2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Grand Cherokee has aged almost as well as a fine wine, but its competition has grown to be more rounded and modern-looking over the years. The Jeep's last redesign brought an angular look with long, straight lines and a sharp profile that might be polarizing for some.

Inside, the Jeep’s cabin is simple and laid out intuitively. The updated gauge cluster offers bright LED backlights, and all controls, buttons, and displays are easily visible from nearly any spot in the cabin. Top trims get rich leathers and wood-grain accents that make the Grand Cherokee feel like a near-luxury liner.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s ace in the hole is its breadth of available powertrains. The base 210-hp 3.7-litre V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission pair well to move around town and hit highway speeds with ease, and when the pavement ends, the gasoline engine's decent low-end torque help the Jeep climb over nearly any obstacle. The uprated 305-hp 4.7-litre V8 has been gifted more power and torque than before, while the 330-horsepower 5.7-litre HEMI V8 can feel like overkill at times.

The Grand Cherokee SRT8 performance model takes things even further with its 420-hp HEMI, making for an exhilarating test drive. The SRT8 is not as spry as a Porsche Cayenne, or as smooth as a Land Rover Range Rover, but the Jeep has a rowdy personality that makes it a unique and entertaining ride. The four-wheel-drive (4WD) systems give it the ability to corner and grip much better than is expected from a vehicle of its size. Three 4WD systems are available: Quadra-Trac I, a full-time system with a 48/52 front-to-rear torque split; Quadra-Trac II, which equips a two-speed transfer case; and Quadra-Drive II, which includes a full-time transfer case with electronic limited-slip differentials. On the Overland trim, a skid plate for the transfer case is added. Electronic active 4WD is used on the SRT8.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Mercedes-sourced turbodiesel engine provides excellent torque and fuel economy.

Handling usually suffers when off-road performance is in the mix, but it’s not all bad for the Grand Cherokee. There’s a bit more body roll than you might get in other SUVs, but it's nothing to write home about.

The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee can do many things well, but it does have a few notable issues. Its cabin is cramped and is filled with an awkward mix of hard plastics and low-rent materials that are at odds with its price tag. The front seats are wide, deep, and well-cushioned, but some will find them too flat to be comfortable for long rides.

The back seat provides legroom that's closer to what is found in midsize sedans than in family SUVs, and it’s positioned low to the floor, which can cause knee pain for taller passengers on long trips. As a result, the Grand Cherokee is much better suited for four passengers instead of the advertised five-person seating capacity. The good news is that adding the optional sunroof doesn't destroy the headroom, at least.

The Jeep’s rear doors are large and have a square shape that makes entry and exit much easier. The doors’ size also makes loading and unloading kids much easier. Thanks to the Grand Cherokee’s gently sloped roof, there’s plenty of headroom, which reduces the chances of bumped heads and angry kids.

While there's a lack of small-item storage, the Jeep's cargo area is large enough to carry several suitcases or carry-on-sized bags.

Standard tech features for the 2008 Grand Cherokee include a CD player, MP3 playback, an auxiliary input jack, air conditioning, six speakers, power windows, power locks with keyless entry, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth, and Sirius XM satellite radio. Optional features include a backup camera, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, a navigation system, voice controls, a six-CD changer, a DVD player, power-adjustable pedals, and rear-seat audio controls.

Jeep’s MyGig entertainment system, audio, and technology functions are quite intuitive and easy to use when the SUV is in motion. Buttons, controls, and displays are all clearly labeled, making the system simple with almost no learning curve.

The 2008 Grand Cherokee was awarded the top "Good" rating in moderate-overlap front crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it got the same rating for head restraints and seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the Grand Cherokee five stars in front and side crash tests, and three or four stars for rollover resistance, depending on the drivetrain configuration. That’s not an unusual result for SUVs, due to their higher centres of gravity.

Standard safety features for 2008 include an electronic stability control system, traction control, dynamic braking assistance, four-wheel disc brakes, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, a rear anti-roll bar, an ignition disable system, an occupancy sensor, front- and side-curtain airbags, height-adjustable safety belts, and seatbelt pre-tensioners. Hill-descent control is equipped on higher trims.

The 2008 Grand Cherokee’s starting price of just over $40,000 buys a vehicle that is capable and decently equipped, but the competition is fierce. Other SUVs may lack the Jeep’s off-road capabilities, but many offer a longer list of standard features, a more spacious interior, and better fuel economy. The Jeep’s most compelling feature is its enormous list of powertrains and feature choices shared with the Chrysler and Dodge family of vehicles. Not many other automakers would even consider offering so many configurations, but Jeep does, and that’s the Grand Cherokee’s big selling point.

It’s not surprising that the Grand Cherokee struggles in the gas-mileage department, especially when either of the two giant V8 engines is thrown into the mix. Fuel economy varies from 12.0 to 19.1 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 9.0 to 14.3 L/100 km on the highway, depending on the engine selected.

Note: Images show a US model.