Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)


The fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee is a mid-size SUV introduced in Spring 2010 for the 2011 model year by Jeep. It was unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show. The fourth-generation Grand Cherokee retains its classic Jeep styling combined with a modern and sleek body style. The 2011 Grand Cherokee has won 30 awards for off-road capability, luxury, value, best-in-class, and safety, making it the most awarded SUV ever.

Design

The body design is all new and has undergone testing for aerodynamic efficiency while improving ruggedness with more than 5,400 welds in the body alone. This results in a 146% increase in torsional rigidity compared to the previous design. This improves durability and reduces noise, vibration, and harshness.
Like the previous generations, the chassis is a steel unibody. Unlike previous models, the new WK2 features four-wheel independent suspension for better on-road handling. The Grand Cherokee WK2 platform uses a derivative related to Mercedes-Benz's Mercedes-Benz M-Class#Third generation |W166 series.
Four wheel drive systems include Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II. Using Selec-Terrain, the driver can select modes for Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock.
Optional Quadra-Lift height adjustable air suspension can raise the vehicle's ground clearance up to. Lift modes include Park, Aero, Normal Ride Height, Off-Road 1, and Off-Road 2.

Powertrain

Engine choices include the all new 3.6 L Pentastar V6 and 5.7 L Hemi V8. The Hemi V8 retains the Multiple Displacement System that shuts down four cylinders in low-power driving situations, and the V8 remains coupled with the multi-speed automatic transmission which includes Electronic Range Selection to manually limit the high gear operating range. Trailer tow is rated for Hemi models and for Pentastar models.
The 3.6 L Pentastar V6 replaces the 3.7 L and 4.7 L PowerTech engines. The 5.7 L Hemi engine was retained as the V8 option, although no Hemi badging is used on the exterior of the vehicle. Also, the WK program code remains.
A 3.0 L turbocharged diesel V6 developed and built by Fiat Powertrain Technologies and VM Motori rated at and of torque is offered in export markets by mid-2011 The new 3.0 L CRD turbodiesel engine is offered in European markets in a low-power version.
In mid-2012, electric vehicle manufacturer Amp Electric Vehicles, announced that it would be producing an electric vehicle version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, offering a great electric range and the same features of the Grand Cherokee. Slated to be available in early 2013, the AMP Grand Cherokee will have a starting price of around $50,000.00. AMP also produces electric vehicle versions of a step van and the Mercedes-Benz ML. As of April 8, 2017 the SRT Hellcat supercharged V8 was announced for the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. With, it is the most powerful SUV Chrysler has ever produced.
Engines-----
YearsEngineDisplacementPowerTorqueNotes
2011–3.6 L Pentastar V6220 CID Laredo, Laredo E, Laredo X, Altitude, Limited, Sterling Edition, Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, Summit
2011–5.7 L Hemi V8345 CID Laredo X, Altitude, Limited, Sterling Edition, Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, Summit
2012–6.4 L Hemi V8392 CID SRT8, SRT
2018–6.2 L supercharged Hemi V8376 CID Trackhawk
2014–20193.0 L L630 DOHC EcoDiesel V6182 CID U.S. spec Limited, Overland, Summit
2011–3.0 L A630 DOHC CRD/Diesel V6182 CID Euro spec, 5- and 8-speed automatic
2011–20133.0 L A630 DOHC CRD V6182 CID Euro spec, 5-speed automatic
2013–3.0 L A630 DOHC Diesel V6182 CID Euro spec, 8-speed automatic

Transmissions--
YearsModelEngines
2011–2013W5A580 5-speed automatic3.0, 3.6 L
2012–2013W5A580 5-speed automatic6.4 L
2011545RFE 5-speed automatic5.7 L
2012–201365RFE 6-speed automatic5.7 L
2014–2017845RE 8-speed automatic3.6 L
2018850RE 8-speed automatic3.6 L
2014–on8HP70 8-speed automatic3.0, 5.7, 6.4 L

