Scraped the bottom once, just a bit. Tires found their way up the rocks just fine, slipped once or twice. Steering is consistently easygoing, even in four-low while navigating rocks and boulders. Downhill assist control was nice on the way back down, just set it and relax. Nothing put up a fuss or caused me any stress.
After building confidence, it’s easy to sit back and let the machine do the work. Looking underneath, all the Grand Cherokee’s hardware is tucked up and away neatly.
Not a creak or crackle from the body structure either-- which is remarkable when flexing over rocks and especially given the large sunroof. Satellite radio works nicely in the bush. I’d love to make this trip again during the day to see the view from on top.
Fuel Consumption: 18L / 100km, mainly using four-low and keeping speeds between 2 and 60 kmh.
Location: Empty fields and pole-line in Valley East, Ontario
Conditions: Sloppy, deep, thick, rutted clay and mud
Notes: Grand Cherokee’s Fortera tires give up in the mud. In the worst of it, there’s almost no steering and gravity pulls the truck into ruts. Ground clearance surprised here though, and there’s enough snap to spin the treads clear as needed. Ultimately, the machine pulls easily through even nasty stuff if you keep the throttle down. Grand Cherokee can pull itself out of 6 inches of soupy slop from a stop with minimal fuss, as long as you’re not trying to steer. No scraping of floor or removable air dam.
Off-road ‘Sport’ mode is best for flinging dirt. This is tremendously fun off-roading. Just wished the ESP and electronics could be completely shut down. Sixteen bucks worth of loonies at the coin wash cleaned the body, engine compartment and underside afterwards.
Observed Mileage: 18L / 100km with plenty of wheelspin and pulling through water and ruts.
After building confidence, it’s easy to sit back and let the machine do the work. Looking underneath, all the Grand Cherokee’s hardware is tucked up and away neatly.
Not a creak or crackle from the body structure either-- which is remarkable when flexing over rocks and especially given the large sunroof. Satellite radio works nicely in the bush. I’d love to make this trip again during the day to see the view from on top.
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| The machine pulls easily through even nasty stuff if you keep the throttle down. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
Fuel Consumption: 18L / 100km, mainly using four-low and keeping speeds between 2 and 60 kmh.
Location: Empty fields and pole-line in Valley East, Ontario
Conditions: Sloppy, deep, thick, rutted clay and mud
Notes: Grand Cherokee’s Fortera tires give up in the mud. In the worst of it, there’s almost no steering and gravity pulls the truck into ruts. Ground clearance surprised here though, and there’s enough snap to spin the treads clear as needed. Ultimately, the machine pulls easily through even nasty stuff if you keep the throttle down. Grand Cherokee can pull itself out of 6 inches of soupy slop from a stop with minimal fuss, as long as you’re not trying to steer. No scraping of floor or removable air dam.
Off-road ‘Sport’ mode is best for flinging dirt. This is tremendously fun off-roading. Just wished the ESP and electronics could be completely shut down. Sixteen bucks worth of loonies at the coin wash cleaned the body, engine compartment and underside afterwards.
Observed Mileage: 18L / 100km with plenty of wheelspin and pulling through water and ruts.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
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