More space is available for cargo because the spare tire was moved from its upright position on the left rear side of the cargo compartment to lie down under the load floor. Climbing into the back seats is much easier than before, however, because the rear doors are wider. That hurts on the marathon runs with four fishing buddies, but you won’t notice much cramping on an evening with two couples. This makes it easy to slide into while wearing a bulky coat, but when you charge into a hard corner such as an entrance ramp that leads onto a 65-mph freeway, you may need to use the door to hold yourself in place. The bottom cushion has ridges to keep you in place, but the backrest has no lateral support. The front seats are comfortable, with thickly padded longitudinal ribs, but they seem a bit cushy for serious off-road driving. Slightly rounded edges and a subtle bulge to the roofline have done nothing to mar an instantly recognizable shape. The current model is three inches longer than pre-1999 versions but rides on the same wheelbase. There’s no mistaking it for something else. The current Grand Cherokee retains its trademark slightly slab-sided look, which has always made this Jeep one of the most handsome SUVs in a crowded segment. Four-wheel drive is the soul of the Grand Cherokee and three different systems are available, all of them capable. Grand Cherokees come standard with rear-wheel drive, but that seems like buying a Louisville Slugger just to hit rocks. The five-speed carries a second overdrive ratio for better highway fuel economy. Both engines come standard with a four-speed automatic, while a new five-speed automatic is optional with the V8. Optional is a 235-horsepower 4.7-liter overhead-cam V8 that was introduced last year. It’s quieter, cleaner and more powerful, producing 195 horsepower. Standard equipment is Jeep’s 4.0-liter inline-6, which was re-engineered for 1999. Limited adds automatic climate control, heated mirrors, 10-way power seats with mirror memory, and an Infinity 180-watt AM/FM/cassette stereo system with CD. For 2001, Laredo gets an appearance package that includes leather seats, fog lamps and 17-inch alloy wheels. Retail prices: Laredo 2WD ($27,300) Laredo 4WD ($29,270) Limited 2WD ($32,665) Limited 4WD ($35,095).īoth trim levels offer a long list of standard features, including air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, power windows, doors and mirrors, and cruise control. Two trim levels are available, Laredo and Limited. Decent around-town comfort combined with dirt-track-worthy underpinnings have helped it maintain its place in the hearts of loyal customers. It got a complete redesign in 1999 that brought a roomier, more comfortable cabin and smoother engines, which helped it win a host of industry accolades. Jeep Grand Cherokee was one of the forerunners to the current SUV craze, and it’s been around long enough that you might think of it as old news.
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