This week we’re looking at the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4X4 “Special Purpose”, or the more commonly referred to Sport Utility Vehicle.
Although I have a soft spot in my heart for the Jeep, I wish they would do something about the terrible gas mileage. It’s among the worst of the competition and I dread having to stop at the pump. You can drop $60-80 every time you stop. Problem is you’ll be stopping more often in cars like this that squeak out 15 mpg. When gas was $.20 per gallon in the late 1950s cars got 7-10 mpg. We haven’t come very far in the past 50 years have we.
Aside from the poor performance in fuel usage the car is really nice. The Daimler / Chrysler combo is tough to beat and they have had a positive influence on all they touch. This Jeep is no exception. There were days in Jeeps history that wasn’t always true.
Public Service: Willy Nelson sings it the best … “on the road again”… but there are lots of hazards on that road and I for one want to know where the Highway Patrol is while I’m dodging debris in the roadway. Seems to me that’s what the Highway Patrol is for… to patrol. How about you? Let me know your pet peeve with how good or bad you think our highways are when it comes to conditions that make the commute perilous.
General Info:
Parts – US/Canadian 73% (engine/transmission – US)
Assembly – Detroit , Michigan , USA
Class: – Special Purpose
Cars: – Commander, Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Wrangler.
Handling & Performance:
Very poor fuel economy. But that being said, the 4.7 liter V8 is robust and we all love the power. We just don’t want to pay for it at the pump. The standard engine is a 3.7 liter 210 hp V6. The mileage is not significantly better and the V8 will cost $1,340 including Quadra-Trac full time 4WD.
Styling:
Jeep. And it has been copied for half a century by many. That pretty much says it all. Being copied is the best form of praise.
Fit and Finish:
“As good as it gets” Jack, in this class of truck.
Cost:
Competitive.
Conveniences:
Abundantly appointed. One nice touch I’d like to see in this model is the apparatus in the rear that folds up to form a series of 3 boxes to house your gear, groceries etc. to prevent shifting while in motion. The Liberty has it and I’m yet to see it duplicated in any other brands. It is far better than the netting that is so common.
Consumer Recommendation:
The variety of competitor product is many but the most important factor is whether you are willing to live without the “Fu-fu badge” like Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Acura, and Land Rover. If you are comfortable without the Name Plate Jeep has a rich nameplate history and worth the price of admission.
Recognized Competition:
Jeep Grand Cherokee $27-43,000, Mercedes M Class $40-49,000, Buick Rainier $31-33,000, GMC Envoy $26-38,000, Chevrolet TrailBlazer $24-32,000, Ford Explorer $27-36,000, Infiniti FX $38-50,000, BMW X5 $43-71,000, Honda Pilot $27-35,000, Land Rover LR3 $38-53,000, Lexus GX 470 $46,635, Dodge Durango $29-38,000, Mitsubishi Endeavor $27-32,000, Ford 500 $22-28,000, Mercury Mountaineer $29-36,000, Toyota 4Runner $28-38,000, Nissan Pathfinder $25-36,000, Acura MDX $37-44,000.
Good News:
Smooth and comfortable ride.
Bad News:
Really bad fuel economy – in fact you can’t call it economy.
Standard Equipment:
4.7 liter 235 hp V8 engine, 5-speed auto trans, multistage airbags, tire pressure monitor and warning signal, 4-wheel traction control, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, variable wipers with rear wiper washer, power rack and pinion steering, air conditioning, power windows and locks, cruise control, remote keyless entry, theft deterrent system, tilt column, stereo with CD player, power 8-way driver seat, rear 60/40 split folding seat, overhead console, trip computer, power fold away mirrors, deep tint sunscreen glass, lift gate flip up glass, roof side rails, and full size spare tire and matching wheel. Options: Special paint, auto dim mirror, heated mirrors, passenger power 4-way seat, premium sound system, fog lights, auto headlights, security alarm, Illuminated vanity mirrors, Trailer tow package, V8 engine, Quadra Trac II Active full time 4 WD.
Gas Stats:
15 City and 20 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $33,155.
