2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo: Base is Back

Sandy B
Mar 2, 2021

Red 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo With White Background

Interested in buying a powerhouse of an SUV that you may be able to take off-roading from time to time? Perhaps you also need a car that’s good in all weather conditions, can tow a small trailer, and is fully featured? The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo may be ideal.

What does the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo offer?

The 2011 Laredo, the base trim model, offers a 3.6L V6 engine with 50 speed automatic and auto-manual transmission. It gets 290 horsepower and is available in both a 4×2 and 4×4. It had a starting MSRP of $30,215.

Before making the decision to buy the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, it’s important to know all of the details. We’ll take a closer look at this trim and compare it to the upper trim options.

We’ll also check out a video from Mike’s Car Info to showcase this Jeep. You can check out all of the specs on the 2011 Laredo on Vehicle History.

What to Expect From the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo is the base trim for this year. The next step up is the Limited, while the highest tier option is the Overland. The Laredo has some key features and a powerful engine, making it a solid starting point for Jeep lovers.

This video provides a good overview of the Laredo for 2011.

There are a few things to note about this SUV. It is available as a 4×2 model, which had a new starting value of $30,215, or a 4×4 model with a starting value of $32,215. Let’s take a closer look at the 4×4 standard features and options.

With room for up to five people, this isn’t the SUV if you need a third row. However, it does have ample cargo room, and it’s designed to handle most adventures with solid handling.

The base engine is a 3.6L V6 that produces 290 horsepower and 260 lbs.-ft. of torque. This features a five-speed automatic and auto-manual transmission. That gives it ample towing ability at 5,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,840 pounds. You’ll find it a solid choice for pulling that small trailer behind you on your next trip.

The 2011 Laredo offered a secondary engine option. This is a 5.7L V8 engine with up to 360 horsepower. There’s also an optional five-speed multi-speed automatic and auto-manual transmission setup. If you plan to upgrade that trailer, this may be the route to choose.

When it comes to fuel economy, keep in mind this is a big-engine SUV. The EPA estimate for the 3.6-L engine was 16 city and 22 highway, for a combined 18 miles per gallon. If you upgrade to the 5.7L model, you would get just 15 combined miles per gallon.

The exterior is nice and bold. It features a few optional features that come standard on the upper trim models, including two front tow hooks and one rear tow hook. It also offered an optional Class IV trailering with hitch setup and trailering with harness option.

Step Inside to Check out the Features

A lot of the upgrades to the Limited and Overland models come from the interior features. Yet, the Laredo is still a comfortable, well-designed vehicle. It offers ample room for up to five people with a rear manual reclining 60/40 split-bench seat, so you can stuff even more into the back.

There are a few optional upgrades to consider. These include eight-way driver and passenger seat adjustments, driver and passenger heated-seatbacks, and leather front and rear upholstery.

As for interior entertainment, the Jeep Cherokee Laredo offers a standard six-speaker setup, though you can upgrade to 10 speakers. There is also an optional upgrade to a voice-activated radio and amplifier. It comes with Sirius Satellite radio and an auxiliary input.

When it comes to safety and functionality, the interior is easy enough to navigate. There are numerous sensors and warning lights, including a reverse sensing system for the rear using a camera. Also, an optional feature is a tire specific low-tire pressure warning. It also comes with delay-off aero-composite halogen headlamps.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo does have a few things to note overall. The 2011 model only received a 4-star crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Key concerns include the front passenger side and rollover risks.

Also notable is the number of recalls on this model. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee has numerous concerns with consumer complaints and six recalls. Those recalls center around the brakes, interior lighting, and electrical system. They are not super-critical concerns but worth checking out before buying.

How is it Compared to the Upper Trims?

The upper trim levels of the Jeep Grand Cherokee offer some nice features and interior upgrades. A lot of the optional features are standard. Keep in mind that the engine options are the same, though. That makes the base model just fine for most needs. This vehicle isn’t your top performer for off-roading, but it has the features to make the open road desirable.

Should You Check out the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo?

When choosing a vehicle like this, you need info and insight. What better way is there to do that than through owner reviews and comprehensive specs? To learn about this vehicle, check out the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo’s Vehicle History.

avatar Sandy B
Sandy B. has written for The New York Times, Cleveland Magazine, and many online publications. She long-ago ditched the minivan life for the off-roading Ford Explorer (and hoping to restore a Shelby Mustang!)
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