Price Car Grand Cherokee SUV

Grand Cherokee Design

The Jeep Grand Cherokee was one of the pioneering SUVs that ushered in the modern midsize SUV segment in the early 1990s. When it debuted, the Grand Cherokee represented a bigger and better version of Jeep's smaller but still popular Cherokee. The company's designers wanted it to be maneuverable enough for urban duty, roomy enough for family duty, stylish enough to take out on the town and capable enough to get to the more remote campsites.

The new 3.6-liter V6 engine makes a stout 290 horsepower, the interior boasts quality construction and there is now considerably more passenger and cargo room. Other notable improvements include easier-to-use radio and climate controls and a more inviting cabin design. Ride and handling dynamics are better thanks to a more rigid chassis and a new, fully independent suspension. A new "Selec-Terrain" feature for the uplevel all-wheel-drive systems allows drivers to choose from five pre-programmed settings to best handle a given road or trail condition.

Grand Cherokee Engine

The previous, third-generation Grand Cherokee was produced from 2005-'10. Compared to previous models, its styling was more squared-off and the front suspension utilized an independent design for the first time. It was still a five-passenger midsize SUV offered in two main trim levels: Laredo and Limited. However, there was also the rare Grand Cherokee SRT8. With a 420-hp V8 and a lowered sport suspension, the SRT8 was designed for maximum on-street performance and was the quickest and most powerful Jeep ever produced.

Grand Cherokee Interior

However, though it becomes slightly more affordable this year, this Jeep is still an expensive pill to swallow. The base two-wheel-drive Laredo is expected to start at nearly $31,000, which makes it one of the priciest midsize or off-road SUVs. And the top-of-the-line Overland will start at nearly $43,000, which puts its price in luxury SUV territory.

Of course, that may be where the new and improved Grand Cherokee belongs. In fact, reviewers say higher trims of the new Jeep are so nice on the inside that they rival the Land Rover LR4, which starts at a whopping $16,000 more.