5 Things to Know About the Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude

After having a chance to spend some road time with the Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude, I’m convinced this might be one of the brand’s best kept secrets.

In fact, I’m pretty certain of it, considering that most of the buzz around Jeep’s flagship SUV, beyond the more standard model, has centered on the diesel powertrain, the SRT, and most recently the new Grand Cherokee SRT Night Edition showcased at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Buried deep in all the praise Jeep’s gotten over the past couple of years, the Grand Cherokee Altitude has pretty much stayed under the radar. Among all the Altitude Jeep models that’ve rolled out, it’s been the Wrangler model that’s soaked up most of the limelight. And yet, the Grand Cherokee is really the gem of them all, as highlighted in five major points below.

1. MENACING STREET PRESENCE– The first thing that strikes you about the Grand Cherokee Altitude is the exterior design, which immediately tells you that this isn’t the typical Jeep, especially in the Granite Crystal model we tested. Our 2015 mode was based on the Grand Cherokee Laredo 4×4 and features dark chrome grille rings, dark chrome lower front and rear fascia applique, dark chrome fog and tail lamp bezels, gloss black finish on HID headlamps, black exhaust tips, and gloss black 20-inch wheels.

2. SRT APPEAL MINUS THE EXTRA COST – There’s no question that among diehard performance buffs, the Grand Cherokee SRT ranks as one of the most popular Jeeps because of that 470-horsepower V8 under the hood. But the reality is, it’s the look of the model that first draws you in. And most, who are drawn to the Grand Cherokee SRT will probably never get a chance to fully use all that power. The Altitude model, on the other hand, gives you some of the same kind of appeal as the SRT model in a more fuel efficient 3.6-liter V6.

3. TECH & LUXURY TOO – Even with a hot custom design package like the Altitude, looks will only go so far in drawing in unique buyers to a mid-size SUV. After all, the Grand Cherokee is still pretty much a family vehicle, so the more extras the better. The Grand Cherokee Altitude packs a few of those, including heated front seats, remote start, and Uconnect’s 8.4-inch touchscreen display.

4. IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN – One of the challenges in designing any custom, limited-edition vehicle is that if it’s not done right, its star power can be short lived. Nothing taints a specialty car quicker than features that seem dated in less than a year. Jeeps are no different. And while it’s tough to gauge the long-term appeal of a Grand Cherokee Altitude, the custom elements are done tastefully enough to ensure that you won’t grow tired of it after making the last payment.

5. REASONABLY PRICED – If you haven’t priced out a Grand Cherokee Altitude, which I imagine most haven’t considering that it’s been such a sleeper, I’m betting you’ll be pretty surprised at the starting cost. That hot custom package that includes everything from those black aluminum wheels to the body-color grille with platinum accent with all those slew of luxury and tech features is just a $5,800 addition, which brings the total to $40,830.

OK, so it might not be a steal, but it’s a solid buy for the money.

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>

Looking for a good deal on a new Jeep? Get insider information here.