2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee

What's new for the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee: The 4.7-liter V8 gets a huge boost from 230 to 305 horsepower, while a refreshed interior features softer-touch surfaces, upgraded lighting and a telescoping steering wheel. New options include Chrysler's MyGIG hard drive-based audio/navigation system, a backup camera, rear seat DVD entertainment and Sirius Backseat TV.

Aside from its classy looks and strong yuppie appeal, the Grand Cherokee has primarily been famous for its off-road prowess. The truth of this has never been in doubt. Jeep does, after all, offer three different 4-wheel-drive systems (in addition to rear-wheel-drive), one of which goes so far as to include locking front and rear differentials, Hill Start Assist, and Hill Descent Control technology. Not surprisingly, the Grand Cherokee still runs circles around its peers in off-road comparison tests staged by enthusiast magazines.

Jeep, however, realized some years ago that the Grand Cherokee needed to catch up in other areas, prompting a redesign for 2005 that brought a roomier cabin and more carlike engineering (most notably, an independent suspension and new steering gear). Unfortunately, the result fell short. Compared to other SUVs, the Grand Cherokee is pretty disappointing to drive, with Buick-like ride and handling traits (lazy, bouncy), weak tire grip, and an underpowered V6. The inner cabin suffers from a back seat made for kids only, and maximum cargo room of 67 cubic feet is pathetic compared to the 80-plus found in most rivals. Finally, Consumer Reports rates its reliability as the worst in its segment.

In case it's a selling point, Jeep offers the Grand Cherokee with an extremely diverse engine lineup. We have a 3.7-liter V6 (210 HP), a 4.7-liter V8 (235 HP; 305 HP starting in 2008), a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 (330 HP), a 6.1-liter V8 (420 HP), and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 (215 HP). Among those, the diesel is the only one that gets more than 20 MPG, while the monster V8 turns the Grand Cherokee into what could be the world's fastest-accelerating SUV.

But unless you're strongly drawn to one of these specifics, just know that the greater sophistication, comfort, and efficiency of most other midsize SUVs makes this Jeep seem a little stuck in the mud.