2010 Jeep® Grand Cherokee By ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.Net  It’s a well-known favorite of many consumers – a JEEP.  But there are so many Jeep models on the road today, I am talking about the Grand Cherokee, a five passenger mid-size SUV.  For 2010, there haven’t been a whole lot of changes from their 2009 model.  They were offering Laredo, Limited, and Overland trim styles.  Jeep has dropped the Overland and now are only offering the Laredo and Limited for 2010.  The Grand Cherokee also comes in the SRT configuration.

In a short statement, the Grand Cherokee offers great off-road capability, a lot of on-road refinement, and a variety of premium amenities to make the drive pleasurable for the driver and passengers.  The Jeep Grand Cherokee was first introduced in 1992.  I became the proud owner of a used Grand Cherokee a few years later.  It had a lot of power, was well engineered, and provided a terrific day-to-day drive, whether I was on the highway, in town, or off-road.  I pulled a lot of camping trailers and boats with that Grand Cherokee.  That was then, and I liked it.  Now, there is so much more.

The 2010 Grand Cherokee is powered by a standard 3.7-liter V-6 engine that provides 210 horsepower.  There is an optional 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 that pushes out 357 horsepower.  Both engines are matched with a 5 speed automatic transmission.  Both the Laredo and Limited are offered in either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.  If you want full-time four-wheel drive with no buttons, switches, or levers to push or pull, the Quadra-Trac 1 is the basic for off-roading.  The Quadra-Trac II is also 4x4 but offers a two-speed active transfer case and Brake-Traction Control System.  The Quadra-Drive II 4x4 offers the best off-road capability, combining the full-time transfer case with an Electronic Limited-Slip Differential.  All of the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s four-wheel-drive systems are marked as Trail-Rated.

The exterior design for 2010 hasn’t changed a whole lot and still features the Jeep signature seven-slot grille on the front.  The interior has a lot more craftsmanship than in those early years and gives passengers and drivers a lot more comfort and features.

Some of the premium amenities and special packages include heated front and second row seats, rear back-up camera, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, Hill-Descent Control, Hill-Start Assist, and Trailer-Sway Control.  The Trailer-Sway Control is great if you do a lot of towing, especially off-road.  Also offered are rain-sensing wipers, leather-trimmed seats, real wood for the interior accents, and a chromed roof rack.

The 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee ranges from about $30,000 to $40,000, depending upon the packages and extras.  Mileage ranges about 16 city and 21 highway for the rear wheel drive models.  Mileage is slightly less for the four-wheel-drive models. 

The Jeep name is legendary for off-roading and the Grand Cherokee simply brings an option to consumers who want a Jeep but need a mid-size SUV with plenty of power options.  The Grand Cherokee is certainly a long-time player in their segment and have a proven track record for delivering a great product.  Check it out yourself at a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealership.