Reviews - Jeep

Overall Rating

Jeep's finest is impressive, quick, roomy, comfortable and competent when the going gets rough. But it's thirsty unless you trade off performance against economy and choose a 2.5 TD.

• Has proved to be as tough as it looks
• Lots of space for family and luggage
• Nicer to drive than many 4x4s

• Petrol models are auto-only and thirsty
• High running costs and insurance
• V8 models are left-hand drive only

Grand Cherokee looks like a heavyweight; it's actually a fraction smaller than Discovery. It drives like a smaller car, too; it's quite nimble and doesn't suffer from as much body roll as a Disco. The cabin is comfortable with plenty of load space. There's generous equipment, with climate control and leather upholstery on Limited and Orvis versions. Ride comfort is superior to most rivals, being bettered only by luxury 4x4s like X5, M Class and Range Rover. The V8s offer smooth, lazy power that translates into rapid acceleration. However, they are appalling thirsty and are left-hand drive only - ruling them out for most buyers. The straight-six 4.0 is quick off the mark and manages about 20mpg if you're fairly light-footed. British buyers favour the 2.5 TD - only 114bhp, so it hardly sparkles on the 0-60 sprint, but quite refined and a relaxed cruiser. It's good for towing, too.

NCAP: Not tested

Best Models: 2.5 TD Limited; 4.0 Orvis

Worst Models: 5.2 and 5.9 V8 left-hand drive models

Replacement: By second generation Grand Cherokee in mid-1999

• Isuzu Trooper
• Land Rover Range Rover (1994-02)
• Mitsubishi Shogun (1994-00)