autoX Awards 2023: It’s no secret that big rugged Jeeps are universally admired, and we are no exception. The Jeep in question here is one that not only does all that you expect from a Jeep really well, but also promises an added aspect of comfort. Yup, I am talking about the Grand Cherokee. Now, let’s begin with the design. To be honest, while it has all the butch characteristics to give it an appearance of a big, bold SUV, it lacks the contemporary flair to take its aesthetic appeal to the next level. In other words, it seems like a classic case of repackaging an old design and calling it new.
In terms of comfort, though, the Grand Cherokee was one of the highlights of our ‘Best of 2023’. The suspension just soaks up about everything you throw at it – the SUV stays relatively upright even in the worst off-road conditions. When it comes to outright performance, its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine does a good enough job of getting you up to speed pretty quickly, but it’s not a fire-breathing unit and may, at times, leave you wanting a little more power. However, what it loses in terms of power, it makes up for in terms of refinement, which is quite impressive, to say the least.
If you are one of those who don’t like to sit behind the wheel, you may find yourself in a bit of a pickle, for the rear seats are a bit too small to be chauffeured around comfortably. Plus, the cabin has its fair share of hard plastics, which is quite unbecoming for a Jeep or, more importantly, a luxury SUV.
Also Read: Jeep Meridian Overland Edition Breaks Cover with Cosmetic Improvements in India
In terms of lap times, the Jeep did a good enough job of occupying the top half of the lap times table. Apart from the Hyundai Verna, which was marginally faster than the Cherokee, only the cars with premium badging were able to outperform it. Overall, the Jeep did just about above average in most scoring categories, highlighting a persistent theme of lacking exuberance not just in terms of design but also in other areas.
- Jeep Grand Cherokee (Lap Time: 01.13.8)
| PARAMETERS | POINTS | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| QUALITY | 5 | 3 |
| COMFORT / SPACE | 5 | 3.5 |
| REFINEMENT | 5 | 3.5 |
| DESIGN | 5 | 3 |
| DRIVETRAIN | 5 | 3.5 |
| RIDE & HANDLING | 5 | 3.5 |
| PRACTICALITY | 5 | 4.5 |
| X FACTOR | 20 | 14 |
| LAP TIME | 15 | 8.2 |
| VALUE FOR MONEY | 30 | 14 |
| TOTAL | 100 | 60.7 |
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