Welcome to the JeepSpecs.com in-depth page on WJ Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee 2001 and 2002 model comparison. We have organized as much information as we could find into a helpful article below. Is something incorrect or missing? Please get in touch with us and we’ll fix it!
By far, the largest number of feature and option changes for any of the WJ model years was in 2002, which is why this expanded section is needed to showcase all of the differences. A lot of new features and options were added, including the HO engine, side air bags, adjustable pedals, automatic wipers and the Tire Pressure Monitor System. On the flipside, this was the first year of “decontenting” for the WJ, and Jeep came up with a dozen items they must have felt owners would not miss. Although it’s no big deal for some of the items on the list, practical and safety features like the hood lamp are definitely missed.
For information about changes between all of the WJ model years, see 1999-2004 model information and changes.
| Item | 2001 | 2002 | |||||
| Laredo | Limited | Laredo/Sport | SE | Limited | Overland | ||
 |
Price (MSRP) (4WD, including destination, as of 04/01/02) |
$30,010 | $35,195 | $28,400 $28,185 |
$30,790 | $33,065 | $37,695 |
 |
Air Conditioning enhancement (New thermal expansion valve for 5%-10% improved cooling) |
single zone | dual zone | improved (single zone) |
improved (single zone) |
improved (dual zone) |
improved (dual zone) |
 |
Assist handles (front) (redesigned, relocated to “A” pillars) |
1x passenger | 1x passenger | 2x pass & driver | 2x pass & driver | 2x pass & driver | 2x pass & driver |
 |
Dash, lower center woodgrain (with ash tray insert and cigarette lighter) |
N/A | standard | N/A | not included | deleted | not included |
 |
Electroluminescent gauges | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | standard | standard |
 |
Engine 4.0L I6 | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | N/A |
 |
Engine 4.7L V8 | optional | optional | optional | optional | optional | N/A |
|
Engine 4.7L H.O. V8 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | optional | standard |
 |
4×4 rear side badging | standard | standard | deleted | not included | deleted | not included |
 |
Hood lamp | N/A | standard | N/A | not included | deleted | not included |
 |
Radio, premium (new button layout and improved LED display. Black coating on antenna removed on 2002 models.) |
N/A | N/A | redesigned | redesigned | redesigned | redesigned |
 |
Rock rails, Overland | N/A | N/A (can be installed.) |
N/A | N/A (can be installed.) |
N/A (can be installed.) |
standard |
 |
Roof crossrails (including 6 protective rubber strips. Available as an accessory for 2002.) |
standard | standard | deleted | not included | deleted | not included |
 |
Tow hooks (included with Skid Plate Group and also with Up Country option. Can be ordered separately as an accessory.) |
optional (black) |
optional (chrome) |
optional (black) |
optional (black) |
optional (black) |
standard (chrome) |
 |
Tow hitch, rubber cover (available as an accessory, part # 82203600) |
standard | standard | deleted | not included | deleted | not included |
 |
Up Country Suspension (*not available on Limited w/H.O. engine) |
optional | optional | optional N/A Sport |
N/A | optional* | standard |
 |
Wheels – standard | 16×7 Timberline |
17×7.5 Silverblade#3 |
16×7 Silverblade#1 (Laredo) Timberline (Sport) |
16×7 Silverblade#1 |
17×7.5 Avila |
17×7.5 Hammerhead |
 |
Wheels – Optional | 17×7.5 Silverblade (w/Spec App Group |
17×7.5 Rogue Chrome |
N/A | N/A |
17×7.5 Rogue Chrome |
17×7.5 Rogue Chrome |
New features and options for 2002
| Item | Laredo / Sport | SE | LTD | Overland | |||
 |
Adjustable pedals (with memory feature on Limited and Overland models.) |
optional N/A Sport |
optional | optional | optional | ||
 |
Rain Sense wiper system | N/A | N/A | optional | standard | ||
 |
Side curtain air bags (*can be deleted for credit on Overland models) |
optional | optional | optional | standard* | ||
 |
Seats, suede/leather trim | N/A | N/A | N/A | standard | ||
 |
Tire Pressure Monitor System | optional N/A Sport |
optional | optional | optional | ||
 |
Wood trim accents, redwood (real redwood interior trim accents and steering wheel accents) |
N/A | N/A | N/A | standard | ||
“N/A” – Not available.
“Standard” – Item(s) included in base price of vehicle.
“Optional” – Factory option at time of vehicle build.
“Deleted” – Items deleted from 2002 models that were included as standard in 2001.
Summary of items deleted for 2002:
- 1. Antenna, thick black coating on antenna removed
- 2. Assist handle, passenger ceiling mount (redesigned and moved to “A” pillar).
