Drive names Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD of the Year

[Jimmyb]

Australian automotive guide Drive has named the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with the common-rail diesel its four-wheel-drive Car of the Year. The Jeep beat last year’s winner, the Land Rover Discovery 4.

“It’s now pretty good,” noted one one judge. “They’ve fixed the interior, and it doesn’t have that plastic garden furniture feel to it any more.”

Judges were likewise impressed with the Grand Cherokee’s value; AU$50,000 buys electrically adjusted seats, rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, a tire pressure monitoring system, and full-color touchscreen with Bluetooth phone connection, and a safety package with seven airbags.

The new Jeep’s on-road performance carried the day: judges said the Grand Cherokee was quiet and refined, and, as one judge put it, “good to punt along the road.”

Drive is owned by Fairfax Media. It has its own destination website for shoppers with reviews and new-car pricing information and is featured in some of Australia’s largest newspapers, like the Brisbane Times and the Sydney Morning Herald.

[AJ CJ5]

Seriously considering one of these on a lease agreement for my daily commute with a little off road work thrown in.

[bbodybenny]

And theres nothing wrong with the previous WH model either.....
If your thinking of geting one of the new WK's though, bear in mind that as good a deal as it may seem, offroad accessories for this model are non existent. No front or rear bar work yet available, and long range tanks, lift kits, and standard size wheels and tyres (15 and 16") are all non existent.
Parts are only just coming through now for the WH.
Its odd, Jeep consider it there prestige model, but the reality is, its cheaper than a Landcruiser, Prado, Land Rover, even Patrols and Pathfinders, but all of those other brands have aftermarket support like you wouldnt believe. Mopar seems to be the only viable option for accessories, and there gear is inadequate and more focused on bling appeal than bushworthiness. i dont want aluminium side steps and plastic wind deflectors, i want sliders and barwork!
LISTEN UP JEEP!
we want front and rear bars, long range tanks and lift kits for better clearance!