Business Car trailblazers Jeep Grand Cherokee We look back at previous generations of Jeep’s range-topping off-roader.
Martyn Collins
Launched back in 1994, the Grand Cherokee was Jeep’s answer to a more high-end, European buyer – designed to steal sales from premium off-roader opposition, such as the Range Rover. To do this, the Grand Cherokee had a sleeker version of the Cherokee’s boxy styling, plus more mechanical refinement, ride comfort and more radically, did away with a separate chassis – instead being built from a monocoque bodyshell. It was still as capable off-road as you’d expect a Jeep to be, with rigid axles front and rear sprung on coils. Launched with the choice of 4.0-litre petrol and 2.5-litre VM-supplied diesel engines, it quickly became apparent that the Grand Cherokee wasn’t quite up to levels of refinement of British and European rivals, but its more affordable list prices saw plenty
of interest from UK buyers and fleet customers.
1999 saw the launch of an updated version of the Grand Cherokee, and my first exposure to the big American off-roader. Jeep were one of the few manufacturers to let a journalist aged under 30 behind the wheel of a big petrol V8-powered off-roader. I can remember, like the current car driven on P37 of this issue, the interior looked and felt impressively luxurious until I spent a weekend with it. After that, it just didn’t feel as special as say a P38 Range Rover of the time. I did a little green-laning where it felt right at home and spent quite a lot more time on the roads of Central London and Hertfordshire – where it didn’t. Whilst that V8 sounded lusty, it demanded refilling twice, meaning I had to live off beans the following week due to the lack of money to eat.
2005 saw the third generation of the Grand Cherokee launched in the UK. On top of the bolder styling inside and out, plus independent front suspension, the Chrysler tie-up with Mercedes equalled a smoother and more willing, three-pointed star-supplied 3.0-litre CRD diesel. There was even petrol a V8 range-topper, powered by a legendary HEMI in 5.7- litre form. Although this and the lesser 4.7-litre version, even then, weren’t as sought after as the frugal turbo diesel. By 2011, the Germans were long gone. But despite the brand’s uncertain future, filing for bankruptcy in 2009, and before Fiat took control in 2014, a third- generation Grand Cherokee debuted. Longer, wider, and more spacious than its predecessor, this Grand Cherokee also had more contemporary styling – it was still clearly a Jeep though, with trapezoidal wheel arches, and large family grille.
Inside, the quality of plastics and trim improved, the ergonomics were logically laid out and there was plenty of space. Plus, a huge 782-litre boot.
This model soldiered on with updates, until the latest fifth-generation model. The first under new owner Stellantis was shown in January 2021. The latest car is a plug-in hybrid to suit a move towards EV power – but prices have jumped up scarily to over £80,000 and I believe Jeep is going to have a tough job getting Range Rover drivers into the new car. Our favourite is the third-generation car, and despite the fact that diesel power isn’t as PC as it was in the early noughties, the Mercedes- supplied diesel engine is still our pick. Prices start at around the £2,000 mark for an Overland hi-spec car at an independent dealer. Just watch for off-roading damage and tired interiors.
50 | June 2023 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
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