Roy Lewis road tests the Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 turbo-diesel Overland auto. (From Hereford Times)

Roy Lewis road tests the Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 turbo-diesel Overland auto.

8:00am Saturday 16th July 2011 in Road Tests

AT-A-GLANCE Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 turbo-diesel Overland auto.

Price: £43,995 (on the road).

Top speed: 126mph.

0-62mph: 8.2 seconds.

Fuel: 34mpg (combined figure).

C02 emissions (g/km): 218.

Verdict: Impressive performance on and off road, high specification, stylish looks, quality build, and Jeep heritage.

THE off-road market is getting as tough as some of the terrain the vehicles can storm over with manufacturers enticing customers with some excellent new models.

Those pretenders who once challenged living legends of the 4x4 market such as Jeep have disappeared for a whole new generation of serious contenders to emerge in their place.

So Jeep has once again upped the game in the premium sports utility segment with the launch of the all-new Grand Cherokee, which is stylish, has great presence, is competitively priced and with the money going on specification, refinement and quality and not on the badge.

Actually, little can touch Jeep in terms of brand culture with its roots going back to the early years of the Second World War.

Now more than four million worldwide sales later Jeep has honed its winning formula in the shape of the Grand Cheroke.

It has been designed on a new platform to deliver premium onroad performance while maintaining Jeep’s brilliant 4WD torque-on-demand system for offroad capability.

Also new is the 237bhp 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine which of fers lower emissions and improved economy of up to 39mpg, though in the real world of everyday motoring the figure would almost certainly be less.

But while the big Jeep is cheaper to run, it is the advanced features that are particularly interesting.

It has new air suspension and a terrain traction control system that takes the vehicle to the next level of 4x4 capability. With this technology it is like having an expert in the cabin during offroad use.

Selec-terrain, coupled with the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, offers drivers an adjustable suspension span. A control dial inside the cabin allows the driver to choose from five driving conditions to achieve the best driving experience. These are sand/ mud, snow, rock, sport and auto which adapts to any of the on or off-road situations.

In addition, there is hill descent control which allows smooth and controlled descent on rough or slippery slopes, and hill start assist.

The new model comes in two specifications, Limited and Overland, and are both powered by the same motor. Prices start at £36,795 on the road for the Limited and £43,995 for the Overland. The new Jeep is certainly an eye-catcher with its muscular look, high waist band and steeply raked windscreen.

From the front it is instantly recognizable as belonging to the Jeep brand with its classic wheel arches and seven-slot grille.

On the tarmac it’s a superior drive with the suspension soaking up all manner of road imperfections on minor routes while on the motorway it cruises like an expensive saloon car.

There is an abundance of power with an impressive pick-up of speed for swift overtaking. The engine is smooth and quiet and the car also quiet while underway.

Touring attributes are another Jeep forte with the maximum towing capacity with a braked trailer a class-topping 3,500kg.

The interior is of a high standard, offering ambience, comfort and huge amounts of space for passengers and their luggage.

Premium materials are used such as real wood, leather upholstery, chrome accents and LED lighting.

The Grand Cherokee offers a great driving experience with all the latest technology at the driver’s finger tips. There is a premium audio system, media centre and iPod interface as well as the convenience of keyless entry and a top-bracket panoramic sunroof fitted as standard on the Overland model.