- suv
- Jerome, ID
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- autoshopper.com
- suv gasoline blue automatic
2002 jeep grand cherokee review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There's no mistaking it for something else. The current model is three inches longer than pre-1999 versions but rides on the same wheelbase. It's a pleasing look. the front seats are comfortable, with thickly padded longitudinal ribs, but they seem a bit cushy for serious off-road driving. Climbing into the back seats is much easier than before, however, because the rear doors are wider. more space is available for cargo because the spare tire was moved from its upright position on the left rear side of the cargo compartment to lie down under the load floor. That feature relieves the long reach to the dashboard for the radio controls. The long reach is a function of the high seating position. It produces a noticeable 25-horsepower increase over the standard 4. 7-liter v8. The more powerful engine also uses more of the pricier fuel, sucking down a gallon for every 13 miles on the epa's city test cycle. That's one mpg worse than the standard 4. 7-liter v8, and the jeep's fuel tank keeps its 20. 5-gallon capacity, so overall range is reduced. the high-output 4. 7-liter v8 accelerates the grand cherokee smoothly, and it sounds refined. It produces 260 horsepower at 5100 rpm and 330 pounds-feet of torque at 3600, compared with the standard 4. 7-liter v8's 235 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 295 pounds-feet of torque at 3200 rpm. In other words, it produces more power, but revs higher to do that. the five-speed automatic transmission that comes standard with the v8 engines shifts unobtrusively. Hurrying up a mountain or around weekend-warrior crazies is a breeze with the higher second gear. With two overdrive gears, cruising on the highway at 70 mph means the engine is turning over at just 2000 rpm in fifth. Experienced off-road drivers prefer a longer pedal travel for precise manipulation of the throttle in tricky situations. Deliberate mashing of the throttle pedal brings a quick launch, quicker than most other suvs in this class. That's due in part to the relative light weight of the jeep, whose figure is kept trim by its unitbody construction; many truck-based suvs are built on a separate frame. This unusual design strategy, also used by the smaller nissan pathfinder and mitsubishi's montero, results in a platform that is lighter and more rigid than it would be using more traditional designs. This relative light weight helps the jeep feel faster and more responsive than most v8 suvs, especially the huge tahoes and expeditions. a surprisingly tight turning circle adds to the jeep's spirited, nimble feel when maneuvering in close-quarters. But the reality is that it's a big, heavy truck. In most street driving conditions, the grand cherokee drives like a truck, with a tall, body-rolling ride. Off-road, or driving down a bumpy, rutted rural lane, it feels controlled and steady. There's no need to slow down for rough railroad crossings in the grand cherokee. steering is quick but isolated, despite sophisticated tuning of the front engine cradle and front suspension and steering component mounts. But that's the same for all of the top-selling sport-utilities. The overland's standard off-road suspension lifts the body an inch higher than the standard suspension. underneath, the grand cherokee still sits atop live axles. The trend among competing sport-utilities is to use independent suspensions for better highway performance. Jeep's new liberty has an independent front suspension and the 2002 ford explorer uses an independent rear suspension. But the big jeep's live axles are only a drawback on washboard-rutted roads, where the wagon will bounce. summaryjeep grand cherokee is a popular choice for families on the go who like its rugged image. We think, however, that it's creeping too close to the $40,000 mark in overland guise. it tracks like daniel boone through the backcountry, and jeep claims that a higher than average percentage of its customers use their vehicles for that purpose. Indeed, only land rovers and toyotas can compete with jeep when it comes to trail running. When the going gets rough, the jeep grand cherokee is a thoughtful design that delivers. model lineuplaredo 25,500); laredo 4wd 27,470); sport 25,425); limited 30,345); limited 4wd 32,775); overland 4wd 36,905). assembled indetroit, michigan; graz, austria. options as testedadjustable pedals 185); class iv trailer hitch, wiring and power steering cooler 255); tire pressure monitor 150); chrome wheels 870). model testedoverland 36,905). Chrome Wheels
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