The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an icon among sport utility vehicles and the 2007 model is better than ever. Its looks are stylish, it's powerful, quiet, and it offers plenty of space and features. It is one of the most comfortable Jeeps available. The 2007 chassis is now far more sophisticated, improving the handling. Jeep widens the range of fuel choices for its Grand Cherokee SUV for 2007, adding both a diesel engine and a flex-fuel V-8 to its lineup. Side curtain airbags with rollover detection are standard, and Jeep adds some new colors and various other exterior and interior tweaks. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 sees only minor changes. The Grand Cherokee is sold in SRT8, Overland, Laredo and Limited variations for 2007. Three four-wheel-drive systems are available. Quadra-Trac I provides full-time all-wheel-drive operation and requires no attention from the driver. Quadra-Trac II is a full-time active four-wheel-drive system that has low-range gearing. Quadra-Drive II includes electronic limited-slip differentials for heightened offroad capability.

Trims

The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in four trim levels. The Laredo comes with a 210-hp, 3.7-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission. Cloth upholstery is standard. 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, tire pressure monitor and 17-inch wheels. Standard tires are now P245/65R17 Goodyear Fortera, replacing last year's 235mm Goodyear Wranglers. The 4.7-liter overhead-cam V8 and leather seats are available in option packages. Laredo 4WD comes standard with Quadra-Trac I full-time four-wheel drive.

The Limited comes with the 4.7-liter V8 and leather upholstery. Also standard: automatic climate control; power sunroof; 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; SmartBeam automatic headlamps; rain-sensing automatic wipers; electrochromic rearview mirror; HomeLink; a more sophisticated tire pressure monitor that displays the status of individual tires; adjustable roof-rack crossrails; and machined-face 17-inch aluminum wheels. Limited 4WD gets all that plus Quadra-Trac II. The Hemi is optional on Limited models.

The Overland 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, ParkSense rear park assist with ParkView reversing camera, a trailer-tow group, and chromed aluminum wheels. Platinum accents highlight the exterior, and the front sill guards are now brushed stainless. Overland 4WD adds Quadra-Drive II.

The SRT8 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 a level of standard features roughly analogous to the Limited's. Options can bring an SRT8 nearly up to the Overland level of comfort and convenience.

Handling

The Grand Cherokee offers a nice ride and corners well. The steering is reasonably quick and accurate, and nicely weighted. The V-6 is short on power going up steeper grades, but otherwise its performance will suffice for most drivers. Jeep's 4.7-liter V-8 is an appealing compromise — closer to the V-6, though more refined. With the Hemi V-8 engine, the Jeep starts off with a leap. Acceleration is less assertive at highway speeds, but the automatic transmission performs well on steep upgrades by downshifting promptly when you push the accelerator. Overall, ride comfort is appealing in each version. The Hemi edition works best with off-road conditions. The seats on the 2007 Grand Cherokee are exceptionally comfortable and have good support and fair side bolstering.

Powertrain

Four engines are available: the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, rated at 330 horsepower and 375 pounds-feet of torque; a 3.7-liter V-6 that develops 210 hp and 235 pounds-feet of torque; a 230-hp, 4.7-liter V-8 that develops 305 pounds-feet of torque; and a turbocharged diesel V-6 that makes 215 hp and 376 pounds-feet of torque. All engines work with one of two five-speed automatic transmissions. Tow ratings are 3,500 pounds for the 3.7-liter V6, 6,500 pounds for the 4.7-liter V8, and 7,400 pounds (7,200 with 4WD) for the 5.7-liter Hemi or 3.0-liter turbo-diesel. The Laredo comes standard with Chrysler's 210-hp 3.7-liter V6, with its own five-speed overdrive automatic transmission. The 3.7-liter uses single overhead cams and has been upgraded for '07 with electronic throttle control. The V6 gets significantly better mileage than any of the V8s.

Interior

Five occupants fit inside the Grand Cherokee, and the driver faces a symmetrical two-tone instrument panel. The four-gauge cluster has LED illumination with red pointers. The Grand Cherokee gets a cabin update in 2007. New touches include an improved finish on the upper panels and a four-gauge cluster with LED illumination features black gauges with brilliant red pointers. The Laredo got the same chrome gauge rings that used to be exclusive to the Limited, plus chrome-accented HVAC controls and a matching-color bezel on the console. The cabin atmosphere is comfortable, with lots of seat adjustment, excellent outward vision around relatively slim windshield post. All switches and controls are clearly are labeled and easy to find and use. Cup holders are keyed to the interior hue. Jeep says the cupholders are now colored to match the rest of the interior. Laredo models get chrome accents on the instrument gauges and climate-control system, as well as a black bezel for the center console. The seats are large and cushy, on Laredo they are upholstered in cloth with leather as a package option, while Limited seats are two-tone leather with perforated inserts. In Overland, the seats are upholstered in high-contrast two-tone Ultrasuede, featuring accent stitching and embroidered Overland logos. Overland also features real wood trim on the steering wheel, instrument panel, door panels, and gear selector. The center armrest is leather-upholstered, and unique colors are employed in the instrument cluster. A reversible load-floor panel in the cargo area improves versatility. Available features include a navigation radio, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, Boston Acoustics audio and rear park assist. In back is nearly 70 cubic feet of cargo space.

Exterior

Outside, Grand Cherokee is angular, clean and contemporary, while still holding true Jeep trademarks. The Grand Cherokee's appearance is led by Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, which is flanked by round headlamps. The grille is body-colored on the Laredo model, chrome on the Limited and wire lattice on the Overland. For 2007, new exterior updates include body colored door handles on the Laredo, and redesigned black bodyside moldings. Five new color options and revised taillights also distinguish the '07; otherwise Grand Cherokee's outside appearance hasn't changed significantly since '05. The Grand Cherokee has a fashionably high waistline and small side windows. The shape of the body is designed to protect the sides of the vehicle from potential road debris. Limited models still present a flashier appearance, with a chromed grille, bright inserts in the bumpers, and accent-color 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, and side-view mirrors. Built on a 109.5-inch wheelbase, the Grand Cherokee is 186.6 inches long overall and 67.7 inches tall, with a 62-inch track width.

Safety

Antilock brakes are standard on all trims, as are side curtain airbags. Other safety features that come on all Grand Cherokees include an electronic stability program (ESP) with roll mitigation, traction control, and front air bags with four levels of deployment.

The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a wide range of modern engines and options. Grand Cherokee had its last total redesign for 2005. For 2006, Jeep expanded the Grand Cherokee model range with the luxurious Overland and the high-performance SRT8. For 2007, Jeep has added a number of refinements. In its physical dimensions and towing capacity, Grand Cherokee is a mid-size SUV, like the Ford Explorer or Chevrolet TrailBlazer. Uses for the Grand Cherokee are versatile, from a daily family vehicle, to a weekend explorer. It can handle city streets, highways, and offroad travel, and is capable to haul and tow. The Grand Cherokee gets an estimated 22 mpg Hwy, and 17 mpg City.