Verdict
B
Large SUV · USA · 1993-Present
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Grand Cherokee — spec data and generation history.
Years
1993-Present
Generations
4
Segment
Large SUV
Jeep's mid-size luxury SUV, on its fifth generation in the UK. WJ (1999–2004) was the first Daimler-Chrysler era car with the 4.0 inline-six and the cult 4.7 V8 HO; WK (2005–2010) brought the 6.1 SRT8 with HEMI V8 (420 bhp); WK2 (2011–2021) was the long-running Mercedes-influenced ML-platform car with the 6.4 SRT (470 bhp) and the 707 bhp Trackhawk supercharged Hellcat halo; WL (2022–Present) is the current car — 4xe PHEV (380 bhp) added 2022, plus L (long-wheelbase seven-seat) variant. WK2 SRT and Trackhawk are the cult money. WL is the family choice.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
WJ 1999-2004 → WK 2005-2010
BHP +90 bhp (top, SRT8)
Torque +130 Nm
0-60 mph -1.5 s
Top speed +15 mph
MPG +0 mpg
WK 2005-2010 → WK2 2011-2021
BHP +287 bhp (top, Trackhawk)
Torque +350 Nm
0-60 mph -1.4 s
Top speed +20 mph
MPG +5 mpg
WK2 2011-2021 → WL 2022-Present
BHP -327 bhp (no Hellcat)
Torque -440 Nm
0-60 mph +1.0 s
Top speed -30 mph
MPG +30 mpg (PHEV)
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1999-2004
WJ
→
4.7 V8 HO — 265 bhp, 0-60 in 7.5s.
Verdict
C
BHP
265
0–60
7.5 s
Top
127 mph
MPG
20.0 mpg
Used
£1,500-£6,500
- + 4.0 inline-six bombproof
- + Quadra-Drive AWD genuinely capable
- − 4.0 head cracks
- − Auto torque-converter
2005-2010
WK
→
SRT8 6.1 HEMI — 420 bhp, 0-60 in 5.0s.
Verdict
B
BHP
420
0–60
5.0 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
17.0 mpg
Used
£3,500-£15,000
- + SRT8 6.1 HEMI V8 cult
- + Mercedes-grade chassis
- − HEMI lifter tick
- − Heavy on fuel
2011-2021
WK2
→
Trackhawk 6.2 SC HEMI — 707 bhp, 0-60 in 3.6s.
Verdict
B
BHP
707
0–60
3.6 s
Top
180 mph
MPG
15.0 mpg
Used
£12,000-£72,000
- + Trackhawk 707 bhp Hellcat absurd
- + Mercedes ML platform refined
- − EcoDiesel injector
- − TIPM electrical
2022-Present
WL
→
4xe PHEV — 380 bhp, 0-60 in 6.0s.
Verdict
B
BHP
380
0–60
6.0 s
Top
130 mph
MPG
129.0 mpg
Used
£42,000-£75,000
- + 4xe PHEV 26-mile EV range
- + L (long-wheelbase) seven-seat option
- − No more Hellcat
- − Software bugs early
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1999-2004 · WJ
- 4.0 inline-six head crack
- Auto torque-converter
- Rear-end pinion seal
- Heater core failures
2005-2010 · WK
- HEMI V8 lifter tick
- Auto fluid neglect
- Electrical gremlins
- Air-spring failures
2011-2021 · WK2
- Air-spring compressor failure
- TIPM electrical module
- 3.0 EcoDiesel injector
- SRT brake-booster recall
2022-Present · WL
- Software bugs early
- 4xe PHEV battery thermal
- Uconnect crashes
- Cabin trim variability