 |
|
|
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Road Test
|
| Specifications |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
TO THE POINT
What’s New? The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is completely redesigned this year, with only a V8 engine and basic design and engineering philosophies carried over from the old model.
Selling Points: True off-roading capability, powerful Hemi V8, dramatically improved front seats
Deal Breakers: Small cargo space, glossy interior materials, tight rear seat leg room, poor fuel economy with V8 engines
Our Advice: Totally redesigned for 2005, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is more refined but has lost some of the moxie that made it so cool, rendering it a bland, overpriced and undersized SUV.
MEET THE COMPETITION
Ford Explorer
Nissan Pathfinder
RELATED LINKS
Top Ten SUVs with High MPGs
New for 2006 Trucks, Vans, and SUVs
TOP STORIES
When Fuel Economy Matters
Asian Luxury Comparison Test
Ten Affordable iPod-Compatible Cars
Galloping Mustangs, since 1965
Top Ten Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs
|
|
|
|
Specifications
The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s primary competitors include the Buick Rainier, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender, Mercury Mountaineer, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Xterra, and Toyota 4Runner.
Test Vehicles: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4WD; 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD with 4.7L V8; 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD with 5.7L Hemi V8
Price Range: $26,355 (base Laredo 2WD); $34,570 (base Limited 4WD)
Engine Size and Type: 3.7-liter V6 (Laredo V6); 4.7-liter V8 (Limited 4.7L); 5.7-liter V8 (Limited 5.7L)
Engine Horsepower: 210 at 5,200 rpm (Laredo V6); 235 at 4,500 rpm (Limited 4.7L); 330 at 5,000 rpm (Limited 5.7L)
Engine Torque: 235 at 4,000 rpm (Laredo V6); 305 lb.-ft. at 3,600 rpm (Limited 4.7L); 375 at 4,000 rpm (Limited 5.7L)
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Curb weight, lbs.: 4,441 (Laredo 4WD V6); 4,665 (Limited 4WD 4.7L); 4,735 (Limited 4WD 5.7L)
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 17/21 (Laredo 4WD V6); 15/20 (Limited 4WD 4.7L); 14/19 (Limited 4WD 5.7L)
Observed Fuel Economy: 21.3 mpg (Laredo V6); 18.5 mpg (Limited 4.7L); 14.2 mpg (Limited 5.7L)
Length: 186.6 inches
Width: 73.3 inches (84.3 inches at the mirrors)
Wheelbase: 109.5 inches
Height: 67.7 inches
Leg room (front/rear): 41.7/35.5 inches
Head room (front/rear): 39.7/39.3 inches
Max. Seating Capacity: Five
Max. Cargo Volume: 67.4 cubic feet
Max. Payload: 1,100 lbs. (Laredo 4WD V6; Limited 4WD 4.7L); 1,050 lbs. (Limited 4WD 5.7L)
Max. Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs. (Laredo V6); 6,500 lbs. (Limited 4.7L); 7,200 lbs. (Limited 5.7L)
Ground Clearance: 8.0 inches
Approach Angle: 34.1 degrees
Breakover Angle: 20.6 degrees
Departure Angle: 27.1 degrees
Competitors: Buick Rainier, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender, Mercury Mountaineer, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Xterra, Toyota 4Runner.
|
| |
About Christian Wardlaw
Christian Wardlaw joined Autobytel's Automotive Information Center (AIC) in January 2003, and current serves as Manager of Content Development for Autobytel. Previously, Christian spent eight years as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Automotive Data for Edmunds.com. A writer, editor, and automobile aficionado, Christian is a different sort of car enthusiast. His passion lies in the vehicles that people most often buy, rather than with high-performance sports cars or ultra-luxury sedans. “Given the choice to spend an hour with a Dodge Viper or a Honda Accord, I’ll choose the Accord,” he claims. Unless, of course, the driving venue is a racetrack. Christian has been a car enthusiast all of his life, uttering “car” as his first word while growing up in Detroit. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English. His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano.
|
|
|
|
| |
| ADDITIONAL RESOURCES |
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
|
|
|
