Press Kit: 2006 Jeep® Grand Cherokee, What's New for '06

2005 Model Year 

• All new Laredo and Limited 4x2 and 4x4 models with Uniframe^® construction, aluminum hood, air dam, new fascias, grilles and bodyside moldings
• Longer wheelbase and wider track for improved stability and ride
• New independent short-long-arm front suspension and new five-link solid axle rear suspension
• New variable ratio, power-assisted rack and pinion steering
• Brake Traction Control system (BTCS) (4x4 models without Electronic Limited Slip Differential)
• Optional Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• New Laredo body color grille and Limited chrome grille
• New Laredo black bodyside moldings and Limited chrome belt molding
• Automatic liftgate flipper glass
• New high-performance halogen headlamps and fog lamps. SmartBeam™ auto-dimming high-beam headlamps available on Limited.
• Power sun roof with express open and close
• Controller Area Network (CAN) electrical architecture
• 3.7-liter V-6 engine replaces 4.0-liter I-6 engine
• New 5.7-liter HEMI^® V-8 engine with Multi-Displacement System (MDS) and electronic throttle control
• 5-45RFE multi-speed automatic transmission featuring tow/haul mode and electronic range select; standard with 4-7-liter and 5.7-liter V-8 engines
• W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission with electronic range select standard with 3.7-liter V-6 engine
• Optional Vari-Lok^® progressive rear axle for 4x2 models only
• Quadra-Trac^® I full-time four-wheel drive
• Quadra-Trac^® II active full-time four-wheel drive
• Quadra-Drive^® II active full-time four-wheel drive with front and rear Electronic Limited Slip Differentials
• Hybrid (electric and engine-driven fans) cooling for 4.7-liter V-8 engine
• Hydraulic cooling for 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine
• Optional supplemental side-curtain air bags(b)
• New two-tone interior color schemes
• New Laredo eight-way power adjusting driver and manual front passenger seat with lumbar
• New driver eight-way and passenger four-way power seats with manual lumbar
• DVD rear-seat entertainment system
• Boston Acoustics six-speaker audio system with 285-watt DSP amplifier
• UConnect hands-free communications system
• Full-screen, color DVD-based navigation system with integral AM/FM stereo radio with six-disc CD/MP3 player (REQ)
• ParkSense park assist rear object detection

2004 Model Year

• Special Edition, Freedom, Columbia Edition and Rocky Mountain models introduced
• New fascia, grille and fog lamps on all Grand Cherokee models
• All models available in choice of either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive
• Quadra-Trac I single-speed transfer case introduced on Laredo (only available with 4.0-liter I-6 engine)
• New navigation radio with 4.9-inch full-color display, AM/FM stereo, CD player and DVD-based navigation system

2003 Model Year

• New high-back cloth seat standard for Laredo
• Interior upper head impact protection — meets 2003 federal standard
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child seat anchor system

2002 Model Year

• Premium Overland model
• New 4.7-liter High Output V-8 engine—Standard on Overland, optional on Limited
• Vari-Lok^® rear differential replaces rear Trac-Lok^®(a) — Optional without Quadra-Drive^®
• New tire pressure monitor system — Optional
• New rain-sensing automatic windshield wipers — Optional on Limited; standard on Overland
• Thermal expansion valve added to air conditioning system to enhance cool-down
• New electroluminescent cluster lighting — Standard on Overland and Limited
• New optional power adjustable accelerator and brake pedals
• New optional inflatable supplemental side curtain air bags for front and outboard rear seat occupants — Standard on Overland
• Air bag system upgraded with multiple threshold sensors and dual-stage inflators
• ORVR (Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery) added

2001 Model Year

• New 545RFE five-speed automatic transmission with 4.7-liter engine provides a second overdrive ratio for increased highway fuel economy and reduced engine noise at highway speeds
• Industry-first hydraulically driven engine cooling fan on 4.7-liter engine for increased fuel economy and efficiency
• New Euro-style seats with gathered leather on Limited

2000 Model Year

• Two-wheel drive available with 4.7-liter V-8 engine
• Selec-Trac^® transfer case available with 4.7-liter V-8 engine

1999 Model Year

• Complete redesign
• Quadra-Drive^® four-wheel drive system with Quadra-Trac^® II transfer case and Vari-Lok axles
• 4.7-liter, SOHC, 16-valve SMPI V-8 engine (235 horsepower, 295 lb.-ft. of torque)
• 4.0-liter, OHV, 12-valve SMPI I-6 engine upgraded (195 horsepower, 230 lb.-ft. of torque); meets LEV exhaust emission requirements in CA, NY, MA and NE Trading Region states
• 45RFE multi-speed automatic transmission
• New steering, suspension and brake systems
• Infrared dual zone climate control, Limited only
• Inside, under-floor spare tire stowage
• Next-generation driver and passenger air bags(b)
• Sentry Key^® theft-deterrent system

1998 Model Year

• Limited with 5.9-liter V-8 engine
• Improved-response steering gear

1997 Model Year

• 4.0-liter engine meets Transitional Low Emission Vehicle (TLEV) standards where required
• Two-wheel drive available with 5.2-liter engine

1996 Model Year

• 4.0-liter engine provides more usable torque and quieter operation
• On-demand Quadra-Trac transfer case available
• Driver and front-passenger air bags
• Automatic-dimming day/night rearview mirror available
• Heated front seats available

1995 Model Year

• Higher torque for 5.2-liter engine

1994 Model Year

• Four-wheel disc brakes on Limited
• Front and rear side guard door beams for side-impact protection

1993 Model Year

• 5.2-liter V-8 engine introduced
• Two-wheel drive available with 4.0-liter engine

1992 Model Year

• Initial introduction spring 1992 as a 1993 model 

(a) Trac-Lok® is a registered trademark of Spicer Technology, Inc.

(b) Certified to federal regulations that allow less forceful air bags. Always use seat belts. Remember, a back seat is the safest place for children.