Trim

The Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 is available in several different trim levels, each offering their own, distinct level of standard and optional equipment:
Laredo: The Laredo became the base model of the Grand Cherokee starting in 2014. Standard equipment includes: seventeen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a five-inch, color touch screen radio, a six-speaker audio system, manually-adjustable front bucket seats, a split-folding rear 60/40 bench seat with backrest recline, premium cloth seating surfaces, air conditioning, keyless access with push-button start, a seven-inch TFT color display instrument cluster, the 3.6L Pentastar VVT FlexFuel-Capable V6 gasoline engine, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. There are no additional options or packages available for this trim level, due to the Laredo being a "budget" trim level for the Grand Cherokee. The differences between the Laredo "E" and Laredo are that the Laredo does not offer SiriusXM Satellite Radio like the Laredo "E", has a manually-adjustable front driver's bucket seat in place of the Laredo "E" 's power-adjustable front driver's bucket seat, and offers no additional options or packages in addition to its standard equipment.
Laredo "E": The Laredo "E" was the base model of the Grand Cherokee from 2011 until 2013 until the base Laredo model debuted in 2014. Standard equipment includes: seventeen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, an A/M-F/M stereo with single-disc CD/MP3 player and SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a six-speaker audio system, power-adjustable front driver's and manually-adjustable front passenger's bucket seats, a split-folding rear 60/40 bench seat with backrest recline, premium cloth seating surfaces, air conditioning, keyless access with push-button start, the 3.6L Pentastar VVT FlexFuel-Capable V6 gasoline engine, and a five-speed automatic transmission. Optional features on the Laredo "E" include eighteen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, an 8.4-inch infotainment system, heated front bucket seats, and remote start. An Altitude package for the Laredo "E" is also available that adds gloss black-finished twenty-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and exterior accents, leather-trimmed seating surfaces with microfiber inserts, heated front bucket seats, power rear lift gate, optional single pane moonroof, and other "value-added" features that are regularly optional equipment on the Laredo "E".
Upland: The Upland, available for 2018, was based on the Laredo E trim level, and utilized styling elements from the Trailhawk trim level. It included twenty-inch black-painted aluminum-alloy wheels, light blue-accented emblems, and light blue stitching on the seats, interior door panels, and center console.
Laredo "X": The Laredo "X" was available from 2011 until 2013, and was the "step-up" trim level of the Grand Cherokee. It added the following equipment to the base Laredo "E" trim level: eighteen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, leather-trimmed seating surfaces, dual power-adjustable front bucket seats, a touch-screen infotainment system, a nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine premium surround-sound audio system, Bluetooth for both hands-free phone and wireless stereo audio streaming, heated front and heated rear seats, remote start, and an power rear tailgate. Other optional equipment for this trim level included the 5.7L HEMI MDS/VCT gasoline V8 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, a dual-pane panoramic moonroof, and GPS navigation.
Trailhawk: The Trailhawk is the "off-road" model of the Grand Cherokee, and was based on the Laredo "X" in 2013, and returned for 2017 based on the Limited. It adds the following features to these models of the Grand Cherokee: leather-trimmed seating surfaces with microfiber inserts, eighteen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a dark gray finish, the Selec-Terrain control system with Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Kevlar-coated on/off-road tires. Most of the optional features on the Laredo "X" and Limited are also available on the Trailhawk.
Limited: The Limited is the "step-up" trim level of the Grand Cherokee, and succeeded the Laredo "X" when it was discontinued after 2013. It offers the same basic standard equipment as the Laredo "X", but offers additional optional features such as heated and ventilated front bucket seats, a driver's memory system, Nappa leather-trimmed seating surfaces, twenty-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and other luxury features. The 5.7L HEMI MDS/VCT V8 gasoline engine, as well as the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 turbocharged diesel engine, are the other engine options for the Limited.
Sterling Edition: The Sterling Edition is a celebratory trim level of the Grand Cherokee that will only be available for the 2018 Model Year, celebrating its 25th year of production. While offering the same basic standard equipment as the luxurious Limited model, the Sterling Edition adds the following features to the trim level: twenty-inch tires with twenty-inch "Heritage" aluminum-alloy wheels, an 8.4-inch touch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine surround-sound premium audio system with subwoofer, special interior color combination options with perforated and patterned seats, unique interior trim, and special exterior badges commemorating the special edition model. A Sterling Edition Luxury Group is available for the Sterling Edition that adds features such as ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, a panoramic dual-pane sunroof, and other luxury options. Most of the other options available on the Limited trim level are also available on the Sterling Edition, which includes the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine.
Overland: The Overland is the luxury trim level of the Grand Cherokee, adding the following standard equipment to the already well-equipped Limited: Nappa leather-trimmed seating surfaces, a dual-pane panoramic moonroof, standard GPS navigation, twenty-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, and other exclusive features. The 5.7L HEMI MDS/VCT V8 gasoline engine, as well as the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 turbocharged diesel engine, are the other engine options for the Overland.
Overland Summit: The Overland Summit and Summit are the most luxurious trim levels of the Grand Cherokee, and are based on the luxurious Overland, but add additional features, such as: Summit-exclusive interior color options, a nineteen-speaker Harman Kardon premium amplified surround-sound audio system with 825-watt amplifier, twenty-inch chrome-clad aluminum-alloy wheels, and other exclusive features. In 2017, the Summit became more luxurious by offering exclusive quilted and perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, lace-style polished aluminum-alloy wheels, and the Summit California Edition package, which replaces some of the chrome exterior accents with exterior color-keyed accents.
SRT 392: The SRT 392 was the highest-performance Grand Cherokee model available from 2012-2017, and then became the second most high-performance Grand Cherokee model in 2018. The SRT 392 is powered by the 6.4L HEMI MDS/VCT V8 gasoline engine, and features more "performance-oriented" exterior and interior styling unique to the SRT 392. Several special edition models, such as the SRT 392 Alpine and Vapor Editions, and the SRT 392 Red Vapor Edition, were "limited-run" models that were based on the SRT 392.
SRT Trackhawk: The SRT Trackhawk model debuted for 2018, and became the highest-performance model in the Grand Cherokee lineup. While offering the same standard and optional equipment as the SRT 392, the SRT Trackhawk swapped the SRT 392 's 6.4L HEMI V8 gasoline engine for the same 707-horsepower 6.2L Supercharged Hemi V8 gasoline engine that is currently used in the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. The SRT Trackhawk is the most powerful Jeep Grand Cherokee model to ever be produced, following the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L Limited, the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, and the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 392.

