CTC Review: 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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2005 was an all new year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, with Uniframe construction, aluminum hood, air dam, new fascias, grills and bodyside mouldings, the 2006 model remains mostly unchanged.  Featuring Quadra-Trac I, an active full-time four-wheel drive system mated to a 3.7-litre engine this Jeep, as are all Jeeps,  is trail rated and ready for the street or off-roading adventure. More ....

[boflaade]

Just what the world needs. Another big expensive SUV.

[mdxtasy]

"The interior is minimalist and perhaps not up to some of the import standards in terms of feel and design, although the quality of finish does looks on par."

Are you sure about that James?  How does the materials feel in comparison to some competitors (domestic and foreign)?  Looking forward to hearing how the base $40K GC drives and feels in everyday driving conditions.

[Bullet Blue]

Wing, how do you find the blind spots in the GC? I heard the A and B pillars are horrible for blind spots.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I checked out one of these at the dealership and boy was I underwhelmed. It is much more cramped inside than I would have thought - especially in the rear. The front floor map looked 1/3 the size of most other vehicles, the materials and design of the interior were all over the place (your photo looks pretty clean compared to the leather clad model I sampled) and questionable. And then there's the price. Wowzers, it's pricey for this disappointment! Mind you, there's tonnes of discounts to be had no doubt  HEMI power and the SRT-8 are about it's only saving graces, as there are likely better off road performers now too.

Oh, and DCX, while you're at it PLEASE de-power the DRLs on these Grand Cherokees. They're freaking blindingly bright in daylight and it pisses me off.

[mdxtasy]

Oh, and DCX, while you're at it PLEASE de-power the DRLs on these Grand Cherokees. They're freaking blindingly bright in daylight and it pisses me off.

I concur. 

[Mr Meow]

Wow these look so dated. Why can't they re-design. Its always is the same model with a few touches ups here and there and a new Interior improvements thats what it seams to me. when did this come out 90's???
.

[Benhaze]

Don't know why you are referring to its large size as it is comparable (lenght/wheelbase/track) to a RX, FX and is smaller than an Equinox. It is actually very comparable in size to the CX-7. But yes the interior is very cramped and the material quality is simply not acceptable on a vehicle of this price. In comparison, my 2002 Overland is light years ahead as far at the interior material quality goes. The new Grand Cherokee is about 500 lbs heavier if I'm not mistaken, has less front seat and cargo space. Roof rack is smaller. And it must have the cheesiest park brake lever in the whole industry. Very, very disappointing.

[wing]

Large in comparison to what most canadians drive.... compact cars

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Do you find the interior door handles awkwardly placed?

[wing]

^ ugh yes!

[safristi]

"Passenger's fly in the drivers lap!!!!"........wots that JEEP DANCIN?........

[podedwards]

I have about 10000 miles on my 4WD 2006 5.7 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. I bought it after testing a lot of SUV's including Land Rover, Durnago, Chevy & GMC SUV's, Ford, Mecedces and Toyota. I bought my Grand Cherokee because it is what I wanted after testing them all. All vehicles are different so I think it's best to decide on what I want rather than to buy something I don't want and then complain.

This vehicle is perfect for two adults and two children or four adults on short trips. It is not a  mom's kid delivery vehicle. There are many nice ones out there for that purpose. The Grand Cherokee is small enough to get through tight spots on and off the road-it is not meant to be a huge vehicle. The interior is very comfortable and functional but not "fluffy" as many would like. The corner posts are no more in the way and do not create any greater blind spot than the others. My brain compensates and there is just no problem. My driving ability is good enough not to throw passengers around and the Jeep seating is certainly comfortable and secure.

As for off the road use, I drive my Jeep in the Colorado Rockies in the most extremes of weather, road conditions and altitude one might imagine. I fish on on BLM dirt back roads, cross streams, plow thru snow, climb slick rocky roads and go over 11,000 foot+ passes on un-paved roads. I drive in blizzard conditions. It is a joy to drive and it's "Trail Rating" is more than justified. It's ground clearance is not an issue at all (one can four have feet of clearance and get stuck if one does not know how to drive off-road) and the extension of the wheels is great off-road. It is not a rock-crawler but it can go where almost no of the SUV can go.

I have towed 5000+lb. trailer over 11000+ passess with no effort at all-great motor, transmission and cooling. I keep tow straps to pull cars and other SUV's out of problems.

