Based on brief driving sessions, we have to put the Grand Cherokee right in the thick of the battle for supremacy in this class. It looks wonderful, exactly as it should, like a Jeep. It's powerful and quiet at the same time. It has the best name in the business to trade on, good space efficiency for what it is, plenty of power with a choice of two big engines. It has more standard equipment and more kinds of optional equipment than any previous Jeep, which should make it more attractive to more people and hence, more competitive. It looks new and traditional at the same time. If the Jefferson North Plant can build these with the kind of quality levels the market is demanding now, the Grand Cherokee should be a welcome addition to Chrysler/Jeep showrooms and customer garages.Reporting from Santa Barbara, California, was New Car Test Drive correspondent Jim McCraw.
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