Jeep Grand Cherokee. ‘Best SUV on the planet’
Jeep Grand Cherokee is a mid-size four-wheel drive 5-door SUV from the Italian-American automaker, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, produced by its Jeep ‘Off-Road’ Division since 1992. Previously, it could be rear-wheel drive. Currently, there are already five generations of the Grand Cherokee Jeep on the market, and its latest restyled version of 2021 is offered to Israeli buyers.
The history of origin of the ‘Big Indian’ is exceptional. It was recognized as the ‘Best SUV on the planet’, and after the first demonstration of the vehicle, many automakers sought to improve their models, adjusting them to the technological innovations that made the first Grand Cherokee famous.
The first generation
The first generation of the Grand Cherokee Jeep (ZJ) appeared in 1992 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Jeep brand. In the American market, the basic version of the Grand Cherokee was rear-wheel drive, and the all-wheel drive transmission had several transfer case options. The external simplicity of the first Grand Cherokee was compensated by a sophisticated interior, which was as comfortable as the ‘premium’ Mercedes of those years. And that was the Grand Cherokee’s most important competitive advantage. Since the developers put the level of comfort at the forefront, the 1st generation Grand Cherokee was offered to buyers only as a five-door version. A huge SUV almost five meters long and 1.8 meters wide could easily seat five passengers. The trunk volume of 1,135 liters could be increased to 2,255 liters when the rear seats were folded down, which made it possible to take along an unthinkable amount of necessary and unnecessary things. And this policy paid off! A total of 1,428,095 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJs were produced from 1993 to 1998.
After the restyling in 1995, the upgraded Grand Cherokee boasted a significantly upgraded engine, chassis, electronic systems and interior. The biggest changes fell on the dashboard. All switches and buttons were located in the immediate vicinity of the driver, which significantly improved the ergonomics of the interior.
The second generation
The second generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) was produced from 1998 to early 2005. The second Grand Cherokee became even larger and got rid of a manual transmission, while the petrol engines were replaced with the new Chrysler PowerTech engines. The SUV was equipped with a complex Quadra-Drive transmission with a two-speed transfer case: under normal conditions, the automatic clutch for connecting the front wheels was used, but when the speed reduction gearing was turned on, the clutch was blocked, activating the permanent 4WD.
The third generation
The third generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) was produced from August 2004 to mid-2010. The third Grand Cherokee was based on the ‘Mercedes’ components and assemblies and was equipped with the latest electronic systems. Traditionally, there was a great choice of transmission types: RWD for the American market, Quadra-Trac I with a single-speed transfer case, Quadra-Trac II with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case and Quadra-Drive II with a two-speed transfer case and three self-locking differentials. But instead of a rigid front axle, the Grand Cherokee 3 got an independent suspension. All vehicles were equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission.
The fourth generation
The fourth generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) has been produced from August 2010 to the present, and its 2013 restyled version is now available in Israel. Built on a new Fiat platform, the fourth Grand Cherokee is equipped with a new nine-speed gearbox and an upgraded range of 6- and 4-cylinder engines. The exterior of the SUV is also different, boasting a recognizable ‘shark nose’.
The first Jeep Grand Cherokee was recognized as the ‘Best SUV on the planet’, and after the first demonstration of the vehicle, many automakers sought to improve their models, adjusting them to the technological innovations that made the first Grand Cherokee famous.
As a result of the 2013 restyling, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has changed its exterior, interior and equipment and has regained the first positions among similar models. With an improved design and sporty driving characteristics, the Big Cherokee has always stood out among SUVs. Standing out from the pack is a characteristic feature of the renewed Grand Cherokee.
You can enjoy new upgraded security systems, multimedia platforms, climate control functions. Plus, there is a new panel with a huge screen of the uConnect system, a new steering wheel strewn with buttons, and a combination of devices with a seven-inch display… If you want, you can fill this space with an arrow or digital speedometer or with information about the trip. Or you can display the four-wheel drive diagram to know what transmission resources are currently being used. Everything is so colorful that you can’t take your eyes off! Another notable innovation of the 2019/2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is an electric joystick for automatic control instead of a mechanical selector.
