2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo Sport Utility

Overland Summit models now include front park assist, power-folding mirrors, and headlight washers as standard equipment. Shoppers looking to maximize off-road capability will be interested in the limited-edition Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, which includes rock rails, skid plates, and other off-road-specific equipment, as well as minor visual distinctions from the rest of the range.

The exterior of the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee is virtually unchanged since it was remodeled in 2011. The styling of the Jeep Grand Cherokee does not have the fluid lines that most SUV's in this class possess, and when compared to the Grand Cherokee of the past, it simply lacks the details the previous models possessed. There is no real definition to the sides and the rear end.

The Grand Cherokee Laredo comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels. The Limited receives 18-inch painted alloy wheels, and the Overland trims are equipped with 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, and the SRT8 comes equipped with 20-inch forged aluminum wheels. Other standard exterior features include fog lights and automatic headlights. The Laredo has the option of roof rails. The Limited trim gets the addition of bi-xenon headlights, automatic windshield wipers, and a sunroof. The Overland Summit features a mesh grille, exterior chrome accents, power-folding side mirrors, and headlight washers. The SRT8 features LED lights, and the Trailhawk model receives rock rail body protection and exterior trim details specific to this model.

The interior of the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers plenty of standard goodies and options. It comes standard with seating for five, which includes five headrests. The interior comes upholstered in cloth and equipped with bucket front seats. The passenger seat folds completely flat. The rear seats fold for additional storage and recline for additional comfort. The Laredo includes cruise control, audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel, and powered windows, locks, and mirrors. Also standard is a tilt and telescopic steering wheel. For additional comfort, interior air filtration and dual zone air conditioning are also standard.

The Limited and Overland trims add a huge amount of interior features, which includes leather upholstery, heated driver, and passenger seating, and eight-way power adjustment control for both driver and passenger seating. Also added are rear ventilation ducts, a rearview camera, and dual zone climate control. A memorization system also saves settings for two drivers. For interior entertainment, the Laredo comes standard with a six-speaker AM/FM/CD radio system with an auxiliary jack for MP3 players and other devices. The Limited and Overland trims receive a nine-speaker Alpine audio system, which includes a video monitor, DVD playback, a subwoofer, and a USB connection. The SRT8 has the option for a premium audio system, and it comes with transmission controls on the steering wheel.

The interior is about average for its class, which is a great thing. The high-quality construction is really evident in the trims. The built-in navigation system is decent, but it isn't anything special. With the rear seats in place, the cargo area is about 35 cubic feet, and with the rear seats folded down, the cargo area is 69 cubic feet, which is about average for its class.

The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes standard with anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control, all of which help the Grand Cherokee stay on the road. The head restraints are designed to protect the neck and back from whiplash. In addition, there are several airbags in place to protect passengers in the event of an accident, which includes front head airbags, seat-mounted pelvic airbags, side impact airbags, and side curtain front and rear airbags.

All models have fog lights, dusk sensing headlamps, a post-collision safety system, and brake drying technology. All other trims include self-leveling headlights, turn signal mirrors, and an anti-thief alarm system. The SRT8 adds emergency braking preparation and assist technologies.

During government crash testing, the Cherokee was rated four out of five stars for overall safety. This includes four stars for frontal crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Jeep Grand Cherokee a perfect rating of ""Good"" for overall safety in frontal collisions, side collisions, and roof-strength, which makes the Cherokee a very safe vehicle for its class.

The 2013 Jeep grand Cherokee comes equipped with a standard 3.6-liter, V-6 engine that produces 290 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. All models come with a five-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Aside from the SRT8, all models are available as either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the 3.6-liter engine is estimated at 16/23 mpg city/highway.

An optional 5.7-liter, V-8 engine produces 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. This larger engine does a much better job getting around offroad, and the estimated fuel economy is 13/20 mpg city/highway, which isn't especially impressive. This engine is available in other models as well. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 comes with an even bigger 6.4-liter, V-8 engine that produces 470 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The SRT8 reaches zero to 60 miles per hour in just 5.1 seconds, which is incredibly fast for an SUV. The fuel economy is low at an estimated 12/18 mpg city/highway.

The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee rides on the road as well as it does off road. The high ground clearance makes off-road usage realistic, and the Jeep legacy lives up to its name. When hauling and towing is needed, the SRT8 does an amazing job. The SRT8's extremely quick acceleration and strong handling make it a joy to drive even if the ride is a bit stiff.

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