2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers standout off-road performance and a solid ride around town.
The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a midsize SUV with strong off-road capabilities, sharp styling, and a wealth of powertrain choices. The SUV was last completely redesigned for the 2005 model year and retains the same styling today. Updates for the 2007 model year include a new Mercedes-Benz-sourced 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, upgraded safety features, and a new camera system.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee competes against the Toyota 4Runner, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander. With the exception of the 4Runner and the Explorer, the others offer all-wheel drive over a dedicated four-wheel-drive system. The Jeep is aimed at new-car buyers that want a vehicle with strong off-road performance while also performing decently on the road. Jeep offers several trims: Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, SRT8, Limited, and Overland.
The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee is also offered with five engines. The standard powertrain is a 3.7-litre V6 rated at 215 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. A 4.7-litre V8 is available, with 305 hp and 334 lb-ft of torque. Next, there’s a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 that produces 325 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The range-topping Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 gets the ultimate gasoline engine: A 6.1-litre HEMI V8 that makes 420 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.
Three 4WD systems are available: Quadra-Trac I, a full-time system; Quadra-Trac II, with a two-speed transfer case; and Quadra-Drive II, which has a full-time transfer case with electronic limited-slip differentials.
The 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 makes 215 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. In Canada, both a five-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive are standard (a rear-wheel drive (RWD) drivetrain is not offered in our market).
The Grand Cherokee picked up sharp new styling in the 2005-model-year redesign, which remains fresh today. Long lines and strong angles and the signature seven-slot Jeep grille help it stand out in a crowd of crossovers and SUVs that have grown rounder and friendlier in recent years.
The Jeep’s interior is clean and simple, but not sparse or frugal. New LED backlights in the gauge cluster greatly improve visibility, and all other controls are clearly labeled, close at hand, and intuitively positioned. Higher trims like the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited get thick, supple, leather seats and high-end wood accents that add an extra layer of luxury to the rugged Jeep.
In a sea of soft, road-friendly, family SUVs, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a standout. Off-road performance is unmatched in its segment, with the possible exception of the Toyota 4Runner. The four-wheel-drive (4WD) system can take the Grand Cherokee and its occupants far, far off the beaten path.
It’s hard to find a bad apple among the Jeep’s crowd of engine choices. The base 210-hp 3.7-litre V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission get the SUV moving without much hassle and make it an excellent companion for scooting around town. The first V8, a 305-hp 4.7-litre unit, pulls strong and delivers great low-end grunt for crawling through the woods. The 330-hp 5.7-litre HEMI V8 is shared with Chrysler and Dodge vehicles and sounds the business—and has the performance to back it up. Taking another step up the powertrain ladder, the top-of-the-line gas V8 is a massive 6.1-litre HEMI that makes power specs of 420 hp. It’s overkill, to be sure, but it’s overkill in the best sense of the word.
A test drive reveals handling that feels competent, planted, and predictable in nearly all situations. The Grand Cherokee has a major leg up over dedicated off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler, because it’s got real “street cred” off the beaten path, with a real-deal 4WD system, while offering solid handling and a comfortable ride on the road. If hitting the lake is more desirable than hitting the trail, the Jeep can tow plenty of boat or trailer as well.
Though Jeep labels the Grand Cherokee as a full-size sport utility vehicle, its interior dimensions and capacities are much more in line with midsize vehicles. The cabin is packed with a mix of hard plastics and cheap-feeling materials that run counter to what the vehicle’s price tag would lead buyers to believe. The front seats are cushy, wide, and deep, but are too flat to be supportive on curvy roads or, more importantly, while bouncing through the woods.
Unfortunately for adults stuck riding in the back seat, legroom is more on par with a midsize sedan than a midsize SUV. Rear seats are mounted low and close to the floor, which means tall adults will have to ride with knees bent sharply. There is, at least, a solid amount of headroom, and the available sunroof doesn’t cut into that space to a noticeable degree.
Parents will enjoy the Jeep’s large rear doors for loading and unloading kids in car seats. Their square shape and wide opening make installing the seats easy, and greatly reduces the chances of bumped noggins on the kids’ way in or out. Behind the rear seat, the Jeep’s cargo space can accommodate several carry-ons and swallows up large suitcases with ease.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee gets a standard CD player, an auxiliary input jack, power windows, 17-inch alloy wheels, power door locks with keyless entry, air conditioning, six speakers, and Sirius XM satellite radio. Available features include a six-CD changer, MP3 playback, remote start, automatic climate controls, a navigation system, voice controls, Bluetooth, power-adjustable pedals, rain-sensing wipers, and steering wheel audio controls.
The Jeep MyGig entertainment system is simple, but that simplicity makes it incredibly easy to use on the go. That ease of use, combined with clearly labeled controls on the dash, reduce distraction that can come from searching for the right button or option.
Crash-test results were a mixed bag for the Grand Cherokee. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it "Good" for moderate-overlap front crashworthiness, "Marginal" for side crashworthiness, and "Good" for head restraints and seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Jeep five stars for front crash protection, five stars for side protection, and four stars for rollover resistance for models equipped with 4WD.
Standard safety features include hill descent control, an electronic stability control system, traction control, dynamic braking assistance, four-wheel disc brakes, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, a rear anti-roll bar, an ignition-disable system, an occupancy sensor, front and side airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, height-adjustable safety belts, and seatbelt pre-tensioners.
Not surprisingly, given its available V8 engines, fuel economy is a weak spot for the Grand Cherokee. Fuel consumption varies from 12.0 to 19.1 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 9.0 to 14.3 L/100 km on the highway, depending on the engine selected.
Note: Images show a US model.
