GM and Chrysler SUVs: More of the Same?

With all eyes on ailing GM and Chrysler, their main debuts at the New York International Auto Show may have offered some hints about their futures. Chrysler president Jim Press spoke in New York of “the new Chrysler,” but amid the politicized tangle of shotgun mergers and bankruptcy speculation, both Chrysler and GM chose to unveil more SUVs. Both companies have long been criticized for their truck-heavy lineups, something that left them in the bottom tier of major automakers in Cars.com’s True Mileage Index. Are models like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and GMC Terrain  going to help either company get moving in the right direction?

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Video

Kelsey Mays had to battle overly eager VIPs to get this video shot at the New York auto show. He still manages to get plenty of quality time with the new SUV and tests out seat room and comfort, as well as some ergonomics and capabilities. One note: The mileage figures shown combine all trim levels with front- and all- or four-wheel drive. They are not simply combined EPA figures. Also, the new Grand Cherokee out-tows the competition when equipped with a V-8 engine, but it’s rated at the same towing capacity as the others with the V-6.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Up Close

Jeep just unveiled the next-generation Grand Cherokee, which was summarily mobbed by journalists eager to see if Chrysler’s product pipeline is something to write home about. I dinked around inside and checked out the cargo area. The short verdict: The Grand Cherokee is promising, and if Chrysler can seal a deal with Fiat, Jeep enthusiasts have reason for optimism. Does the larger buying public need another 18- or 19-mpg SUV when there are competing crossovers that do 10% or 15% better? I doubt it.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee at 2009 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Ford Edge, Nissan Murano, Chevy Equinox
• Looks like: A sleek, sophisticated SUV — but not a Jeep
• Drivetrain: 280-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 or 360-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 with five-speed automatic; two- or four-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: 2010

Chrysler is on the brink of doing anything from filing for bankruptcy to completely collapsing as a business. Its business happens to be building cars, trucks and SUVs, and the Jeep brand has been especially good at designing SUVs that its loyal fans enjoy. With the 2011 Grand Cherokee’s urban style and revised unibody platform, the brand may be straying too far from what made it what it is to Jeep loyalists.

The style is quite sophisticated and can hold its own with the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano in the looks department. However, while it looks slick, we can’t help but wonder what Jeep fans are thinking right now. Is this an SUV that screams Jeep?

The new unibody construction likely means a much better ride on the road than the old Grand Cherokee. It’s based on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, after all. We’d assume the Grand Cherokee will still pass the Rubicon Trail test and be “trail rated,” but questions will remain. We give Jeep credit for introducing the very off-road friendly Wrangler Unlimited four-door a few years back, which allows the Grand Cherokee to be more of a soft-roader. There's a new suspension system the company promises will make it off-road capable with adjustable settings, but it's clearly aimed at general car shoppers.

How does it do on this front? Not so good -- at least on paper. The 2011 Grand Cherokee will get a much more powerful V-6 base engine putting out 280 hp, compared with the outgoing model’s 210 hp, while getting slightly better mileage: 16/23 mpg city/highway, up from 16/21 for the two-wheel-drive model. Its power bests the Edge and Murano by 15 hp, but the competition's mileage is better, at 17/24 and 18/23 mpg, respectively.

New CAFE standards go into effect for the 2011 model year, and we’re wondering if a company without one 31-plus mpg model in its lineup can afford not to get better mileage in a base model. A Hemi V-8 will also be available, making 360 hp and 390 pounds-feet of torque. Mileage is 14/20 mpg for two-wheel-drive V-8 models.

Three trim levels will be available at launch: the base Laredo and mid-level Laredo can be had with either engine, while the top Overland trim only comes with the Hemi V-8.

The numbers paint a bleak picture for what otherwise looks like a pretty nice SUV. The interior certainly seems like a big improvement, and there are many creature comforts that we’re seeing in other top models.

Bi-xenon headlights come standard on Limited and Overland trims, while options include a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, power liftgate, and adjustable headlights that adjust to meet outdoor conditions. Safety options like blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic detection systems, adaptive cruise control and a forward collision system are all available.

We’ll have more in-person impressions later this morning. There are more photos below you can check out now.

