Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 2002

Jeep's Grand Cherokee Overland is the most powerful, most expensive model it has ever offered in Australia at $75,490. Dripping with luxury, powered by a potent V8, but with a low-key look-at-me exterior, the Overland is an ideal foil to Range Rover or Discovery V8 not to mention offering a huge cash saving on a Lexus LX470.

Given Jeep's DNA, heading into the most arduous off-road conditions is shrugged off without breaking a sweat, though this model is unlikely to be dipping its shiny 17-inch five-spoke alloys in too much cow dung or back paddock mud-holes. No sir-ee Bob, this baby is for parading around town and impressing the glitterati.

It is powered by an up-rated version of the 4.7-litre V8 that has won many fans since its arrival in the new generation Grand Cherokee range in 1999. The high output motor adds a useful 16 percent more power at 190kW and has 8 percent more torque at 425Nm and gives the hefty 1850kg full-time all-wheel drive Jeep a decidedly spritely turn of speed all the way to 207km/h.

Its 0-100km/h sprint time is just 8.3 seconds.

Overland also comes with the Quadra-drive full-time 4WD transmission that directs torque to the wheels with most grip. The five-speed gearbox employs an extra long overdrive fifth for improved highway cruising fuel economy at lower revs, making in-cabin conversation more pleasant. A low range transfer case is fitted of course.

Floor the long travel throttle and the beast fairly leaps away from the traffic lights, its engine rising to the predictable and delectable crescendo as the city speed limit is swiftly reached. On the freeway, the Jeep has bags of torque to pull it along at a comfy lope and when you want to overtake, the beefier motor is more than able to deliver.

The rev limit is a modest 5800rpm but it is between 3000rpm and 4500rpm where it works the hardest. Even so, at a slow-beating 2000rpm, the mill is churning plenty of grunt.

With close to 1900kg to pull with a 4.7-litre V8, the required premium unleaded isn't going to lounge around in the tank for long. The 76-litre tank was depleted in under 370km, most of which was city-based careful driving, with only a couple of hard wide-open throttle bursts (but gee, they were fun).

A multi-function computer mounted on the roof console keeps a constant watch on many measurable quantities, including the all-too vital 'distance to empty'.

The Overland test car we drove (painted in special and quite fetching Patriot blue metallic) was fitted with Goodyear Wrangler F1 uni-directional 235/65 R 17 tyres with a very aggressive tread pattern.

Aloft in the driver's seat this translates into a ride that feels as if there are oversized 50 cent pieces at each corner and the softly sprung and damped Jeep rolls and weaves like a rather portly chap with too much claret in his belly. And that is at round town speeds. Before buying, potential purchasers should experience the Overland on their regular routes to be sure motion sickness doesn't set in, or unduly affect the small fry in the rear.

The steering is over-assisted and feels mushy, exacerbated by the body roll evident even at moderate speeds and the long-travel brake pedal feels as if it will never actually get around to pulling the five-door five-seater wagon up in good time. However these attributes would be well received by serious off-roader drivers.

Relaxing in the sumptuous leather and suede seats will take less time to appreciate, though the deeply scalloped seat base may leave drivers with less well rounded bottoms feeling as if they have fallen into a lushly-lined leather pocket. The seats need to offer more support.

The Grand Cherokee is Jeep's biggest bus and it has loads of rear legroom and headroom, but rear passengers can't get their feet under the front seats. The steeply raked A-pillar intrudes into your personal space up front as well as providing a large blind spot to your right. That said the interior is well screwed together and has a lush, expensive feel.

Parchment-faced dials are elegant and bathe in green fluorescent light at night.

A big, square load deck gobbles luggage and the rear seats fold forward with a 60/40 split, and there's a neat self-folding action for the three headrests. The rear seat squab also tumbles forward delivering a massive flat load floor, complete with tie-down hooks.

Overland models come with painted metal over-rider tubes to protect the sills; a chrome edged seven slot Jeep brand grille and fat chromed tailpipe.

The driver sits on a ten-way power adjustable seat and grips a wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel. The footwells are covered by specially embroidered over-mats, while above the driver's head is an electrically operated tilt and slide glass sunroof.

On the safety front, multi-stage firing dual airbags protect the forward passengers while full-length side curtain airbags are fitted. Seat belts are height adjustable all round and there is a lap/sash centre seat belt in the back. Anti-lock brakes are standard as is cruise control, CD stacker stereo and split zone front climate control air conditioning system. Rain sensing wipers are another first for Jeep.

Overland tops the range with plenty of grunt, kit and glitz. If you don't mind the mattress ride, you'll love it.