First Drive: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[NFS4]

http://www.edmunds.com/new/200...wkedmunds.firstdrive.2.*

One of the biggest changes for 2005 is under the hood, where the tired, old 4.0 inline-six has been ditched in favor of the highly refined 3.7-liter V6 borrowed from the Jeep Liberty. With 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque on tap, the smooth overhead cam six provides plenty of power in Laredo models for daily driving duty.

Buyers can also step up to the 4.7-liter V8 that was introduced in the Grand Cherokee back in 1999. Now common across the entire Chrysler line, the 4.7 has been upgraded for 2005 and is now capable of putting out a refined and manageable 230 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque.

The option that really stoked our inner horsepower demon, however, is the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that has already proven its mettle in everything from the Dodge Ram to the Chrysler 300C. The big V8 pounds out an impressive 330 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. It uses the Multi Displacement System first seen in the 300C that seamlessly alternates between a smooth and efficient four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and a full V8 mode when more power demands are greater. The result is a linear power curve that provides stunning acceleration and respectable mileage numbers similar to what one would expect from a small V8. All three engines come standard with a manually shiftable five-speed automatic transmission.

 

[acemcmac]

the real question is... will the electrical system still suck 3 years down the line?

 

[EvilYoda]

I've already seen a few of the new models on the roads around here...and I gotta say, I don't like the new design as much as the last gen or the one before that. The last gen Grand Cherokee was one of my favorite SUVs before the whole "high-end SUV" craze got started.

The ride was decent from what I remember, but I guess you buy a Jeep for reasons other than entirely comfort and looks.

 

[Heisenberg]

One of the biggest changes for 2005 is under the hood, where the tired, old 4.0 inline-six has been ditched in favor of the highly refined 3.7-liter V6 borrowed from the Jeep Liberty.

Hmmm...not sure I'd call one of the toughtest I6's ever made "old and tired". The new 3.7 may be higher tech, but the 4.2/4.0 I6 was just rock-solid.

 

[Goosemaster]

hideous...

 

[Pocatello]

I'm like the old 4.0L inline six, even if it sounds like a John Deere tractor.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
hideous...

Seconded

 

[Demon-Xanth]

So the Grand Cherokee gets the Hemi, but the Dakota continues on being the bastard child...


...bastards...

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
So the Grand Cherokee gets the Hemi, but the Dakota continues on being the bastard child...


...bastards...

I thought I heard that the new Dakota would probably get the Hemi in an R/T model. Not true?

 

[JDub02]

been waiting for this review .. my dad has been thinking about going back to a Jeep GC

 

[iamwiz82]

What an abomination. :frown:

 

[JDub02]

wow .. after reading the review, I'm quite impressed. I'm hoping my dad gets one .. that means I can buy it off of him 2 years later.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg

One of the biggest changes for 2005 is under the hood, where the tired, old 4.0 inline-six has been ditched in favor of the highly refined 3.7-liter V6 borrowed from the Jeep Liberty.

Hmmm...not sure I'd call one of the toughtest I6's ever made "old and tired". The new 3.7 may be higher tech, but the 4.2/4.0 I6 was just rock-solid.

I'm with you. I had a 94 and a 97 Grand Cherokee, both with the 4.0 I6. That engine was tough as nails and had tons of torque down low. The rear springs maxed out well before the motor when towing.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: DougK62

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
So the Grand Cherokee gets the Hemi, but the Dakota continues on being the bastard child...


...bastards...

I thought I heard that the new Dakota would probably get the Hemi in an R/T model. Not true?

They don't want to make modifications that they probably really don't have to do and should've been in place from the get go.


...I've seen Hemis (426-528...) placed in the Gen 3's w/o the modifications that Dodge says the Gen 4's need for the new Hemi.

 

[rh71]

JEEP: That front grille has to go.

 

[CombatChuk]

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: Heisenberg

One of the biggest changes for 2005 is under the hood, where the tired, old 4.0 inline-six has been ditched in favor of the highly refined 3.7-liter V6 borrowed from the Jeep Liberty.

Hmmm...not sure I'd call one of the toughtest I6's ever made "old and tired". The new 3.7 may be higher tech, but the 4.2/4.0 I6 was just rock-solid.

I'm with you. I had a 94 and a 97 Grand Cherokee, both with the 4.0 I6. That engine was tough as nails and had tons of torque down low. The rear springs maxed out well before the motor when towing.

The 4.0 I6 was one of the most bulletproof engine. Jeep had to let it go since they were finding it difficult to get it pass emissions.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: CombatChuk

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: Heisenberg

One of the biggest changes for 2005 is under the hood, where the tired, old 4.0 inline-six has been ditched in favor of the highly refined 3.7-liter V6 borrowed from the Jeep Liberty.

Hmmm...not sure I'd call one of the toughtest I6's ever made "old and tired". The new 3.7 may be higher tech, but the 4.2/4.0 I6 was just rock-solid.

I'm with you. I had a 94 and a 97 Grand Cherokee, both with the 4.0 I6. That engine was tough as nails and had tons of torque down low. The rear springs maxed out well before the motor when towing.

The 4.0 I6 was one of the most bulletproof engine. Jeep had to let it go since they were finding it difficult to get it pass emissions.

Yep, that and the noises that it made scared customers (i'm serious). Sounding like a diesel on cold mornings always puts a smile on my face

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The story that I heard was that the I-6's tooling wore out.

 

[CombatChuk]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The story that I heard was that the I-6's tooling wore out.

I heard that too. But wouldn't they be able to recast the engine molds?

 

[Rogue]

All I know is that my I-6 in my '04 JGC sucks on gas mileage. I average about 16mpg and compared to the V-6 in my '02 Dodge Stratus which averages about 26mpg, that's pretty sad. Oh well, that's why I'm leasing the Jeep.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Rogue
All I know is that my I-6 in my '04 JGC sucks on gas mileage. I average about 16mpg and compared to the V-6 in my '02 Dodge Stratus which averages about 26mpg, that's pretty sad. Oh well, that's why I'm leasing the Jeep.

Yah, the 4.0 wasn't very fast or efficient .. but you could run them for 250k+ miles if you maintain them.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The story that I heard was that the I-6's tooling wore out.

It is still being used in TJs.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The story that I heard was that the I-6's tooling wore out.

It is still being used in TJs.

Until their redesign in a year or two. I'd love to see a little turbodiesel in the TJ. The crawling torque would rock!

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
The story that I heard was that the I-6's tooling wore out.

It is still being used in TJs.

Until their redesign in a year or two. I'd love to see a little turbodiesel in the TJ. The crawling torque would rock!

2006 is the redesign.