SPOT.
Photo of a Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep Grand Cherokee

From Cobo Hall's shattered glass in 1992 to 707 hp in the Trackhawk.12

Researched October 30, 2026 from 36 sources

At a glance

0400800
114–707 hpPower
0150300
185–290 km/hTop speed
05001,000
298–875 N·mTorque
01,5003,000
1,621–2,540 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.238911

Engine
2.0–6.4 L gas/diesel; 4xe plug-in hybrid; Trackhawk supercharged V829
Layout
Front-engine; rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive3
Gearbox
Early ZJ: 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto; later automatics up to 8 speeds2311
Built at
Detroit, United States: Jefferson North (1992), Mack (2021)112
Units built
ZJ: 1,647,188; 1998 5.9 Limited: 14,2863

The story

AMC planned a Cherokee successor in 1983. Its XJC project drew outside proposals from Larry Shinoda, Alain Clenet and Giorgetto Giugiaro; the Grand Cherokee arrived in 1992 with a unibody when most SUVs still used separate frames.3

1992: Glass-breaking debut at Cobo Hall19921997: 1998 5.9 Limited: 6.8 seconds to 60 mph19971998: WJ unveiled: 127 carryover parts19982004: WK gains independent front suspension20042011: WK2: independent suspension all around20112014: Eight-speed automatic and EcoDiesel20142019: Trackhawk averages 257+ km/h on ice20192022: 4xe: two motors, 375 hp and a plug20222026: Hurricane four: 324 hp from 2.0 liters2026 Jeep Concept 1: 1989Jeep Concept 1Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ): 1993–1998ZJJeep Grand Cherokee (WJ): 1999–2004WJJeep Grand Cherokee (WK): 2005–2010WKJeep Grand Cherokee (WK2): 2011–2022WK2Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL): 2021–presentWL 19901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1231112
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1989Jeep Concept 1
1993–1998Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
1999–2004Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ)
2005–2010Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK)
2011–2022Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)
2021–presentJeep Grand Cherokee (WL)
1992Glass-breaking debut at Cobo Hall
19971998 5.9 Limited: 6.8 seconds to 60 mph
1998WJ unveiled: 127 carryover parts
2004WK gains independent front suspension
2011WK2: independent suspension all around
2014Eight-speed automatic and EcoDiesel
2019Trackhawk averages 257+ km/h on ice
20224xe: two motors, 375 hp and a plug
2026Hurricane four: 324 hp from 2.0 liters
  1. 1992

    Glass-breaking debut at Cobo Hall

    Robert Lutz drove mayor Coleman Young through a plate-glass window; production began at Detroit's purpose-built Jefferson North Assembly.13

  2. 1997

    1998 5.9 Limited: 6.8 seconds to 60 mph

    Introduced for 1998, the 245-hp 5.9-liter V8 version hit 60 mph in 6.8 seconds: the quickest SUV MotorTrend had tested at the time.34

  3. 1998

    WJ unveiled: 127 carryover parts

    The 1999 WJ kept only 127 predecessor parts, added a 235-hp 4.7-liter PowerTech V8 and offered Quadra-Drive to distribute traction among all four wheels.35

  4. 2004

    WK gains independent front suspension

    The 2005 range offered 3.7-liter V6, 4.7-liter V8 and 330-hp 5.7-liter Hemi options, plus a Mercedes-Benz 3.0-liter CRD V6 outside North America.36

  5. 2011

    WK2: independent suspension all around

    For 2011, a 290-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi were joined by Selec-Terrain modes and optional Quadra-Lift air suspension.2

  6. 2014

    Eight-speed automatic and EcoDiesel

    The facelift made an eight-speed automatic standard. U.S. buyers gained a 240-hp 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6; the performance model's badge changed from SRT8 to SRT.27

  7. 2019

    Trackhawk averages 257+ km/h on ice

    A flying-kilometer run on frozen Lake Baikal produced a 257+ km/h average and a 280 km/h GPS peak, setting an SUV ice-speed record.8

  8. 2022

    4xe: two motors, 375 hp and a plug

    A 2.0-liter turbo four and two motors formed the plug-in hybrid. A 240-volt charge took 2–3 hours; depleted-battery EPA economy was 23 mpg combined.9

  9. 2026

    Hurricane four: 324 hp from 2.0 liters

    For Laredo Altitude and above, the turbo four combines port/direct injection and Turbulent Jet Ignition with an eight-speed automatic.10

Every generation

  • Jeep Grand Wagoneer
    SJ
  • Jeep Cherokee
    XJ
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee
    ZJ1993–1998
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee
    WJ1999–2004
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee
    WK2005–2010
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee
    WK22011–2022
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee
    WL2021–present

Power over the years

From 190 hp to 707 hp in 25 years.