My Jeep is the best vehicle I have owned in some 40+ years of driving 4WDs starting with a Willis Jeeps and International Scouts. It is very comfortable, handles great, safe and has lots of  very usable and helpful  technology. I have had zero maintenance problems but I have very few maintenance problems with any car I have owned over the years because I think it is necessary to understand the systems and have then serviced properly. I am not a mechanic and that is why I take such care.

My 5.7 has averaged over 17 mpg in town and over 20 on the road. I averaged over 24 on a stretch of Interstate Fort Smith, Arkansas and Oklahomka City, Oklahoma driving between 75 and 78 miles an hour.

Land Rover's could do as well with more power, better balance and if our friends the Britts could ever master auto electric technology. Remembder the movie, "The God's Must Be Crazy"? Land Rover is the vehicle of choice for the anti-Christ.

I'd never buy a vehicle with the weight to power (torque) ratio of a V-6 Grand Cherokee. It is a choice I would not make in any car.

Vehicles (that God) still offer us choices and we should informed choices that suit the mission we intend. The 2006 5.7 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a classic and wonderful choice for me.

[airbalancer]

great review
and welcome to the forum

[Snowman]

I have about 10000 miles on my 4WD 2006 5.7 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. I bought it after testing a lot of SUV's including Land Rover, Durnago, Chevy & GMC SUV's, Ford, Mecedces and Toyota. I bought my Grand Cherokee because it is what I wanted after testing them all. All vehicles are different so I think it's best to decide on what I want rather than to buy something I don't want and then complain.

This vehicle is perfect for two adults and two children or four adults on short trips. It is not a  mom's kid delivery vehicle. There are many nice ones out there for that purpose. The Grand Cherokee is small enough to get through tight spots on and off the road-it is not meant to be a huge vehicle. The interior is very comfortable and functional but not "fluffy" as many would like. The corner posts are no more in the way and do not create any greater blind spot than the others. My brain compensates and there is just no problem. My driving ability is good enough not to throw passengers around and the Jeep seating is certainly comfortable and secure.

As for off the road use, I drive my Jeep in the Colorado Rockies in the most extremes of weather, road conditions and altitude one might imagine. I fish on on BLM dirt back roads, cross streams, plow thru snow, climb slick rocky roads and go over 11,000 foot+ passes on un-paved roads. I drive in blizzard conditions. It is a joy to drive and it's "Trail Rating" is more than justified. It's ground clearance is not an issue at all (one can four have feet of clearance and get stuck if one does not know how to drive off-road) and the extension of the wheels is great off-road. It is not a rock-crawler but it can go where almost no of the SUV can go.

I have towed 5000+lb. trailer over 11000+ passess with no effort at all-great motor, transmission and cooling. I keep tow straps to pull cars and other SUV's out of problems.

My Jeep is the best vehicle I have owned in some 40+ years of driving 4WDs starting with a Willis Jeeps and International Scouts. It is very comfortable, handles great, safe and has lots of  very usable and helpful  technology. I have had zero maintenance problems but I have very few maintenance problems with any car I have owned over the years because I think it is necessary to understand the systems and have then serviced properly. I am not a mechanic and that is why I take such care.

My 5.7 has averaged over 17 mpg in town and over 20 on the road. I averaged over 24 on a stretch of Interstate Fort Smith, Arkansas and Oklahomka City, Oklahoma driving between 75 and 78 miles an hour.

Land Rover's could do as well with more power, better balance and if our friends the Britts could ever master auto electric technology. Remembder the movie, "The God's Must Be Crazy"? Land Rover is the vehicle of choice for the anti-Christ.

I'd never buy a vehicle with the weight to power (torque) ratio of a V-6 Grand Cherokee. It is a choice I would not make in any car.

Vehicles (that God) still offer us choices and we should informed choices that suit the mission we intend. The 2006 5.7 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a classic and wonderful choice for me.

Thanks for the review from a “real” SUV drivers’ prospective and welcome to the forum podedwards. James would not let me drive the test vehicle and I even bought dinner.

[safristi]

 "JEEP BASTARD!!!" .......maybe ya shoulda taken the S2000 over tha ROCKY ROADS instead......


welcome PODDY...may ya blossom into a regular Extra_NICE_TERRESTRIAL.....

[BJB]

Great post Podedwards, nice to hear from someone with true off-roading experience with this vehicle 

[The Mighty Duck]

I wonder what the salesman's reaction would be when you pulled your test-drive SUV off the main road and hit the trails...?