Item: Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 1999 - 2005
Rating: 3
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

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Jeep only makes SUVs, but it has plenty of them for you to choose from. So, whether you want something rugged enough to ford streams and climb mountains, or a more luxurious and family-friendly car, it has something to suit you.

Despite its all-American image, Jeep is actually owned by Fiat, meaning Jeeps often share parts with cars from the Italian giant; the entry-level Renegade, for example, has plenty in common with Fiat’s 500X.

However, perhaps the most widely recognised Jeep is the Wrangler, a model that has a dedicated fan base and which closely resembles the original Jeep which saw service in World War 2.

The brand’s future plans include new small and large SUVs, plus the introduction of fully electric models.

JEEP

GRAND CHEROKEE

It's great if you want an off-roader, but more road-focused 4x4s show up its limitations

Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 1999 - 2005

The most attractive thing about the Grand Cherokee is its price. Compared with a similarly equipped Mercedes M-Class or Land Rover Discovery of the same age, it's a cheaper car to buy.

Running it, however, is a different matter entirely, with fuel economy a particular problem. None of the petrol engines returns more than 20mpg, and while that's on a par with other V8 4x4s, the smaller six-cylinder engine in, say, a Mercedes M-Class will cost you less.

Insurance costs are also higher than you would have to pay on a contemporary Land Rover Discovery, but servicing costs are pretty much par for the course for a big 4x4.

However, if you need unscheduled maintenance, prepare for a big bill. Although Warranty Direct tells us labour rates at Jeep dealers are only a little above average, average bills for Jeeps are among the highest of all makes', even above those for Land Rovers.

It's great if you want an off-roader, but more road-focused 4x4s show up its limitations

Because this is a genuine off-roader, a diesel engine is the obvious choice. However, the only diesel worth considering - the 2.7-litre unit from Mercedes - didn't arrive until the end of the 2001. It's far better than the thirsty, unrefined 3.1-litre unit that it replaced.

On older cars, you're better off with the 4.0-litre petrol engine. Not only is it better than the diesel, it's also cheaper to buy, although you may be put off by the fact that you'll struggle to manage 20mpg. Even so, it's good enough to make the 4.7 V8 seem a pointless expense.

The impressive levels of equipment across the range mean you'll never feel short-changed with a Grand Cherokee, and early cars came only in lavish Limited trim. This remains the trim to choose on any age of car, even over the Sport and luxury Overland (with leather seats and CD multichanger), which joined the range later.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Logical and beautifully built interior, with great infotainment</li> <li>More than enough space for five passengers or, even better, seven</li> <li>Strong performance along with impressive efficiency</li> <li>Composed handling that limits any feeling of unwieldiness</li></ul>

We class a luxury SUV as being anything where our pick of the range costs more than £45,000 – and at this price point, buyers' expectations are high. So, as well as all of the qualities that make regular SUVs such well-rounded choices –&nbsp;such as decent space for passengers and luggage, a classy interior and robust materials – we also want a cosseting ride, the latest driver assistance technology and enough space to really stretch out.

The Land Rover Discovery proves that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a luxurious SUV, but if you've got a bit more to spend, the Audi Q7 is perennially popular among buyers, and with good reason. Or, at the very top of this market, there are newer additions such as the BMW X7 to consider.

Luxury SUV

Warranty Direct warns of some problems that could be expensive to fix. The automatic gearbox can give up the ghost after six years and 60,000 miles, and both the air-con and front wheel bearings are weak points.

Overall, Warranty Direct says there are far more claims than average on Jeeps, more even than on Land Rovers, and considerably more than on Mitsubishis. The smaller Cherokee's 110th place finish in the 2005 JD Power survey (out of 124), also does little to calm the nerves of potential buyers.

Four recalls have affected the Grand Cherokee: there was a problem with faulty fuel gauges on cars built after February 1999; some cars built before the end of that year had possible problems with the front brakes; there was a risk of debris on the exhaust causing under-bonnet fires on some cars built in 2001/2002; and on others built in 2002, it was possible that the side airbag might not work properly.

The Grand Cherokee shows only too clearly how the 4x4 market has changed. In 1999 and 2000, it was top of many people's tree, but it was quickly overtaken by the BMW X5, a new breed of 4x4 that emphasised its on-road performance.

By any standards, the Grand Cherokee remains superb off-road. But, on Tarmac, it's well behind more modern rivals. The ride never seems to settle, the steering is too light and the automatic gearbox rarely seems to be in the right ratio.

For accommodation, too, the Jeep lags behind rivals such as the X5 and Mercedes M-Class. The front seats don't give enough support over long distances and the low-set rear seat can only really take two in comfort, and even then not for long. At least the boot is a good size, though.

Used Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 1999 - 2005 review

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What's the used Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 like?