Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee went into production in 1993 and continues to be produced today.

The Grand Cherokee was the range-topping model for Jeep until the Commander debuted in 2006. And even now, with the SRT-8 model, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is still one of the most sought after Jeeps every produced.

Built on a unibody chassis, the Grand Cherokee has always been Jeep's expression of luxury in a fully offroad capable package.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee managed the remarkable feat of handling the demands of highway driving as well as it handled offroad terrain. With solid axles and coil springs all around, the Grand Cherokee offered comfort and ability straight from the factory.

Not everyoone felt at ease taking their $40,000 + Grand offroad, but those who did were happy to learn the capablilities of their rigs easily lived up to Jeep's legendary standards.

Since 1993, the Grand Cherokee has played host to numerous engines: 4.0L EFI straight-six 5.9L V8 5.2L V8 4.7L MPFI V8 5.7L Hemi V8

The Grand Cherokee came from the factory with a number of transfer-cases from part-time units, to full-time AWD units with and without low-range. To say the Grand Cherokee is capable offroad is understating the fact. 99% of GC owners will never know just how capable their SUVs are, but they rest easy knowing they COULD tackle anything put in front of them and like almost every Jeep, the Grand Cherokee has been tested over the Rubicon trail and earned the trail rated badges that adorn it's fenders. Though the majority of Grands purchased were never ordered with them, Jeep offered the usual array of tow-points, skid plates and traction-enhancing options like limited slip differentials. Checking the right boxes on the order sheet could get you a leather-trimmed boulevard cruiser that could tackle a trail rated 7+ without a problem.

Jeep Grand Cherokee - Poser or performer?

Even though it shared part of it's name with the Cherokee, the Grand was a unique design. It took some time, but the aftermarket now offers pretty much anything you need to toughen up your Grand and make it a trail-killer.

Given their coil spring design, they are more expensive to lift than other Jeeps, but they retain their excellent ride characteristics when lifted and offer truly impressive amounts of flex when needed.

The Grand has never been a big SUV, and space inside is cozy. there's lots of room with the rear seats folded, though, so carrying home bulky items it can handle with ease.

With the introduction of the 4.7L V8 engine, Jeep's Grand Cherokee took a major step forward in the power department. This engine offers enough power to make the Grand a seriously quick rig. It also offers better economy than the old 5.2L engine it replaced, though it does require premium fuel in the H.O. version.

One model year saw Jeep practically invent the "Power-SUV" category. In 1998, Jeep shocked everyone by shoe-horning the 360ci (5.9L) V8 into the Grand. Equipped with uprated tires and a revised suspension, this was one powerful Jeep. Today, Jeep continues to lead this category with the SRT-8. The 5.9 was produced in limited numbers, but unlike the SRT-8, which is a street-only Grand Cherokee, the 5.9 Grand from 1998 could perform very well offroad.

Here is a full list of the engines Jeep offered in the Grand Cherokee.

Graph courtesy allpar.com