Jeep has expanded the Grand Cherokee line to five for 2004: Laredo ($27,260), Limited ($32,190), and Overland ($37,015) continue. A new Special Edition model has been added along with a new Freedom Edition. All come standard with two-wheel drive, but we recommend looking elsewhere if you want a two-wheel-drive vehicle.
Four-wheel drive is the soul of the Grand Cherokee and it would be a crying shame to order one without it. Four-wheel drive is available for all five models: Laredo ($29,230), Special Edition, Freedom Edition, Limited ($34,620), and Overland ($39,275).
A 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine comes standard on the Laredo, Special Edition, Freedom Edition, and Laredo. This inline-6 with overhead valves is rated at 195 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder comes with a four-speed automatic. A 4.7-liter overhead-valve V8 is available that develops 235 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and comes with a five-speed automatic transmission.
A high-output version of the 4.7-liter V8, with 265 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, is standard on Overland and optional on Limited, Special Edition, and Freedom Edition models. The V8 comes with the five-speed automatic transmission plus Goodyear Wrangler Eagle ES P235/65R17 tires.
Laredo, the base model, comes with a high level of standard equipment, including a six-speaker Infinity sound system with CD player, cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver seat, tilt steering, cruise control, and power windows, mirrors and locks.
The new two special edition models are essentially packages added to the Laredo. These packages may vary, so what you see on the dealership lot may not exactly reflect what we're able to report here. The Special Edition features the monochromatic exterior design cues of the Limited model, plus fog lamps and an AM/FM/ cassette/10-disc CD audio system with Infinity speakers. Special Edition 4WD models are upgraded with the Quadra Trac II transfer case. The Freedom Edition adds high-back cloth seats with Jeep logo embroidery on driver and passenger seat backs and chrome tow hooks.
More luxurious is the Limited model, which adds leather upholstery, automatic dual-zone climate control, fog lights, universal garage door opener, low-back bucket seats, and other features. A 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, a memory function for the driver's seat and mirrors, and other features are available in option packages.
Overland adds satin-silver aluminum wheels and metallic-painted side rock rails. Inside you'll find an exclusive Dark Slate suede leather interior with redwood burl accents and embroidered floor mats. Overland comes with a 10-disc CD changer and express-open power sunroof. Ceiling-mounted side-curtain air bags are standard.