2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L CRD - First Drive

Believe it or not, the Grand Cherokee has no frame. The steel unibody uses these framelike sections (seen here in a Jeep display) to connect and reinforce the suspension setups. The strong steel body connects the front and rear and is bolstered with steel channels and folded sections that add rigidity to the unibody chassis.

SuspensionFront: Short/long independent (SLA) upper and lowerA-arms with coilover shock absorbers, and stabilizer barRear: Live axle, coil springs with track bars, shock absorbers, and stabilizer bar

BrakesFront: Size and type: 12.9 x 1.2-inch vented discsRear: Size and type: 12.6 x 0.55-inch discs

WheelsSize: 17 x 7.5-inch

TiresSize: P245/65R17Manufacturer: Goodyear Fortera All-Season

Towing Capacity2WD: 7,400 pounds4WD: 7,200 pounds

Driving ImpressionsTo get some opinions on how the diesel Grand Cherokee performs in the real world of grocery grabbing and trail riding, we put a Jeep fanatic and a daddy behind the wheel of the 3.0L CRD. Here's what they had to say:Mr. Jeep*The low-end torque is unbelievable. It launches hard from a dead stop. I love it. The diesel

Grand may make a nice tow rig because it's rated to pull up to 7,400 pounds.

The '08 model year will include some small changes to the Grand Cherokee exterior. The indentation in the middle of the front bumper will disappear to make more room behind the plastic for cooling equipment. The foglamps will also change. They're being moved lower and mounted in a separate part of the fascia that can be totally removed for better off-road clearance. The headlamps will also be updated with available auto-leveling, high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs.

*Easily shifted transfer case. Put the tranny in Neutral, lift the lever for Low range, and go. Just as easy to shift out of Low. No annoying clicking, buzzing, beeping, or fussy shifting like some other electronically shifted T-cases.

*Low range combined with diesel power feels like crawler gearing. Lots of slow control.

*Quadra-Drive II is like having lockers front and rear. The only thing stopping you is ground clearance. I love that system.

*The electronic stability program (ESP) is way rad. Fun to chase down sports cars on wet, slippery surfaces. They won't shake you unless they're in a Formula 1 car. Not to mention, it's safer.

*Vibration feel in the throttle pedal. I noticed it in a lifted diesel Grand, too. Kind of annoying.

*Verdict: The 3.0L diesel is the engine option to have, it's fun to drive, and I guess the novelty of having something different appeals to me. Plus, in 2009, the emissions will become 50-state legal (Bluetec models).-John CappaEditor of Jp Magazine

Performance TestsAll-Wheel-Drive DynoPower: 198 hp at 2,800 rpmTorque: 371 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm

The Jeep Grand Cherokee we tested was equipped with the full-time Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system. To get all-wheel-drive dyno numbers, we enlisted the help of the Subaru/Mitubishi masters at Yimi Sport Tuning. Everyone was shocked when the Jeep produced 198 hp and 371 lb-ft of torque at the wheels (manufacturer ratings are 215 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque at the crankshaft).

Dragstrip

Noise TestingInterior at idle: 74 dB45-mph cruise: 85 dBWide-open throttle: 91 dB75-mph cruise: 90 dB

Fuel EconomyAlthough we never reached the 24-mpg highway rating found on the window sticker (or even the 20-mpg city rating) during our tests, the Grand Cherokee 3.0L CRD never dipped below 17 mpg-quite good for a powerful midsize SUV, especially when compared with the EPA ratings of the non-SRT gasoline V-8 options (15 mpg combined city/highway) or the seriously underpowered gasser V-6 (17 mpg city/highway).