0200400600800 1995200020052010201520202025 hp 1993 · 190 hp · 4.0-liter AMC inline-six1993 · 220 hp · 5.2-liter Magnum V81998 · 245 hp · 5.9 Limited1999 · 235 hp · 4.7-liter V82002 · 265 hp · 4.7-liter High Output V82005 · 330 hp · 5.7-liter Hemi V82006 · 420 hp · 6.1-liter SRT82011 · 470 hp · 6.4-liter SRT8 production debut2015 · 475 hp · 6.4-liter SRT upgrade2018 · 707 hp · Trackhawk 6.2-liter supercharged V82022 · 375 hp · 4xe plug-in hybrid, combined2026 · 324 hp · Hurricane 2.0-liter turbo-four 707 hp Trackhawk 6.2-liter supercharged… 190 hp 4.0-liter AMC inline-six
123691011
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
19931904.0-liter AMC inline-six
19932205.2-liter Magnum V8
19982455.9 Limited
19992354.7-liter V8
20022654.7-liter High Output V8
20053305.7-liter Hemi V8
20064206.1-liter SRT8
20114706.4-liter SRT8 production debut
20154756.4-liter SRT upgrade
2018707Trackhawk 6.2-liter supercharged V8
20223754xe plug-in hybrid, combined
2026324Hurricane 2.0-liter turbo-four

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • ZJ Laredo

    Standard

    ZJ Laredo

    1993–1998

  • Standard

    WJ Overland

    2002–2004

    265 hp
  • Grand Cherokee Summit

    Standard

    Grand Cherokee Summit

    2017

  • Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

    Standard

    Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

    2017

  • Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

    Performance

    Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

    2018–2021

    707 hp
  • ZJ Orvis Edition

    Special

    ZJ Orvis Edition

    1995–1998

  • Special

    Grand Cherokee 75th Anniversary

    2016–2017

  • Limited

    Grand Cherokee 4xe 30th Anniversary

    2023

    375 hp
  • ZJ Grand Wagoneer

    Special

    ZJ Grand Wagoneer

    1993

    220 hp

  • Performance

    Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

    1998

    245 hp

    14,286 built

  • WJ Columbia Edition

    Limited

    WJ Columbia Edition

    2004

How to spot one

Look for

  • 2022: seven-slot grille, short overhangs, a tent-shaped glasshouse and trapezoidal wheel openings.17
  • ZJ: tall window frames over shallow lower doors, with no spare tire hung on the tailgate.18
  • 1999 redesign: a softened box profile, trapezoidal wheel openings and a toothy grille.19
  • 2005–2010 WK: round headlights with brows, flat-sided bodywork and no previous-style side cladding.620
  • 2022: LED headlamps with an upper light brow and black mirrors across the range.21

Year by year

  1. 1996 ZJ

    A larger grille, revised front and rear bumpers and new side cladding mark the facelift.11

  2. 2004 WJ

    Inset grilles gain vertical throats; fog lamps, where fitted, use a round design.512

  3. 2008 WK

    Revised headlights and new alloy-wheel designs mark the facelift; HID headlamps became available.3622

  4. 2014 WK2

    Smaller headlights, a body-color grille and new taillights arrive; the opening rear window becomes fixed glass.2

  5. 2017 WK2

    New grille and headlight shapes adopt the 2016 75th Anniversary look without its bronze accents.2

Don’t confuse it with

  • Jeep Cherokee (XJ)

    The Grand Cherokee is the larger, sleeker shape; the XJ Cherokee has a squarer profile.1119

