2008 4x4 Of The Year Contestants

The Diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee needs more ground clearance and less front bumper. It amazes us how capable this 4x4 is, but also how dramatically short it has fallen from the undisputed coolest rig it could be. We recognize that, yes, it does have independent front suspension and we are not big fans of that at all; it has traction control, which is the longest four-letter word in this magazine; but both of these work amazingly well. The Grand's traction control is phenomenal and, before this year's Land Cruiser, had no peer as it was differential-based, where an in-axle pump pressurizes clutches to contract and limit the slip of the axleshafts and wheels. Most other traction controls are brake-based, and though some are getting better, we still fear that brake-based traction control can result in overheated brakes just as you crest a tall climb and then need to descend the other side. Bad idea in our view.

We were enthralled by the performance of the diesel in the Grand. Though it doesn't have the powerful diesel clatter found in a fullsize truck (it sounds more like a sewing machine at idle), it also has little-to-no noise while cruising. Many judges forgot it was a common-rail direct-injection turbocharged 3.0L oil-burning engine while on our longer highway cruise testing sections. It gets better mileage than the Hemi by about 4 mpg, and it comes with almost a gallon larger fuel tank. In fact the biggest issue with the engine is that in our oddball city in Southern California, some fuel stations sell diesel for more than premium fuel so even if the Grand was available in this state (it's not available in California, New York, Maine, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Rhode Island), it would still be hard to justify as a price savings.

Unfortunately the low-slung package that this vehicle is delivered with makes it impossible or costly to get on the trails where it could shine. Why there isn't a trim package offered with some sleek body-color rock sliders, a 2-inch-taller ride, a front bumper that doesn't double as a snowplow, and some more aggressive all-terrain tires is beyond us. Jeep offered the Rubicon against the better judgment of its bean-counting suits and it was an instant success. We'd hate to think that a bunch of magazine motorheads need to point out that the same recipe could work for the Grand (not to mention the Liberty), but it seems they are missing the obvious.

Likes
* Small diesel in a medium-sized SUV
* Great traction control
* Excellent on-road driving

Dislikes
* Limited ground clearance
* Needs a Rubicon package
* Tires are not aggressive

Verdict
* A capable 4x4 held back by a low-slung body