The verdict:
Versus the competiton:
So why is everyone getting so excited about the coming “luxury” sport-utility vehicles when Chrysler has a vehicle decked out with every creature comfort and amenity known to man at $32,631.
Hmmm. $32,631. When did sport-utility vehicle’s window stickers equal-and surpass-many people’s annual incomes? OK, the price is steep, but here’s a utility that rides and handles like a Cadillac Seville.
The optional ($616) 5.2-liter, 220-h.p., V-8 (a 4-liter, 190-h.p., in-line 6 is standard) is smooth and quiet, though like the Trooper LS the price you pay is in never being able to venture far from a gas pump. The rating is 14 m.p.g. city/18 m.p.g. highway.
When the snow gets deep, the Grand Cherokee gets going. Our test vehicle came with Quadra-Trac all-time four-wheel-drive that automatically adjusts to changing road conditions to ensure traction. Four-wheel ABS is an added benefit.
Leather seats are nice and cushy, but the first time you slip onto them in mid-August after three days of 100 degree weather, you might wish you got the cooler cloth.
Ample room to carry people and cargo-in style. Power steering almost as silky as that on any Honda, the industry benchmark for quick yet accurate response to wheel input from the driver.
Notable standard equipment includes dual air bags, remote heated mirrors, rear window washer/wiper/defroster, fog lamps, roof rack (a needless creator of screw holes in the roof), AM/FM stereo with cassette, tinted glass, tilt steering, cruise control, air conditioning, power seats/windows/locks, keylessentry, rear seat heat ducts and trip odometer. Add $170 for a compact disc player and $495 for freight. An integrated child seat that pops out of the rear seat when needed or stays hidden when not, is an option.
