2009 Grand Cherokee SRT8

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The Grand Cherokee is a “go everywhere” kind of vehicle. Whether you are climbing mountains, fighting windmills, or city streets covered in snow or drenched by rain, the Grand Cherokee is the right vehicle to drive. All this, and it comes with a lifetime powertrain limited warranty. Standard price is about $42,000. I managed about 15 mpg in combined city and highway driving; better miles per gallon is something that needs improvement.

The SRT 4WD can harness 420 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque launching you from 0-60 mph in under five seconds, on wet or dry pavement, but is not intended for off-road use. The 6.1-liter SRT Hemi V8 engine makes this possible in the 5-speed auto transmission.

While you are enjoying the Grand Cherokee, keep in mind all the wondrous safety features. The vehicle has earned the US government’s highest ratings (five star) for front-and rear side impact crash testing for drivers, front, and rear passengers, as rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Antilock braking and the Electronic Stability Program include all-speed traction control and Trailer Sway Control. By alternating brake pressure, TRS helps reduce trailer sway and improves handling in adverse towing conditions caused by crosswinds and traffic.

Most of us think of words like rugged, tough, dependable, and reliable when we think of the Grand Cherokee. While that is true, keep in mind that the Cherokee is sky high when it comes to technology.  UCONNECT is the 6.5-inch touch screen with the available UCONNECT tunes that provides entertainment, information, and communication, all through an AM/FM/CD/DVD stereo system. A 30 GB hard drive allows you to store photos, play lists, and songs, and you can rip, stash, organize, and shuffle up to 6,700 digital music files from CDs, the intergraded USB port, or exterior input jack. The touch screen allows you to easily change radio stations and play digital audio files.

Grand Cherokee has features that many brands just don’t have. High intensity headlamps with an auto-leveling feature improves nighttime visibility by casting a beam of light three times brighter down the road. The tire pressure monitoring display system gets your attention by displaying ‘Low Tire,’ in addition to the symbol lamp to notify you if any tire loses air pressure. Standard side curtain and advanced multistage front air bags work in tandem to provide protection.

We have had tremendous rains in Texas the last few days. Many low-lying areas in Dallas have flooded, and area lakes or over flood stage. Today is the sixth day in a row we have had rain. Some smaller communities have received over 7 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. It will rain for a while, then stop for an hour or so, but then the heavens open again. My Grand Cherokee had the rain sensing automatic wiper system that helped me play it safe by going into action the moment raindrops hit the windshield. The only problem with having a rain-cleared windshield is when I pull into my driveway at home, I am able to look at my yard with ever expanding puddles and knee high grass. In fact, sometime I don’t want to get out of the cab. It is comfortable, lit against the darkness, and sits strong against the wind. While the distance to the front porch seems to be measured in light years.

Durhl Caussey writes a car column that is read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or dcaussey@sbcglobal.net .