Phillips also noted our biggest issue with the Grand Cherokee: a disturbing clunk in the transmission around 5 miles per hour when slowing to a stop. But an absent-minded technician forgot to install this bracket, which led to driveshaft vibrations and a shredded diff bushing. But he praised the cushy ride, which comes at the cost of substantial body roll and low, 0.74-g cornering grip.Īfter we had the transmission replaced, we thought we were done with our local Jeep service desk. There is only one serious off-road adventure documented in the logbook, a three-week trip to Montana by John Phillips, who noted that the on/off-road tires quickly fill with mud and act like slicks. We averaged 19 miles per gallon over our 40,000-mile investigation. Through its tenure in our office, the GC quickly became a road-trip favorite thanks to its 24.6-gallon fuel tank that allowed 400-mile-plus forays between gas stops. Optional $225 paint and a $395 navigation upgrade to the infotainment system brought our as-tested sticker to $39,740. Also deemed necessary was the $2125 Off-Road Adventure II package, with skid plates, factory trailer hitch, hill-descent control, a full-size spare tire, and height-adjustable air suspension. To minimize whining in the logbook, we added the $4000 26X package, which includes leather seats with power and heat in the front, dual-zone climate control, rear backup camera, an upgraded stereo with touch screen, remote start, and a 115-volt AC outlet. Displaying unusual restraint, we opted for the cheapest four-wheel-drive trim, Laredo (Jeep also sells every model with rear-wheel drive), base price $32,995. To glimpse the new Chrysler’s potential, and also to sample the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, we requested a long-term test unit. The cabin held up well, unlike the five-speed transmission. Though we ordered our Grand Cherokee in base Laredo trim, we felt it a disservice to ourselves to forgo leather seats.

Gas tank size 2011 jeep grand cherokee