Jeep reveals facelifted Grand Cherokee price and spec

Jeep's upgraded 2017 Grand Cherokee range, including the tough new Trailhawk version, is now available in Australia following the release of local pricing and specifications today.

Prices increase by $500 at base level, for the entry-level Laredo 4x2 petrol ($47,500 plus on-road costs) and the Laredo 4x4 petrol ($52,500), and by $1000 at the top-end -- with the now diesel-only Overland costing $80,000 and the SRT now priced at $91,000 – but remains otherwise unchanged,

The all-V6 petrol line-up will be joined by the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk hyper-SUV, powered by the same ballistic 527kW/880Nm supercharged 6.2-litre V8 as fitted to North America's Dodge Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcat muscle cars, following its world debut at the New York motor show next month.

Positioned between the Limited and Overland models at $74,000 is the new bush-focussed Trailhawk, which Jeep claims is the toughest Grand Cherokee ever to grace Australia – at least until the road-focussed Trackhawk arrives.

For now, the most powerful Grand Cherokee is the SRT, with a carryover 344kW/624Nm 6.4-litre V8, while lesser petrol models are powered by Chrysler's 213kW/347Nm Pentastar V6 (up from 210kW) and diesels continue with a 184kW/570Nm 3.0-litre TDV6. All models remain standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Apart from refreshed styling, more standard equipment and safety, and the US off-road brand's new lifetime roadside assist and five-year/100,000km 'Jeep There & Back Guarantee' warranty program, Jeep hopes improved refinement and performance will arrest a 58 per cent sales slide for the model so far this year, which came on top of a 47 per cent sales slump in 2016, when it was Australia's most recalled vehicle.

“The updated Grand Cherokee range is not only more refined on-road and more capable off-road, we’ve bolstered its safety credentials and made it even better value for money,” said Jeep Australia director, Guillaume Drelon.

“On top of all that, the arrival of the new Trailhawk model, with its heightened off-road abilities, is particularly exciting for Australia, a nation whose core values resonate strongly with Jeep’s love of freedom and adventure.”

As we've reported, the Trailhawk employs Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system incorporating an electronic limited-slip rear differential, plus Quadra-Lift air suspension offering 260mm of ground clearance to 260mm, and also offers four underbody skid plates, red front tow hooks, a matte black bonnet decal, neutral grey mirrors and grille, and new 'Offroad Pages' for its 8.4-inch Uconnect touch-screen infotainment system.

The latter is included in all updated 4x4 Grand Cherokee models – except the SRT performance flagship which retains SRT Performance Pages.

Range-wide exterior changes include a new grille and headlights, new front fascia, new LED fog lights, a fresh selection of 18- and 20-inch wheels and a choice of six new exterior colours for a total of 11.

Inside, there's a new gear selector, acoustic windscreen and front door glass and active safety updates like LaneSense Lane Departure Warning Plus and Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist.

While the petrol V6's fuel economy has improved by up to four per cent -- due to the fitment of idle-stop, electric power steering system and an Eco Mode for the 'Gen II' transmission, which is claimed to be more efficient and smoother-shifting -- all 2017 Grand Cherokees continue to come with a five-star ANCAP safety rating and 3500kg towing capacity.

Jeep Australia CEO Steve Zanlunghi said the brand's new aftersales provisions, including the five-year warranty and capped-price servicing when serviced within Jeep’s 99-strong national dealer network, would improve customer satisfaction.

“The Jeep There & Back Guarantee is the next step in our commitment to improve the Jeep ownership experience,” he said. “This is not a limited-time offer or a short-term promotion. It forms a fundamental component of our business going forward and it’s a commitment to our owners now and in the future.”

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee pricing (plus ORCs):
Laredo 4x2 petrol -- $47,500
Laredo 4x4 petrol -- $52,500
Laredo 4x4 diesel -- $59,000
Limited petrol -- $62,500
Limited diesel -- $69,000
Trailhawk diesel -- $74,000
Overland diesel – $80,000
SRT -- $91,000