As it officially stepped out for the first time at the New York Auto Show, the 2011 Grand Cherokee from Jeep seems to have garnered a very mixed reaction. While some love it for the innovation, boldness and different look, others just feel that the exterior killed its charm.
Powered by either a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 280 hp or a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 360 hp, the new Grand Cherokee is also available with a diesel option for international users outside the US. The most impressive aspect of the latest from Jeep is the three different four-wheel drive systems, a Land Rover-like Select-Terrain system with five different modes (Sand/Mud, Sport, Auto, Snow, and Rock), and an available Quadra-Lift air suspension system which can either raise the vehicle for maximum ground clearance or lower it for improved aerodynamics. And that definitely keeps it perfectly in-line with the company’s tradition.
But the front-end is the one that is raising eyebrows with small grille, headlights, and fog lights seem tiny compared to the vehicle’s overall size. The rear also looks anything but passable at best making this a bit of a step backwards. While the interiors look pampering with extra leg room found at the back, your liking of the 2011 Grand Cherokee will purely depend on your styling tastes
