I’ve been reading up on the news, a little, and it seems odd that while some makers garner rave reviews when they release a 47 mpg hybrid, such as the Ford C-Max, other makers get dumped on when they release a 30 mpg SUV, such as the just-revealed 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
18 days into the calendar year, have we forgotten that conventionally-powered SUVs for 2013 only range in fuel efficiency from 16 to 29 MPG? Jeep is offering something extraordinary in the realm of SUVs, and we’re applauding their efforts.
The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be powered by a 3-liter V6 EcoDiesel mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, maxing out fuel economy at 30 mpg, which as far as I can tell, without going hybrid, is best in its class.
In addition to class-leading fuel efficiency, the new Cherokee sticks to its off-roading roots, and with a choice of four-wheel-drive, suspension, and traction control systems, is just as off-road-capable as its gas-guzzling neighbor. The new Cherokee also features best-in-class towing capability at 7,400 pounds.
Offering class-leading fuel economy and off-road capability in one package can’t be easy. For those who love to experience the outdoors in a Jeep [really, there is no other experience quite like it], then the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is bound to please, both off-road, and on the highway. Sure, CAFE regulations are forcing the automakers’ hands, but consumers are often the most difficult to persuade, so stuck in the middle, automakers, such as Jeep, are continuing to improve their product while meeting customer expectations. Would anyone even look at a Jeep if it couldn’t go off-road?
