Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Limited 2006 Review

7-day Test

There's been a bright spotlight on the new generation of diesel engines in both four-wheel drives and passenger cars lately, with improvements in technology providing performance and refinement good enough to keep most unleaded-loving Australians happy. Reinforcing the palatability of 'new' diesels, seven days and 2000km in the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD demonstrated to me not only how good an oiler can be, but constantly had me dreaming of slipping the motor into an Aussie four-door sedan.

Launched here late 2005, the CRD sits alongside 4.7 and 5.7-litre petrol V8 stablemates in the showroom but is streets ahead of them in the real world. Yep, the 3.0 V6 common rail direct injection diesel that also powers Merc's new ML 320 CDI is that good. Check the numbers: 160kW at 4000 rpm, but more importantly peak torque of 510Nm on tap between 1600-2800 rpm. Whilst talking numbers, try 0-100km/h in 9.0sec.

On the road, the stats equate to very strong performance under hard acceleration and effortless cruising in traffic. A couple of days of suburban and city peak hour reveal 2000rpm is rarely exceeded as the five-speed auto makes good use of the early torque arrival.

Changes are smooth (Ed: though not as good as the Benz's seven-speed CDI combo) even when giving it a bootfull, and it will hold gears when using the tiptronic function. Fuel consumption's good for this class of vehicle, returning 12.8lt/100km around town.

The suspension tune is well-matched to suburbia in that it's soft and compliant over minor bumps, but is devoid of excess pitching and rolling, resulting in high levels of comfort. The top-spec interior of the Limited makes things even more plush featuring electric, heated leather seats, six-stack in-dash CD, and electric everything as well as rear parking sensors and dual zone climate control.

Out on the open road clocking up 1500km from Adelaide to Alice Springs, the Jeep was a highly competent long distance cruiser. It's quiet and refined, and stable on the highway with easy to use steering wheel-mounted cruise control, and overtaking is effortless as those Newton metres render passed traffic dots in the mirror.

Once again, fuel consumption is excellent for a 2.2 tonne wagon with an average of 11.3lt/100km, although a best of 10.7 was achieved at one stage. However, with 510Nm coming on strong from 1600rpm, I was a little surprised to see 2450 rpm at 110km/h. I'm convinced it could easily hold highway speeds at lower rpm. Indeed, the CRD feels like it needs an extra ratio up top to capitalise on its monster torque.

I didn't get a chance to sample the Quadra-Drive II full-time four-wheel drive system in low-range off-road conditions, but did cover plenty of dirt miles on a combination of higher speed roads and slow but flat sandy tracks.

On the corrugated dirt typical of much of outback Australia, the Jeep showed its first loss of absolute composure. It's not bad, but feels under-sprung up front, with too much pitching and wallowing over what really aren't large bumps. Down back however, the chronic bump steer of early Jeeps is thankfully gone and the GC always felt firmly planted.

As good as the drivetrain is, there are a couple of flaws with the ergonomics. The handbrake and bonnet release on the passenger side don't bother me, but the cramped footwell on the driver's side does. A lot.

I'm not sure what the protrusion from the transmission tunnel next to the brake pedal is, but I'd have it taken out back and shot. I found my left ankle constantly throbbing because my foot can't sit flat down there, perched on an angle.

The only remedy is to have my left foot up just in front of the seat, right foot down in the well with the pedals. Just whinging? Maybe, and I'm 6'3" with size 11s, and my shorter passenger doesn't have the same problems when he drives it. Seriously it would be enough  to preclude me from buying the car. I could just move my leg, but at $69,090 plus on road cost why should I...

It's a shame because the rest of the package is comfortable, quiet and refined with nicely weighted direct steering and a suspension tune that works well on-road and at slow speeds off.

But you can believe me when I say the drivetrain is a cracker. Petrol stations around Australia should start installing more diesel pumps, for it's rapidly becoming a real world performance option rather than simply a practical workhorse alternative.