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View New Jeep Grand Cherokee Jeep has proven its ability to keep up with a world that constantly changes. They consistently make solid vehicles and have been doing so for decades. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of their most iconic models and the most-awarded SUV ever, earning top marks in categories like safety, off-road capability, and value. If you're in the market for a used Jeep Grand Cherokee, you really can't go wrong. When you get a Grand Cherokee, you're not just getting a well-rounded high-performer; you're getting a little piece of history. 1941: The Father of All Jeeps To understand the history of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, you have to go back to World War II, when the United States government enlisted the help of several companies to develop a 4x4 reconnaissance vehicle. Out of prototypes from three manufacturers, the Willys-Overland MB Jeep was born. Calling it an upgrade from horses is an understatement; at the time, the Willys Jeep was a marvel of engineering. President Dwight D Eisenhower himself described the vehicle as "one of three decisive weapons the U.S. had during World War II." That's right, those cute little Jeep Liberty's you see cruising around? Basically, war machines. A long run of success in military applications proved to translate well to the commercial market. The Jeep CJ (literally, "civilian jeep") was the first version to be available for purchase by the public in 1945, but Jeep soon expanded its lineup to include a variety of high-performance 4x4 vehicles. The production of Jeeps for use by the public really hasn't stopped since then, much to the delight of American consumers. 1974: The Cherokee A few decades and several iterations of Jeep later, the 1974 Jeep Cherokee SJ was the first to don the "Cherokee" moniker. It was a full-sized SUV derived from the Wagoneer. True to its nature as a history book regular, this Jeep became the first vehicle to be dubbed a "Sport Utility Vehicle" or SUV as we of the 21st century like to call it. The Jeep Cherokee XJ followed in 1984 as a compact SUV that can only be described as the best-looking SUV in all of human history. Its good looks are largely credited to Dick Teague, one of the most prolific automotive designers of all time. It's got a squared-off look that works better than it should, and the big wheels, ample ground clearance, and iconic Jeep grille don't hurt, either. 1992: The Jeep Cherokee Gets Grander Jeep wanted to capitalize on the popularity of the Jeep Cherokee XJ, and thus work on what would eventually become the Jeep Grand Cherokee started in 1983. It didn't come to fruition until a decade later with the 1993 ZJ model. During this delay from the drawing board to the factory, Jeep's manufacturer, American Motor Companies (AMC), was purchased by Chrysler. The entire Jeep line was fiercely competitive in the market, and AMC developed a modernized and highly effective process dubbed "product lifecycle management (PLM)" while developing the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Chrysler took note of the earning potential the Jeep had to offer and jumped on the opportunity. The 1993 Grand Cherokee ZJ was the first generation of this iconic vehicle, and it came in three trims: the SE, Laredo, and Limited. Nifty new features set the budding ZJ apart from its competitors, including a digital Electric Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) that gave drivers feedback when certain complications arose. It also displayed the direction the vehicle was headed and the outside temperature. Production of the Grand Cherokee ZJ ceased in 1998. 1999 – 2017: Generations of Success In 1999, the second generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee debuted: the WJ. This was a full redesign of the model, and the new version shared few commonalities with its predecessor – only 127 parts were carried over from the ZJ to the WJ. The 1999 Grand Cherokee also had Chrysler's then-new PowerTech V8 engine option, which was lighter and more fuel-efficient than engines found in the ZJ. It also came available with brand-new Quadra-Drive, an innovative, off-roading-friendly 4x4 system that added a new clutch pack limited-slip differential for boosted traction. It had different modes that meant drivers could trek through snowy terrain just as effectively as a mudslide. In 2005, the third generation Jeep Grand Cherokee WK was born. It featured the Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system and had even more power than its predecessors. The WK got up to 420 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque with the optional 6.1-liter HEMI V8 engine found under the hood of the high-performance SRT8 trim. However, the WK was not just about raw performance. It also introduced a new independent double-wishbone front suspension that gave it a far more comfortable and responsive ride than the old live axle. The WK2 was the fourth generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, unveiled in 2011. It was developed on a limited budget during the Great Recession, and Chrysler used the project as evidence of its profitability when requesting a federal