2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee competitive comparisons
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee was the first product launch after Cerberus gave up its stake in Chrysler, and a considerable amount of effort went into improving the already-prepared SUV so it would make a splash and end speculation about Chrysler’s ability to survive. The Grand Cherokee debuted with the Pentastar V6, née Phoenix Engine, pushing out 290 horsepower without benefit of direct injection — which is coming.
We have numerous 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee details, photos, and specifications on the Grand Cherokee page. Note that all comparisons are to 2010 model year vehicles.
Based on Ward’s Middle Sport-Utility Vehicle Segment comparisons, Jeep Grand Cherokee has the best ground clearance, when equipped with Quadra-Lift; best power; and best rear seat leg room (some competitors have three rows, though).
Grand Cherokee vs competitors: the specs
Jeep sees its primary competitors as being the Chevy Equinox for Laredo trim, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander for Limited trim, and Lexus RX350 for Overland trim.
| 2011 Grand Cherokee | Chevrolet Equinox | Honda Pilot | Toyota Highlander | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base engine | 3.6 V6 (290 hp) | 2.4 I4 (182 hp) | 3.5 V6 (250 hp) | 3.5 V6 (270 hp) |
| Optional engine | 5.7 V8 (360 hp) | 3.0 V6 (264 hp) | none | none |
| Ride height | 8.1 inches (up to 10.7) | 7.8 inches | 8.0 inches | 8.1 inches |
| Seating for... | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Cargo capacity (seats up) | 36.3 cubic feet | 39.9 cubic feet | 18 cubic feet | 10.3 cubic feet |
| Towing capacity | 7,400 lb (V8 4x2) 5,000 lb (V6) |
3,500 | 3,500 | 5,000 lb |
| Satellite radio | One year free | Three months free | Three months free | Not standard |
| Heated side mirrors | Standard | Optional | Driver's side | Standard |
Jeep noted that the Lexus RX350, with all wheel drive, has a less powerful engine, just 3,500 pounds of towing capacity, 18 inch wheels vs 20 inch on Overland, and fewer standard features than the Overland model. The Lexus is lacking (except as options) navigation with satellite travel information, an air suspension, a large sunroof, and a rear backup camera, among other accessories.
In the following table, Canadian mpg is not only using Imperial gallons; it also uses the Canadian testing process. The V8 produces 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a rated 14/22 mpg (as far as we can tell; Chrysler has not yet released this info as of May 17, 2010). Hemi high mileage in Canada is rated at 27 mpg (10.6 l/100 km).
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Equinox V6 | Highlander V6 |
Honda Pilot V6 LX |
GMC Acadia V6 SLE | Toyota 4Runner V6 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 290 | 264 | 270 | 250 | 288 | 270 |
| Torque | 260 | 222 | 248 | 253 | 270 | 278 |
| 2WD mpg (EPA) | 16/23 | 17/25 | 18/24 | 17/23 | 17/24 | 17/22 |
| Canadian mpg | 22/32 | 23/35 | 23/32 | 22/31 | 22/32 | 22/31 |
| Length | 189.8 | 187.7 | 188.4 | 190.9 | 200.7 | 189.9 |
| Width | 76.3 | 72.5 | 75.2 | 78.5 | 78.2 | 75.8 |
| Towing | 5,000 - 7,400 | 3,500 | 5,000 | 4,500 | 5,200 | 5,000 |
| Canadian MSRP (4x4 V6) |
$37,995 | $37,870 | $39,820 | $40,390 |
As for off roading:
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Equinox V6 | Highlander V6 |
Honda Pilot V6 LX |
4Runner (4x2/4x4) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approach angle | 35.9 | 14.8 | 29 | 28 | 31 / 25* |
| Departure angle | 29.2 | 23.2 | 24 | 25 | 26* |
| Breakover ramp | 25.1 | 16.5 | not available | 16 | 24 |
| Min ground clearance | 8.1 - 10.7 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.0 | 9.0 / 9.6 |
| Weight | 4,470+ | 3770+ | 3,979+ | 4,319+ | 4,400+ |
* With SR5 V6 and appearance package or Limited, 24° 4x2, 25° 4x4 approach; 24° departure
And interior:
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Equinox V6 | Highlander V6 |
