2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee: More Powerful and More Modern
Summary
The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup features two new models, the luxurious
Overland and the high-performance SRT8. The Grand Cherokee was completely
redesigned for 2005, and is bigger, more modern, and more powerful than previous
versions of this iconic, midsize SUV. It looks new and contemporary, but people
instantly recognize it as a Grand Cherokee.
Full Review 2006
Interior materials are dramatically improved over the previous generation's,
which left much to be desired. A more sophisticated suspension gives the current
Grand Cherokee much better handling than that of pre-2005 models, with less
leaning in corners, along with better ride quality. All four available engines
are modern. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is particularly good for towing or driving at
higher elevations. The smaller, 4.7-liter overhead-cam V8 works quite well,
however, and the standard overhead-cam V6 is a big improvement over Jeep's old
overhead-valve inline-6.
Overall, 2006 Grand Cherokee retains the rugged spirit of the Jeep brand,
combined with engineering and quality control closer to the Daimler-Benz
tradition.
Trims and Styling 2006
The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in four trim levels:
The Laredo ($27,165) comes with a 210-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 and a
five-speed automatic transmission. The 4.7-liter overhead-cam V8 is optional
($720 with 2WD, $1,340 with 4WD). Air conditioning comes standard, along with
one-touch power windows, power locks with remote keyless entry, eight-way power
driver's seat, AM/FM/CD audio with auxiliary input jack, driver information
center, 60/40 split folding rear seat, an engine immobilizer, water-resistant
storage compartment, and 17-inch tires and wheels. Laredo 4WD ($29,135) features
Quadra-Trac I full-time four-wheel drive.
The Limited ($33,415) comes with the 4.7-liter V8 and leather upholstery.
Also standard: automatic climate control; Boston Acoustics six-speaker 276-watt
AM/FM stereo with six-CD changer and MP3 capability; power adjustable pedals;
power passenger seat; memory function for the seats, pedals, and mirrors;
automatic headlamps; rain-sensing automatic wipers; electrochromic rearview
mirror; HomeLink; tire pressure monitor with display; adjustable roof rack
crossrails; and machined-face 17-inch aluminum wheels.
Limited 4WD ($36,005) gets all that plus Quadra-Trac II. The Hemi is
optional on both 2WD and 4WD Limiteds, and when ordered on the latter comes with
Jeep's latest Quadra-Drive II full-time active 4WD.
The Overland ($39,240) comes with the 5.7-liter Hemi, and adds a
wood-and-leather steering wheel, real wood accents on the doors and console,
two-tone leather and ultra-suede seats embroidered with the Overland logo,
leather-covered console and armrest, side airbags, DVD-based navigation, Sirius
Satellite Radio, a ParkSense reverse-parking sensor, a trailer-tow group, and
platinum-clad aluminum wheels. Other platinum accents highlight the exterior.
Overland 4WD ($42,230) adds Quadra-Drive II.
The SRT8 ($39,300) comes with a 6.1-liter Hemi rated 420 horsepower, a
lowered suspension and its own electronic all-wheel-drive system. Distinctive
bumper fascias and 20-inch wheels make SRT8 instantly identifiable. Inside are
sport seats, special trim, and an level of standard features roughly analogous
to the Limited's. Options can bring an SRT8 to Overland levels.
Safety features that come on all Grand Cherokees include an electronic
stability program (ESP) with roll mitigation, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes
(ABS) with brake assist, traction control, a tire-pressure monitoring system,
and front air bags with four levels of deployment. Side curtain air bags are
optional ($560).
Options for 2006
Options include GPS navigation built into the radio ($1,200), a rear-seat DVD
entertainment system ($1,200), sunroof ($800), a trailer tow package ($255),
Boston Acoustics audio, UConnect hands-free communication system ($275), Smart
Beam headlamps that sense the available natural light and adjust accordingly,
and ParkSense rear park assist. An Off-Road package ($420) with tow hooks is
available, along with chromed alloy wheels, and an engine block heater.
