Jeep lovers will notice. Can you tell what’s new from the picture above? The interior is also updated, and is a bit nicer. An available Sirius / DVD system allows you to receive certain cartoon stations on the drop-down DVD player – parents are sure to love that.

What Jeep didn’t address is the ride quality, which is weak, and the handling, which is horrendous. The look is virtually the same, which is disappointed, but not surprising. Jeep isn’t known for making big changes in the design department – see the Wrangler for proof of that. The real big news is the available Bluetec diesel engine – I can’t wait to see pricing & gas mileage specs on that one.

Source.

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I’m not exactly sure where the Liberty fits into Jeep’s new lineup. After all, there isn’t really much space between the Compass and Patriot, is there? There’s also the Dodge Nitro in the same family, which shares a platform with the new Liberty.

For some reason, Jeep is convinced that there is room, and that the three units won’t merely cannibalize sales from each other. I think differently, but the folks at DCX didn’t consult me this time. In fact, I can’t recall the last time they called me at all. Maybe that’s why they are going bankrupt.

Anyway, back to the Liberty. The “cute” look is mostly gone, replaced by a mini-Commander look. And considering how well the Commander sold, that makes perfect sense, right?

Jeep decided to keep the same tired, underpowered, inefficient 3.7 liter V6 under the hood, instead of using the slightly better 4.0 V6 from the Nitro. And, in typical Chrysler fashion, the sad engine is hooked up to an archaic 4 speed automatic. Why in the world would anyone buy this vehicle?

2008 Jeep Liberty Specs

• 210 HP 3.7 liter V6
• 6 speed manual, with available 4 speed auto
• Available 4WD ( duh )
• Standard side curtain airbags
• EPA Says : 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway

2008 Jeep Liberty Reviews

Autobytel previews the 2008 Jeep Liberty and writes – ‘Think Nitro meets Commander, and you’ve got a good idea of what the 2008 Jeep Liberty looks like. Or, you could look at the photo on the right. Jeep swaps the Nitro’s gaudy Range Rover side vent for a more subdued Suzuki-style outlet, and the Liberty has the trademark Jeep face with round lighting elements and a seven-slot grille, but otherwise the two SUVs are virtually identical. Liberty Sport gets standard 16-inch wheels for that cheap rental car look, while upscale Limited versions have standard 17-inch rims. Chrome 18s are optional.’

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The 2007 Jeep Patriot is Jeep’s second entry into the mini-SUV “Cute-ute” segment this year, following it’s brother the Compass. The Patriot has a less girly look to it when compared to the Compass, and is instantly recognizable as a Jeep. My question though, is what exactly is the purpose of the Patriot? Jeep already has the Grand Cherokee and Liberty as the mid-size and small SUV’s. Adding the Compass was potentially a smart move, adding a cute factor to an otherwise un-cute lineup. ( Note: I despise the Compass in every way, just saying it has potential to put more Jeep logos out there. )

The Patriot, however, just ads a third small SUV to Jeep’s lineup. Why in the world would any single brand require three distinct entries in the small SUV segment? Quite frankly, I think two is foolish – they will likely just cannibalize sales from each other. But with three… I would imagine that it’ll be hard for any one of these vehicles to be a continued success. I’d bet money on two of the three not making it past the first product cycle. Any takers?

2007 Jeep Patriot Specs

• 172 HP Inline 4 cylinder engine
• 5 speed manual transmission, with optional CVT
• Curtain airbags standard
• ABS standard
• Traction control standard
• Curb weight: 3108 lbs ( 4×2 )
• EPA says: 25 mpg city, 29 mpg highway ( manual 4×2 )

2007 Jeep Patriot Review

TTAC reviews the 2007 Jeep Patriot and writes – ‘When it comes to driving, the Patriot takes a back seat to its fraternal twin, the Compass, whose ride and handling are already on the wrong side of unacceptable. Although only 1.5” taller and 33lbs heavier, the Patriot’s four-wheel independent suspension is much more sensitive to all non-linear motions. The dynamics are strictly Olde Worlde; the Patriot leans and flops its way down a winding road like a wounded Hessian. ‘

Automobile.com reviews the 2007 Jeep Patriot and writes – ‘But what I truly feel this Jeep has going for it is its looks; while theres no denying some similarities to the Liberty, it doesnt suffer from the Libertys unfortunately tall, gawky proportions. Its a Cherokee recaptured on a slightly more compact scale, with shorter overhangs, plus modern detailing and fluidity. Im sure Jeep will do well with the Compass coming in at the lowest price point ever for a Jeep, but the Patriot is, to me, what Jeep is all about. While not as single-minded as a Wrangler (TJ, YJ, CJ and so on), its quest to redefine the utility of a Jeep lead the Patriot downtown into street-ute practicality without losing sight of what every Jeep used to promise: mountainside trails, fording backcountry rivers and taking us away from the city that we must survive in order to get out to the country that we love. Its the great escapist, and it offers that promise even to the escapists that never get out in the mud on weekends.’

Cars.com reviews the 2007 Jeep Patriot and writes – ‘As a car-based yet offroad-capable model, the Patriot, Jeep’s newest SUV, is exactly what the brand and its buyers need, for three reasons. One: It’s long overdue, because the heavy-duty Liberty and Wrangler weren’t built to challenge light, unibody compacts, which got their start 10 years ago. Two: Its gas mileage estimates are impressively high, and that’s an important characteristic for a company that only builds SUVs. Three: It’s attractive enough to buyers — in more ways than one — to cast a long if somewhat boxy shadow over the Jeep Compass, a newer model that has found no fans among our staff, and few among people we’ve shown it to. ‘

Motor Trend reviews the 2007 Jeep Patriot and writes – ‘The Patriot is perhaps unique in offering its level of offroadability in a cute ‘ute package and is simply more likeable than the Compass and Dodge Caliber (its other C-segment sibling), with more refined ride and handling and better body control (Chrysler says it’s added improvements to those first two C models).’

Edmunds Inside Line reviews the 2007 Jeep Patriot and writes – ‘The other good news is that the construction of the interior is not as embarrassingly cheap as the interiors of the Caliber and Compass are. It is merely cheap. Around the edges of some of the interior pieces there remains some flash — the plastic fringe you often see on cheap plastic things. The interior pull for the tailgate also has two sharp-edged exposed bolts that are good for trimming meat off your fingers.’

Vehicle Voice reviews the 2007 Jeep Patriot and writes – ‘While Patriot easily beats its segment off-road, on-road it isn’t a star. Interior noise was reasonably low, allowing for conversation amongst four of us with relative ease. We also took a Honda CR-V, available as a competitive comparison, out for a quick spin; the CR-V’s engine and transmission were notably louder and rougher. Patriot’s 172HP is competitive by the numbers, but merely adequate. The engine provides plenty of power for off-road driving, where slow speeds and patience prevail. But the available power on-road and through some elevations is not impressive. On-road, we had a five-speed manual transmission, which allows for more involvement and rewards you with satisfying shift feel.’

Autobytel reviews the 2007 Jeep Patriot Review and has this to say – ‘It’s not the Compass. Seriously, that’s one of the best reasons to consider the 2007 Jeep Patriot. They share the same platform (with the Dodge Caliber), but unlike the Compass, the Patriot offers buyers the boxy, rugged look expected from a Jeep, and more importantly, it can be equipped for off roading. There are other reasons to look at the Patriot, including its low base price, front seat comfort, overall utility, standard antilock disc brakes and stability control system, and compliant ride. We’re also fans of the reasonably-priced navigation system ($1,395) and Boston Acoustics stereo ($495).’

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