With the burgeoning popularity of SUVs in the 1990s, the brand best known for off-road SUVs looked to go premium. Jeep created an upscale, four-door, five-passenger SUV to stand out from the Ford Explorer of the day. The result was the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it came to define a certain type of American luxury. Not as opulent as a full-on luxury vehicle, the Grand Cherokee offers capability and premium features at a more attainable price than traditional luxury brands can, or do. As the SUV market moved towards car-based crossovers, many left the notion of utility in the rearview. But the Jeep Grand Cherokee has maintained its popularity due to its off-road capability. You might not use low-range four-wheel-drive (4WD) every day, but when the conditions get rough, it’s nice to know it’s there.

Generations: Five

• 1st Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2nd Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 3rd Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 4th Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 5th Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee

Pros: Outstanding off-road capability, Wide range of trims for any budget, Intuitive technology (4th- and 5th-gen)
Cons: Underwhelming engines in third generation, Poor build quality in third generation, Reliability issues in certain years

5th Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (2022-Present)

The overlap between the fourth and fifth generations is due to the introduction of the three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee L, which arrived for the 2021 model year. The standard-wheelbase two-row model showed up for 2022. The Grand Cherokee L is treated as a separate model on the CarGurus site.

4th Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011-2022)

For Jeep, the fourth-generation “WK2” Grand Cherokee couldn’t come soon enough. And its popularity is evidenced by its impressive 12-year production run. The Grand Cherokee is powered by a new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. Thanks to variable valve timing and other powertrain enhancements, it makes 280 horsepower with improved efficiency. That’s a boost of 70 horsepower–or 38 percent–over the preceding power plant, and its 260 pound-feet of torque is an 11 percent improvement over the old engine. It’s a stout, responsive engine that makes for solid acceleration around town and on the highway. Jeep also offers an available 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which puts out 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Both engines route power through a five-speed automatic transmission.

With the V8 engine and proper equipment, the Grand Cherokee can tow an impressive (for its class) 7,400 pounds. Towing capacity with the V6 engine is 3,500 pounds. 2011 EPA estimates for fuel economy are 16 mpg city, 22 highway, and 18 combined with the V6 engine and rear-wheel drive (RWD). The least-efficient setup is the V8 engine with four-wheel drive (4WD). It returns 14 mpg city, 19 highway, and 15 combined.

There were three Grand Cherokee trims offered for 2011: Laredo, Limited, and Overland. The model came standard with RWD and was also available with various levels of 4WD. The Selec-Terrain system came standard on the range-topping Overland four-wheel drive and was optional on the 4x4 versions of the other two trims, providing multiple drive modes to modulate the powertrain, transmission, suspension and brakes. It can be selected in Auto, Sand/Mud, Snow, Sport, and Rock settings. The Grand Cherokee was also available with the Quadra-Lift four-corner air suspension. In Rock mode, Selec-Terrain raises the air suspension to its highest setting for maximum ground clearance.

The 2011 Grand Cherokee came standard with Uconnect voice command, allowing drivers to change the radio station without fussing with controls. The available 6.5-inch Uconnect infotainment screen was pretty basic, but it allowed for hands-free calling and optional navigation.

For the 2012 model year, the hot-rod SRT8 trim rejoined the lineup. It features a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 putting out 470 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It puts power to the road using the on-demand Quadra-Trac four-wheel drive system. Following this, the 2013 was only offered for six months and carried on many of the features and content of the 2012 model.

For 2014, the Grand Cherokee enjoyed a number of updates. The first thing you’ll notice is the revised exterior styling with smaller headlights. Inside, the Grand Cherokee featured a new dashboard setup with a new instrument cluster. It was now available with Jeep’s Uconnect Access, as well as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Drivetrain updates included a new eight-speed automatic transmission, which improved efficiency, as well as the return of a turbodiesel V6 engine. The high-performance SRT featured updated Track Mode programming, as well as Launch Control to help put the power to the road. The 2014 model year also saw the introduction of a new, upscale Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit trim with plenty of leather and creature comforts.

For 2015, active noise cancellation was added to the Summit and SRT trim levels. The 2016 Grand Cherokee received an updated shifter design and the base gas V6 was updated, adding a stop-start system. This engine now put out 293 horsepower and had improved fuel economy. Non-SRT trims featured updated steering and suspension tuning, and a new High Altitude trim was introduced.

The 2017 Grand Cherokee added a standard backup camera and standard rear parking sensors. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk trim was also added for 2017, offering buyers an even more capable Grand Cherokee. It featured upgraded air suspension, limited-slip differential, and five traction control settings. The package was set off with red tow hooks and a blacked-out hood, which was said to reduce glare when cresting a hill in sunny conditions.

In 2018, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were added as standard equipment. The Trackhawk trim was introduced, boasting incredible cornering performance and an insane 707-horsepower Hellcat supercharged V8 engine. 2019 was a bit less dramatic, with the introduction of blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard equipment. 2019 was also the last year of the diesel engine offering.

3rd Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (2005-2010)

The third-gen Jeep Grand Cherokee is a clean-sheet redesign of the popular 4x4. It was available with a V6 and two V8 engine options, as well as the choice of rear-wheel drive or one of three 4x4 systems. The 3.7-liter V6 engine makes 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. The smaller V8 displaces 4.7-liters and makes 235 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque. It is neither potent nor efficient, so if you prefer V8 power, we’d urge you to find an example with the larger 5.7-liter V8 engine, which makes 325 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque. All three engines route power through a five-speed automatic transmission, though the V8s are coupled to a more robust, heavy-duty five-speed automatic transmission.

