Chrysler and exciting are two words not often found in logical proximity to each other. But for those with a taste for the offroad and a modern look, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee may deserve the conjunction. Especially since it's less expensive than the 2010 model.

We'll have to wait and see what the final production vehicles look and drive like to deliver our assessment, but Jeep looks to be on the right track, starting the 2011 Grand Cherokee out at $30,995, a decrease of $495 from last year's model, while delivering a much fresher design and new Selec-Terrain offroad and Quadra-Lift air suspension systems. Four more inches of rear leg room make the SUV a more palatable choice for transporting four adults, as well, while the new 3.6-liter V-6 engine manages 23 mpg--certainly not hypermiler status, but a far cry from the low-mid-teens figures you can easily achieve in many similar SUVs, including previous-generation Grand Cherokees.

The list of new and improved features is long--check out the full preview here--but it serves as much to remind us of how outdated the previous Grand Cherokee was as much as how modern the new one will be. And that's a major hurdle Jeep will have to overcome for the new truck, even as the Chrysler mothership struggles for survival, relevance and legitimacy following the past two years' worth of bad press and political wrangling.

For those with a hankering for (however impractical) fun in a Grand Cherokee-shaped package, there's the recently-previewed but as-yet-unpriced SRT8 variant, promising 500+ horsepower from a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine, due out this summer.

Check out page two for the full details and pricing information.

[Chrysler]

Jeep® Announces Pricing for the Most Capable, Most Luxurious Grand Cherokee Ever (with updated information)
  • All-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee delivers legendary Jeep capability and uncompromised on-road experience
  • New Quadra-Lift™ Air Suspension and Selec-Terrain™ systems deliver new levels of Jeep capability
  • All-new Grand Cherokee is the most luxurious Jeep ever with sculpted new exterior and world-class interior design featuring 4 inches added rear leg room
  • All-new 3.6-liter V-6 engine delivers 23 mpg fuel-economy and 500-mile range
  • New independent front and rear suspension systems contribute to on-road refinement
  • Abundant safety, security and advanced technology featuresJeep® Announces Pricing for the Most Capable, Most Luxurious Grand Cherokee Ever (with updated information)

    All-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee delivers legendary Jeep capability and uncompromised on-road experience
    New Quadra-Lift™ Air Suspension and Selec-Terrain™ systems deliver new levels of Jeep capability
    All-new Grand Cherokee is the most luxurious Jeep ever with sculpted new exterior and world-class interior design featuring 4 inches added rear leg room
    All-new 3.6-liter V-6 engine delivers 23 mpg fuel-economy and 500-mile range
    New independent front and rear suspension systems contribute to on-road refinement
    Abundant safety, security and advanced technology features
    Available in Jeep showrooms in June
    2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 pricing starts at $32,995 -- $465 lower than outgoing model
    2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2 pricing starts at $30,995 -- $495 lower than outgoing model

    Auburn Hills, Mich., May 12, 2010  -  Chrysler Group LLC today announced U.S. pricing for the most advanced generation of its Jeep® Grand Cherokee. With roots dating back to Grand Wagoneer and with over 4 million Grand Cherokee’s sold, Jeep continues to redefine the luxury SUV segment.

    Pricing for the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 will start at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $32,995, while the Laredo 4x2 model will start at $30,995.

    “The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee redefines the SUV industry with new levels of 4x4 capability, more luxury courtesy of a refined interior and stunning new exterior, improved fuel economy, and independent front and rear suspensions that deliver a premium, refined on-road driving experience,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The new Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers a unique blend of capability, refinement, features and amenities that no other manufacturer can offer, all at a great price.”

    The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee balances legendary Jeep capability with improved, sophisticated on-road dynamics that deliver a premium driving experience. Capability highlights include a choice of three 4x4 systems, new Jeep Quadra-Lift™ Air Suspension, new Selec-Terrain™ system, and towing capability of 7,400 lbs. On-road dynamics are improved courtesy of new independent front and rear suspension systems and a new body structure that dramatically increases torsional stiffness for reduced Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels.