Jeep Introduces Rocky Mountain Editions

Chrysler has been promoting its Employee Pricing Plus Plus sale for the past three months as a way to get a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle on the cheap. Today, the company announced a new option package that throws in roughly $2,300 in features for a cost of $1,595. Called the Rocky Mountain Edition, this bundle will be available on the 2009 Jeep Patriot, Liberty and Grand Cherokee later this month.

Chrysler has confirmed that the new special editions will be eligible for the current Employee Pricing Plus Plus sale when they go on sale. However, specific rebate amounts will not be known until they go on sale.

Check out full breakdowns of features for each model below.

Chrysler Plan Shows New Chrysler 300, Jeep Grand Cherokee

Above is an image taken from Chrysler’s full plan submitted to the U.S. government earlier today, of the next-generation Chrysler 300 sedan. Below you’ll find a shot of the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as larger versions of the interior images we found embedded in the PDF.

Chrysler Offering No-Charge DVD Promotion, Again

In February, as part of a “new day” celebration, Chrysler unveiled a somewhat unique promotion on its minivans: Buy a minivan, get a rear-seat DVD player for free. Since then, it’s hard to argue the company has experienced anything resembling the optimism of a new day, but that hasn’t stopped the automaker from reprising the DVD offer this month.

If customers purchase a Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Commander or Jeep Grand Cherokee, they’ll receive a rear-seat DVD entertainment package free of charge. In the minivans, that includes screens for both the second and third rows. This national deal is on top of other cash-back and financing incentives, and it expires Jan. 5.

Jeep's New Gas-Plus-Cash-Back Deals

Jeep is the third Chrysler brand to get a boost in incentives following this week’s sales numbers fiasco. In a way, Jeep’s deals pale in comparison to Dodge’s and Chrysler’s – Jeep only has six models with cash back, and two of them, the more popular Compass and Patriot, get a mere $750 – but a few offers are substantial.

One interesting deal is on the Grand Cherokee diesel (a solid alternative for those looking to reduce gas consumption). Customers can get $3,500 cash back, or $1,000 cash back plus the Let’s Refuel America gas deal. Considering diesel is included in the $2.99 gas plan — and it’s at a whopping $4.77 nationally — the savings are considerable. A full list of deals is below.

Jeep Expands Diesel Grand Cherokee Offerings, Drops Price $1,000

Jeep was one of the first major brands to release a diesel vehicle in the wake of new clean diesel fuel with last year’s 3.0-liter V-6 diesel in Grand Cherokee Limited and Overland trims. For 2008, the company will add the power plant to the Laredo X packages and drop the price on the existing diesel trims by $1,000.

The V-6 diesel engine gets 18/23 mpg city/highway in 4X2 models and 17/22 mpg in 4X4 models, versus the standard V-6 gasoline engines’ 15/20 and 15/19 mpg, respectively. Of course, with 376 pounds-feet of torque, the diesel could also be compared to the V-8 Grand Cherokee, which has 375 pounds-feet of torque and sucks down unleaded at a clip of 13/19 and 13/18 mpg for 4X2 and 4X4 models, respectively. The diesel also tows 7,600 pounds, versus the V-8’s 7,400 rating. While the diesel does have improved emissions, it does not meet the strict requirements of eight states including California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. We're unsure if that makes it truly a clean diesel or not.

Full pricing is below.

It's Official: Chrysler Cuts Four Models

Chrysler announced today it will cut four models from its lineup: The Chrysler Crossfire, Pacifica and PT Cruiser convertible, and the Dodge Magnum. The automaker also announced plans to cut some 9,000 jobs at assembly plants that produce a number of other models: the Chrysler 300 and Sebring; Dodge Avenger, Caliber, Charger and Nitro; and the Jeep Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Patriot. Though those 11 models – as well as the regular PT Cruiser – will still be sold, expect production to be scaled back. For shoppers, that likely translates to fewer cars with massive discounts clogging showroom floors.

The decision has been coming for several weeks now, with rumors brewing that Chrysler could cut up to five models. The Crossfire and Pacifica have trailed the competition for years, but it’s a shame to see the Magnum go. With the Hemi V-8, it was one fun cruiser. If they’d asked us, we probably would have advised canning the latest Sebring instead – or at the very least taking it back to the drawing board.

Chrysler spokesman David Barnas told us 2008 would be the last year for all four models. That means in about a year’s time there should be some steep discounts to clear the last of them off the lots.