American character and excellent luxury specification in a practical and stylish SUV with good road manners and excellent off-road agility make for what has to be one of the best second-hand buys on the market today
Price range: £1000 – £7000
The second-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee was a significant improvement over its predecessor. The styling was similar but smoother and more aerodynamic; the leather-upholstered interior was just as opulently equipped but mechanical refinement and road behaviour were markedly better, a consequence of much attention to suspension bushings and settings. The most notable improvement, however, was the introduction of an all-new, powerful and efficient engine that at a stroke made the big Jeep a more effective rival to the all-conquering Range Rover. The engine was the 4.7-litre V8, matching the power of the Range Rover’s 4.6-litre V8 but delivering quicker acceleration and higher top speed, not to mention better fuel consumption, because of being some 250kg lighter than its British rival. It was also significantly cheaper – at under £35,000 the 4.7-litre Grand Cherokee seriously undercut even the cheapest Range Rover, the 2.5 DT at nearly £40,000, let alone the £51,000 4.6HSE.
Who’s who in the world of ATVs? We take a detailed look at the market for quad bikes, putting them through their paces on a full working farm. Highly entertaining, they would make fantastic leisure 4x4s, but can they work for a living? And just how good is this new electric model? 
We have a piece this month on fitting a Mountain Top to our Hilux (see page 82) and were interested to learn of this new cover for the Isuzu D-Max. In many cases, rear covers are functional rather than design led. It looks, however, that Up Country has a new, and very stylish cover, for the D-Max. It offers keyless entry using the Isuzu key fob, which will make it look like an OE product. This is further emphasised by the fact that the rear spoiler and side fin panels can be customised to match the pick-up’s body colour. It certainly looks like one of the best looking load bed covers on the market – fitted to one of the very best pick-ups. To find out more, go to the website or call the guys up on 01986 875171. Remember to say 4×4 Magazine sent you.
The Solihull 4×4 maker celebrated 65 years since the first model was unveiled at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948, by staging the biggest celebration in its history at the legendary Packington Estate near Coventry, a stone’s throw from the factory where they’re built to this day and the present day head office in Whitley, writes Phil Weeden.
We are looking forward to a few issues time when we take our annual view of the side-by-side utility terrain vehicle market, so it was great to hear about the makeover for the John Deere XUV 855D Gator. We were so impressed with the build quality of the version we tested last year, and the bright in-your-face colour scheme. For 2013, this model has a new digital instrument cluster, larger capacity alternator and a much larger (27.6-litre) fuel tank – obviously allowing for long working range. Engine braking has been improved which should aid performance, especially down muddy slopes, where UTVs traditionally have a tendency to ‘toboggan’. Price of the 2013 XUV 855D 4×4 Gator utility vehicle starts at £12,227 (€14,385 in Ireland) for the base machine in familiar green and yellow livery, fitted with standard seats and Terrahawk all-purpose tyres. The power steering option adds £512, while there’s an olive and black version with power steering as standard starting at £12,843 (€15,110). All prices exclude VAT. 
Gigglepin’s new airline kits are designed to be used on air systems that are powerful enough to inflate tyres. The kits include 5m of 6mm reinforced ID hose, with a male fitting at one end, and female at the other. The kit also has a female quarter inch threaded base, and similar sized male. Obviously these kits work best with Gigglepin’s own air manifold kit – which allow for the fitment of up to six air fittings at once. Ideal for anyone using air-locking diffs. To find out more, go to 
Subaru’s XV, the winner of this magazine’s SUV soft-roader of the year, is now available as a hybrid in the US. The XV Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0-litre DOHC boxer engine has been matched to a 13.4bhp and 65Nm electric motor and coupled to the vehicle’s CVT transmission. Making space for the motor and the necessary battery has meant a slight loss in the XV’s impressive cargo capacity – down by just under a cubic foot, not bad considering. Chassis and suspension settings have been changed to cope with the extra weight, an additional 136kg (the equivalent of carrying two small adults all the time) but it is thought that the Crosstrek Hybrid will offer around 10 per cent better fuel economy over the standard combustion version. At present, the model is only due to be sold in the US.
It seems that owning what has to be the ‘must have’ 4×4 at the moment is not enough for some. This is the German-based LUMMA Design Range Rover and the company offers a comprehensive package of ‘innovative interior and exterior solutions’. In particular this means the availability of the LUMMA CLR 22inch light alloy wheel, either in silver or black. The company will also tune the engines and has its own sports exhaust. You can also have a carbon bonnet, said to be 30 per cent lighter than the original; of course, this can be painted the same colour as the vehicle or left to show off the carbon fibre weave. Inside you can change the carpets or add an aluminium pedal set. Coming soon is a wide-body kit for the vehicle. When it comes to design, it’s each to his own. For more details check out: 
Overheating can be a problem on many engines, and the Land Rover TDi is no exception. Evans Waterless Engine Coolants now have a formula especially for these models. Unlike water, Evans Waterless Coolants contain no oxygen or minerals and so eliminates corrosion and with a boiling point in excess of 180 degrees prevents hot spots caused by pockets of steam. Evans also allows the cooling system to run at a lower pressure, which in turn reduces stress on components, key benefits to Land Rover owners. Perhaps more familiar in the US, it seems Evans is looking seriously at the UK 4×4 market. For more information on the company’s extensive range, go to 
As the weather improves, it’s time to get the camping gear out ready… Summit Racing now has a new range of Backroadz truck load bed tents, which is the ideal way to camp for two people. Quickly set up, they are available for long and short load bed trucks. The largest versions offer an impressive five feet five inches of headroom. We do advise, however, that you also get a decent mattress; load bed floors are not very comfortable, and we speak from experience. To find out more, contact Summit’s Alan Rebescher, email: 
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