loan. The highly-awarded new Grand Cherokee was a huge success, but repercussions of the Great Recession took their toll, and in 2014, Chrysler was bought by Fiat. 2021: The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Beyond In 2021, the fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee WL debuted with the all-new Grand Cherokee L, the first Cherokee to have three rows of standard seating. It's available in six trims, providing buyers with plenty of options: Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. Jeep likes doing things first, which explains the extravagant 19-speaker McIntosh sound system, the first of its kind in any vehicle. Despite decades of development and changing markets, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has managed to stay true to its high-performance roots. The 2021 Cherokee L is a real powerhouse with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 lbs and up to 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque with the available 5.7L HEMI V8. It can even drive through up to two feet of water! However, Jeep's rugged image doesn't exclude niceties like the back massagers in the front seats, standard in the Summit and Summit Reserved trims. It's hard to say what's next for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Jeep announced it was taking the Wagoneer off the bench for the first time in 30 years, rounding out the top end of Jeep's SUV lineup and taking some pressure off the Grand Cherokee. One thing's fairly certain; we can probably expect to see more electricity incorporated into Jeep's vehicles. The Grand Cherokee is scheduled to be available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and if the current market is any indication, Jeep will likely jump on board with electrifying its vehicles sooner rather than later. Jeep has demonstrated an uncanny ability to embrace the future wholeheartedly while remaining true to its wartime origins, resulting in an incredibly loyal fan base that is ever-growing. Jeep does not just keep up with the market; it sets trends and shapes the market. The Jeep Grand Cherokee literally made the modern SUV what it is today – who knows what we'd be calling this particular segment of vehicle today if it hadn't been for the ingenuity of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

If you're looking for a used Jeep Grand Cherokee, know that you're in good company. Why? It's a popular choice. The Grand Cherokee sublimely matches Jeep's rugged off-roading heritage with uncommon luxury features, making it a comfortable and luxurious SUV that looks equally good covered in Kentucky mud or cruising the streets of Lexington. It's truly the best of both worlds and the perfect marriage of fancy and functional. If you want to set about locating the best pre-owned Grand Cherokee for you, it's a good idea to think about which options and features are most important. Do you want two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive? Do you have a color preference? Luckily, the Grand Cherokee looks great in every color. Maybe most important is the model year. Do you want new and lightly used or something older and more affordable? Jeep's class-leading commitment to quality takes the worry out of buying a higher-mileage model. The other good news is that the Jeep Grand Cherokee has maintained its good looks and curb appeal over its entire life cycle. Even the newest Grand Cherokee has similar lines to its predecessors. Jeep knows a timeless design when it sees one, and buyers get the benefit of feeling like their older Grand Cherokee is still pretty current. Launched back in 1983, the Grand Cherokee has seen its share of redesigns. Let's take a look at the fourth generation of Grand Cherokee models, trims, and features to help you zero in on the year that works best for you. We think the Grand Cherokee's luxury features are a highlight, so we'll review those too. This generation started with the 2011 model and continued all the way through 2020. That's a long run for any vehicle and a testament to the timeless design of the Grand Cherokee. Fourth Generation Overview Launched in summer 2010 as a 2011 model, the completely redesigned fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee came out swinging with over 127,000 sold, compared with just 84,000 the previous year. It was clear from its launch that the public adored the new Grand Cherokee, and with good reason. The 2011 Grand Cherokee was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick and Consumer's Digest Full-Size Luxury SUV Best Buy. It was also Truck of the Year for The Detroit News. In fact, the Grand Cherokee is the most awarded SUV in history. For the fourth generation, Jeep put the focus on luxury. Inside, the cabin received leather and real wood trim, as well as Bluetooth connectivity and Chrysler's Uconnect system, providing 24/7 roadside assistance and other connectivity features. The available Selec-Terrain drive system allowed drivers to select between different driving modes with the turn of a dial, including Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock. Several upgrades to the Grand Cherokee's body and suspension combined to provide a more luxurious ride and a