Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 2016 Review

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

International Launch,

Las Vegas, USA

There's no doubt a plethora of recalls has seriously and understandably damaged buyer interest in the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Australia. But underneath the problems the current WK generation remains the most convincing generation of the breed that debuted in the USA in the early 1990s. And now it's got added off-road ability courtesy of the newest addition to the range, the Trailhawk. On-sale in Australia by April 2017, it's designed to emphasise what Jeeps do best.

Sitting bogged in deep sand is probably not the best way to get to know the most off-road capable Grand Cherokee Jeep claims it has ever produced.

But when you're tired and you don't follow the instructions of your navigator properly these things can happen.

"Stay driver's side of the cones," he'd commanded as we peeled hard right off a dirt track into a mini-Sahara in the desert north of Las Vegas.

For a moment jetlag had intervened and I'd wondered 'does he mean when I'm driving on the left or right-side of the car?' Yep, nonsensical I know. By the time my brain was functioning again we were in it up to our axles and going nowhere.

Within minutes our ever-helpful Jeep guides had snatch-strapped us out and the Trailhawk completed the rest of the course without incident, Pentastar V6 engine revving madly and sand kicking up in spectacular showers.

Earlier the test route had been entirely different, marked out over boulders, rocky outcrops and steep sluices that are typical of the spectacular 'Valley of Fire' state park.

The Trailhawk dealt with this mini-Rubicon Trail impressively, occasionally lifting a wheel here, or graunching its substantial under-body protection there, but motoring on nonetheless.

Earlier we'd cruised up the freeway from Las Vegas in blissful, quite comfort, riding smoothly over the concrete joins, the engine and tyres a distant hum. This dual ability is what Grand Cherokees do so well. Only now the Trailhawk does the off-road bit even better.

On-sale in Australia around the end of the first quarter of 2017, the Trailhawk will become the latest permanent member of the Australian Grand Cherokee line-up, slotting in above the Laredo and below the Overland.

At this stage all that is confirmed is we will get the 179kW/569Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine mated with an eight-speed ZF transmission and low-range transfer case. The Pentastar we drove in Nevada could come and maybe even the Hemi V8. Pricing is also a TBA, although positioning somewhere between $65,000 and $70,000 seems logical considering the current model line-up.

Mind you, with a luxury model called the Summit also coming that will sit further up the range, there could be some readjustment of the pricing ladder.

Both Trailhawk and Summit (Platinum) badges have been limited editions previously, the Trailhawk appearing as far back as 2013.

Trailhawk is also the designated name for the most off-road capable model in all Jeep model lines except the Wrangler, which gets the Rubicon moniker.

Trailhawk is fitted with Jeep's Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system with rear Electronic Limited Slip Differential, a unique version of the Quadra-Lift air suspension providing increased articulation and total suspension travel, the Selec-Terrain system that adjusts dynamics through auto, sand, snow, rock and mud modes, Selec-Speed Control with hill ascent and descent control, four underbody skid plates and Goodyear Adventure off-road tyres with Kevlar reinforcement.

Approach angles on the Jeep Grand Cherokee are 29.8 degrees or 36.1 degrees when the lower front fascia is removed for severe off-roading, while the breakover angle is 27.1 degrees and the departure angle is 22.8 degrees. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk offers up to 274mm of ground clearance.

Key Trailhawk numbers include a kerb weight beyond 2200kg for all three versions, a maximum braked towing capacity of 2818kg for the V6 petrol and 3300kg for both the V6 diesel and V8 Hemi. Underpinning it all is a unibody architecture shared with the Mercedes-Benz ML/GLE, with a 4822mm body draped over the top.

The Trailhawk gets the front fascia and seven-slot grille that debuted on the 75th anniversary Grand Cherokee, along with signature red tow hooks (needed those!), new badging, mirror caps and a roof rack. A reversing camera and rear parking sensors are standard.

Inside the spacious five-seat interior there's a unique black hue with leather and suede performance seats, red accent stitching, piano black and gun-metal finishes. There's a new gearshifter to replace the one that was the subject of recall, and there are new off-road pages on the 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen that shows wheel articulation, suspension height and 4x4 and Selec-Terrain modes.

Which brings us back to the Trailhawk's intended purpose. That it's capable of heading off-road so impressively is fine, but the reality is most buyers will surely appreciate the ability without ever truly testing it out.

Trailhawks will spend their time in the places up-market SUVs normally do; in suburbia as family transport. In that role we know the Grand Cherokee already does a good job. It's doubtful the Trailhawk's off-road features affect that, albeit only judging by our short freeway stint.

So purely in terms of on-road manners, presentation and style the WK is the best of the Grand Cherokee breed. There are other issues why its popularity has declined massively over the last couple of years, like price rises and 16 recalls in Australia since its 2011 launch.

But off-road – and on-road – ability? Never been an issue. Trailhawk simply plays to a Grand Cherokee strength.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
Price: $67,000 (Estimated)
Engine: 3.6-litre petrol V6
Outputs: 210kW/347Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 10.4L/100km approx
CO2: 244g/km
Safety Rating: Five star ANCAP