A Buyer's Guide: 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ

This week's "A Buyer's Guide" focuses on the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ. If you're in the market for a midsized, family-friendly sport utility vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an SUV), and have looked at the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (dubbed the WJ generation), you may be confused about which version of it to look at and purchase. If this sounds like you, you'll be relieved to know that Vincent's Auto Reviews has prepared a buyer's guide to help you decide which Jeep Grand Cherokee to purchase:

Between 1999 and 2004, there were many models of Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ offered. Here is each model and its features:

Laredo (1999-2004): 16"x7" Alloy Wheels, Gray-Painted Bumpers and Side Cladding, A/M-F/M-Cassette Stereo (Later A/M-F/M-CD) w/ 6 Speakers, Cloth Interior, 4.0L "Power-Tech" I6 Engine, 4-Speed Automatic Transmission, Manual Front Seats, Keyless Entry w/ 2 Remotes, and Wood Interior Trim (Later Aluminum)

Sport (2002 ONLY) (Adds to Laredo): A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD Stereo w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180 Watt Amplifier, Leather Interior, and Power Front Heated Seats

Special Edition (2002-2004) (Adds to Laredo): A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD Stereo w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180-Watt Amplifier, and Power Front Seats 

Freedom (2003-2004) and Columbia Edition (2004 ONLY) (Add to Laredo): 17"x7.5" Alloy Wheels, A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD Stereo w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180-Watt Amplifier, and Power Front Seats

Limited (1999-2004) (Adds to Laredo): 2002-2004: 17"x7.5" Alloy Wheels, Body-Colored Bumpers and Side Cladding, A/M-F/M-Cassette Stereo w/ 10-Disc Remote CD Changer (Later A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD) w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180-Watt Amplifier, Leather Interior, and Power Front Seats

60TH Anniversary Edition (2001 ONLY) (Adds to Limited): 17"x7.5" Chrome-Cladded Alloy Wheels, A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD Stereo w/ 10-Disc Remote CD Changer w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180-Watt Amplifier, Sunroof, and Power Heated Front Seats 

Overland (2002-2004) (Adds to Limited): 17"x7.5" Alloy Chrome-Cladded Wheels, A/M-F/M-RDS-Cassette-CD Stereo w/ 10-Disc Remote CD Changer w/ 6 Premium Infinity Gold Speakers, 180-Watt Amplifier, Power Front Seats, Power Sunroof, 4.7L High-Output "Power-Tech" V8, and 5-Speed Automatic Transmission

Here are the changes for each year (1999-2004):

1999: New Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ introduced.
2000: No changes, carryover model from 1999.
2001: 60TH Anniversary Edition offered only for 2001, Limited model gets new wheels and new seat trim, Laredo model gets new optional wheels
2002: New safety features, new radios, Overland is new, all models get new wheels, new seat trims for all models, new 4.7L High-Output "Power-Tech" V8 Engine offered on Limited and Overland.
2003: Freedom offered, GPS navigational radio offered on some models.
2004: New front grilles, SIRIUS Satellite Radio offered on all models, Columbia Edition offered only for 2004, all 4X4 (4WD) models are now Trail Rated by Jeep.

And here are the available engines (1999-2004):

4.0L "Power-Tech" High-Output I6, 185 HP, 220 Lb. Ft. of Torque (Sport, Laredo, Special Edition, Freedom, Columbia Edition, Limited, and 60TH Anniversary Edition)

4.7L "Power-Tech" High-Output V8, 235 HP, 305 Lb. Ft. of Torque (Sport, Laredo, Special Edition, Freedom, Columbia Edition, Limited, and 60TH Anniversary Edition)

4.7L "Power-Tech" High-Output V8, 260 HP, 345 Lb. Ft. of Torque (Limited and Overland)

And the transmissions (1999-2004):

4-Speed Automatic w/ Overdrive (I6 Models)

5-Speed Automatic w/ Overdrive (V8 Models)

Available 4X4 (4WD) Systems were (1999-2004):

Two-Wheel-Drive/Rear-Wheel-Drive (4X2/RWD)

Selec-Trac I Part-Time 4WD/4X4

Quadra-Trac I Full-Time 4WD/4X4

Quadra-Trac II Full-Time 4WD/4X4

Quadra-Drive I Full-Time 4WD/4X4

You can expect to pay anywhere from $3,500.00 for a base model 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo I6 4X2 to $11,500.00 for a fully-loaded 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4X4. These vehicles are readily available by both private sellers as well as new and used auto dealerships.

-Vincent D., Vincent's Auto Reviews

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee Overview

When Jeep replaced the Cherokee XJ with the Liberty KJ (Jeep named the Liberty KJ the Cherokee KJ outside North America), loyal Jeep fans were saddened. The Liberty nameplate lasted until 2012, when it was discontinued. It was announced that Jeep would replace the Liberty KK/Cherokee KK with a whole new vehicle.

