With the Grand Cherokee's 2005 redesign, Jeep engineers had to improve on the previous model's poor ride and on-road handling without diminishing its off-road ability. And they performed that task admirably, the Grand Cherokee rides and handles as well as some car-based SUVs, and off-road testing by other reviewers suggests that it has not suffered in that area. Especially when the vehicle’s competitive pricing is considered, how could it have finished so near the back? With all the work put into its platform, it appears there wasn't time to work on any other parts of the vehicle. The interior is surprisingly cramped and not finished particularly well, and the standard V6 is weak and noisy.  Then consider that the Grand Cherokee’s ride and handling still remain behind the best on-road vehicles in this group, and it is easier to understand its finish.

The Grand Cherokee has a comfortable ride, though it can suffer from some highway-speed float. Handling is also impressive for a truck-based SUV, though body roll could still be better-controlled. The steering is accurate enough, but somewhat vague and slow to respond. The 3.7-liter V6 is overworked in this application, better suited to the smaller Jeep Liberty. Here, it delivers unimpressive acceleration without a sufficient advantage in terms of gas mileage over the vehicle’s available V8s. That engine is also quite loud under acceleration and could never be called silent, though wind and road noise are adequately suppressed.

Inside, the large, high front seats are reasonably well-shaped and comfortable, though there is a noticeable lack of headroom, particularly with the optional sunroof. The low, poorly-shaped rear seat lacks leg space and even foot space beneath the front seats. There is no room for a third row. Interior quality is unexceptional; most materials are of adequate quality, though some trim pieces do not fit together well. The instruments are, for the most part, logically placed, though could have larger, better-labeled buttons. The small gauges could use more contrast as well. Drivers sit comfortably, but thick roof pillars inhibit visibility in all directions. Entry/exit is fairly easy to the front, aided by a reasonably low ride height. It is more complicated in the rear however, thanks to a narrow footwell and small door openings. The high cargo floor limits space and complicates the loading and unloading of large items.

The Grand Cherokee did well in NHTSA crash testing, earning the maximum five stars for both the driver and for the front passenger in the frontal crash test, as well as five for both the driver and for the rear passenger in the side crash test. NHTSA estimates a 19% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle accident, good for a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The IIHS hasn’t crash tested a Grand Cherokee, but rated its head restraints Poor.

The Grand Cherokee reviewed here came well-equipped for $30,540. Traction and stability control are standard, and such options as a 6-disc CD changer, heated power leather seats, automatic headlights, a sunroof, satellite radio, curtain-style side airbags, and a UConnect hands-free cellular phone linkup. Torso-protecting side airbags are unavailable however, and some niceties equipped on many competitors here like a reverse-sensing system are available only on higher-end versions.

Overall, the Grand Cherokee offers a fair amount of feature content for the money, and rides and handles well for at truck-based SUV. But its limitations in interior space and comfort and its noisy and slow V6 push it towards the back of this group. There are better choices.