2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk first drive review

Full throttle up a slippery, bumpy, muddy track instils newfound appreciation for Jeep's latest off-road hero, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk.

Not long before we'd been comfortably slicing through corners on New Zealand's north island before heading for the hills and attempting something more ambitious in the muscled-up version of the updated MY17 Grand Cherokee.

The $74,000 Trailhawk – now a full-time member of the revised Grand Cherokee family, rather than a shortlived limited edition - is the most capable of the bunch, at least in tough terrain.

Based loosely on the leather-lined Limited, the Trailhawk is kitted out with ventilated Nappa leather and suede seats, a powered tailgate, punchy nine-speaker sound system, heated steering wheel and navigation built in to the 8.4-inch touchscreen.

But it's what's beneath the skin that endows it with its rock-hopping aptitude.

As well as chunkier underbody protection, there are bits borrowed from the more luxurious Overland, including a smarter Quadra-Drive dual-range four-wheel drive system and air suspension that can boost the ride height from 205mm to a towering 260mm.

While it only runs at that height up to 40km/h, the additional clearance is a bonus as we build momentum up a particularly chopped up section, something that would pose a traction challenge for any genuine off-roader.

Only when the Kevlar-reinforced 18-inch tyres fill with slimy mud does progress teeter, all four wheels spinning as the Grand Cherokee finally reaches its natural limits.

Prior to that, it was an admirable demonstration of a car that is clearly designed to head a long way from the bitumen.

As well as the off-road hardware, there's also jewellery in the form of snazzy red tow hooks and a matte black sticker on the bonnet, the latter to reduce glare in off-road situations. Black finishes in lieu of chrome complete the Trailhawk look.

But it's swinging back on to the blacktop that the Trailhawk's real talent emerges.

Despite riding on chunkier all-terrain tyres and coming kitted out for some serious adventuring it is among the more confident and composed off-roaders in regular conditions, able to deliver a blend of comfort and control the likes of a Toyota Prado can't match.

That said, it's not as reassuring and manoeuvrable as a car-based SUV.

And there are hiccups. Push on and those Goodyears ultimate reach their limits sooner, gently running the nose wide as you peel in to a bend.

And the new electric steering – which brings fuel savings over the hydraulic system – occasionally lacks consistency through its broad arc.

The 3.0-litre V6 diesel delivers a stout 570Nm rush from 2000rpm, but prior to that there's some laziness as the turbo comes up to speed. On the run it's less of an issue, helped by the eight-speed auto that shuffles seamlessly between ratios to ensure solid forward progress.

Nothing has changed in the Grand's basic makeup; underneath is a previous generation Mercedes-Benz platform, the engines are iterations (or unchanged) versions of what we've known for years, and the large body strictly seats five in a sea of seven-seaters.

Other than the Trailhawk, the lineup is identical, too, from the basic Laredo and popular Limited, to the luxurious Overland and potent V8-powered SRT. But all benefit from the model year 2017 updates.

The V6 petrol engine has eked up 3kW to 213kW and now comes with more low-rev torque as well as stop-start tech, contributing to modest fuel economy improvements.

All get electric power steering, new glass for a quieter cabin and a taller gear shift lever in lieu of the stubby walking stick-like one. The new five-year warranty adds peace of mind for a brand that needs it.

Indeed, the road to the MY 17 – and the Trailhawk - hasn't been easy.

Jeep is a brand that has been lost in the wilderness for a couple of years, at least in Australia. Once a dominant SUV player, sales have plummeted and confidence in the 75-year-old American marque eroded in an off-road market wedded to Toyotas and a surfeit of dual-cab utes.

The updated Grand Cherokee is a tilt at regaining lost ground in what is the most popular machine in the Jeep lineup. The Trailhawk adds meaningful off-road ability to a sizeable five-seater that provides a broad range of talents.

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk specifications

On sale: Now

Price: $74,000, plus on-road costs

Engines: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel

Power: 184kW at 4000rpm

Torque: 570Nm at 2000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto, four-wheel drive

Fuel use: 7.5L/100km

• For more information, visit our Jeep showroom.