Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and BlackHawk - Top class Family SUVs, power it up with GPS Navigation -
Back in 2013 & 2014 large numbers of SUV models formed the stir & segment within Australia.
Becoming second most popular vehicle class, ovetaking utes and light/compact cars.
Proving that Australians do love big and high practical cars - not to mention constant produce of a family will require family SUVs to suit their family moving / needs.
Among those SUVs, the most popular ones in similar price range were:
Holden Captiva 7
Ford Territory
Toyota Kluger
Nissan Pathfinder
Mazda CX-9
Kia Sorento
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Among those SUVs, despite the fact the price advantage of Holden Captiva 7 (Starts from $39k) and Kia Sorrento ($40k), along with fairly promising features for a 7 seater,
ironically It was Jeep Grand Cherokee that has been sold & enquired most, despite the fact that price starts from $43K (Laredo) and being only 5 seaters within competition.
Some Austrailans will remember that Jeep has suffered from crisis with dishonor of being called 'Lemon Car' and 'American waste'.
Due to it's cheap quality, expensive parts, waiting time and overall quality & life expectancy wasn't big.
Yet ever since 2013, with new Grand Cherokee and Compass that showed how small SUV should be featured & priced at gave some sort of redemption to the brand, allowing customers to look back - whilst its brother Chrysler and Dodge were still suffering over overpriced criteria.
Although the base model, 4x2 Laredo was in decent price and considered as great valued car, It was Blackhawk model that grabbed most of those attentions and purchase.
Compared to the base Laredo model, It was equipped with 20" Black alloy wheels and 8.4" UConnect Touch Infotainment system as a standard.
Also, in exterior wise It was improved with designs and additional accessories.
The 8.4" UConnect system does make difference, featured with 800 x 480 HD resolution, DAB+2 Radio system and also adds variety of features that powered by mobile data from your phone. In fact, 8.4" square sized audio display is somewhat best option for any drivers, in our opinion.
Also featured with Bluetooth Phone / Audio streaming - that wasn't even in standard with those prestige SUVs - such as Audi Q5 / BMW X5 / Merc ML.
Satellite Navigation system however, still come as an optional feature, despite the fact that GPS system is already built inside of the car (in most case), It will require unlock code from MOPAR - who controls parts / accessories for Jeep / Chrysler / Dodge / Fiat.
However, thats what Jeep Australia offers, and some Jeep dealerships tend to seek out for alternative for their customers, involved with an aftermarket solution.
It's mainly a concern for the Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 and BlackHawk model, which GPS system isn't standard and will require additional cost for packagae purchase.
Laredo in this case is bit more worse as for some reason Jeep Australia declares to their customers that Factory GPS Navigation system isn't available for Laredo models, due to the car has choice of 2 audio systems - UConnect 5" (Standard) and UConnect 8.4" - there's something we don't know much about between Laredo and others.
Well, that was back in early 2015 and not sure how things are changed with Jeep Australia these days.
But as we said, Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and BlackHawk models do not come with GPS Navigation systems and usually both Jeep Australia and dealerships don't have much solution regardng it.
Whilst us Naviplus, have something to show / remind you what we have.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
NaviPlus FIG
For Uconnect 8.4
TCC-8935 Dual Core Cortex A9 1Ghz GPGPU
WinCE7 based OS
Fully calibrated and supported 800x480 of the audio screen
Compatible with Factory fitted rear camera
Doesn't delete Steering wheel control settings
UConnect 8.4 system remains same, along with its features.
GPS Navigation can be controled while driving
Easier map update - still supports Maps after 2014, unlike
Jeep Factory Navigation in Australia
Breakdown
Whilst Jeep Australia's Factory GPS Navigation system is something rahter just poor Navigation that doesn't support Australia's road after 2014 - just with 'genuine' badge on it, us Naviplus's GPS Navigation system has been fitted more than 130 vehicles since mid 2014.
If you wish to get more information regarding Naviplus's Uconnect 8.4 Integrated GPS Navigation system, feel free to send us an email or visit our online store.
Thank you for reading and we will get back to you with Part.2 for Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Click the logo to the online store of or solution available for Jeep Grand Cherokee Blackhawk