ON THE ROAD: JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SRT-8

Thunder! Thor!

That’s it. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, the daddy of all Jeeps. The thing that grabs your attention is that front lip spoiler, the one that almost touches ground as you drive along. It features prominently as an accessory, very butch indeed, and it sets the tone for the rest of this SUV’s styling. Aggressive and punchy as it is, our lip is probably the single main factor that keeps this Jeep on the tar, and not anywhere near off-road tracks.







A jeep that can’t go off-road?

A first as far as I know. Off-road requires a high approach angle, which is attained by a tightly-angled front bumper, for when you approach a sudden steep and need to go up it. Bad approach angle, bad off-road car. Also, those thin wide 20-inch wheels are strictly tarmac-made, although these can be replaced for bundu bashing. Regardless, the SRT-8 still features Jeep’s Quadra-Drive four-wheel-drive system for absolute grip. I must say, it’s not the quickest-reacting 4x4 system out there; plant the accelerator to the floor and for a second get some wheel spin, and then you get going.







That’s because of power though isn’t it?

Yes, partly. The Grand Cherokee SRT-8 holds a 6.1-litre V8 engine of natural aspiration, mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox. No turbos or superchargers. It produces 313kW, which is slightly more than a 4.0-litre BMW M3 and a 4.2-litre Audi RS4, but this car weighs a few hundred more kilos than these two. To this effect its 0 – 100km/h sprint time is said by Chrysler to be under 5 seconds, but in reality it is not. It is in fact, 6.7 seconds in Gauteng, which is very quick for an SUV, but still doesn’t warrant Jeep’s tagline “fastest SUV”. You don’t tackle the great outdoors with so much power and not expect to cause major environmental damage. Even on the road, that power comes at a price, and that price is 19 litres per 100km in petrol usage, giving just over 400km from one full tank. Thirsty bugger this is.











Thunder! Thor!

Oh yes, that sound. Deep, throaty, burble, thunder on the rocks. No other SUV on Mzansi roads sounds this brilliant; you hear it approaching a few hundred metres away and just smile. I worked at an office park where one of the tenants owned one, and each day he’d rev it hard as he went past security at the gates. You knew he was in then. It’s those two big pipes at the back, shiny steel centerfolds neatly tucked at the bottom half of the rear bumper. Wide side skirts make it look funkier.







And the interior?

Still Jeep plastic. Not exactly high-grade, but I guess it is a Jeep, and so it needs to be hard and functional, durable even, but doesn’t need to look like a softie, like those German SUVs’ interiors. Steering is a little light, thin-rimmed. I really like MyGIG, which is the Chrysler Group’s touch-screen infotainment system with a 20GB hard-drive for storing files like MP3s, pictures and video, all of which can be downloaded into MyGIG via USB memory stick or CD.







What’s the final verdict then?

Possibly the best value-for-money high performance SUV on the market. It may not have the type of power found in a Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG (378kW, R1 012 000) or a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (368kW, R1 695 000) but at R600 000 it severely undercuts the two Germans by enough to buy more than one other car each.

2009 Honda Pilot

The new Honda Pilot 2009 comes with a new design and style which has more cargo space as well as passenger seats. This SUV seats eight, comes with a 60/40 split folding seats on the second and third rows. Also, the 2009 Pilot is one inch wider and three inches longer in overall length and wheelbase compared to the 2008 model. Available in LX, EX, EX-L and Touring models with front or all-wheel drive






The Honda Pilot is powered with a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine with 5-speed automatic transmission and comes with Variable Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation. The Cylinder management will shift down cylinders while cruising. Nice feature to have considering the high gas price these days. New for 2009, the Pilot Touring models comes with lift-up glass hatch on the rear, and the Daytime Running Lights (DLR) which makes you noticeable to other driver, especially in bright sun or rain. All the models also comes with a rear privacy glass which help to keep the car cool and cargo items out of view.






