Jeep Grand Cherokee L: Is a Four-Cylinder Enough?
First impression: Wait, what? Four cylinders?
When I heard that Jeep was going to cram a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine into the Grand Cherokee L, my first reaction was-are you serious? This is a three-row-seat machine that can pull a family and dog! In the past, at least there were V6 and V8 supporting the scene, but now they are directly castrated to four cylinders? Please, please, just stay calm. But to be honest, the data on paper doesn't look so shabby: 270 horsepower, 295 lb-feet of torque, and a 48V light mix. It has greater torque than the old V6, and the low-torque response is theoretically faster. Okay, I admit I'm a little curious-but I still wonder: Can this thing pull nearly two-and-a-half tons of heavy equipment?
The moment you step on the accelerator... Well, there's a chance
I stomped on the accelerator hard-hey, this car is running so happily! The eight-speed automatic transmission is quite sensible, the downshifting is crisp and neat, and the motor also quietly helps push it, so the starting step is not fleshy at all. 0-60 Miles per hour is about 7.5 seconds, a full half second faster than the previous V6. Are you kidding me? Four cylinders are faster than six cylinders? There is no pressure at all to parallel and overtake daily, and even when accelerating in the middle of the train, it can give you the illusion that "I still have some spare power." It's just... when the speed exceeds 4000 revolutions, the roar of the four-cylinder machine becomes less elegant, like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, which is completely incomparable to the depth of the V6. But if you just cruise gently, it will be as quiet as an electric car (when hybrid mode is involved).
High-speed cruising: No panic, but not calm either
On the highway, keep the engine speed steadily below 2000 rpm while cruising at 120km/h. The 48V light hybrid system can help you save some oil at a constant speed. However, if there is a sudden need to speed up from 70km/h to 100km/h to overtake, the gearbox will be lowered into two gears in a row, and the engine will instantly surge to more than 5000 rpm, and noise and vibration will flood into the cockpit. At this time, you will obviously feel: Oh, this is still a four-cylinder machine after all. Its power reserves cannot be said to be "surging", but can only be said to be "sufficient". Climbing a long slope with seven people and luggage? I haven't tried it yet, but based on past experience, I think I have to hit the accelerator in advance. But it does drive more quickly than the previous generation V6 at high speed every day, which I must admit.
Interior and space: This is its strength, not much to do with the engine
To be honest, if you buy the Grand Cherokee L mainly for motivation, you may be on the wrong set. The essence of this car is that it can carry the whole family comfortably on a long journey. The second row has huge legroom, and the third row can also seat adults (although it is still more suitable for children). The interior materials and workmanship are much more refined than the previous generation, with large screens, knobs for shifting, and soft packages everywhere. The only complaint is that the center console takes up too much lateral space, which can be a bit cramped for fat people in the passenger seat. Also, when the third row is erected, the trunk is basically only big enough for a few boarding boxes-a common problem with all three-row SUVs. But if you take down the third row, that's a pretty good load.
Appearance: It's still the Jeep, just flatter and longer.
The appearance of this generation of Grand Cherokee L is quite controversial-some people think it has lost the tough flavor of a square box, like it has been squashed. But I think it is more elegant, especially after the side lines are lengthened, it has the feeling of an American luxury station wagon. The seven-hole grille is still as domineering, and the LED headlights with lenses are also very technological. As for the rear of the car, I just dislike that it is a bit too round and lacks a sense of power. But overall, parking on the roadside can still attract people to turn their heads-after all, it's still a Jeep.
Fuel consumption: the only valid reason for four cylinders
Well, I admit, the biggest advantage of a four-cylinder engine is that it saves fuel. EPA's comprehensive fuel consumption has increased from 21mpg in the V6 to 24mpg (approximately 9.8 L/100km). Don't laugh, for a full-time four-wheel drive SUV that can seat seven people, this result is already a win. Imagine that the V6 used to run less than 500 kilometers when filling up a tank of oil, but now it can run nearly 600 kilometers. On a long-distance trip, the whole family is happy. Not to mention that 48V light mixing in stop-and-go urban areas can help you save more. For this fuel consumption, I think it is acceptable to sacrifice a little bit of the "dignity" of engine noise.
Conclusion: Is four cylinders enough? Depends on how you use it.
If you expect to drive it like a performance car, turn it high, start it ejection, and drag a large RV across mountains every day-brother, don't kid yourself, just wait for the future to plug in or keep the V8. But for the vast majority of home users, this four-cylinder Grand Cherokee L is completely enough to pick up and pick up children on daily occasions, self-driving on weekends, and occasionally running on unpaved roads, even more likable than the previous V6 (because the low twist is stronger and more fuel-efficient). My final feeling is that Jeep made a smart decision to make up for the shortcomings in displacement with technology and adjustments. Of course, I also hope that there will be a V6 or V8 option in the future for those who really need drag and drop. But if you ask me,"Is four cylinders enough?" I would say: Enough, and it smells good. Don't believe it? Go for a test drive yourself and don't put on tinted glasses in advance-it may surprise you.
