Here's what you need to know about the 2011 Grand Cherokee: It is the most promising child from Chrysler's failed nine-year marriage with Daimler. Based on the Mercedes M-Class platform, the Grand Cherokee gets a new independent front and rear suspension, with isolated front and rear cradles, and variable-rate rear springs. A new air suspension called Quadra-Lift will be optional. It lowers the Grand Cherokee 1.5 inches from its 8.1 inches of ride height for easy ingress/egress, lowers it 0.6 inch at speed for better aerodynamics, raises it 1.5 inches to clear obstacles, and raises it 3.0 inches (to 11.5) for off-roading.

Unfettered by Daimler ownership, the new Grand Cherokee will come with an interior worthy of a Mercedes-Benz, at least in the two top-range trim levels, Overland (topline) and Limited. The Overland's instrument panel and door uppers are leather-covered, and all price classes get "premium" soft-touch interior materials. The top of the range will come with real wood as well, plus a heated steering wheel, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, four-way power lumbar controls, rain-sensitive wipers, passive entry/keyless go, ParkView rear backup camera, and power tilt/telescoping steering column with memory. There are loads of other new features, and while entry-level models probably will hover near the current model's $31,000 base price, the Overland surely will be more expensive than its current $44,000 starting point...Continued