All 2009 Pilot models are equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA)® to help sense over and under steer and keep you on the course. For all EX and above models, it comes with a 17-inch light weight alloy wheels. The side mirror also comes with integrated turn signals on all Touring models. To ensure smooth ride without stopping to fill up, the 2009 Pilot comes with a large 21-gallon fuel tank.











Alright, these photos seems a bit to much to prove a point. That is, with a 60/40 split-folding second and third row seats, we can have a total of 16 combination to choose from depending on your needs. Figure out how to make the rest yourself. The 2009 Pilot has a huge cargo space of 87.0 cubic feet with fold flat floor.





Divers also get to enjoy silence in the car, courtesy of the acoustic windshield with double pane glass which reduces noise from outside of the vehicle. These options are available for the EX-L and Touring models. Also, all Touring models features integrated sunshades on the second row so shield the passengers from glaring sun during travel on sunny days. Also equipped is the one touch power moonroof available for EX-L and Touring models. Well, that should also be the entry / exit point for passenger and driver since all Pilot also comes with an impressive line of defense again injury. Dual stage, dual threshold front airbags , front side airbags with passenger side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and three row side curtain airbags will a roll over sensor (All comes inflated!).




Among the features in the 2009 Pilot are the ECO indicator to indicate whether the driver is driving in the most fuel efficient manner. Come equipped on the Touring models is the Honda Satellite Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition which has over 7 million points of interest with Zagat Survey® ratings. Apart from that, the steering wheel is mounted with Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® and the new interface dial is noted for controlling audio and navigation functions.








To enhance the driving experience, the Pilot is equipped with a 512 Watt system with 10 speakers including center channel and sub woofer, Honda DVD rear entertainment system, CD player supporting MP3 and WMA format and USB interface if you just couldn't get enough out of the MP3. The Touring models also comes with 2 positions memory seats which adjust the driver's seat (8 way power adjustment) and side mirror. Also, EX-L models has rear view mirror with camera display which helps gauge distance when reversing the vehicle. The Pilot also has tri zone climate control system with humidity control and air filtration where by passengers set their desired temperature exclusively.

2009 Toyota Venza

The Toyota Venza is a five-passenger car which combines the sport utility vehicle and the convenience of a passenger car based on Camry platforms. Having looked like an SUV, this model is however, not categories as one. It is categorized under Car in Toyota at which I think would be more appropriate under Station Wagon.






The Venza, designed by Toyota's Calty Design Studios for North America shows similarity in terms of profile as Lexus RX SUV but providing lower rides. The grille area is somewhat similar to that of new 2009 Camry. The doors have a high waistline and comes now with jam protection.





The wrap around tail light, coupled with the rear hatch spoiler and crisp folds finish the rear of the Venza. On top of that, there are some chrome accents which helps to add a little bling onto the car. Underneath the hood is loaded with a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine capable of 182 horsepower and 182 lb-ft or torque. If that is not enough, buyer may opt for the 3.5-liter V6, capable of producing 268 horsepower and 246 lb-ft.







The interior of the Venza is based on the 60/60 design which means both the driver or the front seat passenger have 60 percent access of the dashboard controls from their seats. It also comes with air bag inflated!






The above photos shows the amount of on board entertainment which one can install to satisfy their own needs. Please take note that the rear seat DVD entertainment system is not available with panoramic roof. Also, the Venza is equipped with 13 speaker JBL Synthesis audio system to let you have a wonderful sound during your road trip. So remember to pack up alot of DVD on you next road trip.






As I mentioned earlier, if you opt for the rear DVD player, you will not have the panaromic roof. But if you decided otherwise, here are some photos to tempt you.









The 60/40 split rear seats offers various configuration based on your needs. So let's say if you needed additional space, you may opt to fold the the smaller rear seat using the two door latch-style handles. If more space is needed, you can also fold the bigger rear sit and so on. You get the idea. Anyway, with all the seats up, the capacity of the cargo area is 34.4 cubic feet and 70.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.