Landed at DFW earlier in the weekend, and found a Mazda 6 in my stall. Nice, but I had a C reservation (why no upgrade?) and was looking for something different, so the Gold agent found me a new Grand Cherokee instead.

http://www.jeep.com/grand_cherokee/index.html

The model I have is in Limited trim, and the total MSRP with the "K" package is $38,800.

Powertrain: While the JGC is available with the famous Hemi engine, this particular model has the base V8, a 4.7L unit with 235 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. This motor is nothing spectacular, but it does provide decent power and is generally refined, except under heavy throttle. The five-speed automatic transmission is usually smooth in its shifts, though there is some lag before it executes downshifts for passing. Fuel economy is EPA-estimated at 15/20 mpg city/highway, but I've only been getting 13ish mpg in mixed driving. Surprising, because I had a 5.3L Suburban from Hertz several weeks ago that got similar mileage, and it's a much larger vehicle.

Ride/Handling: While the Grand Cherokee is known for its off-road prowess, overall its performance on the pavement is quite good as well. Steering is responsive and reasonably direct, and while there is some body roll, the chassis does a good job of controlling the mass in normal driving. Noise is also well-controlled, save for the some occasional tire noise. The ride however, is where the JGC is least car-like -- presumably setup for off-roading, the ride manages to be floaty and harsh at the same time, except on the smoothest of road surfaces. Brake performance though is pretty good and pedal feel is adequate. I didn't have a chance to use the Quadradrive 4x4 system, but I'd imagine it's pretty capable.

Interior: The interior presents somewhat of a mixed bag -- ergonomics are great, but interior quality is below-average. The dash plastics in particular are hard and cheap-feeling, and some of the controls lack a solid feel to them -- not really representative of the price range this vehicle occupies. Build quality is adequate though, as I couldn't spot any major interior assembly issues. The front seats are fairly comfortable, but the rear seats on the other hand lack padding and come up short on space. Similarly, cargo space is a bit small, but isn't extraordinarily bad considering vehicle size.

Design: Redesigned in 2005, the JGC has an evolutionary look compared to its predecessor, and the general profile is clean IMO. I miss the aggressiveness of the previous-generation though, as the simple design of this model also comes off as a bit generic. Still, the seven-bar grille and trapezoidal wheel arches are unmistakenably "Jeep-like." The interior looks a bit quirky at first with its angular design, but ergonomics are well-executed and the overall look is pleasant. General visibility is good for an SUV, and a rear parking assist system is also standard.

Features: Other than the usual features, my particular model has the previously-mentioned rear parking assist system, Sirius satellite radio and adjustable pedals.

Value: The JGC is under the L class according to my keychain, which puts it in the same rate as the Explorer. While I haven't driven the latest version of Ford's midsize ute, I'm not so sure I'd choose the Jeep next time around. It drives nicely for a truck-based SUV, but its primary advantages in off-roading and towing (neither of which are allowed under the Hertz rental agreement) are negated by ride comfort and interior quality/space issues.

To sum it up:

The Good
Capable off-road and on-pavement
Easy-to-operate interior

The Bad
Lacking rear-seat comfort
Could use some nicer interior trim pieces
Uncomfortable ride