Jeep Grand Cherokee test drive since 2005 SUV

He is so alone

This machine has undergone a lot of transformations for its rather long life, one of which was the appearance of a slurred licked second -generation car. It seems that Chrysler realized that the roots are sacred, and in 2004 they released a third -generation model, very similar to the classic Grand Cherokee, but never replaced it. Only the first, genuine Grand Cherokee is entitled to be called a real grand.
 
It cannot be otherwise: the car created back in 1991 (that came off from the price not in such far 1998) is unique. A compact load -bearing body is combined with unreasonable bridges and voluminous engines that provide incomparable cross -country ability and quite worthy (by the standards of that time) behavior on the roads. However, the main thing is another: the brutality, which is so lacking in the two subsequent generations of this car (the second car is round and elegant, and in the now manufactured model, albeit chopped on the outside, a slightly praised half-junction-half-jacket is hidden). It was for the courageous simplicity (in addition to other advantages) Grand Cherokee that the Russians fell in love. It is nice that the once cult machine is now available to a simple motorist, but time takes its own, and the lion's share of these cars is far from in the best form
 
Some characteristics
 
Type of body
 
SUV
Number of doors
 
5
Number of seats
 
5
Length
 
4548 mm
Width
 
1800 mm
Height
 
1647 mm
Wheelbase
 
2690 mm
Ground clearance
 
200 mm
Acceleration to 100 km/h*
 
8.5 s
Maximum speed*
 
180 km/h
* Data for a car with an engine of 5.2 V8.
 
Combat equipment over time begins to seem almost ridiculous (much more formidable vehicles appear). But we have a different case: in the past, the odious car even today looks very impressive, especially the restyled version that appeared in 1996. The corps has no serious congenital malformations (except that the Americans have the headlights made of plastic, unlike the European version in which the glass is mutated). But there are some nuances caused by a specific past model. For example, in individual copies, a coin is glued to the larva of the passenger door lock (the fact is that the locks are too easy to open). And yet, despite the measures taken, the hijackers managed to take Grand Cherokee: there are many cars with broken numbers on the market. And in addition, the owners of these cars (I must say that many of them were by no means respectable citizens) exploited them rather rigidly, which was reflected in the state of used specimens. After all, such riding often led to accidents.
 
The salon makes an ambiguous impression. On the one hand, it is very comfortable: the seats are soft and comfortable (though without pronounced lateral support), the equipment even in the basic configuration is worthy (electric package, air conditioning and high -quality audio system). On the other hand, the front panel is as if borrowed from a truck, in addition, ergonomics are not at a height. The crowded salon is not happy: if a tall man sits on the front chair, it is simply impossible to accommodate behind him. Which, frankly, does not fit with rather impressive dimensions, coupled with a large trunk, the volume of which can be brought to almost 2300 liters, only folding the rear seat (even taking into account the fact that the reserve is not suspended under the bottom, but leaned against the trunk wall).
 
And what about running qualities? Management is only acceptable, the smoothness of the course is so -so (what can you do, the dependent suspension in front and from behind creates some inconvenience). But the accelerated dynamics, even with the base engine, is excellent, and with the V8 is completely wonderful. Even with a 5.2-liter power unit, the car is able to compete with the BMW X5 4.4, and the top 5.9 limited by the standards of its century was known as a speed (a hundred flies in seven seconds!), As some Jeep GC today SRT-8. Among other things, the machine is adequate, and the brakes are very decent.
 
The basic engine for Grand Cherokee was a row six with a volume of 4 liters and a capacity of 190 hp. Above in the tables about ranks is an eight -cylinder engine with a volume of 5.2 liters and a capacity of 220 horses. The most powerful power unit was put on the car only in the last year of production: 5.9 liters of a working volume and 245 hp. The design of all engines is quite conservative (each has a lower gas distribution system with two valves for each cylinder). However, despite primitiveness, these motors are not particularly strong: except that the base six is \u200b\u200bmore or less trouble -free.
 
The rest present unpleasant surprises to the owners: the cooling system is not suitable for heat -loaded engines, therefore, any malfunction (say, the thermostat or a clogged radiator) can lead to a destructive overheating for the cast -iron HBC. Note that all power units installed on Grand Cherokee do not like poor -quality fuel. In addition, from time to time, some owners of cars may have misunderstandings with traffic police workers. The fact is that the manufacturer knocked out a four -digit number on the block, which after 9999, of course, was repeated. And since this figure was sometimes entered in the TCP as an engine number, one Grand Cherokee is wanted can substitute several owners of this model at once.
 
In the light of the fact that gasoline motors deserve some criticism, it is easy to decide that a diesel is suitable for a uninitiated person that a diesel is suitable. Alas, the 2.5-liter Italian power unit is unreliable and roads in the repair (these simple truths were well learned by the owners of Voyager of the past generation).
 
Automatic gearboxes (there were also mechanical, but there were minority of such copies) are generally non -failure (if they correctly operate and fill in high -quality oil, marked with the abbreviation ATF, and not the marking of Dexron / Mercon). But troubles sometimes happen to all -wheel drive transmissions that were released in different variations (there are specimens with rear -wheel drive), as well as with bridges. So, Viskift is out of order (well, there due to hard operation or use of tires of different diameters). And in addition, the bridges at the restyled machines are made of aluminum, and from strong blows they often simply split.
 
There are many weaknesses at the suspension. Quite often, you will have to change the bones (front stabilizer racks), as well as the silent blocks of the lower levers (they poorly tolerate blows, in addition, it is pointless to impress the new hinges, since this operation can lead to deformation of the levers). Problems can occur with brackets, to which rotary fists are attached (they bend from powerful blows, which leads to the backlash of ball supports and the inability to adjust the angles of the installation of the wheels). As for the brakes, they work efficiently, but from time to time, in addition to replacing the pads, for example, a caliper with lubrication will have to be replaced, for example. Periodically you need to tighten the handbrake, otherwise the cable (and not only) will acidify (this is a common ailment of Chrysler of those years).
 
So is the game of candles? It is difficult to say that the car is still attractive, moreover, it will not allow its owner to feel flawed on the road (and there will be no problems on the off-road, provided, of course, that the car will be shown in appropriate tires and do not holl with footsteps and other jewelry) .
 
But the price! No, the cost is quite acceptable, but the service can fly into a penny, especially if the owner is not particularly used to going around the pit. In general, the car is not the most practical. However, American luxury, high-speed potential and unique image nevertheless include some to this one of their kind to the car. After all, the cult is the cult to take the object of worship with all its pros and cons.
 
The advantages and disadvantages of the model
 
Advantages
Great dynamics
Good cross -country ability
Rich equipment
Flaws
Not very reliable
Close rear sofa
Mediocre manageability
 

Source: Magazine Cars and prices May 20, 2008.