For 2004, the Grand Cherokee received a facelift that included a restyled front fascia. Jeep expanded the Grand Cherokee line to five trims for 2004: Laredo, Limited, and Overland continue, and new Special and Freedom Editions trims were added.

A 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine comes standard on the Laredo, Special Edition, Freedom Edition, and Laredo. This inline six with overhead valves is rated at 195 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder comes with a four-speed automatic. A 4.7-liter overhead-valve V8 that develops 235 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and comes with a five-speed automatic transmission is also available.

A high-output version of the 4.7-liter V8, with 265 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, is standard on Overland and optional on Limited, Special Edition, and Freedom Edition trims. The V8 comes with the five-speed automatic transmission plus Goodyear Wrangler Eagle ES P235/65R17 tires.

The Laredo, the base trim, comes with a good deal of standard equipment, including a six-speaker Infinity sound system with CD player, cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver's seat, tilt steering, cruise control, and power windows, mirrors, and locks.

The new two special-edition models are essentially packages added to the Laredo. The Special Edition features the monochromatic exterior design cues of the Limited model, plus fog lamps and an AM/FM/ cassette/10-disc CD audio system with Infinity speakers. Special Edition 4WD models are upgraded with the Quadra Trac II transfer case. The Freedom Edition adds high-back cloth seats with Jeep logo embroidery on driver's and passenger seat backs and chrome tow hooks.

More luxurious is the Limited model, which adds leather upholstery, automatic dual-zone climate control, fog lights, a universal garage door opener, low-back bucket seats, and other features. A 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, a memory function for the driver's seat and mirrors, and other features are available in option packages.

The Overland adds satin-silver aluminum wheels, metallic-painted side rock rails, an exclusive Dark Slate suede interior with redwood burl accents and embroidered floor mats, a 10-disc CD changer, and an express-open power sunroof. Ceiling-mounted side-curtain airbags are standard.

Drivers applaud the 2004 Jeep Cherokee's safety and performance, pulling power and towing capacity, off-road ability, technology, comfort, and handling.

The paint appears to chip, however, and that certainly displeases owners. Gas mileage is also lower than drivers would like.