2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets comprehensive update

The changes for 2014 start with a fresh look, including one of two different slimmer headlamp treatments, along with reworked grilles and repositioned foglamps in new lower fascias. Redesigned taillamps incorporating yet more LEDs take up residence out back and the rear liftgate has received a once-over, too.

More impressive is the interior rework, which includes a new three-spoke steering wheel with standard paddle shifters, a seven-inch configurable screen in the gauge cluster, reworked center stack with Chrysler's award-winning 8.4-inch UConnect infotainment system, and new electronic gearshift selector. In addition, there's a brace of optional active safety features including adaptive cruise control, front park assist and front collision alert. What we're most impressed with is designers' efforts to further differentiate trim levels on the 2014 Grand Cherokee. In particular, the new full-house Summit model features upgraded leather in more colors, open-pore woods and unique copper accents on black and brown interiors.

The new look and features are all well and good, but the main event here is a comprehensively updated powertrain menu, including the aforementioned alt-fuel option, a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 that Chrysler expects will deliver 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. Owners can expect 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway, and the model features a 7,400-pound tow rating to go with its leg-crossing cruising range of up to 730 miles on a single tank.

Regardless of whether the buyer chooses the V6 diesel, 3.6-liter Pentastar gasoline-fed V6 or 5.7-liter V8, there's a new eight-speed transmission to help improve fuel economy and smoothness. Chrysler says the V8, which is also fitted with cylinder deactivation, will see a five-percent improvement in fuel economy, ringing up at 15/21 on 4x2 models and 14/21 on 4x4 examples. There's a new Eco Mode button to maximize economy, but pushing it will only deactivate the system, which governs items like shift points, cylinder deactivation and ride height, depending on model, as it defaults to active whenever the vehicle is turned on.

As before, there are three different 4x4 systems, but changes include an improved crawl ratio of 44.1:1, tweaked Selec-Terrain controller and hill ascent and descent control with new driver-determined speed capability.rnrnThen, of course, there's the road-oriented Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT performance model, which also receives the lion's share of the changes listed above. Visually, the SRT will pack a revamped grille, LED headlamps shared with higher-end Grand Cherokee models and a new rear spoiler. Also of note is the availability of a new set of more traditional five-spoke alloys.

Performance enhancements for 2014 include a new launch control feature as well as a reworked Selec-Track system that funnels more torque to the rear axle to improve performance when Track mode is activated.

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