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2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Quality Review

March 21, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the quietest
Car and Driver

headroom is not generous for six-footers, but there's ample legroom and shoulder space on supportive seats
ConsumerGuide

supreme comfort...sounds, performs and feels terrific
Kelley Blue Book

Experts at TheCarConnection.com are starkly underwhelmed by the amount of interior space in the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Additionally, materials quality could be better overall.

Kelley Blue Book reports that the "Jeep Grand Cherokee can accommodate four adults in comfort—five in a pinch." About the front, ConsumerGuide warns that "headroom is not generous for six-footers, but there's ample legroom and shoulder space on supportive seats." In back, Kelley Blue Book explains that there is also "noticeable improvement in rear-seat legroom as well as ease of entry and exit, thanks to the longer rear doors"—a plus for passengers who do not like their knees meeting their ears. They complain, however, that the Grand Cherokee Jeep "does not offer a third row seat, and interior space is nowhere near the levels of larger SUVs." ConsumerGuide notes of the rear seating: it's "quite firm and not contoured for best comfort," adding that "three adults fit, but none have much foot space."

Edmunds confirms that "cargo capacity is low for this class, with just 35 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 69 with the seats folded.” ConsumerGuide says cargo space is "ample by absolute standards but subpar for the class."

Quality of the materials and switchgear inside the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is an issue, too. Car and Driver terms the 2009 Jeep changes to the interior only "a start," calling the interior hard plastic "a merciless prison." The real wood used in the Overland trim level, however, does raise the bar. Jalopnik notes that "door panels have new armrests for improved ergonomics and comfort," and Kelley Blue Book praises the interior: "quality materials abound and the layout, execution and attention to detail are all first-rate."

Noise is well controlled in the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. ConsumerGuide says that "one test 5.7 V8 AWD Limited suffered modest gear whine at highway speeds," while the 2009 Jeep diesel "makes a slight clattering noise at idle and during full-throttle acceleration," and "the SRT8 V8 provides a NASCAR-style soundtrack." The Grand Cherokee Jeep is rated by Car and Driver as "the quietest" compared to a HUMMER H3, Toyota FJ Cruiser, and Nissan Xterra when cruising on the highway, but in off-road tests, "its steel unibody sometimes emitted painful gronks when twisted."

Conclusion

The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is quiet and refined, but hampered by a cramped interior and subpar materials.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:the quietestCar and Driverheadroom is not generous for six-footers, but there's ample legroom and shoulder space on supportive seatsConsumerGuidesupreme comfort...sounds, performs and feels terrificKelley Blue Book Experts at TheCarConnection.com are starkly underwhelmed by the amount of interior space in the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Additionally, materials quality could be better overall. Kelley Blue Book reports that the "Jeep Grand Cherokee can accommodate four adults in comfort—five in a pinch." About the front, ConsumerGuide warns that "headroom is not generous for six-footers, but there's ample legroom and shoulder space on supportive seats." In back, Kelley Blue Book explains that there is also "noticeable improvement in rear-seat legroom as well as ease of entry and exit, thanks to the longer rear doors"—a plus for passengers who do not like their knees meeting their ears. They complain, however, that the Grand Cherokee Jeep "does not offer a third row seat, and interior space is nowhere near the levels of larger SUVs." ConsumerGuide notes of the rear seating: it's "quite firm and not contoured for best comfort," adding that "three adults fit, but none have much foot space." Edmunds confirms that "cargo capacity is low for this class, with just 35 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 69 with the seats folded.” ConsumerGuide says cargo space is "ample by absolute standards but subpar for the class." Quality of the materials and switchgear inside the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is an issue, too. Car and Driver terms the 2009 Jeep changes to the interior only "a start," calling the interior hard plastic "a merciless prison." The real wood used in the Overland trim level, however, does raise the bar. Jalopnik notes that "door panels have new armrests for improved ergonomics and comfort," and Kelley Blue Book praises the interior: "quality materials abound and the layout, execution and attention to detail are all first-rate." Noise is well controlled in the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee. ConsumerGuide says that "one test 5.7 V8 AWD Limited suffered modest gear whine at highway speeds," while the 2009 Jeep diesel "makes a slight clattering noise at idle and during full-throttle acceleration," and "the SRT8 V8 provides a NASCAR-style soundtrack." The Grand Cherokee Jeep is rated by Car and Driver as "the quietest" compared to a HUMMER H3, Toyota FJ Cruiser, and Nissan Xterra when cruising on the highway, but in off-road tests, "its steel unibody sometimes emitted painful gronks when twisted." ConclusionThe 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is quiet and refined, but hampered by a cramped interior and subpar materials. 2009 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE STYLING | [7 out of 10] Jalopnik: "athletic and contemporary appearance" Car and Driver: "looks very cool" Kelley Blue Book: "luxurious interior" Reviewers don't mind the interior and exterior styling of the 2009 Jeep Cherokee—but it's not very exciting ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee faces a wide range of competitors, including car-based crossovers (with little or no off-road capabilities) and true sport utility vehicles (with genuine off-road skills). The true SUVs in this comparison include the Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, and the ancient twins from General Motors: the GMC Envoy and Chevrolet TrailBlazer. The Toyota and Nissan are both larger than the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, but they don't share the Jeep's nimble off-road handling. Neither offers the variety of engines found in the Jeep or a performance model like the Grand Cherokee SRT8. But practically, the Toyota and Nissan both sport a third row of seating that can come in handy. And the quality of either of these nameplates is reassuring, especially in light of the Jeep's rather spotty reputation for reliability. Unless you feel compelled to shop another domestic manufacturer, skip the choices from GM; these two SUVs haven’t been kept as up-to-date. The Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot are car-based crossovers. Even when ordered with four-wheel drive, these SUVs aren't designed for tough off-roading, even if the Pilot does look somewhat rugged, though both have a very spacious interior with three rows of seating.

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See the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Other Years:

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Comments (1 total)

  1. By Ken #1, Posted: 8/22/2009

    I love my 05 Grand Cherokee. For looks, reliability, capability, and price, it's second to none. Some people report poor fuel economy, which is a valid. It's a heavy vehicle that's constructed for offroad use and people buy it soley for intown use, which is a mistake. What really makes a difference with the JGC is keeping the tires inflated to maximum allowable pressure. When my tires are inflated to the maximium 44psi I find my fuel economy is 10% better than at 35psi.

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