2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude 4x4

What's in a name? Well, for Mark Johnson of Sanger, California, the "Altitude" name represents a free Jeep Grand Cherokee in his driveway. Jeep presented a "production-intent" version of its Grand Cherokee with a blacked-out exterior design theme at the Houston Auto Show last January and launched the Name My Ride campaign in which it invited the general public to help choose a name for the production model that would follow. (Similar blacked-out editions of the Patriot and Compass have also been created.) Mr. Johnson's submission was chosen as the best, and we agree that it's the perfect name for a Jeep trim level. Wish we'd thought of it. With it, Jeep has an attractive model that's above the base Laredo but a little more affordable than the Limited and much more affordable than the top-of-the-line Overland. Not that our tester, at $42K, is what one would call cheap. Unless I towed frequently, I'd save myself $1700 and choose the standard V-6 over this example's optional V-8 and get significantly better fuel economy in the bargain (16/23 mpg city/highway with the V-6 vs. 13/20 mpg with the V-8). In any case, it's good to see that Jeep is keeping the Grand Cherokee, which we very much like, fresh. Nice job, Jeep, and congratulations, Mark Johnson. Joe DeMatio, Deputy Editor

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The Latitude's $42,200 list price is actually some $3000 less than the V-6-powered Overland that we had for a four seasons test, and I honestly couldn't think of anything I missed. Except, perhaps, that V-6. I'm usually happy to have more power, but the Grand Cherokee's relatively soft suspension doesn't seem to appreciate the Hemi's extra 300 pounds and 70 horsepower. It bounces around more than I remember and just feels less smooth and sophisticated. The rather touchy throttle surely doesn't help. The V-8's extra towing capability and muscular noise probably appeals to traditional Grand Cherokee buyers, but those who want a modern SUV would do better with the V-6. David Zenlea, Associate Editor