Honda Pilot V6 LX |
GMC Acadia V6 SLE |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front legroom | interior | 41.2 | 39.7 | 41.4 | 41.3 |
| Rear legroom | specs have | 39.9 | 40.1 (row 2) | 38.5 (row 2) | 36.9 (row 2) |
| Shoulder froom, front | not yet | 55.8 | 59.7 | n/a | 61.9 |
| Hip room, front | been | 51.1 | 56.7 | 58.6 | 57.8 |
| EPA interior volume | released | 130.5 | 156 | n/a | not available |
| Rows of seats | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs... 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee
This is American pricing:
| 2010 (USD) | 2011 (USD) | 2010 (C$) | 2011 (C$) | Added | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo 4x4 | $33,460 | $32,995 | $43,995 | $42,995 | Side airbags, foglamps, satellite radio, leather wrapped wheel with audio controls, bright trim, keyless start | ||
| Limited 4x4 | $40,200 | $39,995 | $54,645 | $46,995 (V8, $48,995) | Selec-Terrain, side airbags, 18” polished wheels, HID lamps, panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, power liftgate, more | ||
| Overland | $39,495-$42,995 | $49,995 | Not available in 2010 |
Jeep Cherokee and competitors: Scheduled maintenance
Jeep engineers tried to cut maintenance costs, partly through research and partly through design changes. The following table looks at scheduled maintenance costs over five years and 75,000 miles, using each manufacturer’s published regular maintenance schedule and their most stringent schedules. Repair costs were obtained using Mitchell’s Repair Manual.
The Chevrolet Equinox required nearly double the tire rotations, required a tire monitor recalibration after each rotation (Grand Cherokee does not), had more frequent recommended oil changes (though owners could use GM's oil change computer to extend the duration, so that's not a fair comparison), and requires a coolant changes in the period. Chrysler did note that GM is planning to change the Equinox from regular schedules to computer-calculated, condition-dependent maintenance.
The Honda Pilot required two transmission fluid changes in the same period the Jeep required one; required brake fluid replacement every 45,000 miles and a timing belt change every 60,000; needed five air filters while Jeep required two; and had a mandatory coolant change. (Honda is also planning to stop using schedules and to start using computer calculations.)
The Lexus RX35 AWD required nearly twice as many tire rotations, requires body frame tightening every 15,000 miles, requires brake fluid changes every 60,000 miles, requires cabin air filter cleaning between replacements, and requires a retorque of the drive shaft.
As a result, while the Grand Cherokee came in with $2,322 in estimated service costs, and the Chevrolet came close with $2,935, the 2010 Pilot required no less than $4,176 and the RX350, $4,064 in estimated service.
Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Mercedes ML350
The key competitor for Jeep Grand Cherokee is one for which there is bound to be very little cross shopping: the Mercedes ML350, which shares the platform and, presumably, many components. Canadian literature compares the two, with the Jeep coming in at $46,995, and the Mercedes at $57,400, base price (the Jeep in this case is the Limited model). These prices presumably include VAT.
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited | Mercedes ML350 | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $46,995 | $57,400 |
| Highway MPG (Canadian) | 32 | 28 |
| Low-range 4x4, Selec-Terrain, Hill Descent Control | Standard | Not Available |
| Power liftgate, heated rear seats, power steering wheel, memory settings, nav system | $925 (nav system) | $4,500 (in a package) |
| Premium leather seats | Standard | $2,500 |
| 20 inch wheels | $500 | Part of $2,900 sport package |
| Adaptive headlights, power sunroof, HID headlamps | Standard | Standard |
| iPod / USB connection | Standard | $375 |
| Rear view camera | Standard | $900 |
See more — 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Pentastar V6