In moab 2006, I saw a Diesel Grand Cherokee that was at the time an export only unit.  The 3.0L V-6 engine that was in that Jeep was quiet, had tons of power; and if you could keep your foot out of it, promised to deliver great fuel economy.

Then, the tail end of last year, I decided that I would bring back the Red Truck Comanche project.  We got so many emails about it asking what happened to it that instead of parting it out, I decided to go get it from my buddy's ranch in Reno, where it had sat since it burned., and bring it back to So Cal so that I could start the resurrection.  Small problem, I had no tow rig, and no trailer.  So, I got an 07 CRD Grand as a loan from Jeep for a week and went to Reno to get the MJ.  Well, I liked that Jeep so much, that in a week, I almost racked up 3000 miles and I was hooked.

Before Jeep put this engine in the WK Grand I wouldn't have given it the time of day.  Independent front suspension, a front fascia that can barely clear a speed bump, and a goofy 5 on 5 bolt pattern were all things I couldn't live with when it was introduced.

Then Jeep put a V-6 diesel in it for the American 07 model year that cranks out 215 hp and 376 ft-lbs of torque and I fell in love.  Here is a Jeep sophisticated enough for the wife to drive every day and like it, but with a 7400 lb tow rating, still be able to tow your trail rig, camper, or whatever to the trails on the weekends with aplomb.

I haven't towed with the 08 yet, but I've sure terrorized some trails near my house and played with things like Hill Descent Control, and Hill Starting Assist (pretty neat features and at the same time kind of scary).  And, of course, in the 1000 miles I've put on it in less than a week, I've done my fair share of unleashing all that power whenever I can (within legal parameters, of course).

Even with the unnaturally increased cost of diesel, it costs me as much per mile to drive this as it does to drive my XJ.  The added 4 mpg average real world combined economy does make quite the difference.  This thing is just a blast to drive.  If you've not driven the Grand Cherokee with the diesel you owe it to yourself to try it out.  Since it isn't legal for sale in all states, even if you have to go to the nearest state it is legal in, this is really something any Jeep enthusiast should experience.  Take the wife too, let her see how quiet and smoke free a next-generation diesel can be.

We've got this one for a year, so expect to see some real world towing and day to day driver's seat feedback from us about whether or not this thing is worth giving up a solid front axle for.