What You Need to Know When Shopping for a Used Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep has garnered a loyal following for so many reasons over the years. This renowned brand has been building powerful, adventure-ready vehicles for over 80 years. It’s no wonder that even its used models experience such massive demand. The Jeep Grand Cherokee ranks high among the vehicles that Jeep offers that loyal Jeepers love, new or used. If you’re like many folks who are in the market for a used Jeep Grand Cherokee, there are a few things you need to know to make your vehicle search that much easier. This is also a good place to start so you can get to know your future vehicle before you find it! And when you do, you’ll be able to ask the right questions to make sure it’s exactly the Jeep Grand Cherokee you want. We’ll review the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s history, some high-level info about this SUV, and take a look at some of the differences between the generations.

A New Standard for SUVs

The Jeep Grand Cherokee debuted as a midsize SUV in the early 1990s at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. It set a new standard for SUVs when it was announced. Based on the already-successful Jeep Cherokee, the Grand Cherokee was larger and more luxurious while remaining a rugged off-road-capable vehicle. The Jeep Grand Cherokee slid right into the overall Jeep culture of promoting adventure, freedom, and performance. Jeepers continue to drive the Grand Cherokee loyally, and it’s been a mainstay of the Jeep lineup since it was introduced.

One of the main differences from the start has been the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s use of unibody construction as opposed to body-on-frame construction. Where most SUVs of the day had separate bodies and frames that were mounted together during manufacturing, the Grand Cherokee’s chassis was one singular piece. This contributes to its agility and rigidness, making it a much more comfortable and sharper-handling vehicle than traditional body-on-frame models. Today, nearly every SUV has adopted unibody construction, but few have matched the Grand Cherokee’s capability.

Five Generations of the Jeep Grand Cherokee

There have been five generations of the Jeep Grand Cherokee since its introduction in 1993, with the fifth generation ongoing.

• First Generation (ZJ): 1993-1998
• Second Generation (WJ): 1999-2004
• Third Generation (WK): 2005-2010
• Fourth Generation (WK2): 2011-2021
• Fifth Generation (WL): 2021-Present

If you’re looking for a used Jeep Grand Cherokee, most often you’re going to find used versions from the fourth and fifth generations. The fourth generation saw a wide variety of powertrain options available. These included engines like a 3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, 6.4L HEMI V8, and even a 6.2L Hellcat V8 borrowed from Dodge muscle cars. The higher the trim level, the more powerful the available engine options available.

In 2014, the fourth generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee saw a major facelift and redesign. Not only did the style get revamped, but a more efficient eight-speed automatic transmission was made available. New trim levels were also added at this time, including the Laredo, Limited, and Summit.

The fifth generation, which began in 2021, brought a full refresh and a lot of new technology to the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Another major difference between this generation and the one prior was the inclusion of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, which added a third row of seats for capacity for up to seven people. If you have a larger family or intend to transport kids and their friends frequently, you should focus your search on a fifth-generation used Grand Cherokee L to get the seating space you need.

Fifth-Generation Used Jeep Grand Cherokee Trims

When you opt for a used version of any vehicle, you can often get a higher trim than if you were to get a brand-new model. However, understanding the different permutations of past Jeep Grand Cherokee models can be a little challenging. For our purposes, we’ll focus on just a few of the trim levels available during the fifth generation of Grand Cherokees from the 2022 model year through today.

Note that this isn’t a comprehensive list, as Jeep has also released several special edition and celebratory trim levels. There are also differing base models and permutations within the trim levels themselves. In addition, there are 4xe varieties of several trims, differentiating themselves by including a plug-in hybrid powertrain. However, this breakdown should help you understand the main trim levels you’ll see available as you shop.

Laredo – The Laredo is the standard entry-level trim on used Jeep Grand Cherokees. You’ll get all the power and performance from the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s build and design but with the base engine offered during the model year in question. It’s a highly practical choice for many and offers excellent capability to value.

Altitude – This trim is a step up from the Laredo, characterized by blacked-out exterior accents. It has an edgier appeal that many people find impressive!

Limited – This is a step up in the luxury category. You’ll find higher-end materials and more convenience features in the Limited trim.

Trailhawk – This trim level is configured for the outdoor enthusiast. It has excellent off-road equipment included, as well as more ground clearance than other trims.

Overland – Like the Trailhawk, the Overland is highly off-road capable. However, its goal is to blend adventuring capability with modern luxury and taste. It’ll give you a supremely comfortable ride even when you’re driving through the dirt.

Summit – This is one of the top-tier trims in terms of luxury. Extra driver-assistance technologies are often available on Summit models, as well as premium luxury appointments.

Summit Reserve – This is the tippy-top of SUV luxury. You’ll get all the best features that are available on a used Jeep Grand Cherokee in this trim. If you want to impress, this luxurious setup will impress you.

Overall Features and Functionality

No matter which pre-owned Jeep Grand Cherokee you choose, you’ll get a wide variety of versatile features. The typical Jeep Grand Cherokee can seat up to five people, though that increases to seven with the addition of a third row in the Grand Cherokee L. In the back, you’ll get plenty of storage room, varying slightly year by year. But if you need more, you can always fold down the rear seats to create a whole lot more room for your sporting equipment, projects, or luggage, depending on the need.

Newer used Jeep Grand Cherokees come with an intuitive infotainment system conveniently accessible through a digital display so you can navigate and play music to your heart’s content. And no matter what year and trim level Jeep Grand Cherokee you choose, you’ll be able to tow an impressive amount. Check the individual vehicle’s specifications first to make sure it aligns with your trailer or boat.

Buying a Used Jeep Grand Cherokee

At our dealership, we always have a rotating selection of great used Jeeps, including used Jeep Grand Cherokees! We’ve been working with and selling used Grand Cherokees for years, and our staff is well-versed in the different models and trim. We can help you understand a specific vehicle’s capabilities and the features that come with it. Each used vehicle is unique, so come down to speak with our team if you have questions! We’d love to speak with you!