A Social Network Brand

Last year, the Jeep brand surpassed 700,000 global sales, breaking its previous record of 670,000 units in 1999. John Bonzack, the development head responsible for the Japanese launch of the newly redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee, proudly stated, "We have become America's number one SUV brand."


He also remarked that Jeep is not just a car brand, but also a form of social network.


Given its long history, it's easy to imagine a shared sense of values and active information exchange among owners. There was an old commercial that said, "Gentlemen know... that Miyuki is the fabric for suits." Similarly, Jeep owners seem to possess a high degree of loyalty, perhaps thinking, "Car enthusiasts know... that Jeep is the car for them." I believe that's what he meant by a social network. My apologies if I've misunderstood.

Be that as it may, let's talk about the Grand Cherokee.The current, fourth-generation model was launched in 2010.At the start of its development, Chrysler was still partnered with Daimler-Benz, so the platform was shared with the previous generation'sMercedes-Benz"M-Class" model. It was, like the M-Class, an SUV with high on-road comfort. This was, therefore, the last gift from Stuttgart to Chrysler.


However, it lagged slightly in terms of efficiency. The relatively new 3.6-liter "Pentastar" V6 engine was a highly efficient unit that achieved an unusually high balance of power and fuel economy for a Jeep engine, but its pairing with a 5-speed automatic transmission put it at a disadvantage in fuel efficiency.

More Aggressive Design

The exterior design, already handsome, has undergone minimal changes. Bi-xenon headlamps are now standard on all grades, with a slight redesign around the headlamp area. Jeep calls this the "More Aggressive Design."

The most significant interior change is the adoption of an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the center panel.


Most functions, including navigation, audio, and various vehicle systems, are controlled via this touchscreen. While the multi-layered menus might require a few taps to reach the desired function, it becomes manageable with practice. The reduction in physical buttons also contributes to a cleaner center panel.

Off-Road Capability You Can Feel, Not Just Hear About

This time, we were able to test the 3.5-liter "Laredo" and "Limited" models. Although the 8-speed automatic transmission was adopted for fuel efficiency, it provides a smoother ride in urban driving with barely perceptible shifts, despite more frequent gear changes compared to the 5-speed. The body feels solid, and the on-road handling is exceptionally comfortable.

The Limited model, with its air suspension, offers a ride quality comparable to European premium brand SUVs, making it a great value. With the availability of advanced features like adaptive cruise control, there are no longer any compromises required to enjoy the unique character of an American car.


The Grand Cherokee has always boasted first-class off-road capability. For this minor change, the importer didn't heavily promote its features. Instead, they subtly demonstrated its prowess by easily navigating a specially constructed course featuring banked turns and uneven surfaces with differing wheel articulation.

The King of "Use-It-Hard" SUVs

To elaborate, the Grand Cherokee differentiates its 4WD systems across its various grades. The "Laredo," the more affordable of the two V6 3.5-liter engine models, uses conventional springs, while the higher-grade "Limited" features air suspension. The air suspension allows for four-stage height adjustment, enabling lower settings for easier entry/exit and high-speed driving, and higher settings for off-road excursions.

The "SRT8," equipped with a 6.4-liter V8 engine, is primarily rear-wheel drive but can engage the front wheels as needed, indicating a more on-road oriented system. The SRT8 is essentially a Grand Cherokee designed to mimic a sports car, so it's not intended for extreme off-road use. Among the three grades excluding the SRT8, the Summit, with its V8 engine offering a level of exhilaration unattainable with the V6, and its comprehensive features, is certainly appealing at 6,699,000 yen (though still considerably more affordable than European V8 competitors).


Furthermore, the V6 engine is so powerful that one doesn't necessarily feel the need for a V8. While the Laredo with the V6 is a good value at 4,273,500 yen, the desire for the comfort and adjustable ride height of the air suspension makes the Limited, priced at 5,428,500 yen, seem like the optimal choice... contemplating such options is quite enjoyable.

While I've detailed the specifics, the Grand Cherokee's atmosphere is distinct from other SUVs; simply owning this vehicle makes the owner appear as an experienced outdoorsman or winter sports enthusiast. In reality, this is often the case. Its status as the "King of 'Use-It-Hard' SUVs" is secure. If I could make one wish, it would be for the 3-liter V6 diesel engine offered in North America to be made available here. Mr. Bonzack mentioned it as a possibility, so it might arrive during the current model's lifecycle.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo | Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo

Body Dimensions | Length 4,835 × Width 1,935 × Height 1,825 mm

Wheelbase | 2,915 mm

Tread Front/Rear | 1,630 / 1,635 mm

Ground Clearance | 230 mm

Minimum Turning Radius | 5.7 m

Engine | 3,604 cc V6 DOHC

Maximum Output | 210 (286 ps) / 6,350 rpm

Maximum Torque | 347 Nm (35.4 kgm) / 4,300 rpm

Transmission | Electronically Controlled 8-Speed Automatic

Drivetrain | 4WD

Tires | 265/60R18

Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs

Rear Brakes | Discs

Front Suspension | Double Wishbone

Rear Suspension | Multi-link

Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 8.6 km/ℓ

Price | 4,273,500 yen



Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited | Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited

Body Dimensions | Length 4,835 × Width 1,935 × Height 1,805 mm

Wheelbase | 2,915 mm

Tread Front/Rear | 1,630 / 1,635 mm

Ground Clearance | 215 mm

Minimum Turning Radius | 5.7 m

Engine | 3,604 cc V6 DOHC

Maximum Output | 210 (286 ps) / 6,350 rpm

Maximum Torque | 347 Nm (35.4 kgm) / 4,300 rpm

Transmission | Electronically Controlled 8-Speed Automatic

Drivetrain | 4WD

Tires | 265/60R18

Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs

Rear Brakes | Discs

Front Suspension | Double Wishbone (Air Suspension)

Rear Suspension | Multi-link (Air Suspension)

Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 8.6 km/ℓ

Price | 5,428,500 yen



Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit | Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Body Dimensions | Length 4,880 × Width 1,935 × Height 1,805 mm

Wheelbase | 2,915 mm

Tread Front/Rear | 1,630 / 1,635 mm

Ground Clearance | 215 mm

Minimum Turning Radius | 5.7 m

Engine | 5,654 cc V8 OHV

Maximum Output | 259 (352 ps) / 5,200 rpm

Maximum Torque | 520 Nm (53.0 kgm) / 4,200 rpm

Transmission | Electronically Controlled 8-Speed Automatic

Drivetrain | 4WD

Tires | 265/50ZR20

Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs

Rear Brakes | Discs

Front Suspension | Double Wishbone (Air Suspension)

Rear Suspension | Multi-link (Air Suspension)

Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 6.4 km/ℓ

Price | 6,699,000 yen



Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 | Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Body Dimensions | Length 4,850 × Width 1,985 × Height 1,800 mm

Wheelbase | 2,915 mm

Tread Front/Rear | 1,670 / 1,660 mm

Ground Clearance | 195 mm

Minimum Turning Radius | 5.7 m

Engine | 6,416 cc V8 OHV

Maximum Output | 344 (468 ps) / 6,250 rpm

Maximum Torque | 624 Nm (63.6 kgm) / 4,100 rpm

Transmission | Electronically Controlled 8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain | 4WD

Tires | 295/45ZR20

Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs

Rear Brakes | Discs

Front Suspension | Double Wishbone (Coil Suspension)

Rear Suspension | Multi-link (Coil Suspension)

Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 5.5 km/ℓ

Price | 7,245,000 yen



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