Jeep Grand Cherokee gets minor tweaks and price drop, Wrangler sees new V6

August 16, 2011August 17, 2011 Chris Chin Cherokee, Grand, Jeep, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, Wranger

Jeep has just announced that its new, epic and popular fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee will get a price reduction for the 2012 model year. Additionally, both the V6 and the V8 get some minor tweaks to help optimize fuel economy while the Jeep Wrangler receives the new Pentastar V6 without a change in price.

When sales for the 2012 models begin next month, the base Laredo trim’s starting price will begin at $26,995, $3,220 less than the original price. Reasons for the decrease in price weren’t exactly specified, but from just pure observation, the eight-way power driver’s seat was dropped for the 2012 whereas it was standard on the 2011 model. Also, the options and packages for the Grand Cherokee seemed to have climbed a little in price as well.

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In terms of the minor tweaks, the 5.7L V8 Grand Cherokee gets a new six-speed automatic transmission. For the V6, a new electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering system is equipped to take some of the load off of the engine, thus boosting fuel economy.

The new ratings for the V6 are a gain of one city mile for 17/23 city/highway for the rear-wheel drive model while the four-wheel drive V6 model gets a boost of one mpg for the highway. New fuel economy figures for the V8 have yet to be released.

As for the Wrangler, the new Pentastar V6 gives the Wrangler a much better 290hp to work with, however the automatic transmission still only has five cogs. The updated Wrangler fuel economy ratings are 17/21 city/highway. Both power and fuel economy figures are significant improvements from the last V6-powered Wrangler. The base price for the Wrangler remains $22,045.