In the spring of 2013, Jeep reintroduced the Cherokee nameplate to the North American market, when it was last seen in 2001. The Cherokee KL is based on a proven Fiat platform, shared with the Alfa-Romeo Guiletta and Dodge Dart, which is a great platform to build off of. The all-new Cherokee will be new for the 2014 model year (MY), and will go on-sale in the fall of 2013.

The Cherokee features a similar design in the rear to that of its Grand Cherokee WK2 sibling, though the front end features a whole new design, with an angled front seven-slot grille that harkens back to the 1987-1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ. You can choose from seventeen-inch or eighteen-inch styled steel, alloy, or chrome-clad wheels, and all include a spare tire and spare wheel. A full-panel sliding sunroof is available on all models except the Sport.Daytime Running Lamps (DRL's) are also standard, as are Light-Emitting Diode (LED) front head and rear tail lamps.

Inside, the Cherokee features an all-new interior that it similar to that of it of the Grand Cherokee WK2, with technological innovations such as three new U Connect radios. All radios include an A/M-F/M radio, provisions for a single-disc remote CD player (a CD player is not included on any of Cherokee's available radios, and is sold separately as a $200.00 option), U Connect Hands-Free Bluetooth Telephone and A2DP Bluetooth Stereo Audio Streaming, a full color touch-screen display, iPod and USB integration, a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary audio input jack, A/V input jacks, SIRIUS-XM Satellite Radio with a one-year trial subscription from Jeep, Radio Data System (RDS), and steering wheel-mounted remote audio system and telephone controls. The U Connect 5.0BT includes these features. An available U Connect ACCESS 8.4A adds the U Connect ACCESS System with 911 Assist with a six-month trial subscription from Jeep, and capabilities for an add-on Garmin GPS navigational system. The U Connect ACCESS 8.4AN adds HD Radio, U Connect APPS, and an additional one-year subscription to U Connect ACCESS with 911 Assist from Chrysler, plus a built-in Garmin GPS navigational system. A six-speaker sound system is standard, while a nine-speaker, 506-watt, 7.1-channel, Dolby DTS II-certified premium surround-sound system with amplifier, center-channel speaker, and rear-mounted subwoofer, with equalizer settings, is available on all models except the Sport. A full Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) instrument cluster display is standard on all models, as is the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Choose from either premium cloth or luxury leather seating surfaces, depending on the model chosen. The front passenger's seat cushion flips up, as on the Dodge Dart, for extra hidden storage space. Keyless entry with security alarm is standard, though Keyless Go with a hands-free remote control system and remote starter is available with a push-button starter.

A 2.4L "World" I4 engine producing 170 horsepower is standard on all Cherokee models except Limited, and is shared with a lot of Chrysler Corporation vehicles. An all-new 3.2L "Pentastar" Variable Valve Timing (VVT) V6 engine with E85 FlexFuel capabilities and 260 horsepower is available on all models except Sport, and is standard on Limited. The engine is based on the larger 3.6L power train in the Grand Cherokee WK2 and many other Chrysler Corporation products. Front-wheel-drive (FWD/4X2) or Four-wheel-drive (4WD/4X4) is available on all models, and all models feature a class-exclusive nine-speed automatic transmission with Off-Road Crawl Ratio and the SelecTerrain System (the latter feature only on 4WD/4X4 models).

In terms of safety, the Cherokee includes many airbags in the front and on the sides, as well as in the front seats, 911 Assist feature for U Connect ACCESS, antilock braking system (ABS), traction and stability controls, and other important safety features.

The Cherokee is built at the Belvedere Assembly Plant in Belvedere, Illinois, alongside the Dodge Dart and Jeep Compass/Patriot. Pricing starts at $22,995.00 MSRP for a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2.4L 4X2, and tops out at $29,495.00 MSRP for a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2L 4X4. Loaded 2014 Jeep Cherokees can go for about the mid $30s MSRP.

-Vincent D., Vincent's Auto Reviews

Review: 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo V8 4X4

OVERVIEW:

In the early 1980s, American Motors Corporation (AMC) started a project known as the “XJC”, as a future replacement to its new 1984 Jeep Cherokee “XJ”. AMC commissioned three designers to design a compact sport utility vehicle (SUV). In the late 1980s, Chrysler Corporation bought Jeep from American Motors Corporations (AMC). In the late 1980s, Chrysler Corporation decided to replace Jeep’s aging Grand Wagoneer “SJ”, whose design dated back to the 1970s, with an all-new, midsized sport utility vehicle (SUV), and keep the compact Cherokee “XJ”, which sold in large numbers. In 1989, Chrysler Corporation showed off the Jeep Concept 1 at the 1989 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan, which would preview the exterior design for Jeep’s all-new midsized sport utility vehicle (SUV), which would go on-sale in the early 1990s. In 1992, Bob Lutz, who was in charge of Chrysler Corporation at the time, drove then Detroit mayor Coleman Young from the Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) on Conner Avenue in Detroit to the front steps of Cobo Hall, where the 1992 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) was held, and through a plate-glass window in the front of the building that was installed specifically for the all-new 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee “XJ” to drive through.

