Trailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 290 hp 5A)
Trailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 290 hp 5A)
Danielle
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
••4.0Posted On: May 25, 2024
It’s spacious, Comfortable
The features, It overheats
Interior is decent but not fancy. The miles per gallon aren’t great. It performs well for the year. I love that it fits my family in the car comfortably. We are able to all fit plus put everything we need into the trunk. It is great in the snow.
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee is daunting and intimidating. In its stance, it feels bulky and burly while maintaining its upmarket design elements that were its claim to fame. In almost 20 years that the Grand Cherokee has been on the market.
The Grand Cherokee was freshly updated last year by Jeep with an all-new architecture. For the 2012 model year, it gets a revised 8-speed automatic transmission for the V8 model and an overall improved fuel economy throughout the lineup. Jeep also resurrected the much-acclaimed SRT8 variant of the Grand Cherokee.
Its base engine is a 290-hp V6 engine that offers enough power for city driving and off-roading. The optional 360-hp V8 engine satisfies speed lovers. The interior of the Grand Cherokee pleases with its airy ambiance and hints of luxury touches. It competes against the Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, and Hyundai Santa Fe.
Jeep is known to be generous when it comes to standard features- Carbuzz
The Grand Cherokee is Jeep’s flagship SUV and is available in five different trims, namely the Laredo, Laredo X, Altitude, Limited, Overland, and Overland Summit. It falls in a price bandwidth that extends from $26,995 to $46,595. The SRT8 model returns this year and is priced at $54,470.
Some of the standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, 17-inch alloys, keyless ignition, a 5-inch touchscreen paired with a 6-speaker stereo, etc. On the safety front, all the latest driver-assist features are available as you higher on the trim table. Few optional features are also accessible for some trims.
|
Trims |
Laredo |
Laredo X | Altitude |
Limited |
Overland |
Overland Summit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP (4X2) |
$26,995 |
$32,295 | $33,595 |
$36,795 |
$39,495 |
$43,095 |
|
MSRP (4X4) |
$28,995 |
$34,295 | $35,595 |
$39,295 |
$42,995 |
$46,595 |
|
Key Features |
17” alloy wheels |
Adds/Upgrades to Laredo | Adds/Upgrades to Laredo X |
Adds/Upgrades to Altitude |
Adds/Upgrades to Limited |
Adds/Upgrades to High Altitude |
|
|
Cruise control |
Chrome roof rails | Black leather/suede seats |
8.4” touchscreen |
Dual-chrome exhaust tips |
Front parking sensors |
|
|
Keyless ignition and entry |
Satellite radio | Heated front seats |
Leather upholstery |
Towing package (4WD) |
19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system |
|
|
Dual-zone automatic climate control |
Power driver's seat | 20" gloss black wheels |
8-way power front seats |
Power folding mirrors |
Real wood interior trim |
|
|
6-speaker sound system |
Heated rear seats |
Navigation system |
Illuminated door sills |
||
|
|
5” touchscreen |
Rearview camera |
The wood trim on steering wheel |
20” polished aluminum wheels | ||
|
Rear-parking sensors |
Extended leather upholstery |
|||||
| 18” alloy wheels | 20” alloy wheels |
We recommend buying the Overland variant of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It packs all the luxurious features that the base trims possess and adds optional features that are available on the Overland Summit and the SRT8. Its 4WD variant is the go-to option as it smoothens the ride quality over rough patches. At $39,985, the features on the Overland feel price adequate.
Owners who end up with a middle-grade Grand Cherokee are likely to be happy with its driving dynamics- Autoblog
Jeep with its Grand Cherokee offers two engine options, a 3.6L V6, and a 5.7L V8, both of which grant the Cherokee with impeccable performance figures. The V6 produces 290 hp and 260 lb-ft. of torque and is connected to a 5-speed automatic transmission. On the other hand, the V8 makes 360 hp and 390 lb-ft. of torque with a towing capacity of 7,200 pounds.
Drivers who want to experience a sporty driving character will love the driving dynamics of the Grand Cherokee. As expected, the ride quality is a bit firm but not that bad. The Grand Cherokee handles confidently around sharp corners. There is no other contender in the segment that can match the ruggedness and off-road capability offered by the Grand Cherokee.