    The design of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee boasts an all-new sculpted body and athletic profile that define a sleek exterior and aerodynamic finesse. CommandView® -- a new dual-pane panoramic sun roof – extends from the windshield to the rear of the vehicle. A world-class interior design is highlighted by premium soft-touch interior materials for all models. The interior provides consumers with more than four inches of increased rear-seat knee and leg room, and 17 percent more cargo volume.

    An all-new 290-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine boasts an 11 percent improvement in fuel economy for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, delivering up to 23 mpg and over 500 miles on one tank of gas.

    More than 45 safety and security features are available in the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, including standard Active Head Restraints, full-length side-curtain and seat-mounted side thorax air bags, Electronic Stability Control, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Hill-start Assist, and Trailer-sway Control. A Blind-spot/Rear Cross-path detection system and Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning are available.

    Numerous advanced technology features are offered, including live mobile TV (FLO TV), SIRIUS Backseat TV and UConnect™ Web, which transforms the vehicle into a “hot spot” to deliver the Internet directly to the vehicle.

    Completely redesigned and reengineered, the all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee will be built at the nearly 3-million square-foot Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit, which went through a complete transformation as part of World Class Manufacturing (WCM). It will arrive in Jeep showrooms next month (June).

    The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be available in 3 models: Laredo, Limited and Overland.

    2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
    Standard features on the Laredo model include Quadra-Trac I 4x4 system (4x4 only), 3.6-liter V-6 engine, Keyless Enter-N-Go, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Trailer-Sway Control, front-seat side air bags and side-curtain air bags for front and rear, active head restraints, power 8-way driver seat with power 4-way lumbar adjust, fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and 17-inch aluminum wheels.

    Optional features include a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter V-8 engine and a Trailer Tow Group.

    Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 pricing: $32,995 (including $780 for destination)
    Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2 pricing: $30,995 (including $780 for destination)

    2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
    Limited models add features that include Quadra-Trac II® 4x4 system with Selec-Terrain (4x4 only), front and second-row heated leather seats, memory settings, Bi-Xenon High Intensity Discharge auto-leveling headlamps with SmartBeam®, CommandView dual-pane panoramic sun roof, Parkview® rear back-up camera, Parksense® rear park assist, premium audio, automatic temperature control, 18-inch aluminum wheels, Garmin® navigation, rain-sensitive wipers and bright door handles.

    Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 pricing: $39,995 (including $780 for destination)
    Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2 pricing: $37,495 (including $780 for destination)

    2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
    Overland models add numerous features including Quadra-Lift air suspension (4x4 only), premium interior with Nappa leather-trimmed and heated seats, vented front seats, wood/leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with memory, power tilt/telescope steering column, wood bezels, leather-stitched instrument panel/doors/center console armrest, power liftgate, and 20-inch aluminum wheels.

    Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 pricing: $42,995 (including $780 for destination)
    Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x2 pricing: $39,495 (including $780 for destination)

    2011 vs. 2010 model year pricing comparison
    2010          2011
    Laredo 4x2      $31,490      $30,995
    Laredo 4x4      $33,460      $32,995
    Limited 4x2     $38,260      $37,495
    Limited 4x4     $40,200      $39,995
    Overland 4x2          n/a      $39,495
    Overland 4x4          n/a      $42,995

    - prices include destination

  • Available in Jeep showrooms in June
  • 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 pricing starts at $32,995 -- $465 lower than outgoing model
  • 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2 pricing starts at $30,995 -- $495 lower than outgoing model
Auburn Hills, Mich., May 12, 2010  -  Chrysler Group LLC today announced U.S. pricing for the most advanced generation of its Jeep® Grand Cherokee. With roots dating back to Grand Wagoneer and with over 4 million Grand Cherokee’s sold, Jeep continues to redefine the luxury SUV segment. 

Pricing for the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 will start at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $32,995, while the Laredo 4x2 model will start at $30,995.