quieter, more acoustically-pleasing interior. The body design was almost completely new and focused on aerodynamics, but also rigidity. Anytime a vehicle can increase its rigidity, the effect is less road-noise, fewer vibrations, and an overall smoother ride. Jeep accomplished this by 5,400 separate welds, tightening the body's rigidity significantly from the previous generation. Jeep also added independent front and rear suspension for better handling. Available Trims The Grand Cherokee offered many different trims throughout its fourth generation. These were modified, rearranged, and sometimes discontinued, but overall, Jeep remained steadfast in its commitment to offering the Grand Cherokee in several configurations. This gave all buyers - from the budget-conscious adventurer to the urban luxury SUV seeker - plenty of choices. In 2011, the Laredo "E" was the Grand Cherokee's entry-level trim. Later, it became just the Laredo. Even at the base model level, the Grand Cherokee included several luxury features, like a five-inch touchscreen, which was replaced by a larger seven-inch infotainment touchscreen in 2017. A six-speaker audio system was also standard and included SiriusXM satellite radio compatibility. Next came the Laredo X, available from 2011 until 2013. Buyers received upgraded 18-inch aluminum wheels, leather seats (power in the front), an upgraded Alpine audio system, and several optional luxury features, like a power liftgate, navigation, and a dual-pane power moonroof. This Grand Cherokee model also offered an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine. The Limited put luxury front-and-center with a plethora of optional comfort and convenience features. These included heated and ventilated front seats with memory for the driver, upgraded luxurious Nappa leather seating, 20-inch wheels, plus everything that came with the Laredo X. The Limited showed off the Grand Cherokee's ultra-luxury side and gave buyers a solid - and more affordable - alternative to a luxury European import. Other Special Edition models and trims appeared throughout the Grand Cherokee's fourth generation. Some highlights include the very popular Trailhawk edition, which equipped the Grand Cherokee with off-roading equipment like all-terrain tires, a special Quadra-Lift air suspension, and protective steel skid plates, giving the exterior a distinctive look unique to the Trailhawk. The 2018 Grand Cherokee Sterling Edition was a 25th anniversary trim celebrating the Grand Cherokee's quarter-century milestone. It received all of the Limited trim's equipment, plus special 20-inch Heritage wheels, an 8.4-inch infotainment system in the dash with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a premium Alpine sound system with nine speakers. The Sterling Editing can be identified by its selection of unique interior color schemes and distinctive exterior badging. Grand Cherokee SRT 392 and SRT Trackhawk If you like a little performance with your luxury ride, these two high-performance models will fit the bill. The SRT 392 was available from 2012 until 2017 and reigned supreme as the highest performance Grand Cherokee in the lineup until the 2018 introduction of the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and its supercharged engine. The SRT 392 comes equipped with a high-powered 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine that put out 470 hp in 2012 and slowly crept up to 475 hp by the 2017 model year. Combined with an impressive 470 lb-ft of torque, this Grand Cherokee is a thrill-seeker's dream ride. For 2017, the SRT received some luxurious interior appointments that threatened to render its heart-thumping performance only number two on the list of accolades. Interior refinements on the SRT included saddle-colored leather seating, carbon fiber accents, and a sleek microsuede headliner above. Plenty of options were available on this beast, including a power moonroof and a dual-screen rear entertainment system - as if the rear seat passengers could focus on a movie with all that power. These luxury touches put the Grand Cherokee SRT in fair competition with European high-performance SUVs. Even though the 6.4-liter V8 engine provides a lot of vroom vroom acceleration noise, Jeep refined the cabin with active noise cancelation. This system counterbalances road noise with opposite frequencies via carefully placed microphones throughout the interior, effectively neutralizing exterior noise. Jeep outfitted the SRT with a D-shaped sport steering wheel, which is flat on the bottom, and it combines with the sport bucket seats to provide a luxury race car vibe. Overall, the fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee has the goods. If you seek a luxurious used SUV with a few extras - like performance and off-roading capability - look no further than the 2011 and later Grand Cherokee. It's almost a guarantee that within its large range of trims and variants, you'll find the best fit for your budget and driving style. Jeep makes vehicles that fit families, urban dwellers, cost-conscious buyers, and off-roading adventure seekers. The Grand Cherokee line embodies freedom of choice, and at Dan Cummins CDJR, we'll be happy to help you find your perfect Jeep.