Jeep Grand Cherokee

With the 2011 redesign of the Grand Cherokee, Jeep took its flagship midsized SUV completely upscale. Based on the redesigned Mercedes-Benz ML, the first new model from post-bankruptcy Chrysler was a big improvement over the SUV it replaced, with levels of fit, finish, and refinement rivaling models costing a lot more. This Grand Cherokee is a lot more civilized with a quiet interior, steady ride and responsive steering, yet it remains wholly capable off-road when properly equipped. The V8 version accelerates well and tows a trailer effortlessly, noticeably better than the standard V6 alternative, but it gulps gas at an old-fashioned 14 mpg in routine driving. Most four-wheel-drive Grand Cherokees come without low-range gearing, but models with are very capable off-road.