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Coming Next Issue
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Chip Foose |
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VW Phaeton W12 |
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Long Term Storage |
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Ultimate Ears |
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2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Big Changes Bring Big Smiles (continued) |
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Rear seat passengers may gripe a bit, as we did find the seats to be a bit on the "short" side, especially in the thigh area. Our taller staff members hinted at a lack of thigh support, and some wondered if children's' safety seats would fit properly on the relatively short seat cushions. The theater style seating is a welcome feature, as it provides rear seat passengers with better forward visibility.
In the cargo area behind the rear seats, the Jeep offers wider accommodations than before, thanks in part to wheel wells that intrude less. A nice touch is the plentiful allocation of cargo tie down anchors. Cupholders and storage compartments are plentiful and well placed - a must for today's urban road warriors.
On the road, we found the Jeep Grand Cherokee performed nearly flawlessly. The now infamous 5.9L Hemi provided plenty of grunt, and thanks to the Quadra-Trac II all wheel drive system, we were never left wanting for more traction or grip. Body roll was well managed, even when the going got technical in the twisties. Granted, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is no Audi S4, but it certainly handles better than you'd expect.
And despite that great handling, the ride is very compliant and comfortable. The suspension soaks up road irregularities, and does a great job at damping road noise, unlike the previous model Grand Cherokee. We have a sneaking suspicion that the boys from Daimler may have helped Jeep with their NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) issues, and that's something we should all be thankful for. Simply put, the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee doesn't ride like Jeeps of the past. It exudes a sense of confidence and refinement.
We had an opportunity to take the Jeep Grand Cherokee off-road, on a course that was set up at an old downhill ski facility. As luck would have it, the skies opened up a few days before we were brought to the facility, so the trails were extremely slick and muddy. But none of this fazed the Grand Cherokee - it took everything we could throw at it with ease, and impressed us with its off-roading prowess despite wearing relatively sporty 17-inch all season Goodyear tires. The Quadra-Trac II system easily handled the most severe conditions, and the Descent Assist Technology kept us in total control, even as we traversed down a 45-degree, mud covered hill.
As our time came to an end with the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, we found ourselves wishing we had more time with it. All of us agreed that it was light years beyond what the old Grand Cherokee was, and we're excited by what Jeep may have to offer with its forthcoming Commander model. As far as mid-size SUV models go, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the finest. And, if you don't splurge on the options, it's also one of the best bargains around. 
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