HEMI Powered SUV Belts-Out Performance The
Jeep Grand Cherokee has a remarkable history of successfully blending car-like comfort with off-road ruggedness. For
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| The redesigned 2005 Grand Cherokee Limited pushes the thresholds of refinement and 4x4 capability. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
2005 the completely redesigned Grand Cherokee Limited pushes the opposing thresholds of refinement and 4x4 capability even further. This is the third incarnation of the sturdy midsize SUV since its introduction in 1993; the 1999 to 2004 generation enjoyed immense success during its five-year production run. Although often considered the icon of 'Yuppie' lifestyle, research shows that the Cherokee line of SUVs sees more off-road usage than any of its competition.
To the non-Grand Cherokee fan, spotting the outward changes for '05 may be difficult due to the retention of many fundamental Jeep characteristics, such as the six-slat grille and angular wheel cutouts. For the rest us, a
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| Research shows that the Cherokee line of SUVs sees more off-road usage than any of its competition. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
quick glimpse will reveal revised sheet metal, larger head and taillights, and most welcome of all, the absence of plastic body-side cladding. Not only has the Grand Cherokee matured in appearances, it has grown in size. An extra 90 mm (3.5-in) of curbside is needed to slot the new guy into a parking spot. At 4,742 mm (186.6 in), it is almost identical in length to the Buick Rendezvous (a vehicle I would have previously considered smaller than the Grand Cherokee) and three inches shorter than the Ford Explorer. This is a very functional size for an SUV.
