On-road refinement, a well-trimmed cabin and traditional off-road ability make the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee fully competitive with other midsize SUVs and crossovers. Automotive comebacks dont get much better than the story of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Just a few years ago, the Grand Cherokee languished among newer SUVs and crossovers as an overweight, over-thristy and unrefined choice. Even its remarkable off-road pedigree couldnt amend for a choppy ride, dated interior and abysmal fuel economy. The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, represents the model at the peak of its powers.
The current-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee shares components with the Mercedes-Benz M-Class -- a legacy of Jeeps tenure under DaimlerChrysler ownership -- so its premium look and feel isnt a surprise. Drive a Grand Cherokee from the last generation back to back with the current model and the upgrades in cabin quality, performance and overall refinement are dramatic.
Despite the new gloss, the Grand Cherokee still delivers off the highway. Once off-road, the Grand Cherokee is pure Jeep, offering generous ground clearance, advanced four-wheel drive, low-speed stability and climbing power. Apart from extreme tricks like axle locking and disconnecting sway bars available on the Jeep Wrangler, the Grand Cherokee can pretty much match its counterpart on even the most challenging trails.
The Laredo X package further adds 18-inch wheels, a nine-speaker premium sound system with satellite radio, digital music storage and touchscreen interface, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, a power front passenger seat and a rearview camera. The Limited gets all the Laredos optional equipment plus bi-xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, a Garmin navigation system, automatic wipers, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, driver memory functions and heated second-row seats