Jeep Grand Cherokee: Still a favorite at 30

When the weather outside is frightful, it’s the perfect time to arm yourself with a vehicle that excels in such circumstances. The Jeep has been synonymous with go-anywhere versatility since the 1940s, when it was first developed for military use. Now in its fifth generation, the Grand Cherokee model has remained a favorite for its abilities and value in the midsized SUV segment. 

On top of that, the Grand Cherokee has become known for its luxurious amenities, its advanced Quadra Trac all-wheel-drive systems and — later in life — its Hemi high-performance powertrains. Shop Jeep Grand Cherokee models

First generation: 1993-1998

The Grand Cherokee was initially launched in 1993 as a competitor to the Ford Explorer. Its launch was a story in itself: An early production vehicle was driven up some concrete steps and through a glass window at Cobo Hall in Detroit, much to the awe of journalists and the public.

The first generation Jeep Cherokee. Photo by Jeep.

One of the unique engineering characteristics of the Grand Cherokee was its unibody chassis design. Up until that point most SUVs, such as the Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner and Chevrolet S-10 Blazer, were riding on truck based body-on-frame architecture. This allowed the Grand Cherokee to have a more compliant ride in comparison.

Trim levels were offered in base, Laredo and Limited trim levels. The latter came with digital climate control, leather seating, woodgrain interior trim and a Jensen sound system. Powertrains ranged from a 4.0-liter inline-6 to a 5.9-liter V8. That 245-horsepower 5.9 Limited was crowned as the world’s fastest sport utility vehicle. Shop first generation listings

Second generation: 1999-2004

Redesigned from the ground up, the 1999 Grand Cherokee saw changes to both aesthetics and engineering. The body took on a noticeably curvier silhouette, and Jeep’s marketing team touted the vehicle as the most capable SUV ever.

The second generation Jeep Cherokee. Photo by Jeep.

On the interior, the second-generation Grand Cherokee offered increased rear passenger and cargo room, partly because the spare tire was moved from inside the cabin to underneath the floor. Limited trim models now came with dual-zone automatic climate control; eight trims were offered. Technology ramped up via a class-exclusive HomeLink feature, memory seating and upgraded audio systems.

Powertrains included a 4.0-liter inline-6 and a 265-horsepower 4.7-liter high output V8. Newly available was a four-wheel-drive system called Quadra-Drive which was said to be better at transferring torque between the front and rear axles. Two facelifts (dated 2002 and 2004) kept the design fresh over the production span. Find second generation listings

Third generation: 2005-2010

Jeep sweetened the pot when the 2005 Grand Cherokee debuted. Quadra-Drive had been enhanced and was now called Quadra-Drive II, and the outgoing base-level 4.0-liter inline-6 motor was replaced with a PowerTech 3.7-liter V6. Handling was also improved thanks to an independent front suspension. 

The third generation Jeep Cherokee. Photo by Jeep.

The list of standard features grew to include a six-way power driver seat, keyless entry and a full-size spare tire. For those seeking additional power and amenities, there were 4.7-liter and 5.7-liter engines available, and the Limited trim brought heated seats, a heated steering wheel and leather upholstery.

Finally an all-out hot rod, the high-performance SRT-8 was powered by a 420-horsepower Hemi motor. Named for its street and racing technology, the 6.1-liter V8 version of the Grand Cherokee included upgrades such as Bilstein suspension, 20-inch wheels and a dual exhaust system. Its impressive 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds put it in line with some of the top sports cars of the era. See third generation listings

Fourth generation: 2011-2020

Refinement was the name of the game in 2011. Jeep claimed that the new fourth-generation Grand Cherokee’s body had a 146 percent increase in rigidity, and this factored into its comfort as well as reduced its noise and vibration. A four-wheel independent suspension delivered enhanced handling; an adjustable air suspension provided ground clearance of up to 11.1 inches for extreme off-road scenarios.

The fourth generation Jeep Cherokee. Photo by Jeep.

Drivetrains for this WK2 chassis Grand Cherokee now started with a Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 on the low end. One of the highlights of this generation of Grand Cherokee was its diversity: Jeep catered to not only the off-road-oriented community but also the go-fast crowd.

The Trailhawk and Overland Summit trim levels could be outfitted with power-folding side mirrors, headlight washers, off-road tires and special traction control features. The SRT Hellcat variant — targeted to the on-road community — was available in the form of the Grand Cherokee SRT Trackhawk.  Its 6.4-liter Hemi V8 produced a whopping 707 horsepower. Shop fourth generation listings

Fifth generation: 2021-current

Expanded in skillset and size, the newest Grand Cherokee can now be optioned as a long-wheelbase “L” model with a third row of seating. There are three-different four-wheel-drive systems available and up to seven different trim levels, depending on a buyer’s needs and price point. One consistent piece of hardware, though, is the Grand Cherokee’s Torqueflite 8-speed automatic transmission which is used across the board.

It is hard to believe how far Jeep has come since those early days in the 1940s. Today’s modern Jeep model is at the forefront of technology, with touch-screen UConnect infotainment, SiriusXM satellite radio and even wireless hotspots. On top of that, it has been ranked as one of the safest vehicles on the road; the new Grand Cherokee received an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating in crash testing.  Find fifth generation listings

The fifth generation Jeep Cherokee. Photo by Jeep.

Electric

One big advancement for the new generation is the availability of a 4Xe trim variant. The Jeep website says, “Capability meets sustainability for the first-ever plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee.” The 30th Anniversary 4xe comes with 20-inch gloss black wheels, gloss black exterior accents, a Quadra-Trac II 4x4 system, remote vehicle start, a nine-speaker Alpine audio system, a panoramic sunroof and leatherette heated seats. Search 4Xe listings

Find one today

Are you ready to conquer Utah’s rugged terrain — and gentle suburbs — in a Grand Cherokee? Find yours at KSL Cars, where there are hundreds of the popular SUVs to choose from.

The makes and models mentioned in this article are not placed in any particular order, nor intended to be viewed as a ranked list. KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.