JEEP has given its Pentastar engine a performance upgrade and a few more fuel-saving smarts.

WHAT IS IT?

Jeep has introduced the first significant makeover to its best-selling model since its launch in 2011. As well as looking more refined and stylish, the Pentastar V6 under its bonnet gains a suite of improvements.

While the Jeep Grand Cherokee is currently the US brand’s best-selling model, among the Grand Cherokee’s line-up it’s the Limited edition that snares the most buyers – the focus of our review here.

MAIN RIVALS

Toyota Prado, Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero, Holden Trailblazer, Isuzu MU-X, Nissan Patrol, Volkswagen Touareg, Land Rover Discovery

THE WHEELS VERDICT

The Grand Cherokee is still a great lifestyle choice for those occasionally pitching themselves against the environment, and are prepared to put up with fewer compromises in the city than some rivals.

MINUS: Flaring auto; big thirst for fuel; foot-operated parking brake; artificial electric steering

THE WHEELS REVIEW

NOTHING says “I love the great outdoors” like a Jeep badge. Even if it is little more than a fleeting fancy of one day parking up next to Uluru or washing down the dust with a cold schooner of beer at the bar of the Birdsville Hotel, the Jeep badge sells a dream that one day, yes, one day you will get there. Sort of like the same dream people like to sell by wearing compression skins to the gym.

Jeep’s revised-for-2017 range includes visual tweaks around the front including a cleaner-looking seven-post grille framed in modern-look swept headlights. Inside, there’s a well-integrated semi-digital dash and a commanding driving position, although a foot-operated parking brake will constantly annoy your left shin. It might also be the reason why the Grand Cherokee includes a driver’s knee airbag.

You also get an electronically activated low-speed transfer box linked to a five-setting drive mode dial that selects between different off-road conditions – just match what’s outside the windscreen with the “mud”, “sand”, “rock” or “snow” settings, or just leave it in “auto” and let the 20-inch Continental all-terrain tyres do their stuff.

You’ll want to tap the Pentastar’s potential, too. It’s a keen, responsive unit that loves to rev, helped by a somewhat sensitive throttle that can make finer low-speed movements a bit tricky. Peak power is a heady 6400rpm, but that’s a number the eight-speed automatic transmission is keen to avoid unless you force the call using the pair of stunted steering wheel-mounted shift paddles – they only poke out the top of the steering wheel spokes because the traditional Fiat Chrysler Automobiles-wide audio controls still take up the space below them.

The Limited rides well on its coil rear suspension – more premium models replace the steel spring with airbags – providing a quiet, composed ride, even on dirt. The ride is so composed, with wind noise also well suppressed, that the Limited feels more luxury than premium. It’s a shame the slow-witted electric steering that has replaced a hydraulic unit in the interests of saving fuel isn’t as communicative as the system it replaces.

You can sit here and argue the toss that the Grand Cherokee’s monocoque chassis four-wheel independent suspension isn’t as capable off-road as the rail chassis and live-axle systems still used by other off-roaders such as the Prado, but given most of these vehicles will haul bitumen, not dirt, rests the argument in favour of the Jeep.

It’s easy to see the appeal of the Limited. The call of leather and sat-nav is a siren to buyers who want to feed their spirit of adventure, but are more inclined to go glamping than camping.

SPECS

Model: Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V6 Engine: 3604cc V6, dohc, 24v Max power: 213W @ 6400rpm Max torque: 347Nm @ 4000rpm Transmission: 8-speed auto Kerb weight: 2247kg Fuel use: 10.0L/100km 0-100km/h: 8.3sec (claimed) Price: $62,500 On sale: Now