7 Reasons Why Jeep’s Future Rests in This Grand Cherokee

There’s no doubt that when it comes to Jeep, the Wrangler represents the core DNA of the brand.

It’s been the face of nameplate since its inception nearly 75 years ago, and is sure to be the face of Jeep for decades to come.

Jeep officials are quick to note that even recent models like the compact Renegade and Cherokee were designed and developed from the ideas that have defined Wrangler. In fact, practically any and everything that references the history of the brand tends to focus on the Wrangler throughout the years. And yet, after having a chance to spend more time in a 2015 Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel recently, I’m convinced that the future of Jeep lies in this vehicle.  And here are seven reasons why.

1. Premium Luxury – After having more time to take in the interior of the Grand Cherokee Summit, it’s even clearer now why Jeep thinks it can compete in the premium luxury segment with talk of a new Grand Wagoneer. Will a $100,000-plus Jeep actually sell in the marketplace? Only time will tell, but the interior package of this Jeep certainly makes a strong case for building a higher-priced luxury SUV to compete with brands like Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz.

2. Diesel, Diesel, Diesel – While certainly not the first in the U.S., the Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel is heavily credited with helping to change the perception of diesel engines in the American market. Not only has the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engine proven to be one of the best performers in the segment with an average of 30 miles per gallon and a driving range of more than 730 miles, but the popularity of the Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel also helps fuel the possibility of a diesel powered production Wrangler sooner than later.

3. Improved On-Road Performance – While official reports peg the number of people who take their Wranglers off-road in extreme terrain conditions at about 66 percent, it’s far less for the other vehicles in the Jeep line-up. For the Grand Cherokee, roughly 20 percent of owners venture on the trail. That off-road percentage number is expected to come in even lower for the new Renegade and Cherokee when the company starts getting more comprehensive data on those vehicles, which suggests that the future of the brand will be driven more by on-road performance with the option to venture off-road.

4. Staying On Top of Tech – Jeep hacking issues aside for a moment, the in-car technology in the Grand Cherokee certainly represents the best of Jeep and likely the biggest hint of what’s to come. Sure, it’s clear that some fixes are in order to safeguard some elements of the system. But don’t be mistaken, FCA’s Uconnect Infotainment system is still one of the best on the market. And the improvements that come out of this latest fiasco, will only make it that much better.

5. Comfortable Cargo Space – Chances are if you talk to any Jeep owner they’ll tell you the more cargo space the better – just as long as I don’t have to sacrifice anything else like legroom and interior comfort. Navigating those waters isn’t easy, as proven by the issues found with some previous generation Grand Cherokees. But after a total of more than 500 miles on the road in this latest model, the Grand Cherokee Summit proves that you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.

6. Crossover/SUV Appeal – Whether opting for a higher performance SUV or one with more luxury crossover-like appeal, the current Grand Cherokee platform has proven quite flexible for Jeep with vehicles like the Grand Cherokee SRT and more premium California Summit edition recently tested. The Grand Cherokee platform is likely to prove even more viable in the future with talk of a 707-horsepower Trackhawk Edition and new luxury Grand Wagoneer on the horizon.

7. Flagship of Brand – Considering that Jeep refers to the Grand Cherokee as the “flagship” of the brand (their words not mine), it only seems logical that the SUV would play a very pivotal role in the future of Jeep. Again, that by no means negates the Wrangler as an important element of the brand’s future strategies. It just means that as Jeep looks to broaden its appeal down the road, look for many of the features found in this 2015 Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel to be leading the charge.

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