Issues

Maneuverability and handling, 2012

In 2012, Swedish automotive magazine Teknikens Värld revealed that the Jeep Grand Cherokee failed one of their avoidance maneuver tests known as the "Moose test". Other SUV models in its class had no issues passing the test. German magazine Auto, Motor und Sport later tested the same press vehicle in a slightly different avoidance maneuver test that meets ISO standards. Unlike the results of the Swedish test, the Jeep remained on all four wheels and did not lose any tires to a blowout. Teknikens Värld tested the updated 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and found that it passed the test; even up to a speed of.

Updates

2011

On April 20, 2011, Jeep announced that the SRT8 version would be debuted at the 2011 New York Auto Show. According to Chrysler, it would be the most powerful Jeep ever built. It can accelerate from 0–60 mph in 4.7 seconds and can do the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds. Auto reviews measured this at 4.5 seconds, making the 2014 SRT the fastest Jeep ever produced at the time. The 2013-14 SRT Jeep Grand Cherokee includes a 6.4L Hemi motor producing and, which was the most powerful engine ever included in a Jeep at the time of production.
The Grand Cherokee SRT8 debuted alongside two other vehicles manufactured by Chrysler Corporation: the Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Dodge Charger SRT8, both of which also took a one-year hiatus while the new models debuted.
The new Grand Cherokee SRT8, which started production on July 16, 2011, is equipped with a 6.4 L Hemi V8 engine. Jeep claims the new SRT8 gets 13 percent better fuel economy than its predecessor. To improve gas mileage, Jeep has employed a new active exhaust system that lets Chrysler's cylinder-deactivation Fuel Saver Technology operate over a wider rpm band. Chrysler claims that with the larger gas tank, the SUV can now travel up to on a single tank, while other sources estimate range to be.

