Mudfest: Cherokee Top SUV

SEATTLE--The 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee has taken highest honors as Midsize Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year at the 7th Annual Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) SUV competition here.

More popularly known as “Mudfest,” the two-day competition featured more than 20 NWAPA automotive journalists putting 21 SUVs through rigorous tests at Bremerton Speedway and the Thurston County Off-Road Vehicle Park.

Journalists thoroughly tested and judged the vehicles, scoring them in categories for overall design, comfort and convenience, production quality, cornering ability, ride and handling, braking, on- and off-road performance, value for the dollar and personal appeal.

The Grand Cherokee topped its category’s competitive list of midsize SUVs, including the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Nissan Pathfinder and Pontiac Aztec. The judges liked the Grand Cherokee’s “abundant power, off-road assurance, comfortable seats and excellent brakes.”

For 2001, the model offers a 4.7-liter Power Tech V-8 engine featuring a hydraulic cooling system for improved fuel economy and reduced noise, vibration and harshness. In addition, a new five-speed automatic transmission provides a second overdrive gear for increased highway fuel economy and reduced engine noise at highway speeds.

The Grand Cherokee has already earned nearly 20 U.S. industry awards since its introduction in September 1999.