2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel: The Great Equalizer

The diesel revolution is here – actually, it’s been percolating for quite a long time – and the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel is one of its most impressive heralds.  The Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel is a brave move from the off-road brand to put itself on par with luminaries such as Mercedes-Benz in the SUV sphere, and lest that comparison sound a bit too lofty for an automaker with beginnings as humble as Jeep, consider this: the price tag on my test vehicle checked in at just under $70,000.

$70k for a Jeep?  It’s something that we’ll all have to get used to soon, especially if future models continue to offer the performance, style, and comfort of the this turbodiesel SUV.

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Paying For The Best

To be sure, not all versions of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee will cause such sticker shock – the mid-size, five-passenger SUV starts at around $40,000 for the six-cylinder edition, and a Hemi V8 is also available.  For those who want to sample the new EcoDiesel drivetrain’s charms, however, you’ll have to fork out the big bucks as it’s only available in the two top trims (Overland and Summit).

For fans of high-efficiency motoring, the decision to reserve EcoDiesel delivery to only the most luxurious of Grand Cherokees is a frustrating one, but there’s a method to this madness.  Chrysler is only capable of sourcing so many examples of the turbodiesel engine, which it must also share with the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel pickup, so broad availability would quickly extinguish the stocks available to margin-friendly premium editions of the SUV.  The strategy also gives Jeep a potent weapon in its arsenal that can train its crosshairs squarely on vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTEC and the Audi Q7 TDI, diesel-powered sport-utilities operating within the upper limit of the Jeep’s pricing wheelhouse.

Town And Country

Comparing the Grand Cherokee to a German luxury SUV is something that might have gotten you laughed out of the country club a few years ago, but these days it’s Jeep owners who are doling out the yucks.  While the price of admission to Jeep’s premium diesel model might be high, the amount of equipment that comes with it is in excess of what would be found in a similarly-priced Mercedes-Benz or Audi.  Not only do you get more in terms of active safety gear, but you also benefit from the Uconnect system’s 8.4-inch LCD touchscreen and class-leading interface design, which is light-years ahead of either Audi MMI or Mercedes-Benz COMAND, as well as a great configurable LCD screen that serves as the primary gauges for the driver.  Fit and finish is also excellent, with soft touch plastics, leather, and well-crafted seats filling the Grand Cherokee’s spacious cabin.

Off-Road For Those Who Want It

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel is also unparalleled at its price point when it comes to all-terrain capability.  With three different four-wheel drive systems available, the Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel is supremely gifted when it comes to taking the road less traveled – or none at all.  The version of the Jeep that I drove came with an adjustable ride height air suspension system and the Selec-Terrain feature that allowed me to dial in specific parameters for dealing with snow, sand and mud, and other types of surfaces.  The Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel effortlessly ate up the blizzard that assaulted it during our week together and never once gave me the impression that it was anything other than unstoppable – a performance backed up by the hardcore trail driving I had done in the same model the previous year.  Despite its rugged leanings, one is cosseted over rough pavement, as the air shocks keep road noise and vibrations at bay.  I would have liked a bit more steering feel, but this is an SUV, not a sport sedan, and most will have no issue with the Grand Cherokee’s ratio.

A Commanding Performance

Now that I’ve firmly established the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel’s bonafides in the world of luxury accoutrements, what of it how it drives?  This is perhaps the best aspect of the mid-size SUV, as the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 under its hood offers up a smooth 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, managed by an equally-crafty eight-speed automatic transmission.

When accelerating hard off of the line it’s clear that one isn’t piloting the eight-cylinder breed, but from a roll the phenomenal torque delivery of the turbodiesel engine erases any mental comparisons that might be in play.  Even better: brake-boosting the EcoDiesel ensures a snarling launch that will catch you off guard with its ferocity as the turbo builds torque and then unleashes it once you take your left foot off the stopper.  Whether you choose to mash the accelerator to the floor or sample the versatile power band of the 3.0-liter unit in a more civilized fashion, it’s clear that this motor is every bit the match of any other premium diesel on the market.

Fuel economy, of course, is one of the prime motivators in making the switch to diesel, and the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel is no exception to this rule.  As with any heavy vehicle, in-town efficiency suffers due to the many starts and stops, but during steady state highway cruising the EcoDiesel offers a real-world advantage over its gas counterpart, checking in with an excellent 7.9 l/100 km.  You aren’t going to do better in the mid-size SUV class than that, and certainly not when considering the Grand Cherokee’s strong torque.

A Prize For Those Who Can Pay The Price

Jeep has always had a cachet amongst SUV buyers, but the demographic it’s targeting with the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel is still new to the concept of the brand’s badge standing for luxury as well as capability.  As a mid-size people mover, the EcoDiesel is a front-runner in what is a very competitive slice of the market.  As a premium ride, the overwhelming comforts of its cabin and slick ride give it an edge as well.  As a fuel-saving, stump-pulling muscle truck, it’s without peer.  Add these all together and you’ve got the new standard for turbodiesel SUV pretenders – and based on the automaker’s excellent EcoDiesel sales numbers, I’m not the only one who seems to think so.