Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee - A Brief History & Look At Each Generation

The Jeep Grand Cherokee, first introduced in 1992 by Chrysler's Jeep division, is a mid-size SUV that has become a staple in the automotive industry. Known for its blend of rugged off-road capability and luxurious on-road comfort, the Grand Cherokee has earned a reputation as a versatile and reliable vehicle. Over the years, it has evolved through multiple generations, incorporating advanced technologies, improved performance, and enhanced safety features. The Grand Cherokee's design and engineering have consistently pushed the boundaries, making it a popular choice for both adventure enthusiasts and families alike.

The importance of the Jeep Grand Cherokee lies in its ability to bridge the gap between utilitarian SUVs and luxury vehicles. It set a new standard for the SUV market by offering a high level of comfort and sophistication without compromising its off-road prowess. The Grand Cherokee's success has not only solidified Jeep's position as a leading manufacturer of capable SUVs but has also influenced the development of other vehicles in the segment. Its enduring popularity reflects its ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences while maintaining its core identity as a reliable and versatile vehicle.

The 1st Generation

The ZJ was first offered as a 1993 model. It was built on a monocoque frame, provided luxury touches such as power windows, keyless entry, and four-wheel ABS, and was set to compete directly with the Ford Explorer. Three trims were initially available: Base (later changed to SE), Laredo, and Limited, though the SE trim was dropped after only a few years.

A five-speed manual transmission was standard with an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. In 1995, manual transmission was discontinued due to low consumer demand, and the four-speed automatic became standard. The very first Grand Cherokees were only available with AMC's 4.0-liter straight-six engine, producing 190 horsepower. Shortly after its debut, an optional 5.2-liter V8, producing 220 horsepower, became available. For its last production year in 1998, the first-generation Grand Cherokee Limited received a larger 5.9-liter V8 engine option producing 245 horsepower.

Minimal additions accompanied the ZJ Grand Cherokee through its infancy, though small improvements such as four-wheel disc brakes, unibody chassis, the addition of a passenger-side air bag, ride quality improvements, and several appearance packages were offered throughout its first run.

The 2nd Generation

The second-generation WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee was completely redesigned for the 1999 model year. Its previous boxy shape became rounded and sleek. It grew from the previous generation, and a new 4.7-liter V8 engine, producing 235 horsepower, replaced the 5.2-liter V8 from the ZJ. The 4.0-liter straight six remained the standard engine, though power was increased to 195 horsepower. A redesigned 4-speed automatic transmission remained standard. A new Quadra-Drive four-wheel-drive system featured progressive locking differentials, though rear-wheel drive remained standard.

Other updates to the WJ included a CD player, more passenger space, interior revisions, and side-curtain airbags. The top-of-the-line Overland trim featured a more powerful high-output V8 engine, which produced 265 horsepower, and became available halfway through the WJ's production run in 2002. A minor styling facelift came in 2003.

2004 was the final year of WJ production and included several more minor styling updates as well as several special edition models, including the Columbia and Rocky Mountain Editions.

The 3rd Generation

2005 saw another complete redesign of the Grand Cherokee, known internally as the third-generation WK. The 4.0-liter, six-cylinder engine was replaced with a 3.7-liter V6 engine, producing 210 horsepower. The 4.7-liter V8 carried over from the previous generation, making 230 horsepower, while a new 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was added to the lineup and produced 325 horsepower. A 5-speed automatic transmission came standard on base models with rear-wheel-drive. Four-wheel-drive was optional with the newly available Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system.

The WK's front fascia and grille were flatted, and its overall design returned to the original Grand Cherokee's boxy styling roots. Independent rear and the front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering were firsts for the Grand Cherokee. Options included an infotainment system, side curtain airbags, and navigation, with remote start and a backup camera becoming available several years after its release. Side curtain airbags became standard in 2007 with a slight styling refresh coming shortly after that in 2008.

Several mid-cycle powertrain changes came between 2006 and 2009. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 was added to the lineup in 2006, featuring a 6.1-liter V8 engine that produced 425 horsepower. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine, producing 210 horsepower, was offered in 2007. 2008 came with a new 4.7-liter V8, producing 305 horsepower, and 2009 welcomed efficiency improvements and a power bump to 357 horsepower for the 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Both the turbodiesel V6 and 4.7-liter V8 were dropped for 2010.

The 4th Generation

2011 marked the most recent generational change for the Grand Cherokee with thoroughly modern styling updates, improved technology, further refinement, and several new engine options. The fourth-generation shares its platform with the closely-related Dodge Durango. The new 290 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 360 horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8 both come standard with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel-drive remains standard while four-wheel-drive options include Jeep's Selec-Terrain and come with Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, or Quadra-Drive II, which features a chain-driven transfer case that transfers torque between the front and rear axles.

Updated features included available ventilated seats, HID headlights, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, four-wheel independent suspension, and air suspension. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 returned for 2012, featuring a 6.4-liter V8 engine that produced 470 horsepower. The new Trailhawk trim was introduced in 2017 as an off-road capability-focused version of the Grand Cherokee with added ruggedness, additional off-road performance features, and larger tires.

2014 saw a mid-cycle refresh with models receiving extensive updates, including a new 8-speed automatic transmission and several styling revisions. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 was renamed the SRT. A new edition to the Grand Cherokee lineup came in 2018 with the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. It features the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 from the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and produces 707 horsepower, making it the most powerful SUV currently on sale.

The 5th (Current) Generation

The fifth-generation new Jeep Grand Cherokee L debuted in 2021 and features three different four-wheel-drive systems: The Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, which includes the Quadra-Lift air suspension system for selectable ground clearance.

The Grand Cherokee L had a longer wheelbase and came in four different trim levels including the Laredo, Limited, Overland, and Summit. The Laredo and Limited came standard with a Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 assisted by an eTorque Mild Hybrid system, which puts out 290 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Overland and Summit levels can come equipped with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with a Multi-Displacement System that produces specs of 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque.

The fifth-generation Grand Cherokee also featured significant tech upgrades including the UConnect 5 infotainment system with an 8.4 or 10.1-inch touchscreen. This system also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and a built-in virtual assistant. It has an available 950-watt McIntosh surround-sound stereo system, massaging leather seats, and a rearview camera mirror.

For the 2022 model year, the Grand Cherokee came in seven different trim levels: The Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Trailhawk, Summit, and Summit Reserve.

On this new model, the Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trim levels are available as a 4xe plug-in hybrid that features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder internal combustion engine that puts out 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque with a 6,000-pound towing capacity and comes with a 17kWh battery pack for 25 miles of fully-electric range.