All-New 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Named '2011 Urban Truck of the Year'

AUBURN HILLS, MI - Editors of Decisive Auto magazine and a panel of 15 independent automotive journalists selected the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee as Decisive Media's "Urban Truck of the Year."

"While faithfully capturing the spirit of its predecessor, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is new and improved in every way," said Lyndon Bell, Editor-in-chief - Decisive Auto magazine. "The Jeep's over-the-road dynamics easily rivals that of its competitors' less capable crossover vehicles. Meanwhile, the Jeep is also perfectly proficient at traversing any terrain. Luxurious interior appointments - along with the fact that drivers aren't penalized into accepting a lower trim level if they opt for the more fuel-efficient engine - speaks volumes to the way Jeep's engineers and product planners incorporated 21st century realities into America's most iconic SUV."

Before choosing Jeep's new premium SUV, the Urban Vehicle judging panel spent several months driving dozens of vehicles in a variety of North American urban settings. Consideration focused on several categories, including styling, practicality and attainability attributes of each vehicle.

"The 'Urban Truck of the Year' award reinforces the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee's broad appeal," said Mike Manley, President and CEO - Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Jeep is pleased that this panel of influential journalists has recognized that the new Grand Cherokee delivers the perfect blend of on-road refinement, superb craftsmanship, world-class design, improved fuel economy, innovative features, and legendary real-world capability."

The Urban Vehicles of the Year will be formally presented at the 15th Annual Urban Wheel Awards on January 9, 2011, leading into the North American International Auto Show activities.

The "Urban Truck of the Year" is the latest in a list of awards the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has recently captured. Other accolades include:

    --  Consumers Digest "Best Buy"

    --  Popular Mechanics Automotive Excellence Award for Off-Road Ability

    --  Texas Auto Writers Association "SUV of Texas"

    --  Texas Auto Writers Association "Full-size SUV of Texas"

    --  Ruedas ESPN "Best SUV"

    --  Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick