2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has an aged design, but combines off-road toughness with on-road civility.

The mid-size Grand Cherokee is the flagship of the Jeep brand. A redesigned model arrives this fall for 2005, but that doesn't mean the current model should be overlooked. It's handsome, comfortable and has plenty of standard comfort and convenience equipment.

The Grand Cherokee was introduced as a 1993 model. It got a $2.65 billion redesign for 1999, and hasn't been changed a lot since then. The 2004 model gets slightly revised front styling and an available Navigation Radio, which combines a 4.9-inch color display, AM/FM stereo, CD player and navigation system into one unit.

The $27,410-$39,425 Grand Cherokee model lineup has been expanded to five trim levels to cover a wider price spectrum: the carryover Laredo, Limited and Overland and new limited-edition Special and Freedom versions, which arrive this spring. The Special Edition has the monochromatic exterior design cues of the mid-range Limited.

This handsome Jeep comes with rear- or four-wheel drive. My test Limited had Jeep's Quadra-Trac II four-wheel drive system. There also are Select-Trac, Quadra-Trac I and Quadra-Drive four-wheel-drive systems. All have low-range gearing for tough off-road driving and are excellent. If Jeep can't offer really good four-wheel-drive systems, nobody can.

Besides all the models, the Grand Cherokee offers such a large number of stand-alone options and option packages that buyers should do homework before entering a Jeep showroom.

Among the best safety options are a $150 tire pressure monitoring system and head-protecting curtain side airbags. They cost $490 for the entry Laredo and mid-range Limited and are standard in the top-line Overland. Torso side air bags aren't available.

This sport-utility is unusual in that it has a car's integrated unit-body chassis and the rigid front and rear axles of a rugged off-road vehicle. That suspension setup, which also uses coil springs, provides a good ride on smooth surfaces and go-anywhere driving abilities. But it causes side-to-side pitching motions -- called "head toss'' -- on uneven surfaces.

While quick, the power steering is very sensitive, calling for frequent small corrections at highway speeds. Handling is good, and strong brakes provide good stopping power. Optional adjustable pedals make the brake pedal easier to use for someone with short legs and allow such a person to move farther from the steering-wheel air bag.

The base Grand Cherokee engine is a 4-liter inline six-cylinder with 195 horsepower. It's dated, but adequate. Much better are the available 4.7-liter V-8, which has 235 horsepower and a lot more torque and the 265-horsepower high-output version of that engine. That V-8 makes the Grand Cherokee the most powerful Jeep ever and is standard in the Overland and optional for the Limited.

The hot rod engine requires a $75 five-speed automatic transmission, but it's very responsive and superior to the four-speed automatic used with the six-cylinder engine. The five-speed unit has a second overdrive gear, which lets the hot rod V-8 loaf at 2,000 rpm at 70 mph.

The 265-horsepower Grand Cherokee is among the fastest sport-utes, doing 0-60 mph in seven seconds and providing quick merges into fast traffic and swift passing times on highways.

Fuel economy is mediocre. Both V-8s only provide an estimated 15 mpg in the city and 20-21 on highways. The six-cylinder isn't much better at 16 city and 21 highway.

Jeep kept the wheelbase of the Grand Cherokee short for good off-road use during the 1999 redesign and thus sacrificed some rear legroom and a third-row seat.

That move has cost the Grand Cherokee sales to softer, roomier and more modern sport-utes, but Jeep insists on outstanding off-road prowess. Land Rover feels the same way about its models.

Big outside door handles facilitate entry to the quiet, upscale interior. Occupants sit high, although driver vision to the rear is somewhat limited. Large outside rearview mirrors help here.

It's fairly easy getting in and out of the five-seat Grand Cherokee, although rear-door openings should be wider. There's good room up front but tight knee room for a 6-footer sitting behind a tall driver who moves his seat back a lot. However, the center of the rear seat isn't too hard for comfort, which is the case with too many sport-utilities.

Gauges can be read at a glance, and the mostly large, smooth controls are easy for a driver to operate safely. The large front seats provide good under-thigh support but not enough lateral support to hold one in place very securely when sweeping through curves. Front dual console cupholders are nicely positioned to avoid beverage spills.

The hatch has a convenient pop-up upper glass window and large outside handle that makes it easy to open. The cargo area opening is wide and moderately high. Cargo room is very good and becomes impressive with the rear seats folded entirely forward.

Fluid filler areas are easy to reach under the hood, which moves on smooth hydraulic struts.

A redesigned Grand Cherokee is overdue, but the current model has a good basic design.

2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

Prices
$27,410-$39,425

Likes
Fast with V-8s. Rugged. Large cargo area. Off-road prowess.

Dislikes
Solid but aged design. Mediocre fuel economy. Sideways rocking on bumpy roads.