2014

On January 14, 2013, Jeep unveiled a revised WK2 Grand Cherokee at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center, along with a revised 2014 Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot. The new Grand Cherokee offered a 3.0 L DOHC V6 diesel engine that gets up to 30 MPG, a 3.6 L Pentastar V6 engine that gets up to 24 MPG and has, a 5.7 L HEMI V8 engine that gets up to 21 MPG and has, and the 6.4 L HEMI engine that produces . The models are the Laredo, the Limited, the Overland, and the Overland Summit Edition model has been renamed Summit. A new front end with a revised body-colored grille, new, smaller headlamps, and new tail lamps round out the exterior changes. The silver bezel on the back was removed. The opening rear tailgate window of previous models has been replaced with fixed glass. There are also new seventeen, eighteen, and twenty-inch wheel and tire choices. The SRT8 model will continue to be offered but as an "SRT" and not an "SRT8" badged model, and for the first time will offer signature details like blacked-out head and tail lamps. Inside, the Summit model receives the SRT's nineteen-speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound system, all Grand Cherokees receive a new steering wheel with standard paddle shifters in every model, an eight-speed TorqueFlite 8 automatic transmission, and an 8.4-inch touch screen display with Garmin navigation software, an optional CD player, and the U Connect Access System first introduced in the all-new 2013 Ram 1500. A U Connect 5.0 touch-screen radio will also be available with an optional CD player. The Selec-Terrain System receives multiple upgrades on four-wheel-drive Grand Cherokees. New exterior colors, new interior fabrics and materials, and new interior colors become available.
For 2014, "SRT8" was no longer a model of Jeep, but a separate corporate entity. The "8" was also dropped in the "SRT" line for this year, the Grand Cherokee being referred to as a "SRT Jeep Grand Cherokee." The SRT model received many new and unique features. For example, in the interior, it received a unique steering wheel with the SRT insignia, twenty-inch alloy wheels, performance tires, and additional SRT-only details including:
The 2015 Limited Edition model no longer has the dual exhausts. This feature only comes in the Overland and up editions. There are no other major changes for the 2015 model year. However, the Limited, Summit, and Overland trims will include HD Radio as part of the U Connect feature. The SRT receives a modest bump, in part due to a reflash of the PCM.

2017

At the 2016 New York International Auto Show, Jeep announced new updates for its Grand Cherokee mid size SUV, which included two new trim levels:
The Trailhawk trim level is the "off-road" oriented trim level, which made its initial appearance in 2013, returns for 2017. It includes Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system along with Quadra-Lift air suspension system, the Selec-Speed control, and Hill Descent Control. It will offer the same seven-slot front grille that was first offered on the 2016 Grand Cherokee Laredo and Limited 75th Anniversary Edition models, red-painted front-mounted tow hooks, standard eighteen-inch and optional twenty-inch alloy wheels, special off-road tires with Kevlar coating, Neutral Gray-painted exterior accents and badges, optional Mopar side rock rails, a standard U Connect 8.4-inch touch-screen infotainment system, red accent stitching throughout the interior, a 'Trailhawk' emblem on the steering wheel, brushed Piano black interior trim panels, and gunmetal finished interior components.
The Summit trim level is the "upscale" version of the Grand Cherokee, which was revamped in 2014, and was revamped again for 2017. It offers a restyled front grille with LED front fog lamps, and new, twenty-inch polished alloy wheels. It features include cross-stitched leather-trimmed interior, Active Noise Cancellation, an acoustic windshield and front side glass, leather-trimmed dashboard and door panel inserts, a nineteen-speaker, 825-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system with Green Edge technology, automatically-folding power side view mirrors, a suede-trimmed headliner, a Blind-Spot Monitoring System, Lane Departure Warning, Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist Systems, Berber carpeting, and other Summit-exclusive interior appointments.
New exterior paint color options include Rhino, Diamond Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Light Brown Stone, True Blue, and Ivory Pearl Coat.
All 2017 models received a second facelift that features new alloy wheel designs, reshaped headlights and a reshaped grill. The new grill and headlights come from the 75th Anniversary Edition models of 2016, however, without the bronze-painted accents. In addition, all models receive a new 'GRAND CHEROKEE' emblem for the front doors.
The 75th Anniversary Edition models, based on the base Laredo and mid-level Limited, also continue on for 2017.
The SRT trim for 2017 got a new front fascia and a new interior.

