2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited

MANAGERS NOTES - 4 DRIVE MODES, 4WD, MAHOGANY INTERIOR TRIM, FALKEN WILDPEAK TIRES, REAR HEATED SEATS, 20" RIMS, FRONT AND REAR HEATED SEATS, TWO-SPEED TRANSFER CASE, HILL DESCENT CONTROL. Vehicle overview Automotive comebacks don't get much better than the story of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Just a few years ago, the Grand Cherokee languished among newer SUVs and crossovers as an overweight, over-thristy and unrefined choice. Even its remarkable off-road pedigree couldn't amend for a choppy ride, dated interior and abysmal fuel economy. The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, represents the model at the peak of its powers. The current-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee shares components with the Mercedes-Benz M-Class -- a legacy of Jeep's tenure under DaimlerChrysler ownership -- so its premium look and feel isn't a surprise. Drive a Grand Cherokee from the last generation back to back with the current model and the upgrades in cabin quality, performance and overall refinement are dramatic. Despite the new gloss, the Grand Cherokee still delivers off the highway. The optional adjustable air suspension varies the JGC's ride height from 6.6 inches for easy passenger loading and roof rack access to 10.7 inches for serious trail work. A drive-mode selector ("Selec-Terrain") can also tailor the powertrain and suspension for specific types of terrain. Performance & mpg Except for the SRT8, every 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes standard with Chrysler's 3.6-liter V6 good for 290 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard. Fuel economy with four-wheel drive is an estimated 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. The optional 5.7-liter V8 produces 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque and comes matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Limited, Overland and Trailhawk V8 models get Quadra-Trac II standard, which includes a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control and the Selec-Terrain system. The latter feature allows drivers to choose from five pre-programmed settings that best suit road or trail conditions. Quadra-Trac II is optional on Laredo models. Limited, Overland and Trailhawk V8 models can also opt for Quadra-Drive II, which adds electronic limited-slip differentials on both axles to the Quadra-Trac II system. Optional on the Limited and standard on the Trailhawk and Overland models is the Quadra-Lift air suspension, which varies ride height based on driver input or automatically via Selec-Terrain. Safety The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. In Edmunds brake testing, the Overland V6 stopped from 60 mph in 125 feet, a good result for this segment. The SRT8, thanks to its high-performance tires, made the same stop in an impressive 112 feet. In government crash testing, the Grand Cherokee earned an overall rating of four stars out of a possible five, with four stars for overall frontal crash protection and five stars for overall side crash protection. In testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Grand Cherokee received the highest possible rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset, side and roof-strength crash tests. Driving On the road, the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee's suspension offers a compliant ride that will comfort through many hours of commuting or road-tripping. It basically rides and handles like any other modern crossover, an impressive feat considering its ample off-road ability. Once off-road, the Grand Cherokee is pure Jeep, offering generous ground clearance, advanced four-wheel drive, low-speed stability and climbing power. Apart from extreme tricks like axle locking and disconnecting sway bars available on the Jeep Wrangler, the Grand Cherokee can pretty much match its counterpart on even the most challenging trails. Most folks will find enough power in the V6's spirited