Video: 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

om. This is the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Now the changes for 2014 aren't that significant, but they take what was a good SUV and make it a great SUV. We see a lot of changes to areas on the inside that we had problems with before, including the entertainment system. And there's a lot of new stuff under the hood as well. There's a new diesel engine, as well as an eight speed automatic transmission on all engine choices. For our full impressions of the diesel, the high-performance SRT8, and the gasoline V6, be sure to read our review online. We're here with the Summit model, which is the most luxurious trim level and all new for 2014. So let's take a look at what the Summit has to offer. The new Summit trim level is available with all three engines in the Grand Cherokee lineup, including the gasoline V6, the diesel V6, and the V8. The Summit adds such niceties as this suede-like material in the headliner and pillars, as well as a Harman Kardon upgraded stereo. What we're most excited about for the 2014 is available across all trim levels. And that's the 8.4 inch Uconnect multimedia system. Now the previous offerings just weren't that high tech and Chrysler has this amazing system in other products, and it just didn't make its way to the Grand Cherokee until now. We liked the 8.4 system so much because it's easy to use. The buttons are quick to respond. The text is big and easy to read, and it integrates your phone and navigation, Bluetooth, stereo, USB, as well as smartphone applications seamlessly. In addition, the Uconnect system doesn't make you use the touchscreen for everything, like a lot of systems do. There are knobs and dials and real buttons, and even the features like heated seats that are accessed only through the Uconnect system, the screen's responsiveness and large type make it so easy to turn up. Even though there isn't a physical button for it. While the 8.4 system is optional, there's more new technology in the Grand Cherokee, and it's standard on every trim level. And that's the configurable instrument cluster. Now it's an extremely smart display with good graphics, and it gives you everything that you want. There's digital speedometer, there's an analog speedometer. There's readouts for what the all wheel drive system is doing and wheel articulation, as well as gas mileage indicators to help you save fuel and your general trip readouts and other updates for the stereo or notifications that may come through the vehicle system. The new eight speed automatic transmission is a welcomed addition. It makes the 360 horsepower V8 that we've been driving feel a lot faster than its 360 horsepower suggests in such a heavy SUV. The up shifts are quick. They're fast in sport mode. And the downshifts are equally as impressive. And even in eco mode and normal mode, the transmission is practically seamless, and you can't even tell that there's eight gears, and the increased fuel economy is much welcomed as well. Up to 25 miles per gallon on gasoline V6 models on the highway. Plus the V8 sound is intoxicating. So you'll want to keep it in sport mode. (engine revving) It sounds even more aggressive and muscle car like than Dodge's Challenger. The navigation is one of the areas where the 8.4 inch system previously just wasn't that great compared to the rest of the system. Not much has changed with this new one. The graphics are better and they're more detailed, but there's still some lagging when you zoom in and out of the screen that is a little off-putting. It may seem all this new technology is diluting the Jeep's off-road capability, but that's not true at all. The same off-road features are available in 2014, including this Summit model's Quadra-Drive II off-road system. A base 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee starts at around $29,000. And that's with the V6 rear wheel drive cloth interior and the smaller entertainment system, not the awesome 8.4 inch system. Now this Summit model with V8 and all wheel drive and all of these options, that approaches $55,000. The thing is, with how nice it is and how flawlessly all the technology works, $55,000 doesn't seem too crazy for this Jeep Grand Cherokee. For more information on what's changed on the outside as well as how we fit on the inside, be sure to check out our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Auto Show video at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. (upbeat music) (engine revving)