The Grand Cherokee, with its base engine, is not a great performer. The 0-60 MPH sprint is completed in 7.6 seconds with a quarter-mile lap timing of 15.9 seconds. The extra grunt and power of the V8 help it to push the boundaries and complete the test in 6.5 seconds. Under hard braking, the Grand Cherokee does not nose dive and records 125 feet.
|
Models |
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
2012 Nissan Murano | 2012 Ford Edge | 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$27,695 |
$28,440 |
$27,525 |
$27,950 |
|
Engine |
3.6L V6 |
3.5L V6 | 3.5L V6 | 3.5L V6 |
|
Drivetrain |
RWD |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
|
Transmission |
5-Speed Automatic |
CVT |
6-Speed Automatic |
6-Speed Automatic |
|
Power |
290 hp @ 6,400 RPM |
260 hp @ 6,000 RPM |
285 hp @ 6,500 RPM |
276 hp @ 6,300 RPM |
|
Torque |
260 lb-ft. @ 4,000 RPM |
240 lb-ft. @ 4,400 RPM |
253 lb-ft. @ 4,000 RPM |
248 lb-ft. @ 5,000 RPM |
|
0-60 MPH |
7.6 sec |
7.3 sec |
6.8 sec |
7.4 sec |
|
Quarter Mile |
15.9 sec |
15.7 sec |
15.3 sec |
15.7 sec |
| Top Speed | 140 MPH | 120 MPH | 135 MPH | 130 MPH |
| Towing Capacity | 7,200 lbs | 1,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
The Ford Edge is the quickest contender in this competition, thanks to its low curb weight. The Nissan Murano and the Hyundai Santa Fe stand head-to-head against each other in terms of performance but the former offers better ride quality. Meanwhile, the powerful Grand Cherokee sits in the last place.
With a high curb weight and two old-school engines, the Grand Cherokee never delivered stellar gas mileage figures- Carbuzz
In a segment that features beefy SUVs, fuel efficiency is bound to remain low given the sheer curb weight of these vehicles. The Jeep Grand Cherokee manages to average mileage of 17 MPG in the city and that of 23 MPG on the highway. Combined, the Grand Cherokee averages 19 MPG of fuel.
The fuel tank on the SUV has a capacity of 24.6 gallons, which is the largest in the segment. It can cover a total distance of 418 and 566 miles in the city and on the highway respectively. The more powerful V8 engine averages 12 and 18 MPG of fuel in the city and on the highway respectively.
|
Models |
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
2012 Nissan Murano | 2012 Ford Edge | 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (City) |
17 |
18 | 19 | 20 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
23 |
24 | 27 |
26 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
19 |
20 | 22 |
23 |
|
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons) |
24.6 |
21.7 | 18.3 | 18.0 |
|
Range (City/Highway/Combined; Miles) |
418/566/467 |
391/521/434 | 348/494/403 | 360/468/414 |
Clearly, the Grand Cherokee is the least efficient SUV from the table while the Hyundai Santa Fe is the total opposite of the Grand Cherokee. The Ford Edge is a better SUV than the Nissan Murano in terms of fuel efficiency. Therefore, get ready to empty your pockets with the Grand Cherokee.
Build quality is top-notch in the Grand Cherokee- Edmunds
The cabin of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is an embodiment of modernity, luxury, and practicality. The large screen that sits in the center is multifunctional and adds makes the cabin look up-to-date. The use of wooden accents throughout the cabin feels sensible, given that they add to the opulence in a car that aims at commingling luxury and muscularity.
