Big daddy of SUVs

Jeep has travelled a long way since it made its debut as the ultimate light transport vehicle in World War Two.

Then, it was crude, light and cheap to run. Now, the opposite is true on all counts, especially in the guise of the top-of-the-range Grand Cherokee model. When it comes to the now ubiquitous sports utility vehicle (SUV), this is the daddy of them all, the one that started the love/hate relationship between drivers and environmentalists.

The first impression is that this is a BIG vehicle with a tremendous presence even just sitting on the driveway.

But step inside and that perception diminishes. The interior is surprisingly compact-feeling compared with others in this class.

Initially I thought it felt a bit claustrophobic but after a while, that disappeared as I really started to appreciate my surroundings.

There are some real luxury touches on this top spec Overland model from the suede/leather heated seats to the real polished wood on the steering wheel and gear lever.

There is a sunroof as well as dual zone climate control, and although there is still plenty of plastic on the fascia, there is a real feeling of class.

The test model came with a three litre diesel engine which fired up with a roar rather than a clatter and proved quite capable of pulling this mighty machine wherever I wanted to go with consummate ease.

The effortless power steering and automatic gears made driving a doddle once you had gained your bearings over the dimensions of the car.

But I was surprised at how manoueverable it proved to be, even parking in a relatively tight parking space was not difficult, especially with the assistance of the front and rear parking sensors.

Despite all the assistance though, you are still aware of the size and weight of the Grand Cherokee.

But that is not a bad thing as it added a real feeling of security to the driving experience. Overall, there is an impression of quality which is often lacking, even in some competitors.

On the road the Grand Cherokee is happy to sit all day at the legal limit, boosted by a simple to operate cruise control system operated, like the stereo, from the steering wheel.

And, sitting back in the deeply cushioned seats, you can just imagine yourself being able to tackle the toughest conditions on or off road.

Of course, like most of its breed, the Grand Cherokee is unlikely to experience more rough stuff then a few puddles on the motorway, although the permanent four wheel drive did come in useful when I dodged a traffic jam to find a parking space by jumping a couple of kerbs.

So far, so wonderful, but the one area where the Grand Cherokee really plays into the hands of the environmentalists is with its fuel consumption.

On a long motorway trip, the onboard computer told me that I was averaging under 25mpg.

To say this is poor for a diesel engine would be a grand understatement and suggests you would be spending a lot of time and money at the pumps. I shudder to think what the alternative engine, a 5.7 litre petrol V8, is capable of.

Other quibbles included a fiddly computer system which insisted on switching languages every time I wanted a different function. The same was true with the satellite navigation and as I knew where I was going, I gave up after a while.

But this was all probably lost on my passengers who were enjoying the excellent stereo and DVD player in the rear.

Behind them is a huge boot which was able to accommodate a labrador AND luggage which is a first and, should you need it, the seats split and fold flat giving even more space.

At the end of the trip everybody remarked how much they liked this big Jeep and such unanimous family praise is again unusual.

The fact is that the plus points far outweigh the minuses in the Grand Cherokee with its combination of practicality, performance space and comfort finished off with lots of luxury touches.

Just don't tell anyone about its penchant for guzzling diesel and it could win universal approval.

n Car supplied by: Ryfield Oxford, 01865 376000