I had a Grand Cherokee for several years. I both loved and hated that truck. The 4.0L inline six is quite possibly one of the smoothest, torque-iest six cylinders that I've ever owned. The internal balance on that engine is perfect. It also is the reason I hated the truck, because no matter how much the rest of it was falling apart, that engine just wouldn't die and give me the ultimate reason I needed to part ways with it.
The latest incarnation of the JGC really looks like Jeep is trying to return to producing a sport ute with amenities as well as some capabilities off road. It'd be nice to see the JGC become a little less "Mall Rated" if you know what I mean.
Strec, my latest TOY is a 2010 Toyota FJ Crusier Trail Teams that I'm presently in the motions of installing a 3" suspension lift and various pieces of trail armor on. If you ask the solid front-axle crowd, they'll try to tell you it's not a real offroad vehicle either.
A man of your various social leanings and heritage should ditch that Exploder and go with something like this instead.
Edited to add....
Screw that. I want one now.