2018

Jeep introduced the all-new 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk at the 2017 New York International Auto Show. The Trackhawk is the highest performance Grand Cherokee model to date.
;Specifications
Additional changes to the rest of the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup include:
The "base" U Connect 7.0 Infotainment System includes:
The "upgraded" U Connect 8.4 Infotainment System with GPS Navigation includes all of the existing features of the U Connect 7.0 Infotainment System, but also adds the following features:
Both radios include the option to add a single-disc, center console-mounted CD/MP3 player, and some trim levels equipped with the 8.4-inch radio can also be equipped with a rear seat DVD and Blu-ray entertainment systems with dual screens, HDMI input, and independent CD/MP3/DVD/Blu-ray players, with two pairs of wireless headphones also included in the package. On Limited, Trailhawk, and Sterling Edition models, the Luxury Group is required to have the rear seat entertainment system option. The option can be selected independently on all other trim levels.
A standard six-speaker, non-amplified audio system comes standard on Laredo, Laredo "E", Altitude, and Limited models. A nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine amplified surround-sound premium audio system comes standard on Trailhawk, Sterling Edition, Overland, High Altitude, SRT, and SRT Trackhawk models, and is optional on Altitude, Limited, and Summit models. A top-of-the-line eighteen-speaker, 825-watt Harman Kardon amplified surround-sound premium audio system comes standard on the Summit model, and is optional on Overland, SRT, and SRT Trackhawk models.

2019

Largely unchanged for 2018, the 2019 model year Grand Cherokee receives only a few minor changes. The 25th Anniversary Sterling Edition model is now discontinued, though its aluminum-alloy wheel design is now standard on the luxurious Overland trim, and optional on midlevel Limited trim. Laredo, Laredo E, Upland, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, Summit, SRT 392, and SRT Trackhawk models continue for 2019. The 8.4 touchscreen is updated to a high-definition "Dissociated" display for the 2019 model year.
A new Limited X Package adds SRT-inspired styling cues to the mid-level Limited trim. The Overland and Summit trims gain new aluminum-alloy wheel designs.
The mid-level Limited trim receives a standard U Connect 4C 8.4 infotainment system with Garmin GPS navigation, which was previously available as an extra-cost option, leaving only the base Laredo, Laredo E, and Upland trims with the base U Connect 4 7.0 infotainment system as standard equipment. In addition, the U Connect 4C 8.4 infotainment system with Garmin GPS navigation receives a new 8.4-inch, high-definition "Dissociated" touchscreen display, which was first introduced on the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan.
Blind Spot Detection System and Forward Collision Warning System, previously extra-cost options available as part of a package on top-level trims of the Grand Cherokee, are now standard equipment on all Grand Cherokee trim levels.
Three new exterior colors, Green Metallic, Sting Gray, and Slate Blue join the exterior color lineup for 2019. A new interior color scheme, Black and Bridle Brown is also added for the Summit trim level, and both Trailhawk and Overland trims receive new Piano Black interior trim accents.
Trim levels that continue for 2019 are Laredo, Laredo E, Upland, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, Summit, SRT, and SRT Trackhawk, with Limited X being new for 2019.

Production

In 2009, the company announced a US$1.8 billion, expansion of its Jefferson North Assembly plant in Detroit to allow flexible manufacture of the next-generation model, as well as the 2011+ Dodge Durango off the same platform that was developed jointly with Mercedes.

Safety

Euro NCAP

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Moderate overlap frontal offsetGood
Small overlap frontal offset Marginal*
Small overlap frontal offset Poor*
Side impactGood
Roof strengthGood

*vehicle structure rated "Marginal"

NHTSA

Overall: 4WD
Overall: RWD
Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Passenger:
Side Pole Driver:
Rollover: / 16.9%
Rollover: / 20.4%

Recall

Approximately 1.1 million 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as 2012-2014 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger vehicles were recalled for rollaway risks. Drivers may mistakenly believe they have engaged the vehicles in park mode, allowing the vehicle to roll away. The recall was linked to 1 death, 41 injuries, 212 crashes, and 308 reports of property damage. The shift lever was changed to a more traditional unit starting with 2016 model Grand Cherokees. In 2016, Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin was in his driveway when his Grand Cherokee rolled backwards, and crushed him against a pillar outside his driveway. On March 24, 2018, it was revealed that Yelchin's family received a recall notice from Chrysler exactly one week following his death. The family has settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Chrysler.

Awards

2011