The Overland is one of the six trims offered in the Jeep Grand Cherokee line (not counting the special SRT model). Between the Summit as the most expensive and the Laredo the least, Overland appears to hit a good spot on the luxury-to-price ratio.
The midsize SUV offers great performance and style, plus a harbinger of features and technology—all for a competitive price of $47,795 with 4WD.
The 2017 Overland derives its power from a 3.6-liter V6 VVT engine with Engine Stop-Start (ESS). The eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission takes you easily through the shifting process.
The EPA fuel economy for this glamor vehicle is 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. My average for the driving period settled around 23 mpg.
My Overland 4X4 had Selec-Terrain Traction Management. This feature provides the Jeep vehicle with an opportunity to tackle Mother Nature and lets it go places that Mother Nature doesn’t allow many vehicles to tread.
Selec-Terrain gives you five settings that deliver ultimate driving stability by coordinating 12 vehicle systems. They include throttle control, transmission shifting, transfer case, traction control, and electronic stability control (ESC). There are five “sure footed” modes: Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud, and Rock. Of course, this feature is standard in the Overland.
Now combine Selec-Terrain with Hill Assist, ParkSense featuring Rear Park Assist with Stop, and Trailer Sway Damping, and you have a vehicle that can get you in and out of challenging paths and tight spots.
The Overland has a quality athletic look, registering wide footprints and a strong, bold body. The front is ornamented by distinctive headlamps, bright LED daytime running lamps, and turn signals. Dual exhaust in the rear leaves an aggressive impression on the cars behind. Some Jeep models sport a sinister “black out” front end, which replaces shiny chrome with black to add a stealth and mystery.
Inside the cabin, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, a center armrest, plus a steering wheel with mounted shifting paddles set the visual tone. Leather-trimmed perforated heated seats with edge welting keep everyone comfortable and in place.
Integrated Voice Command with Bluetooth complements the customizable digital instrument cluster display. Dual-zone automatic temperature control keeps everyone comfortable. SiriusXM Satellite Radio gives you traffic, weather, and music through nine amplified speakers with a subwoofer, to keep you entertained and informed. The 8.4-inch navigation screen with Uconnect helps you find your way and stay on track.
One of the most attractive features is the 20-inch x 8.0-inch Tech Gray forged aluminum wheels with BSW all-season LRR tires. These lightweight wheels help reduce unsprung weight and improve driving dynamics while adding to the appearance. Everyone looks your way as you approach and pass.
The Overland’s dynamics allow you to experience the joy of driving. The Brembo high-performance brake system provides the stopping power you need.
The most impressive thing about this Jeep vehicle is the NHTSA safety rating. The 2017 Grand Cherokee earned 5-star overall ratings. It also scored five stars for frontal crash and side crash for both driver and front passenger. In the rollover category, it received a 4-star rating.
What you are really getting is a refined yet rugged vehicle that allows you to travel just about any place you wish to go, and to do so without losing all the technology or comfort features associated with a fine, safe car.
Jeep offers optional equipment packages such as the Jeep Active Safety Group with Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop, Advanced Brake Assist, Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, and LaneSense Lane Departure Warning Plus for an additional $1,495.
Warranty
3-year/36,000-mile Basic Limited Warranty
5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty
5-year/Unlimited-mile Rust-Through Warranty
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or at [email protected]