“The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee redefines the SUV industry with new levels of 4x4 capability, more luxury courtesy of a refined interior and stunning new exterior, improved fuel economy, and independent front and rear suspensions that deliver a premium, refined on-road driving experience,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The new Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers a unique blend of capability, refinement, features and amenities that no other manufacturer can offer, all at a great price.”

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee balances legendary Jeep capability with improved, sophisticated on-road dynamics that deliver a premium driving experience. Capability highlights include a choice of three 4x4 systems, new Jeep Quadra-Lift™ Air Suspension, new Selec-Terrain™ system, and towing capability of 7,400 lbs. On-road dynamics are improved courtesy of new independent front and rear suspension systems and a new body structure that dramatically increases torsional stiffness for reduced Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels.

The design of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee boasts an all-new sculpted body and athletic profile that define a sleek exterior and aerodynamic finesse. CommandView® -- a new dual-pane panoramic sun roof – extends from the windshield to the rear of the vehicle. A world-class interior design is highlighted by premium soft-touch interior materials for all models. The interior provides consumers with more than four inches of increased rear-seat knee and leg room, and 17 percent more cargo volume.

An all-new 290-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine boasts an 11 percent improvement in fuel economy for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, delivering up to 23 mpg and over 500 miles on one tank of gas.

More than 45 safety and security features are available in the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, including standard Active Head Restraints, full-length side-curtain and seat-mounted side thorax air bags, Electronic Stability Control, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Hill-start Assist, and Trailer-sway Control. A Blind-spot/Rear Cross-path detection system and Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning are available.

Numerous advanced technology features are offered, including live mobile TV (FLO TV), SIRIUS Backseat TV and UConnect™ Web, which transforms the vehicle into a “hot spot” to deliver the Internet directly to the vehicle.

Completely redesigned and reengineered, the all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee will be built at the nearly 3-million square-foot Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit, which went through a complete transformation as part of World Class Manufacturing (WCM). It will arrive in Jeep showrooms next month (June).

The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be available in 3 models: Laredo, Limited and Overland.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
Standard features on the Laredo model include Quadra-Trac I 4x4 system (4x4 only), 3.6-liter V-6 engine, Keyless Enter-N-Go, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Trailer-Sway Control, front-seat side air bags and side-curtain air bags for front and rear, active head restraints, power 8-way driver seat with power 4-way lumbar adjust, fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and 17-inch aluminum wheels.

Optional features include a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter V-8 engine and a Trailer Tow Group.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 pricing: $32,995 (including $780 for destination)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2 pricing: $30,995 (including $780 for destination)

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Limited models add features that include Quadra-Trac II® 4x4 system with Selec-Terrain (4x4 only), front and second-row heated leather seats, memory settings, Bi-Xenon High Intensity Discharge auto-leveling headlamps with SmartBeam®, CommandView dual-pane panoramic sun roof, Parkview® rear back-up camera, Parksense® rear park assist, premium audio, automatic temperature control, 18-inch aluminum wheels, Garmin® navigation, rain-sensitive wipers and bright door handles.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 pricing: $39,995 (including $780 for destination)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2 pricing: $37,495 (including $780 for destination)

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
Overland models add numerous features including Quadra-Lift air suspension (4x4 only), premium interior with Nappa leather-trimmed and heated seats, vented front seats, wood/leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with memory, power tilt/telescope steering column, wood bezels, leather-stitched instrument panel/doors/center console armrest, power liftgate, and 20-inch aluminum wheels.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 pricing: $42,995 (including $780 for destination)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x2 pricing: $39,495 (including $780 for destination)

2011 vs. 2010 model year pricing comparison
                           2010          2011
Laredo 4x2      $31,490      $30,995 
Laredo 4x4      $33,460      $32,995 
Limited 4x2     $38,260      $37,495 
Limited 4x4     $40,200      $39,995 
Overland 4x2          n/a      $39,495 
Overland 4x4          n/a      $42,995 

- prices include destination