It feels a bit strange reviewing the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee as so many other midsized SUVs in this class fall victim to the economic crisis, but the irony is that although the Cherokee is by no means the best SUV in the class, it will probably be one of the survivors. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the perfect vehicle if you want to tow the family boat or take the family on an off-road adventure holiday. If you want a trendy-looking SUV to ferry the kids about to their hockey games that is comfortable maneuvering around the Walmart parking lot, then this is probably not your cup of tea. Firstly the fuel economy is woeful, secondly the handling in the city pales next to the real city SUVs like the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave and thirdly the passenger space in the rear seats is minimal. However if you can overlook these flaws, the 2009 Grand Cherokee is a great SUV.
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Performance
The Laredo trim on the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee come standard with a 3.7-liter V6 engine that generates 210hp. This engine is well renowned to be underpowered for lugging this heavy Jeep around even in the city, and is best passed over in favour of the optional 4.7-liter V8 that delivers a much healthier 305hp. This V8 is standard on the Limited trim, while optional is an even more powerful 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that pumps out 357hp. This engine is standard on the Overland trim and has been tweaked this year to produce 28hp more than last year and it feels noticeably stronger. Optional on all of these trims is a 3.0-liter V6 Turbodiesel that generates 215hp and 375lb/ft of torque however it is not yet available in California or Californian emissions states. Finally the awesome SRT8 trim is powered by a 6.1-liter Hemi that yields 420hp and is a veritable powerhouse, speeding to 60mph in just 5 seconds – on par with serious performance sports sedans.
All of the Grand Cherokees for 2009 have the option of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive except the SRT8 that comes only in AWD. The AWD models all come with a version of the Quadra-Trac system that controls the off-roading system of the vehicle. The Laredo is equipped with the Quadra-Trac I that offers single speed. The Limited has Quadra-Trac II which offers low range gearing. On the Overland the Quadra-Drive II has a two-speed transfer case and limited-slip differentials on the front, center and back as well as hill-descent control and skid plates.
The driving experience of the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is refined and well-mannered with nicely-weighted steering and suspension that does a good job of ironing out most of the bumps. It shines off-road however, and equipped with the Quadra-Drive II system there are few SUVs that can beat it for sheer guts.
Fuel economy ranges from an average of 18mpg for the Laredo between city and highway, down to 15mpg with the 5.7-liter V8 on the Overland and just 12mpg for the SRT8 6.1-liter V8. The Turbodiesel averages 19mpg. Tow ratings vary depending on the size of the engine, but range between 3500lb to 7,400lb for the 5.7-liter V8.
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Interior and Features
The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee looks and feels comfortable and although this is no luxury SUV, the interior is well-made and manages to avoid too many shiny black plastic surfaces. The seats are on the hard side, but do not feel unsupported, however the biggest issue we have with the Grand Cherokee is the limited space of the rear seat. Not only are the seats low and narrow in this five-seater, but legspace is extremely limited, making it uncomfortable for adults of any size to squeeze in.
Standard features on the Laredo trim include 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, cloth upholstery, full power accessories, audio system with MP3 capability and six speakers, 60/40 spilt rear seat, cargo cover, roof racks, powered drivers seat and steering wheel with audio controls. There is a Quick Order Package to add to the Laredo costing around $3500 that adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, upgraded Boston Acoustics stereo, Bluetooth, iPod outlet, power outlets, universal garage door opener, power sunroof, power adjustable pedals and remote engine start.
In the Limited trim these optional features are all included, as well as heated rear seats and a driver seat memory function. The Overland trim features 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights and a wood/leather wrapped steering wheel. Finally the SRT8 performance trim adds sports seats, leather and suede upholstery, 20-inch wheels, sport suspension and exterior styling. There are a multitude of other options available including navigation system, DVD entertainment system for the rear seats, rear-obstacle cameras etc.
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Safety
The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee earned the perfect five stars in all crash situations in the government crash tests. Major safety features include electronic stability control on all Cherokees, with trailer sway control optional for the Laredo and Limited trims. ABS brakes and brake assist are standard, and a rear obstacle detection system is available on everything by the Laredo. Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags are standard.
Safety features:
- Stability control, ABS, brake assist.
- Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags
- Rollover sensor
- Tire pressure monitor
- Rear obstacle detection system