Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo (V6) Review
Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo (V6)
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo V6 is positioned between a luxury SUV and a tough off-road vehicle offering a bit of both options.
The Best
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo offer good performance with plenty of room and excellent safety features. Stylish but capable of handling off-road driving, this vehicle is great for those who spend time in both environments. The mid-size 4 x 4 has plenty of fuel capacity and top of the line safety features.
The Worst
Reliability is not the best according to the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. The brakes on the 2010 model had some design problems. Fuel economy is not great and the price tag is a bit hefty.
Performance (3.0 out of 5.0 stars)
The V6 engine delivers 290 hp @ 6400 rpm with 260 lb-ft of torque @ 4800 rpm. The Grand Cherokee can accelerate to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. Handling is generally good with moderate understeer. The 4WD gives good traction in a wide range of terrain and road conditions.
The general ruggedness that one expects from a Jeep is present, but is combined in the Grand Cherokee Laredo with a smooth and comfortable ride befitting the vehicle’s more luxurious looks. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system provides a very nice feel together with the tight steering wheel, although the latter provides limited feedback. The five speed automatic transmission has “manumatic” shifting that works faster when shifted manually.
Braking from 70 mph to 0 mph requires 188 ft. The 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokees were recalled for improperly designed or missing brake parts.
J.D. Power and Associates gave the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee a reliability score of only 6.0 out of 10, the lowest rating the vehicle received in all categories. Chrysler covers the Grand Cherokee with a three year, 36,000 mile basic warranty and has replaced its lifetime powertrain warranty with a five year, 100,000 mile warranty.
Comfort 5.0 out of 5.0 stars
In addition to the smooth ride provided by the 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo’s excellent suspension system, the vehicle is also relatively quiet with low interior sound levels. Interior space is generous with 39.9 inches of head space and 40.3 inches of leg space in the front, and 39.2 inches of head space and 38.6 inches of leg space in the rear.
Standard features include power locks and windows with remote locking, cruise control, tilt-telescope steering wheel and rear wiper. The nine speaker audio system includes AM-FM radio, Sirius radio, CD/DVD, and sockets for USB and minijack.
Optional features include dual-zone climate control, power leather seats with lumbar support, remote start, auto-dim rearview mirror, backup camera and Bluetooth connectivity.
Design (5.0 out of 5.0 stars)
Jeep’s 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo has an attractively designed exterior that simultaneously conveys a feeling of luxury combined with performance.
The interior design is even more impressive with a Mercedes-Benz-like setup that resembles that of a car more than that of an SUV. The interior is designed for maximum comfort while driving either in the city or on rough terrain.
Who should buy this car
The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo V6 is a good choice for urban drivers who like to spend times out in the country. The vehicle is tough enough for off-road adventures, but has right looks and feel for comfortable driving around the city.