Long before the cute-ute took over the marketplace, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and its forefathers were laying down their roots. Built for capability, off-road confidence and exploration of new places, the Grand Cherokee wasn’t a sport utility vehicle or a crossover—it was a Jeep.
Still is, in fact. Amidst an ever-growing selection of soft-roaders, the Grand Cherokee remains largely sought after by those who actually plan to put their four wheel drive to work.
If budget constraints don’t allow you to park that shiny new Grand Cherokee in your driveway, a used last-generation model may be next on your list. Packed with the capability and all-terrain prowess that Jeep is famous for, it was available with several available engines, numerous options and features, and plenty of support from fellow owners and the aftermarket. The Grand Cherokee was available in several special edition models from the factory, too.
Under the hood, look for a four-litre straight-six engine with 195 horsepower, or a 4.7 litre V8 with 235 or 265, depending on the year and model. The 4.7 litre V8 engine is thirstier, though it’s appreciated by and recommended for owners who tow or haul.
The four-litre straight six is a proven, tough and well-regarded workhorse of an engine. It’s not big on refinement or fuel efficiency, but it might be one of the most reliable powerplants on the road. Stick with this engine if possible. Note that a 3.7 litre V6 replaced it later in this generation’s life.
Four or five-speed automatics were fitted, as was four wheel drive. The Quadra-Drive 4x4 system offered fully automatic operation, kicking in all four wheels on an as-needed basis for additional traction. Low range gearing also made the Grand Cherokee ideal for crawling up or down steep, slippery grades.
In a nutshell, shoppers looking for confident all-weather operation and light off-road capability will be very well taken care of. End of the day, the Grand Cherokee has more built-in capability than the vast majority of owners will ever use.
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Still is, in fact. Amidst an ever-growing selection of soft-roaders, the Grand Cherokee remains largely sought after by those who actually plan to put their four wheel drive to work.
If budget constraints don’t allow you to park that shiny new Grand Cherokee in your driveway, a used last-generation model may be next on your list. Packed with the capability and all-terrain prowess that Jeep is famous for, it was available with several available engines, numerous options and features, and plenty of support from fellow owners and the aftermarket. The Grand Cherokee was available in several special edition models from the factory, too.
Under the hood, look for a four-litre straight-six engine with 195 horsepower, or a 4.7 litre V8 with 235 or 265, depending on the year and model. The 4.7 litre V8 engine is thirstier, though it’s appreciated by and recommended for owners who tow or haul.
The four-litre straight six is a proven, tough and well-regarded workhorse of an engine. It’s not big on refinement or fuel efficiency, but it might be one of the most reliable powerplants on the road. Stick with this engine if possible. Note that a 3.7 litre V6 replaced it later in this generation’s life.
Four or five-speed automatics were fitted, as was four wheel drive. The Quadra-Drive 4x4 system offered fully automatic operation, kicking in all four wheels on an as-needed basis for additional traction. Low range gearing also made the Grand Cherokee ideal for crawling up or down steep, slippery grades.
In a nutshell, shoppers looking for confident all-weather operation and light off-road capability will be very well taken care of. End of the day, the Grand Cherokee has more built-in capability than the vast majority of owners will ever use.
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