 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Click image to enlarge |
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The Jeep Grand Cherokee was introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the Grand Wagoneer and was also said to be a possible successor to the smaller Cherokee. It would end up being the former, and was sold as an upscale alternative to the Cherokee.
In 2005, the third-generation of the Grand Cherokee went on sale, wearing sharper edges than the first two versions’ styling.
The 2005 Grand Cherokee – known internally at Jeep and to enthusiasts as the WK – got a new base engine in the 3.7-litre V6 (210 hp) shared with the Liberty and Dodge Dakota pickup; this engine replaced the tough-but-thirsty 4.0-litre inline six that had powered many Jeep models for many years.
Other engine choices included a 4.7-litre V8 (265 hp to 2007, and 305 in 2008 and later models) and a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 (330 hp to 2008 and 357 hp in 2009 and newer trucks. In 2007, Jeep added a Mercedes-Benz-built 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 making 215 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque, and a high-performance variant called the SRT8 got a 6.1-litre, 425-hp/420 lb-ft version of the HEMI V8.
 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Click image to enlarge |
All Grand Cherokees from 2005 used a five-speed automatic transmission, though the SRT8 used a unique gearbox (better-suited to the engine’s high output), as well as a different four-wheel drive system.
In 2005, fuel consumption ratings (all listed here as city/highway) were 14.2/10.3 L/100 km for the 3.7-litre engine, 16.3/11.1 for the 4.7-litre, and 17.0/11.4 for the 5.7-litre V8.
2008 ratings were 13.9/10.1 L/100 km for the 3.7-litre, 15.6/10.7 for the 4.7-litre V8 (this one the updated, more powerful version), and 16.1/10.9 for the 5.7-litre engine. The SRT8’s 6.1-litre engine was rated at 19.1/14.3 L/100 km, while the diesel’s numbers were 12.0/9.0.
Jeep certainly knows a few things about building an effective four-wheel drive system, but the Grand Cherokee’s has had a few issues through the years; Consumer Reports lists the Grand Cherokee’s “drive system” as one of its most common trouble spots.
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at 9:45 am
A friend had one. A big issue was the viscous coupler in the 4WD system. Lock to lock it caused system to “bind” meaning hop. It was awful. Apparently if you search on the www the coupler fails as low as 20K and Jeep/Chrysler refuses to addresses the issue.
it is not by any means a low cost repair.
He fought with Chrysler and they ended up covering part of the labour. The part was over $2200.00
Thus this vehicle was off my hunting list for an AWD or 4WD vehile to own. I bought a Subaru. : )
at 3:12 am
My Dad had a few Grands and my sister(x Honda Pilot owner bad trans) both have Grand Cherokee’s and proved very reliable.The 2005 4.7 my sister owns has 150,000 km and never skipped a beat my Dad has a HEMI 2006 with 86,000 and never had any issues,he is buying a new one as we speak a 2009 HEMI G.C.I have noticed some people who complain of stalling vehicles do alot of low speed city driving,as my family drives 50/50 city/hwy and we seem never to have a stalling problem.I would recommend to people that drive less or in a city add a fuel additive such as stp and your vehicle will run smoother and cure alot of stalling problems.We use it once every 10-15,000 km and the Jeep with 150,000 has original spark plugs and everything.I bought a used 2005 Acura that a friend couldnt make payments for ( I recently sold it) and it was stalling and ran somewhat rough put some stp and it smoothed out after a few hundred km.The car was a low km Vancouver car never on the highway..
at 8:18 am
Lots of good info in this article…but sticker price on a 2008 or ‘09 SRT-8 is no less than $55,000 before incentives are applied, or any of the usual options (nav, SRFT option group) are added.
at 9:43 am
Hi Chrysler Sales Rep: the SRT8 price I quoted in the article was from Jeep Canada’s website. I see now that it’s different, showing a pre-incentive price of $49,995 before a discount of $12,250.
at 12:30 pm
I’ve owned two Grand Cherokees. A 2000 Laredo 4.0 and my current GC is an 05 Laredo Rocky Mtn Edition with the 4.7. Both have been reliable and I bought each when they about 2-3 years old for 1/2 the orignial sticker price. I like the GC except for the fuel economy. The real world gas mileage compares to that of a full size pickup. On the positive side, for the same price as a used Ford Escape or similar compact SUV, the GC offers real off road capability, is very comfortable, and it’s a very solid truck. The GC is a good used bargain in my opinion. It is better suited to those who do highway/city driving. It’s too heavy on gas to be a practical city runabout.
at 10:00 am
looking for a 2005 grand cherokee or laredo low mileage in price range of 17000.00 canadian dollars and in Ontario locally Hamilton, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, Mississauga or Toronto. Any help appreciated thanks.