- 3. Brake control wiring connector for trailer tow package
- 4. Cargo net
- 5. Center lower dash woodgrain finish (formerly standard on Limited, now plain black finish on Limited and Overland)
- 6. Chrome tow hooks (on Limited)
- 7. Cig lighter and ash tray insert
- 8. Emblems, Infinity Gold, speaker grilles
- 9. 4×4 rear side badging deleted (formerly standard on all models. Non-Quadradrive models feature one 4×4 badge on rear liftgate)
- 10. Hood lamp (mounting holes still present, hidden under insulation)
- 11. Operating Tips VHS videotape
- 12. Roof crossrails and rubber protection strips (formerly standard on all models, now available only as an accessory)
- 13. Trailer receiver cover (rubber)
Step-up models – key features
2002 Laredo Sport
Introduced January 2002. Package includes Laredo standard features plus:
- AM/FM/Cass/CD Infinity Gold sound system with steering wheel controls
- Fog lamps
- Keyless entry
- Leather seats (can be deleted for $175 credit)
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
- Mirrors, heated outside
- Mirrors, illuminated visor vanity
- Over head trip computer with HomeLink®
- 6-way power driver and passengers seats
- Sport wheels (16″ aluminum, same as 1999-2001 Laredo but now called “Timberline”)
- Sport badging on rear liftgate
Main options:
- 4.7L V8 engine
- Engine block heater
- Side air bags
- Sunroof
- Trailer Tow Package, Class III
2002 Special Edition
Introduced March 2002. Available in 3 versions:
1. 4X4, with 4.7 V8 engine: $31,935
2. 4X4, with 4.0 I6 engine: $31,140
3. 4X2, with 4.0 I6 engine: $28.725
Packages include Laredo standard features plus:
- Body color front/rear fascias and cladding
- Cargo area – Covered Storage Bin, power outlet
- Console – mini overhead with universal garage door opener
- Keyless entry – remote
- Luxury Group:
Lighting – exterior, automatic headlamps
Lighting – fog lamps
Mirror – rearview automatic-dimming day/night
Seats – 6-way power front bucket - Paint – available in 10 colors
- Selec–Trac Full-Time 4WD
- Radio-CD/Cass/6 Infinity speakers CD changer – 10 Disc, remote radio controls
Sound system – AM/FM cassette/CD player/graphic equalizer/clock - Security alarm
- Special Edition badge
- Steering wheel – leather wrapped
- Sun Visors – illuminated vanity mirrors
- Tires – P225/75R16 OWL All-Season
Main options:
- 4.7L V8 engine (with Quadra-Trac II)
- Adjustable Pedals
- Engine Block Heater
- Mirrors – Exterior, Dual Power, Heated
- Side curtain air bags
- Skid plate group
- Seats, leather trimmed (heated)
- Sunroof
- Tire Pressure Monitor System
- Trailer Tow Group (Class IV)
2002 Limited
The 2002 Limited offers/includes:
- Automatic headlamps
- Cargo area power outlet
- Electroluminescent white-face gauges
- Fog lamps
- Leather seats, heated, 10-way power adjust, easy-exit feature
- Front door courtesy lamps
- Heated and auto-dimming side mirrors
- Infra-red dual zone air conditioning
- Upgraded wheels/tires
- Memory systems for seats, mirrors, pedals, radio etc.
- Rear view mirror, auto-dimming
Main options:
- 4.7L V8 engine
- High Output V8 engine
- Adjustable Pedals
- Chrome wheels
- Engine block heater
- Rain Sense wiper system
- Skid Plate Group
- Sunroof
- Tire Pressure Monitor System
- Trailer tow package
- Up Country Suspension Group
2002 OVERLAND
The 2002 Overland includes the standard Limited features plus:
- High Output V8 engine
- Leather/suede combination heated seats
- Woodgrain (real) upper 1/2 steering wheel and interior accents
- Custom rock rails
- Rain Sense wipers
- Side curtain air bags (can be deleted for credit)
- Up Country Suspension package
- Special Overland wheels and tires
- “Overland” badging (exterior and floormats)
- Available in 6 colors (Silverstone Metallic – now discontinued and replaced by Bright Silver Metallic, Graphite Metallic, Inferno Red, Onyx Green and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat)
Main options:
- Adjustable Pedals
- Engine block heater
- Chrome wheels
- Tire Pressure Monitor System
- Trailer tow package class IV
The following options are offered or included on selected export models, in some countries required by law. Most likely we’ll see some of these features on domestic models in the years ahead.
- Alarm system, advanced – with interior motion detector and siren
- Assembly / fit inspection – both at assembly line and prior to dealer destination tagging
- Battery – premium quality
- Engine – 3.1L Turbo-Diesel engine option
- Engine – 2.7L Common Rail Diesel engine option (2002)
- Filtering device, pollution – in air circulation system
- Fog lights, rear – red, bumper mounted
- Glass – untinted glass in some regions
- Glass – headlamp, fog lamps, windshield – higher standards
- Headlamps – electric leveling, 6-position
- Hood ajar warning light
- Instrument panel cluster differences (12 different variations used)
- Mirrors – power fold-away left & right
- molding – premium quality rubber molding and gasket seals on all doors and hood
- Interior – premium quality interior carpeting and face plates
- Paint – superior PPG primer/pigment/clear coat
- Parktronic, park assist – British models and most European regions
- Radio antenna – passenger-side rear quarter window mount (with signal amplifier)
- Side marker lights, orange fender-mounted
- Suspension – stiffer coils
- Wiring – premium quality
A special section for Export models will be added to this web site in the future.