EXTERIOR:

The Jeep Grand Cherokee “ZJ” features a boxlike exterior design, with traditional Jeep characteristics, such as a seven-slot front grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and a boxy exterior design. Although called the “Grand Cherokee”, the vehicle does not share many exterior design characteristics with its compact Cherokee “XJ” sibling. The Grand Cherokee features a “Unibody” frame design, shared with its Cherokee “XJ” sibling. The Cherokee “XJ” and Grand Cherokee “ZJ” were the only sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) to feature this type of frame design at the time. Up front, a rectangular, seven-slot grille separates two large headlamps. Bumpers and side cladding panels are either black, light gray or body-colored in color with either chrome, black, light platinum, or light char gold-colored inserts. On the SE and Laredo models, white pinstripes, and on the Limited model, either light platinum or light char gold pinstripes adorn the sides and part of the rear end of the vehicle. Fifteen-inch wheels are mounted on black sidewall (BSW) or outlined white-lettered (OWL) all-season tires, and wheels are styled steel on the SE model, alloy with dark charcoal-painted pockets on the Laredo model, and waffle-like alloy with either light platinum or light char gold-painted accents on the Limited model. An exterior roof rack is available to carry cargo atop the vehicle, and the crossbars are adjustable, depending on what you want to carry in terms of cargo. Overall, for an early 1990s vehicle, the Jeep Grand Cherokee “XJ” definitely had a nicer-looking exterior design than that of its competitors.

INTERIOR:

Inside the Jeep Grand Cherokee “ZJ”, the interior is utilitarian, yet luxurious. Power features, such as windows, door locks, and front seats are available, and are all standard on most models. Choose from Jayne vinyl, Bishop cloth, or Highland Grain luxury leather seating surfaces, black lacquer or dark wood interior trim, and vinyl or carpeted door panels, depending on which model you purchase. The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) at the bottom of the center stack displays all essential information at all times about the vehicle, and full instrumentation in the gauge cluster is standard on all models. An overhead trip computer and full console is available on models not equipped with the available power sunroof. The seats are comfortable for long trips, and the rear bench seat folds flat for extra cargo space, since either the temporary, non-matching or full-sized, matching spare tires and wheels take up much of the interior cargo space in the rear (the spare tire and wheel are both covered by a vinyl cover to conceal them when they are not in use). All interior surfaces are relatively soft-touch, and Antilock Brakes (ABS) are standard, as is a driver’s-side Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) front airbag. An anti-theft ignition system is also standard, and two keyless entry remotes are available on all models.

PERFORMANCE:

Standard on all Jeep Grand Cherokee “ZJ” models is an American Motors Corporation (AMC)-designed 4.0L “Power-Tech” Inline Six-Cylinder (I6) engine that produces 190 horsepower and 220 lb. feet of torque, mated to a five-speed, Aisin-derived manual transmission is standard on the SE and Laredo models, while a four-speed automatic transmission is standard with the Chrysler-derived 5.2L “Magnum” V8 engine that produces 220 horsepower and 285 lb. feet of torque, and on the Limited model, and optional on I6-equipped SE and Laredo models. Two-wheel-drive (4X2/2WD/RWD) and four-wheel-drive (4X4/4WD) models are available for all models, with the 4X2/2WD/RWD models only being available with the I6 engine. A towing package with a rear-mounted tow hitch that can tow up to 5,000 lbs. is available. The V8 engine is very powerful, and ride quality is good, yet sometimes rough.

PRICING:

A base Jeep Grand Cherokee SE 4X2 started at around $22,000.00 MSRP. Upgrade to the Laredo 4X4 model and  the price increased to around $27,000.00 MSRP. Top-of-the-line Limited 4X4 models started at around $32,000.00 MSRP, and ran up to around $35,000 MSRP. The tested model, a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 28E Package 4X4 with the V8 engine sold for about $31,000.00 MSRP.

SUMMARY:

If you are looking for a decent family-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV) with decent power and decent ride quality, plus luxurious features, look no further than the Jeep Grand Cherokee “ZJ”.

-Vincent D., Vincent’s Auto Reviews

Mileage as Tested: 177,497.2 Miles