1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Jeep's flagship sport-utility vehicle was redesigned for 1999. A new V8 engine was available. Although the wheelbase was unchanged, the Grand Cherokee's body was more than 4 inches longer and 2 inches taller. Front-seat passenger space and usable luggage capacity increased modestly. The spare tire was relocated from the cargo hold to beneath the rear floor. Laredo and Limited models returned from the previous generation, and antilock brakes remained standard. The base engine was a revised version of the prior 4.0-liter inline 6-cylinder, newly rated at 195 horsepower--a gain of 10. A new 4.7-liter overhead-cam V8, making 230 horsepower, replaced the 220-hp overhead-valve 5.2-liter V8. Both engines mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. The automatic unit on V8 models had an extra gear between second and third gears, to improve passing response and provide smoother downshifts. Grand Cherokee again offered rear-wheel drive and a choice of three 4WD systems--all usable on dry pavement. Selec-Trac, which could be shifted from 2WD to 4WD; Quadra-Trac, a permanently engaged 4WD system; and, new for 1999, was Jeep's permanently engaged Quadra-Drive, which could send 100 percent of the engine's power to any wheel at any time.