Sure, a new Corvette is catnip to car journalists. But my interest runs toward new beast of burden, since I use most of my weekends towing a 23-foot current of air trailer behind a 2011 Dodge Durango. So I was rather interest to hear about the 2014 improvement made to the Durango's platform-mate, the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
First up is the new elective turbo diesel V6. Getting a diesel SUV without a steep European price tag has been a challenge, but this Jeep offers an option. With phenomenal torque and a maximum 7,400-pound towing capacity, I'm looking forward to hitch up my Airstream. And the Jeep's 30-mpg highway rating is pretty an improvement over that of my Hemi-powered Durango.
Curiously, Jeep offered a diesel Grand Cherokee before, but it had few takers. We'll see if consumers are keen to buy the diesel in more sizable numbers this time around. At smallest amount now the Grand Cherokee is a premium vehicle, more amenable to the diesel likely price premium.
Jeep has made towing capacity improvement across the board on the Grand Cherokee. The gasoline V6, mated to the new 8-speed automatic, is rated to tow 6,200 pounds - up from the previous 5,000-pound limit. Level the super-high-performance SRT variant came in for a towing capacity improvement, now up to 7,200 pounds from the previous 5,000-pound limit.
It's good to see that Jeep paid mind to how their customers use their Jeeps, making improvements that add capability rather than just creature comfort.
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