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $8.5K–$93.5K2728

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$25K$50K$75K$100K 1995200020052010201520202025 Value today: $8,500–$93,500 1993 · $18,980 · US base, entry model2004 · $30,375 · US Columbia 2WD2005 · $34,690 · US Limited 4WD 5.7, base2005 · $40,415 · US Limited 4WD 5.7, tested2011 · $30,995 · US base2016 · $36,775 · US 75th 4x4, plus $995 destination2022 · $40,120 · US Laredo RWD, base2022 · $57,660 · US 4xe 4x4, base2022 · $71,080 · US Summit 4x4, tested2026 · $45,810 · US Hurricane 4, base 1993 · $18,980-$27,433 · US entry base price, 1993 model year 2023 · $32,000 · 2008 SRT8, 29k miles, BaT2025 · $10,901 · 1998 5.9 Limited, 101k miles, BaT2025 · $10,750 · 1993 5.2 Limited, 86k miles, BaT2026 · $9,750 · 1998 5.9 Limited, 86k miles, prior damage, BaT2026 · $8,500 · 2001 Limited V8, 77k miles, BaT2026 · $93,500 · 2020 Trackhawk, 4,100 miles, BaT2026 · $91,000 · 2021 Trackhawk, under 10k miles, BaT2026 · $28,750 · 2025 L Altitude X, 8k miles, BaT2026 · $9,400 · 2004 Special Edition V8, 92k miles, BaT2026 · $10,500 · 2015 Limited EcoDiesel, 94k miles, BaT $93.5K BaT, 2026
9101215161718202427282930313233343536
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1993Launch price$18,980US entry base price, 1993 model year
1993Price when new$18,980US base, entry model
2004Price when new$30,375US Columbia 2WD
2005Price when new$34,690US Limited 4WD 5.7, base
2005Price when new$40,415US Limited 4WD 5.7, tested
2011Price when new$30,995US base
2016Price when new$36,775US 75th 4x4, plus $995 destination
2022Price when new$40,120US Laredo RWD, base
2022Price when new$57,660US 4xe 4x4, base
2022Price when new$71,080US Summit 4x4, tested
2026Price when new$45,810US Hurricane 4, base
2023Auction sale$32,0002008 SRT8, 29k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$10,9011998 5.9 Limited, 101k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$10,7501993 5.2 Limited, 86k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$9,7501998 5.9 Limited, 86k miles, prior damage, BaT
2026Auction sale$8,5002001 Limited V8, 77k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$93,5002020 Trackhawk, 4,100 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$91,0002021 Trackhawk, under 10k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$28,7502025 L Altitude X, 8k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$9,4002004 Special Edition V8, 92k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$10,5002015 Limited EcoDiesel, 94k miles, BaT
2026Value today$8,500–$93,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “MotorTrend's quickest tested SUV: 6.8 seconds”
    • “257+ km/h average on Lake Baikal's ice”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 36 sources
  1. Jeep® Brand Celebrates 30 Years of Legendary Grand Cherokee 4×4 Capability and Premium Design With Debut of 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe 30th Anniversary Edition at 2022 Detroit Auto Show | Stellantis blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
  2. Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Jeep Grand Cherokee - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. The 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.9 Was the Trackhawk of Its Era motortrend.com
  5. Jeep WJ Grand Cherokee Model Updates 1999-2005 | JeepSpecs.com jeepspecs.com
  6. Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. Buying a used Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011-2018) - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  8. Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Breaks Top Speed Record For SUVs On Ice | Carscoops carscoops.com
  9. 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe PHEV Brings Limited Benefits caranddriver.com
  10. 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee First Drive: A Return to Form motortrend.com
  11. Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  12. Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  13. Jeep® Grand Cherokee: Even More Capability and Luxury for the Most-awarded SUV Ever prnewswire.com
  14. Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk review - can it out-muscle a Lamborghini Urus? | evo evo.co.uk
  15. The Jeep® Brand Celebrates 75 Years of Legendary History With Full Lineup of New Special-edition Models prnewswire.com
  16. 2004 Jeep WJ Grand Cherokee Columbia Edition | JeepSpecs.com jeepspecs.com
  17. Tested: 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit V-6 4x4 Ups Its Game caranddriver.com
  18. 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee Rewind Review: Tomorrow’s SUV, Yesterday motortrend.com
  19. 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee - Pre Owned Car Review - Truck Trend motortrend.com
  20. Tested: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD 5.7L caranddriver.com
  21. How Jeep Design and Engineering Faced off on the New Grand Cherokee thedrive.com
  22. Used Jeep Grand Cherokee buying guide: 2005-2010 (Mk3) | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  23. Jeep ZJ Grand Cherokee For Sale - BaT Auctions bringatrailer.com
  24. 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  25. Two new vehicles and a second bonus reward! ubisoft.com
  26. "The Fall Guy" Stunt Designer Chris O'Hara on Helping Create Ryan Gosling's Gonzo Performance - The Credits motionpictures.org
  27. No Reserve: 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,500 on March 11, 2026 (Lot #233,008) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. No Reserve: 4,100-Mile 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $93,500 on October 7, 2026 (Lot #267,092) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. No Reserve: 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited 4×4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,750 on March 3, 2026 (Lot #232,092) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. No Reserve: 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Special Edition V8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,400 on April 30, 2026 (Lot #240,384) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $91,000 on September 22, 2026 (Lot #264,432) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. No Reserve: 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Altitude X for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $28,750 on June 10, 2026 (Lot #246,895) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: Original-Owner 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited EcoDiesel 4×4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,500 on April 8, 2026 (Lot #236,932) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited 4x4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,901 on July 18, 2025 (Lot #201,026) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.2 Limited 4×4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,750 on May 21, 2025 (Lot #192,696) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 29k-Mile 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $32,000 on November 18, 2023 (Lot #127,958) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • jeepspecs.com
  • carsales.com.au
  • carscoops.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • prnewswire.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • thedrive.com
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • bringatrailer.com
  • ubisoft.com
  • motionpictures.org

Photo credits

Other car files