2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Review

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee diesel leaves us scratching our heads. Usually, diesels are associated with torque and fuel economy, and this same engine delivered both in the Mercedes-Benz ML320 we recently tested. Yet in Jeep form, fuel economy was a lousy 16.4 mpg. Admittedly, that’s better than the more powerful 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 that’s available, but not by much. The final insult is that, unlike the Hemi, the diesel is only available as part of a $3,700 package, considerably more than the V-8. Throw in the higher price of diesel fuel and we can only conclude that this engine just isn’t worth it.

By Keith Buglewicz Photo credit: Oliver Bentley, Keith Buglewicz

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The standard Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 model starts at $38,340 including the $695 destination charge. Its high level of equipment includes stability control, remote start, and a Boston Acoustics audio system. The burgundy paint on our tester was $225, and the hands-free communications package $275. However, the biggest charge was the $3,700 diesel engine package, which included a 22-gallon fuel tank, Sirius satellite radio, Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive, with electronic limited slip front and rear differentials, and an engine block heater. Just for reference, you pay $2,000 less for the same stuff if you get the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8.

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Diesels are about torque, and this one is no exception; the only other engine in off-road capable Grand Cherokees with the same amount of torque is the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. This is a good diesel, too, with very little clatter and odorless exhaust. Throttle response, on the other hand, was dismal, with a good two-second pause from tip-in to actual forward movement from a dead stop. Combined with the lousy mileage, and you may as well just save your coin and get that Hemi. The five-speed automatic is reluctant to shift in manual mode, and occasionally slammed into gear when in Drive.

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The Grand Cherokee is not designed for handling, SRT-8 notwithstanding. The suspension is soft, and the cushy ride means it bounces an extra time or two after large bumps. Body roll is controlled thanks to big anti-roll bars, but nothing can help the lifeless and slow steering. However, the payoff is when you take the Jeep off road and realize that those negatives are positives in the right environment. The soft suspension has tremendous travel to go over large boulders and deep ditches without losing contact with the ground, and the slow steering makes precisely directing the Jeep easy.

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Outward visibility in the Grand Cherokee isn’t bad, but there’s room for improvement. The view out over the hood is very good, but turn your head to the side and you have thick windshield pillars made thicker with integrated grab handles that would be clever if they weren’t so intrusive. The view out the side is acceptable, but the side mirrors are on the small side. The rear glass opens separately from the rest of the hatch, so its size is compromised to accommodate the latch and sealing mechanism, combining with the thick rearmost pillars to limit the rear view.

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Fun is in the eye of the beholder, and if your idea of it involves 4-Low gearing, unpaved trails, slippery shale, deep mud and steep inclines to get to the perfect camping spot, then the Jeep Grand Cherokee and its torquey diesel engine are the epitome of fun. Then again, saving $2,000 is also fun, and so is 330 horsepower, both of which you can get if you check the option box for the Hemi V-8 instead of the diesel, further enhancing your fun on the road.

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The front seats are comfortable, despite a lumbar support that’s situated too high on the seat. There isn’t a lot of lateral support, but it makes getting in and out easier, and besides, you aren’t going to be driving very aggressively in this Jeep. Tall drivers might find the bottom cushion too short. Our test truck had leather on most interior seating surfaces, but a lot of it felt cheap and greasy, like bad vinyl. The head and side to side room is good, but the intruding center tunnel limits foot room.

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We were surprised that the rear seat was as uncomfortable as it is. Entry and exit is hampered by the small door opening, and the seatback and seat cushion are both too short. There’s limited leg room, although plenty of head room, and the seatback angle is fixed. Kids will be fine, but adult passengers will complain loudly after just a few miles.

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The first thing anybody worries about with a diesel-powered vehicle is engine noise. In the Jeep it’s subdued; you only know you’re driving a diesel from the low redline and a little bit of clatter at idle, especially at startup. That’s not because it’s drowned out by other noise, either. Quite the opposite, the Grand Cherokee was pretty quiet. A little bit of wind noise at speed that’s well controlled, and the occasional thump of the heavy rear axle were about the only noteworthy noises we heard during our time with the Jeep.

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The Jeep’s high stance is great for clearing boulders off road, but it results in a high load floor. The cargo area is big though, with handy tie-downs for keeping your stuff in place over bumpy ground. The rear glass opens independently of the hatch, but it’s even higher off the ground, the opening is small, and even the tallest among us had to lean against the dirty truck to get anything out of the back this way. On the plus side, the hatch was easy to open even though it wasn’t powered, and the black plastic protector on top of the bumper was a nice touch.

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Build quality in the Grand Cherokee was only so-so, but it was better than we’ve seen from a lot of other Chrysler brand products lately. The exterior gaps were on the large side and not always consistent, but not terribly so. Inside, a lot of panels didn’t line up properly, and some pieces, such as the hood over the instruments, were already loose and rattling. There are lots of mold lines on the plastic, and the molded-in seams on the dash are distracting and unattractive.