History of the Jeep Grand Cherokee

A black 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee is driving on a tree-lined highway after leaving a used car dealer near Costa Mesa, CA.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been around since 1992, and it seems like this versatile SUV showed up at just the right time to earn a place of honor in American vehicle culture. The Grand Cherokee offers the off-road thrill of the classic Jeep, paired with the city road sensibility of a family vehicle, making it truly a reflection of the best of both worlds. While the cost of a brand new model in 2020 can be outside the budget of a lot of households, drivers have a valuable resource in their local used car dealer. Used Jeep Grand Cherokee models have an outstanding ability to retain their value while being offered for just a fraction of the original retail price. Better yet, the prized nature of these vehicles means that many are in great shape, providing many future years of off-road shenanigans and sensible city driving to their new owners. Let’s take a look at the recent history of the Jeep Grand Cherokee; for a vehicle that’s celebrating fewer than 30 years on the American market, much has changed, both inside and out. The lasting legacy of a truly unique, sensible, and incredibly fun vehicle, however, has remained the same.

The Early Years 1993-1998

The first Jeep Grand Cherokee burst onto the scene at exactly the right time. The early 1990s were a great time for Jeep SUVs, as nearly every family needed a vehicle that could haul everyone back and forth from school and practice, maneuver patiently through city streets, and pack up nicely for a family vacation across the country.

The Grand Cherokee was up for those tasks, and so much more. The first trims were the Laredo, TSI, Limited, and 5.9 Limited. Drivers could choose between 2WD and adventurous 4WD. These vehicles were filled with the type of features that qualified as luxury in their decade, including compact disc players, leather seating that was both heated and offered power adjustment options. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes and dual airbags rounded out the safety equipment.

The standard 4.0L V6 engine of these early Grand Cherokees provided plenty of power, though it was upgraded in 1996 to provide more torque. The very next year, Jeep introduced the 5.2L V8 engine for the 2WD models, and the 1998 version of the 5.9 Limited quickly earned praise as “The Ferrari of SUVs,” with its 5.9L V8 engine, which was accompanied by a premium leather interior and ten-speaker audio system.

As a side note, an actual Ferrari SUV is anticipated in 2022, so the 1998 Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited will hold its crown a bit longer.

While these vehicle specs may seem modest compared to the vehicles that roam the land today, bear in mind that Grand Cherokee sold over 1 million cars from its introduction through 1996. It appeared at the right place at exactly the right time, and the crowd couldn’t get enough of the playful balance of “sport” and “utility” combined with a family-friendly fascia and grille.

A red 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee is shown from the rear in sun light.

Finding its Niche

The turn of the century saw the introduction of the second generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Jeep engineers knew that the first generation was going to be a difficult act to follow, and with other manufacturers’ SUVs gaining in popularity, the pressure was on to create a truly stunning vehicle to recapture the American public’s attention.

First, the engine was updated. The new base 4.0L I6 offered more horsepower and torque, at 195 hp and 230 lb-ft of torque. The available 4.7L V8 was upgraded to offer 235 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The result was a lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicle that could be driven to the office during the week, and pack up for a trip to the lake on the weekend.

This generation also saw the introduction of the Quadra-Drive four-wheel drive system, which allows drivers to choose between full-time 4WD, a Neutral for towing purposes, and a 4-Lo setting.

While the base Laredo trim and the luxury Limited remained mainstays through this generation, Jeep experimented with everything that came in between. The Overland and Freedom models were introduced and refined. Truly elite features, such as a ten disc cd changer located in the rear of the vehicle and sunroofs, were introduced as a way to entice drivers to the world of the versatile SUV.

The third generation, which launched in 2005, is often seen as the “dark horse” generation, simply due to corporate upheaval that resulted in what some consider a lackluster collection of Jeep Grand Cherokees.

Still, this was an era of upward mobility. DVD players were added to the rear seat––a bold move for a family vehicle that could still handle trails. In fact, off-road capabilities were improved with the addition of a double-wishbone setup, a redesigned 4WD system, and a new set of engines.

This generation saw a full variety of engines, starting with a 3.7L V6 that offered 210 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque. The 4.7L V8 was still an optional engine at this point; however, Jeep gave it a boost to 305 horsepower and 334 lb-ft of torque. Throughout the third generation, the engines offered included the SRT-tuned 6.1L Hemi, a 5.7L Hemi that offered 357 horsepower and 389 lb-ft of torque, and even a 3.0L Mercedes-type diesel V6. It appeared this was the generation where Jeep Grand Cherokee was trying to find the place where the rubber hit the road, so to speak.

Most Recent Models

A red 2013 Jeep Cherokee is on a road with a rock wall behind it.

Luckily for fans across the country, Jeep Grand Cherokee found its stride again in the fourth generation. Amongst used Jeep Grand Cherokees, the 2011 and 2013 models receive some of the highest praise.

The basic platform that was introduced in 2011 is still in use, making it a truly enduring engineering feature of the Grand Cherokee. 2011 was also the year that the Selec-Terrain traction control system was introduced on all 4WD models. This system offers five settings to help drivers gain control over performance, and includes modes such as Sand/Mud, Snow, Auto, Sport, and Rock. “Auto” mode allows the vehicle to maintain 4WD capability only as necessary, while regular road drivers would choose “Sport” mode to hit the streets.

The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee is sought after by collectors and drivers everywhere, as this seems to be where the venerable vehicle got its second wind. The Trailhawk model was offered for the first time, combining Quadra-Lift, Selec-Train, and Quadra-Trac II on V6 models or Quadra-Drive II for V8 models. These off-road functions had been developing on select trims throughout the generation, and came together gloriously on this one model for the first time, paired with Goodyear Silent Armor tires and rock rails to create a serious off-road beast.

Models following the majestic 2013 Grand Cherokee maintain much of the celebrity that year’s model received. With input from Mercedes during that generation, Grand Cherokees of the fourth generation have gone on to perform as the luxurious off-road capable SUVs Jeep always intended them to be.

Though new year model used Jeep Grand Cherokees can have a price tag that reaches into some pretty astronomical figures. A used Jeep Grand Cherokee is a sound investment for those looking to enjoy the thrill of off-road excitement yet still have a respectable vehicle to tote the family through town. While the Grand Cherokee isn’t afraid of mud, models maintain their reliability for many years post-manufacture. A quick trip to Orange Coast CJDRF in Costa Mesa can help put you behind the wheel for a new-to-you type of adventure.

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