Review of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee S-Limited

Large 4x4 vehicles are well known for having the sort of imposing road presence that could only be topped if you took an armoured personnel carrier on the school run. But even by the standards of these vast cars that loom out of junctions and tower over you at traffic lights, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 is quite a sight. If you want a big off-roader that's dripping with attitude, there's little to touch it at the price but it also has a massive problem that slows UK sales to a trickle in the shape of its hugely profligate 6.1-litre V8 petrol engine. Now Jeep is offering some of the SRT-8 visual excess in a more manageable package with the S-Limited special edition.

This car will not be to everyone's taste. The 4x4 boom that saw ever bigger, bolder and brasher models emerging onto the streets is over, replaced by a more environmentally-responsible and politically-correct approach. In that sense, the Jeep Grand Cherokee S-Limited is a bit of a throwback but there should still be plenty of people who are seduced by its leather, chrome, skirts and spoilers.

You may have noticed that fuel is an increasingly precious commodity and that's why most normal people will have a particularly hard time justifying the purchase of a Grand Cherokee SRT-8, a car that consumes petrol at an astonishing rate. The S-Limited special edition might look like the SRT-8 but it uses a more efficient six-cylinder diesel engine that won't send the oil price sky high as soon as owners turn the key. It's a 215bhp engine so SRT-8 pace is not on the cards but it does have a meaty 510Nm torque output.

All Grand Chreokees feature a clever Quadra-Drive all-wheel drive system that uses no fewer than three limited-slip differentials to direct drive in tricky off road situations and the car can extricate itself from a muddy spot even when only one wheel has traction. Hill descent control is standard and the independent front suspension increases wheel articulation, ensuring that the tyres sit squarely on the ground when the suspension is extended. A word of caution though, because the S-Limited model looses some ground clearance as a result of its extended side sills and it isn't the best Grand Cherokee to go for if you have serious mud-plugging in store.

"The Grand Cherokee has a more upmarket feel than the majority of family 4x4s"

The range of styling accessories added to the standard Limited model to produce the S-Limited special edition is quite something. There's a special wire mesh grille, side sill extensions, a rear spoiler, tinted glass and 18" alloy wheels on the outside. The cabin, meanwhile, benefits from a leather steering wheel and gear knob, aluminium trim inserts, slate grey leather sports seats and aluminium pedals. It's a commendable haul and it works well with the Jeep's distinctively chunky shape.

With this third generation Grand Cherokee, Jeep concentrated on keeping this car's legendary off road prowess alongside a more rewarding on road driving experience. Hence a stiffer chassis, better aerodynamics, independent front suspension and a sharper rack and pinion steering system. There's also 90mm extra in the wheelbase, though for a car that's so much bigger than its predecessor, you might expect a little more room inside the 5-seater-only cabin. Luggage space varies between 978 and 1909 litres, depending on whether you fold the rear seats.

There are quite a few extras fitted to the S-Limited but it only retails for £2,000 more than the standard limited model. £2,000 doesn't usually get you very much on a £35,000 car but this must be the exception. HID headlamps are also fitted along with heated seats for the front and rear passengers. The choice of exterior colours includes Brilliant Black, Bright Silver, Dark Carbon and Modern Blue.

You would once have put the Grand Cherokee down as a luxury 4x4 but those models have increased in price and sophistication leaving it more in line with the family 4x4 choices. That means the Land Rover Discovery, Toyota's Land Cruiser and Mitsubishi's Shogun. In this company, the Grand looks a good option, especially with enhanced looks in S-Limited trim. The Discovery is a tough nut to crack but the well-specified Jeep is a match for the others.

The 3.0-litre CRD diesel offers decent performance and average economy. Officially, it returns 27.7mpg on the combined cycle, a figure which makes keeping the right side of 30mpg during out of town use a distinct possibility. The CO2 figure is 270g/km which is a whole lot better than the 381g/km of the SRT-8.

Big, overbearing 4x4s aren't quite the height of fashion that they once were but the Jeep Grand Cherokee S-Limited model does have value for money on its side. With styling upgrades borrowed from the powerful SRT-8 model, it looks suitably dramatic and it's yours for a reasonable £2,000 over the standard Limited model.

The Grand Cherokee has a more upmarket feel than the majority of family 4x4s but it lags behind on practicality with a less spacious cabin than the class leaders. It remains comfortable and easy to drive but the running costs could be lower. The S-Limited version won't appeal to everyone but the chunky, squared-off styling of the Grand has always been a big draw and the sporty accessories accentuate that look.