Verdict
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the best car the company has ever built. Well-built, handsome and great off-road, only refinement lets it down.

Expert rating: 3.4

Pros
• Best Jeep ever
• Handsome looks
• Good value

Cons
• Below average refinement
• Dull to drive
• Poor gearbox

1. Exterior: 4/5

One of the most understated large 4x4s available, the trademark seven-slot grille is chrome-heavy but the rest is surprisingly subtle. Many buyers will like the fact that the Grand Cherokee is less aggressive-looking than rivals such as the BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport.

2. Interior: 3/5

The best interior Jeep has ever made. The company has made huge investments in cabin quality and nowhere is that more apparent than in here. It's still not up to the very high standards set by German rivals but the gulf has been narrowed. However, the clunky touch-screen navigation system and cheap-feeling switchgear feel old-fashioned.

3. Practicality: 5/5

It's not as spacious as some rivals but still has more than enough room for a family car. The boot is one of the largest in its class, with a capacity of 994 litres with the rear seats up. Folding the rear seats is a brilliantly simple, one touch operation that liberates a massive 1,945 litres of space.

4. Ride and handling: 3/5

The Grand Cherokee rides well, particularly with the height-adjustable air suspension system of top-spec models. The steering is light - perhaps a little too light - but is accurate and makes the car easy to place. There's plenty of grip and it's never anything other than safe and predictable. It's virtually unstoppable off-road with a host of mechanical and electronic aides helping it to seemingly defeat the laws of physics.

5. Performance: 2/5

While the Grand Cherokee is available with 3.6-litre V6 and 5.7-litre V8 petrol engines, the 3.0 V6 CRD diesel is the biggest seller. With 238bhp and 406lb/ft, performance is reasonably swift, with 0-62mph acceleration taking 8.2 seconds. However the CRD engine is too noisy compared with rivals. The old-fashioned five-speed auto is jerky, slow and under-geared, which doesn't help. The lack of a sixth gear means the engine is busy when cruising on the motorway, affecting both refinement and fuel economy.

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6. Running costs: 3/5

The Grand Cherokee is considerably cheaper than rivals. It will lose more of its value over three years, however and the diesel's 218g/km CO2 emissions mean the road tax bill is high.

7. Reliability: 3/5

Jeeps are renowned for their ruggedness but aren't as highly-rated in customer satisfaction surveys as some rivals. However, with such an obvious focus on improving the build quality of its latest cars, the Grand Cherokee has the potential to rewrite its reputation.

8. Safety: 4/5

The Grand Cherokee hasn't been crash tested. However large off-road cars tend to fare well and the Grand Cherokee has the latest safety equipment, which should ensure it isn't an exception to the rule.

9. Equipment: 4/5

All Grand Cherokees are well equipped, with all but the Laredo featuring leather upholstery as standard. The range-topping Overland also has electric, heated seats, satellite navigation and parking cameras.

10. Why buy? 3/5

Handsome, understated looks and good value for money plus that all-American image.