A Tale of Two Jeeps: The Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler

Let me lay out a few scenarios and see if any of them apply to you: you want to buy a Jeep, you live in the Colorado Springs area, you anticipate having a lot of passengers, maybe you have kids, but you don’t want to spend your entire life savings on a new car. If any or all of these statements applied to you, then there is a high chance that you are looking for a used Jeep in Colorado Springs. “But there are so many options! Where do I begin?” Don’t worry; we are here to help.

Two of the most common Jeeps are the Grand Cherokee and the Jeep Wrangler. These are both great vehicles, but they will serve different needs. In many ways, to understand both of these vehicles, it is helpful to understand their origin and history. So, let’s learn some history. Don’t worry; it will be fun! This is not your middle school social studies class. And, hey, if you’re looking for a used car, then you’ll need to know some history. Hopefully, by the end of this, you’ll be able to better navigate your Jeep search.

From Wagoneer to Cherokee to Grand Cherokee

In 1975, Jeep introduced the very first Cherokee. This sporty little guy was based on Jeeps’ popular Wagoneer model station wagon, but it appealed to more youthful drivers with its nifty two-door design and sport steering wheel. At the time of its debut, the Cherokee was held as “the best sports utility vehicle available in America.” Bold words, yes, but the success of the Cherokee for years to come proved this statement to have merit.

The Cherokee remained closely tied to the Wagoneer when in 1984, both vehicles were transferred to unibody XJ design (and the Wagoneer became the Grand Wagoneer, foreshadowing what would later happen with the Cherokee). In other words, this new unibody model made the chassis one with the body of the car, which was revolutionary automotive technology at the time. These XJ trims were the first vehicles to offer two different 4X4 systems. These cars have maintained popularity due to stellar off-highway abilities. The Cherokee, however, made further progress than did the Grand Wagoneer, as it was 21 inches shorter, 6 inches narrower, 4 inches lower, and 1,000 pounds lighter. Up until 1988, the Cherokee was the sole vehicle among compact SUVs to provide both two- and four-door models.

Alright, now we have finally arrived at the Grand Cherokee. This vehicle literally came crashing into the market when it iconically mounted the convention center stairs and burst through the glass at the North American International Auto Show in 1992. With leading features such as Quadra-Coil suspension featuring a coil/multilink configuration, the Grand Cherokee became the new standard for SUVs everywhere, winning a whole array of awards, including Motor Trend Magazine’s Truck of the Year, Four Wheeler magazine’s Four Wheeler of the Year, and 4Wheel & Off-Road magazine’s 4×4 of the year.

The Grand Cherokee continued to evolve through the 2000s while Jeep worked to make it a more comfortable, silent vehicle. In 2011, the Grand Cherokee made leaps and bounds in its technology for both on and off-road driving with the Grand Cherokee WK trim. This trim improved the Grand Cherokee’s fuel economy, and the Trailhawk trim (which entered the market in 2017) introduced Quadra-Lift Air Suspension, Quadra-Drive II 4×4 System, all-terrain tires, and a Skid Plate Package. Additionally, the Trackhawk trim shook the SUV market with its Launch mode, Brembo brake system, Supercharged 6.2-L HEMI V engine, and modified engine cooling.

While the Grand Cherokee emerged from a station wagon design, Jeep has worked to maximize its engineering and off-road capabilities. So, that brings us to today. The brand-new 2021 Grand Cherokee is now the first to offer third-row seating. Yes, the 2021 Grand Cherokee offers three rows of seating. This, along with technology, will be the main difference between a new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a used Grand Cherokee. But, if you’re not in need of third-row seating and you’re looking for an exciting vehicle that is dynamic both on and off-road, then keep reading because the Jeep Wrangler might be for you.

The Road to the Wrangler

The predecessor to the Jeep Wrangler was the Jeep CJ. After specializing in military vehicles during the Second World War, The CJ was Jeep’s very first Civilian vehicle. Introduced in 1945, it was originally designed as a farming vehicle to replace workhorses. Even in its very first predecessor, the Wrangler was designed to be a leading off-road vehicle.

Throughout the coming decades, Jeep would refine the CJ by way of a number of different trims. A significant development for the CJ was the CJ-5 trim, which introduced the iconic roof-on or roof-off option, became a popular vehicle for fire stations, and offered a camper model and a renegade model. Next was the CJ-6A Tuxedo Park, which was a luxury version of the CJ, taking on a more stylish aesthetic. The Jeep CJ model took its final bow with the CJ-7 Laredo, noted for its chrome grille, hood emblem, and trim.

Now comes the moment you’ve all been waiting for…the introduction of the Wrangler. Yes, the Jeep Wrangler (YJ) replaced the Jeep CJ series in 1987. Its angled grille and wide track gave it a more confident appearance than its CJ predecessors, although the rectangular headlamps did not last very long. On an engineering level, the Wrangler was more similar to the Cherokee than it was to any of the previous CJ models.

The Wrangler was given a complete makeover for the 1997 TJ trim, and the round headlights were the smallest piece of this makeover. While the Wrangler was outfitted with a sentimental “retro” appearance and a brand-new interior, the real changes took place on the inside. The grand majority of the vehicle’s parts were brand new designs. Jeep enhanced the on-road Wrangler experience with the addition of Quadra-Coil suspension, while ground clearance and increased axle articulation took off-road capabilities to the next level.

In 2007, the Wrangler continued to advance in appearance and technology with the JK trim. While the Wrangler certainly appeals to those seeking a luxury SUV, its true heart is in its off-road capabilities, and this hit home with the JK trim. Certified with a Jeep Trail Rated badge, the Wrangler is guaranteed to perform highly and effectively in advanced off-road conditions based upon the following five categories: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording.

Additionally, in 2007, the Wrangler Unlimited JK trim brought all of that astonishing new technology into a mind-blowing new design with an unprecedented four-door Wrangler, including an optional open-air design. While the trim is called JK, Jeep is not Just Kidding; this is a seriously great vehicle, which was produced up through 2018 (as was the Wrangler JK), so this is by no means an old Wrangler. The 2019 Wrangler JL made significant improvements with the flexibility of open-air configurations as well as advancements with the in-cabin technology.

This all led up to the 2021 debut of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 (JL), the most powerful Wrangler yet. While this is a tremendous innovation for the Wrangler, you can see from the Wrangler’s entire history, and especially its more recent developments, that you will easily be able to purchase a used Jeep Wrangler without missing out on fantastic features.

So Which Way do I go?

Now that we’ve had some fun and learned about the history of these two Jeeps, you’re able to see the difference between these two vehicles. Start by looking at your needs. The answer will be in the history.

If you are looking for a durable, stylish car that will transport your new (but growing) family while still being able to have some fun with off-road capabilities, then a used Grand Cherokee will suit your needs nicely. After all, it originates from the Wagoneer station wagon, so it is designed for family life while still being exciting.

If, however, you intend to do some serious off-roading on those Colorado mountains and you want a vehicle with exhilarating open-air capacity, then a Wrangler will be the way to go. From its very origin with the first CJ, it was designed to be a work vehicle. The newer models, however, have made the Wrangler family-friendly with its four-door models, including second-row seating. Both of these vehicles will provide you with off-road capabilities and a family-friendly interior, but it depends on your priorities for this vehicle.