After testing six vehicles for fuel efficiency, practicality, driving ability, comfort and features, experts from three major media outlets and a family representing the average mid-size SUV buyer have named the new 2014 Jeep® Grand Cherokee the winner of the 2013 Cars.com/USA Today Midsize SUV Challenge.

“Winning this award is especially gratifying since the judges included a typical family of four, in addition to experts from three prestigious media outlets,” said Jack Rodencal, Managing Director of Chrysler Group Middle East. “We are delighted that the judges recognised the improvements we’ve made to the Jeep Grand Cherokee – the most awarded SUV ever – that make it even better. No other SUV offers Grand Cherokee’s combination of legendary Jeep® 4×4 capability, fuel economy, advanced user-friendly technology, world-class craftsmanship and on-road refinement.”

The Cars.com/USA Today Midsize SUV Challenge included 200 miles of driving on varying roads to test each SUV for real-world fuel economy; one day of round-robin driving where each expert tested each SUV on the same route back-to-back to gather impressions; and a day of family testing where a family of four evaluated each of the six SUVs for comfort, family-friendly features, styling and ride quality.

“Jeep® Grand Cherokee has long been considered a true, off-roading SUV, and thanks to some serious refinement, today’s incarnation of the Grand Cherokee edges out the other, very worthy, midsize SUV options available to shoppers thanks to its luxurious interior, impressive multimedia system and overall driving capability,” said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com’s Editor-in-Chief.”

Experts from Cars.com, USA Today and Motorweek joined the family of four in judging the vehicles. Full details and results from the 2013 Cars.com/USA Today Midsize SUV Challenge can be viewed at blogs.cars.com.

Jeep® Grand Cherokee

The 2014 Jeep® Grand Cherokee completely redefines the premium SUV, delivering an unprecedented combination of best-in-class fuel economy and driving range, legendary benchmark capability, world-class craftsmanship, and a host of advanced user-friendly technology and safety features.

For 2014, a new, highly advanced eight-speed ZF transmission drives all Grand Cherokee engines, including the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 – achieving up to 25 mpg (9.41 L/100km) and more than 600 miles (966 kilometres) driving range – and the 5.7-litre HEMI® V8 with Fuel Saver Technology, now achieving up to 22 mpg (10.60 L/100km).

Legendary Jeep® capability comes courtesy of three 4×4 systems, Jeep’s Quadra-Lift air suspension, Selec-Terrain traction management and an improved crawl ratio of 44.1:1.

A refined exterior design – complete with signature LED running lamps – provides a premium appearance. Premium interior amenities include Natura leather, exotic open-pore wood and new colour offerings. In the Middle East, the 2014 Jeep® Grand Cherokee is available in four trim levels, Laredo, Limited, Overland and the new top-line Summit. For ultimate SUV performance, the new Grand Cherokee range also includes the powerful SRT® version, with its 6.4-litre HEMI® V8 that delivers 470 hp (351 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 630 N•m of torque and also features an eight-speed ZF transmission and Fuel Saver Technology.

Jeep® Brand

Built on more than 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep® is the authentic SUV brand with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep® brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The current Jeep® vehicle lineup available in the Middle East includes Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee SRT®, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited.

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