Walkaround and Design
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is considered a midsize sport utility. This makes it
more stable than the previous generation models. While conventional SUVs, such
as the Dodge Durango, are built on a separate frame like a truck, the Grand
Cherokee uses an unusual construction scheme Jeep calls Uniframe, a close
marriage of a welded steel unit-body and underlying front and rear modules. The
Grand Cherokee has earned a five-star safety rating in both front and side
impact tests from the federal government.
Laredo models come with a body-colored grille and bumpers, black door
handles, and contrasting-color bodyside and sill moldings. Limited models
present a somewhat flashier appearance, with a chromed grille, bright inserts in
the bumpers, body-color door handles, and Platinum bodyside molding.
The Overland is distinguished by mesh-texture grille inserts between its
traditional vertical grille bars, which are Platinum in finish; Platinum accents
also appear on the bumpers, side molding, roof-rack side rails, liftgate light
bar, side-view mirrors, and wheels, while sill moldings are body-color.
Jeep reached deep into its heritage to revive the Overland name. The Willys
Jeep debuted in 1946 and had its name shortened to just-plain Jeep in the early
1960s. SRT8 is available only in Bright Silver, Brilliant Black or Inferno Red.
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Interior Style and Features
The Grand Cherokee interior was completely redesigned, beginning with the
2005 models, and it's significantly improved. The two-tone,
dark-over-light-over-dark instrument panel and door trims; vinyl grains; and
materials and finishes are generally much richer and better looking than in the
previous generation. We found the seats to be larger and cushier than in any
previous Jeep, with supportive contours. There's more travel in the seat tracks,
allowing more legroom for tall drivers. A four-gauge instrument cluster with LED
illumination features black gauges with brilliant red pointers. The 2006 Grand
Cherokee Overland model enhances these interior improvements with high-contrast
two-tone Ultrasuede seats featuring accent stitching and embroidered Overland
logos; plus real wood trim on the steering wheel, instrument panel, door panels,
and gear selector. Unique blue-accented gauges include a 180-mph speedometer
plus oil pressure and oil temperature readouts in the center stack. There's a
separate Enter button, annoying because intuition suggests pressing the toggle
switch down.
Test Drive 06
Today's Jeep Grand Cherokee represents a big improvement over pre-2005
models. The Laredo comes standard with Chrysler's 210-hp 3.7-liter V6, borrowed
from its sister trucks, the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Ram, with its own five-speed
overdrive automatic transmission. The 3.7-liter uses single overhead cams and
replaces the old, overhead-valve 4.0-liter inline-6 that was in the last Grand
Cherokee. This modern, overhead-cam engine is a paragon of power and smoothness
for around-town and highway driving. The 4.7-liter V8 produces 235 horsepower at
4500 rpm and 305 pound-feet of torque at 3600 rpm. It's EPA-rated at 14/20 mpg.
The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is a thoroughly modern engine, featuring twin spark
plugs, direct ignition, and electronic throttle control, though it is an
overhead-valve design. The 5.7-liter Hemi produces 330 horsepower at 5000 rpm
and 375 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm. Fuel economy is an EPA-rated 14/21
mpg. The Grand Cherokee offers a nicer ride and better cornering than any other
Jeep in history. Two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions use the same
independent front suspension. Front suspension travel is increased by almost 10
percent over the previous Grand Cherokee. Jeep built roll into the old model,
and it paid some comfort dividends off-road. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an icon
among sport utility vehicles and this latest-generation version is far better
than older models. It offers good space efficiency and comes loaded with
standard and optional features.
Conclusions
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an icon among sport utility vehicles and this
latest-generation version is far better than older models.
Cnet.com praises the 2006 Cherokee for it's impressive power.Motortrend.com
loves the "evolutionary styling looks both forward and back, with a chunky,
geometric take on the SUV two-box form." It looks wonderful.
It's powerful and quiet at the same time. It offers good space efficiency and
comes loaded with standard and optional features.