Buying a used Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011-2018)

Poor old Jeep. As rival brands spent their advertising dollars on promoting new products, Jeep was pleading with owners not to abandon the brand while promising that dealers would be less truculent when owners brought their cars in with a problem.

Crucial to market acceptance of Jeep’s corporate angst was the Jeep Grand Cherokee WK. The brand flagship suffered immensely from lousy build quality and warranty department ambivalence; a decent basic design negated by production line penny pinching.

Six years after arriving to a quite rapturous reception (the initial WK won several industry awards) it was replaced by a restyled and more advanced version.

The nose and tail were both remodelled, with the front light clusters becoming more imposing. The rears became larger and were set higher but the distinctive grille with its vertical segments remained.

What didn’t survive the update was traditional beam axle rear suspension, making way for all independent springing beneath unibody construction.

For the first time, but probably not the last, Chrysler’s design was shared via an affiliation with previous owners Daimler and underpinned the Mercedes-Benz ML.

WK2 engine choices spanned three petrol units – two of them thirsty V8s – plus a V6 turbo-diesel supplied by Fiat Powertrain Facilities.

Biggest of the petrol units was a 6.4-litre HEMI with 350kW, followed by the still-potent 5.7-litre and its 258kW. Early versions of the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 produced 210kW and the 3.0-litre diesel 177kW.

WK2s all have automatic transmission and Quadra-Trac II full-time 4WD. This brake-based system with an electronically-controlled limited-slip centre differential distributed the torque between front and rear axles as conditions demanded.

From the cabin the driver can dial in changing road conditions via Selec-Terrain, making even the stock Grand Cherokee a sound choice for most types of off-road use.

However, if you were someone who liked the challenge of deep ruts and off-camber crawling, Jeep offered the even more advanced Quadra-Drive II.

With low range for difficult terrain, the system would sense changing grip levels and use Quadra-Trac II's limited-slip centre differential to maintain direction and momentum, but with the added capability of limited-slip diffs at front and rear as well, in lieu of the brake-based traction control of the cheaper system. It is said to be particularly effective in muddy conditions.

Quadra-Lift air suspension was standard on some versions and provided up to 104mm of extra clearance for dodging rocks and fording creeks.

With prices at launch in 2011 starting at $45,000 and the turbo-diesel V6 just $5000 more, Grand Cherokee pricing was lineball with diesel Mitsubishi Pajero and Nissan Pathfinder but around $6000 cheaper than a comparable Toyota Prado.

With comprehensive equipment even in lower-spec models, the WK2 had plenty to entice family buyers who were more into comfort and gadgets than serious off-roading. However, it still did a decent job of combining both roles.

At the ‘cheap’ end of the Grand Cherokee range came Laredo and Jet versions, with V6 petrol or the optional V6 turbo-diesel engine. Then came the popular Limited – usually with six cylinders but occasionally a 5.7-litre V8 – followed in order by the Overland, Trailhawk and mega-kilowatt SRT8.

As new vehicles there was a difference of $30,000-plus between the lowest and highest-spec Grand Cherokee models. In today’s used market, that gap has shrunk dramatically, so why not spend a few thousand extra on a version with loads more gadgets?

The basic Grand Cherokee Laredo had cloth trim and six-speaker sound, but power seat adjustment and heaters were still standard. So was dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors and rain-sensing wipers.

Jump to an Overland variant and the experience became more lavish. Grand Cherokee Overland buyers got to pick between a V8 or 3.0-litre turbo-diesel with 20-inch alloys, leather trim, adaptive cruise control and a cross traffic sensor.

The sound system with nine speakers was multifunctional, and the surveillance system came with lots of buzzers and warning sensors. Plus, there was a panoramic sunroof.

With their fuel tanks in a very vulnerable position, older Grand Cherokees are not recommended as family transport. However, the WK is a different design that in 2011 scored a four-star ANCAP rating, and from 2014 got the full five stars.

The structure is admittedly hefty and the pillars huge, but it did score an almost perfect 15 out of 16 in the frontal impact test.

Post-2013 models are identified by a new grille and smaller headlights, but the big changes were under the skin. An eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters became standard and the engine mapping was modified to deliver improved fuel economy.

The useful retracting tailgate window glass became a fixed panel, however.

Comfort, performance and off-road competence make the WK-series Jeep Grand Cherokee an appealing vehicle.

Problems, actual and perceived, can make them difficult to sell, so if you find one with flaws fixed and it passes muster during a professional pre-purchase inspection then it will likely provide a good run for years to come.

Using V8 versions, or even the petrol V6, as a commuter car requires deep pockets in the fuel payment department and regular outlays for maintenance.

The V8 certainly provides a satisfying growl when leaving the lights and they will tow three tons without complaining, However, in the process they will consume around 20 litres of 95-octane fuel every 100km and empty the 93-litre tank in under 500km.

The V6 petrol around town will use 13-15L/100km but they are tuned to accept the cheaper 91 RON fuel. Diesel versions offer lots of torque for on- or off-road use and swill down half as much fuel as a 5.7-litre.

WKs sit on a wheelbase 120mm longer than a Prado’s, but don’t offer a seven-seat option. The trade-off is space for a full-size spare under the rear floor and an expansive load area plus extra legroom for those in the rear seat.

Comfort levels front and back are good and even little ones in child seats should have a decent view forward and to the side.

Off-road, the Grand Cherokee is said to be hard to place when travelling downhill because the driver sits a long way back, those pillars intrude and the bonnet swiftly disappears from view.

Used vehicle grading for Jeep Grand Cherokee WK
Design & Function: 10/20
Safety: 14/20
Practicality: 14/20
Value for Money: 10/20
Wow Factor: 12/20 (SRT8)
Score: 60/100

Also consider: Toyota Prado, Mitsubishi Pajero, Land Rover Discovery