See How Updated 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Fares in Swedish Moose Test

You probably remember that in summer of 2012, the Jeep Grand Cherokee almost rolled over in Swedish magazine Teknikens Värld's moose test.

The SUV went up on two wheels, with the ones on the left lifting above the ground at 61 km/h (37.9 mph). At 63.5 km/h (39.5 mph), the SUV was about to roll over, with neither the electronic stability system nor the anti-rollover system doing their job.

To see if the 2014MY Grand Cherokee has improved in this respect, Teknikens Värld took the new model to their moose test track in Sweden. Using a Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD fitted with summer tires and loaded according to their Swedish certificate of registration (2,949 kg/6,501 lbs), passengers and luggage included, the magazine concluded that Jeep engineers have done their homework this time and eliminated the old car’s dangerous behavior.

The SUV’s traction control system now kicks in really early and slows the car dramatically, even at an entry speed as low as 61 km/h (37.9 mph). When the entry speed was increased, Teknikens Värld concluded the system worked even better.

"At 71 km/h (44.1 mph) the car reaches its limit, the car cannot master more than that," said Teknikens Varld in its report. "But it is a good result for a SUV vehicle, no doubt about that. It is also a clear sign that Jeep understood the seriousness of the previous generation's severe flaws and did something to it."

You can watch the test in the video posted below.

By Dan Mihalascu

Thanks to Rabe for the heads up!

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

Report: Jeep Cherokee Sales Nearing Wrangler, Grand Cherokee Figures

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee may have received mixed reviews regarding its styling (particularly the front end), but in terms of how the car drives and feels, reviews have been largely positive. In the end, all that matters is how customers receive a car and in this respect, the controversial styling of the Cherokee’s front end seems to have helped sales rather than hurt them.

The new Jeep Cherokee is reportedly enjoying a strong start, with the SUV nearing the sales figures of the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee after its second full month on the market.

December deliveries of the compact SUV are on track to top November’s 10,169 units, with one dealer describing Cherokee sales with the term “strong as death.” This is indeed very good news for Chrysler after the carmaker had to delay the production launch of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee during the summer.

Global demand for the Cherokee is so strong that Jeep plans to build 300,000 units in 2014 at the Toledo Assembly complex, where it also produces the Wrangler. That will very likely result in the addition of a third shift at the plant and the hiring of about 1,100 new workers early in 2014, according to an Automotive News’ report.

If that happens, it will be the first time since late 2007 that Chrysler’s largest assembly complex will be running at full capacity. 

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY