Chrysler’s marketing folks would like you to think that the Grand Cherokee is a Jeep—and not an SUV or crossover. Reality is that this model competed, in one way or another, with such machinery as the Honda Pilot, Toyota 4Runner and Highlander, Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Trail Blazer. All were five-door, family-ready utility vehicles that offered four wheel drive and V6 power to help navigate through a slew of Canadian driving conditions.
Of course, there were some differences. First and foremost, the Grand Cherokee was exhaustively engineered to handle some serious off-road driving, unlike most of its competition. With a transfer-case and low-range gearing, this 4x4 was a ‘Trail-Rated’ ute that could climb rocks, sling slop and crawl up and down steep grades with a smile on its face. It was also the only machine in its segment available with a turbodiesel engine—making it well suited to high-efficiency towing and off-road duty. Six and eight cylinder engines were also available.
Initially standard was Chrysler’s 3.7 litre V6 with 210 horsepower and a five-speed automatic transmission. A 4.7 litre V8 was also available, with 235 ponies. The 5.7 litre HEMI V8 also hit the scene from 2007, as did the three-litre Mercedes-Benz turbodiesel engine.
Which engine is best? It’s arguably the turbodiesel. In addition to Mercedes’s experience in this type of powerplant, the three-litre unit performs comparably to the HEMI V8 while turning in mileage similar to (or better than) the base V6. Trouble is, the diesel engine does typically pose a higher maintenance bill, and will be more difficult to find in the used marketplace due to low sales volumes.
There’s no major difference in real-world mileage between the 4.7 and 5.7 litre V8 engines. If you’re towing a trailer and can’t find a Grand Cherokee ‘3.0 Diesel’, consider one of these. If you’re not towing and can’t find the turbodiesel engine, the standard V6 should be fine.
 |
| 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Photo: Chrysler) |
Of course, there were some differences. First and foremost, the Grand Cherokee was exhaustively engineered to handle some serious off-road driving, unlike most of its competition. With a transfer-case and low-range gearing, this 4x4 was a ‘Trail-Rated’ ute that could climb rocks, sling slop and crawl up and down steep grades with a smile on its face. It was also the only machine in its segment available with a turbodiesel engine—making it well suited to high-efficiency towing and off-road duty. Six and eight cylinder engines were also available.
Initially standard was Chrysler’s 3.7 litre V6 with 210 horsepower and a five-speed automatic transmission. A 4.7 litre V8 was also available, with 235 ponies. The 5.7 litre HEMI V8 also hit the scene from 2007, as did the three-litre Mercedes-Benz turbodiesel engine.
Which engine is best? It’s arguably the turbodiesel. In addition to Mercedes’s experience in this type of powerplant, the three-litre unit performs comparably to the HEMI V8 while turning in mileage similar to (or better than) the base V6. Trouble is, the diesel engine does typically pose a higher maintenance bill, and will be more difficult to find in the used marketplace due to low sales volumes.
There’s no major difference in real-world mileage between the 4.7 and 5.7 litre V8 engines. If you’re towing a trailer and can’t find a Grand Cherokee ‘3.0 Diesel’, consider one of these. If you’re not towing and can’t find the turbodiesel engine, the standard V6 should be fine.
 |
| 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Photo: Chrysler) |