The V6 can be had with Jeep’s Quadra-Trac I full-time four-wheel drive system. The smaller V8 is available with Quadra-Trac II, which adds low-range and the ability to split torque. The 5.7-liter V8 is available with Quadra-Drive II. It has locking front-and-rear axles, as well as a Dynamic Handling System (anti-roll bars) for optimal performance and capability.

Despite its rugged appearance, this generation of Grand Cherokee fell short in a few areas. For one, the cabin is surprisingly cramped. Headroom is lacking and both rows of seating are tight on legroom. Just as crucially, the steering wheel does not telescope, meaning some drivers will be forced into awkward seating positions. Though there is no third row seating, the Grand Cherokee does have large doors for easy ingress and egress. The Grand Cherokee provides up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which drops to 34 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in use. The Grand Cherokee does have a helpful lifting rear window that opens separately from the overall rear liftgate.

The base trim is the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, which provides 17-inch alloy wheels, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a tilting steering wheel, cruise control, power doors, power locks, and power mirrors. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited trim adds leather seats, power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, power-adjustable pedals, and a Boston Acoustics premium audio system. Available options include rear parking sensors, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. This year also introduced a Rocky Mountain Edition. It boasts all the features of the Limited, plus unique styling touches and all-terrain tires.

Standard safety features for the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee include front airbags, antilock brakes, and traction control. It does not come with side airbags or traction control, though you can find models with optional head-curtain airbags.

For the 2006 model year, Jeep added a new Off-Road Package available with the base Laredo trim. Stability control also became standard equipment for this year. For 2006, Jeep also added a new, upscale Overland model, as well as a high-performance SRT-8 variant. The latter featured a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 that put out 420 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, allowing the big SUV to sprint from zero to sixty in under five seconds. With a specially-tuned all-wheel-drive system, lowered suspension, and 20-inch wheels wrapped in performance tires, the SRT-8 delivers legit performance and can take a corner with surprising precision.

For 2007, the Grand Cherokee became available with a diesel engine option. This 3.0-liter Mercedes-sourced V6 was rated at 215 horsepower and 376 horsepower. Other updates for 2007 included new parking cameras and some trim updates to the Limited and Overland models. In 2008, the Grand Cherokee received some exterior visual tweaks, as well as some new tech components and off-road-ready updates. It also received new safety features. For the 2009 model year, the larger V8 engine offering was revised. The new 5.7-liter Hemi V8 put out 357 horsepower, which was a 27-hp increase over the 2008 V8.

2nd Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (1999-2004)

The 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a heavily updated and refined take on the premium-yet-capable midsize SUV. It featured more rounded styling, but it was still instantly recognizable as a Jeep thanks to its iconic seven-slot grille and a front bumper with an aggressive approach angle.

The base engine in this new Grand Cherokee continued to be a 4.0-liter inline-six, but it was reengineered for the 1999 model year. A 4.7-liter PowerTech V8 was also offered and is only available with four-wheel drive. This vintage of Grand Cherokee is known for a handful of issues, including with the brake rotors and power door locks. There were also reports of water leaking into the vehicle. Thanks to the Grand Cherokee’s unibody construction, it has a rigid design and offers good handling.

For the 2000 model year, changes were minimal. The V8 was made available with RWD, two additional colors were added, and the optional leather upholstery material was upgraded. There are multiple 4x4 systems, including Command-Trac and Selec-Trac. The former is a part-time system while the latter provides full-time four-wheel drive.

The 2001 Grand Cherokee added a 60th Anniversary Edition with further creature comforts. Alloy wheels were optional on every trim for this year. In 2002, an upscale Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Trim joined the lineup. For 2003, the ride quality was improved for the Grand Cherokee. This also includes a retuned brake pedal feel, as well as improved steering feel.

For 2003, updates included a revised front fascia, as well as the expansion into five trims. These include Laredo, Limited, and Overland, as well as the new Special Edition and Freedom Edition. The Sport trim was discontinued. The Freedom Edition is an entry-level model that is based on the Laredo trim. Satellite radio and GPS navigation became options for the first time in 2003.

2004 was the final year of the second-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee. The front fascia was yet again updated. A Columbia Edition was introduced for just one model year. It featured special alloy wheels and unique styling elements. This special edition also came with a Columbia Sportswear winter coat, though it might be a tall order to ask the previous owner to produce this jacket upon resale.

1st Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (1993-1998)

The original Jeep Grand Cherokee came with the brand’s venerable 4.0-liter inline-six, putting out 190 horsepower. These engines are stout and known to last for well over 200,000 miles if properly maintained. Buyers can select Base, Laredo, and Limited trims, all offering rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. You could also get a 5.2-liter V8, as well as a Grand Wagoneer trim with faux wood paneling.

For 1994, the Base model name was changed to SE. The Limited trim received larger brakes, and side-guard door beams were added across the lineup. In 1995, some options were added, including a power sunroof, a pop-up rear liftgate window, and an integrated child seat. An Orvis package was offered on the Limited trim, and all models received standard rear disc brakes.

1996 saw some updates to the 4.0-liter engine, as well as to the interior and exterior styling. The suspension was revised, and dual-stage airbags were added as standard equipment. A sportier TSi model arrived for 1997, and the V8 became available in the rear-wheel drive Limited trim. Drivers liked the 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee's smooth ride, comfortable interior, and power. They disliked its slow acceleration and disappointing mileage. In 1998, the 5.9-liter V8 was introduced, making 245 horsepower and 345 pound-feet of torque. For this model year, the Orvis trim was dropped from the lineup and the airbag tech was upgraded.