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Eating Cake is better than Eating Crow
Have you ever wondered what the use is having a cake without being able to eat it? What a ridiculous saying. Im sure sometime back at the turn of the twelfth century it had meaning, or at least its literal translation may have been used in an entirely different way, but now its one of those inane things that people say to fill dead air space, a sign that the time has come to end the conversation.
Its as silly as those who say you cant have an SUV that can handle like a sport sedan on pavement and a mountain goat off-road. Porsche and to some extent Volkswagen, with their Cayenne and Touareg siblings, proved this point not too long ago, and Jeep has driven the point even further home with its 2005 Grand Cherokee, at a significantly lower price no less.  | | Can an SUV handle like a sport sedan on pavement and a mountain goat off-road? Yes, if its the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) |
The domestic brand synonymous with four-wheel drive took the opportunity to introduce its new sport utility to an eager group of journalists last week, in the 4x4 haven of Santa Barbara, California. OK, a haven maybe, but isnt visiting Santa Barbara more about gawking at multimillion dollar homes and lying on pristine beaches than overcoming treacherous obstacles on your way to tracts of uncharted wilderness. True, but youd be surprised | | The Grand Cherokee turns in so quickly, so effortlessly, even when being pushed, that the current 2004 model feels ancient in comparison. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) |
what lay over and beyond the mountains that surround the beachfront community.
First of all, Southern California is networked by some of the best paved driving terrain on the continent. One of my favorite stretches of roadway in the Santa Barbara area is Torres Canyon Road. It winds serpentine-like through dense woods on its way up the coastal mountain and away from civilization before opening up to the dry, open grasslands that make up much  | | The new Cherokee accelerates quickly, no matter the chosen drivetrain. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) |
of the California mountain range. The last time I was on this particular stretch was in a Dodge Viper SRT-10, which by the way corners like the road-ready racecar that it is. While I wouldnt go so far as to say the new Grand Cherokee came anywhere close to achieving the Vipers capabilities of adhesion, I found myself continually checking the steering wheel hub-mounted Jeep appliqué just to remind myself I wasnt in a sports sedan. The Grand Cherokee turns in so quickly, so effortlessly, even when being pushed, that the current 2004 model, which I initially felt wasnt too bad when compared | | The HEMI adds a unique flavor to the Grand Cherokee mix, kind of a Red Bull meets double espresso experience. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) |
alongside many of its peers, feels ancient in comparison. All of a sudden driving a sport utility through switchback corners was fun, and I made the most of it by laying into the throttle as often as the opportunity would permit.
And accelerating quickly was no problem no matter the chosen drivetrain. I started my day with the base 3.7-liter Laredo, slightly more powerful at 210 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque than the 4.0-liter inline six that it replaces. The engine pulls well up hills and makes no bones about stretching its legs when on the open road, but it  | | A much more sophisticated 5-speed automatic replaces the old 4-speed automatic gearbox on all models, featuring AutoStick manual mode. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) |
would be limited if asked to tow a heavy trailer or if filled to the brim with people and gear.
Thats when one of two available V8s is recommended. Jeep steps up with its extremely responsive 4.7-liter SOHC V8 as the top Laredo engine. The 230 horsepower engine with 290 lb-ft of torque makes a nice, muffled burble at idle and a subtle yet somewhat racy exhaust note under full throttle, all the while pulling the midsize SUV forward with a purposefulness that only a large displacement V8 can. For me this is an ideal powerplant for the Grand Cherokee, well
at least I thought that before trying the revamped Jeep out with the  | | Just because its good on pavement doesnt mean the Grand Cherokee loses anything when it comes to off road ability. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) |
new top-line 5.7-liter V8.
Sporting what some industry insiders are starting to refer to as Chrysler Groups fourth brand, the new HEMI adds a unique flavor to the Grand Cherokee mix, kind of a Red Bull meets double espresso charge if you know what I mean. With a class-dominant 330 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque on tap, the new Limited model whips up a frenzied whirlwind of forward momentum, leaving me grinning like a schoolboy all the way to somewhere around legal speeds. Rumor has it the HEMI-powered SUV keeps charging well beyond such mandated velocities, and some say it maintains complete composure even when tackling less than optimal pavement at ludicrous speeds, but being the completely  | | I couldnt help being amazed that something as capable as the new Jeep off-road could also be as comfortable, and luxuriously appointed inside. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) |
responsible person that I am I cant personally attest to such accounts... ahem.
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