There is ample storage space in the cabin and the central armrest is a sigh of relief. The seats on the Grand Cherokee, whether with a cloth or leather upholstery, feel upmarket and plush. The seats are placed at commanding positions and provide good viewing angles. They are comfortable, even on long rides, and have a lot of under-thigh and knee support.
|
Models |
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
2012 Nissan Murano | 2012 Ford Edge | 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 | 5 |
|
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.9/58.7/40.3 |
40.1/59.6/43.6 | 40.0/58.9/40.7 | 40.2/59.5/42.6 |
|
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
39.2/58.0/38.6 |
39.4/58.7/36.3 | 39.3/58.7/39.6 | 39.6/58.6/36.8 |
|
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft.) |
35.1 |
31.8 | 32.2 | 34.2 |
In terms of cargo capacity, the Grand Cherokee offers a trunk volume of 35.1 cu-ft., which is decent. Fold the rear seats to increase the space to 68.7 cu-ft. However, compared to other midsize SUVs, the space on offer is a bit less. You do get decent interior storage options like door pockets, glovebox, and center console storage.
Lower trims get a 5-inch touchscreen while higher trims swap for a larger 7-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system of the Grand Cherokee showcases the ease of use and edgy performance and the availability of standard features like the AM/FM stereo with USB connectivity feels practical. It features Uconnect Access which provides Wi-Fi in the car. Some salient interior features include:
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV has a familiar look that has worn well- Kelly Blue Book
The Jeep Grand Cherokee looks boxy and has the aura of a total SUV. It is subtle in design elements and its boxy stance reassures the buyer of the mammoth body type. The seven slate traditional Jeep grille looks imposing and athletic. However, there are reports that the Grand Cherokee is going to receive a refresh next year.
The square-shaped wheel arches house wheels ranging between 17 and 20 inches. There are strong character lines running on the side of the vehicle. The rear design of the vehicle is simple and clean. At 4,545 pounds, the Grand Cherokee is one of the bulkiest SUVs in the segment.
|
Models |
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
2012 Nissan Murano | 2012 Ford Edge | 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
4,545 | 3,823 | 4,052 | 3,902 |
|
Length (in) |
189.8 | 189.9 | 184.2 | 184.1 |
|
Width (in) |
76.5 | 74.1 | 76.0 | 74.4 |
|
Height (in) |
69.3 |
67.0 | 67.0 | 67.9 |
|
Ground Clearance (in) |
8.6 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 7.2 |
|
Wheelbase (in) |
114.8 |
111.2 |
111.2 | 106.3 |
Among its rivals, the Hyundai Santa Fe has the shortest wheelbase. Fortunately, it doesn't affect the cabin space. The Ford Edge is the shortest car in this competition, measuring 184.2 inches. The proportions of the Nissan Murano are almost similar to the Grand Cherokee but its low curb weight assists in better on-road performance. SOme other exterior features are:
Unfortunately, the only active safety feature that comes standard is blind-spot monitoring- CarAndDriver
The Jeep Grand Cherokee received a 4-star rating from NHTSA, which is good. The IIHS honored the SUV with their second-highest 'Top Safety Pick' award for its excellent performance in crash tests, though only four crash tests were conducted. Yet, the SUV managed to satisfy the agency's requirements.
The Grand Cherokee comes with a comprehensive list of active and passive safety features constituting the additional protection layers in the car. But all of these driver aids are optional, which is a big disappointment. The set of seven airbags plays a vital role in occupant protection in the event of a crash. Some safety features are:
The Nissan Murano is a decent choice in the midsize SUV segment. It has gained recognition for its cushioned ride quality and high-quality cabin. Power is sourced from just one engine but it feels lighter on the road. Like the Grand Cherokee, its infotainment system is intuitive but lacks standard driver aids.
The Ford Edge is another good competitor of the Grand Cherokee. It is available with two strong sand fuel-efficient engines that help to deliver a comfortable ride. The passengers will be happy with the quiet and spacious cabin but its infotainment system is irritating to use. Safety-wise, the Grand Cherokee has better ratings.
The Hyundai Santa Fe houses a strong and efficient V6 engine but its ride quality is too firm. It offers a lot of features for an agreeable price but its aged styling can be an issue for some. Nevertheless, the Santa Fe delivers comfort in its cabin and is also generous with its cargo space.
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The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee is strong, performing as a utility vehicle with excellent handling and practicality. It is a favorite midsize SUV for rough terrains and has the capacity of reaching the mountaintop without dropping a sigh. It might lack in some aspects more than its rivals but with the price tag that comes along with it, it is a pretty good deal for an SUV and it's a go-go recommendation from us.
