Four Wheeler’s 2017 SUV of the Year Award Goes to Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk beat out the 2017 Nissan Armada to win this prestigious award
Only all-new or extensively updated SUVs were eligible for Four Wheeler’s 44th annual SUV of the Year Award, and after one week of grueling tests, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk was named the 2017 SUV of the Year, thanks in part to its rugged four-wheel drive system and powerful Hemi V8 engine.
Safety First: 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4×4 gets top-notch safety rating
“The Trailhawk model, which includes a unique version of Grand Cherokee’s Quadra-Lift air suspension to improve articulation and suspension travel, takes a capable vehicle and makes it even better,” said Four Wheeler Editor Ken Brubaker. “In addition to the great functional upgrades, the Trailhawk package adds a number of visual tweaks to create a handsome and rugged appearance.”
The new Grand Cherokee Trailhawk was judged over the course of five days and driven more than 1,000 miles in the most extreme conditions, which included gravel, sand, dirt, pavement, mud, rock, and snow at altitudes as high as 9,000 feet and as low as sea level. Furthermore, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk was evaluated in five weighted categories. These were off-road performance, on-road comfort, exterior function and styling, empirical performance testing, and interior function and styling. In addition, the judges considered factors like fuel efficiency, ramp travel index (RTI), price, and tire size. In the end, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk beat the 2017 Nissan Armada in four out of the five categories, thus capturing the award.
“Our new Trailhawk model is the most capable Grand Cherokee ever produced, and we’re delighted the Four Wheeler editors have recognized its outstanding combination of off-road features,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global. “Trailhawk instantly provided Grand Cherokee customers even more legendary Jeep 4×4 capability, quickly becoming one of the fastest-selling and most sought-after models in our lineup.”
The Jeep Grand Cherokee also won the Four Wheeler SUV of the Year Award in 2015, but back then it was known simply as the Four Wheeler of The Year Award.
The Grand Cherokee SUV was Jeep’s best-selling model in 2016, moving a total of 212,273 units in the United States alone.
Find out The Answer: Is it smarter to lease or buy the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
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