The Grand Cherokee was originally launched to replace the Cherokee, but considering the strong market of the latter, Jeep kept both vehicles alive in the market. The first SUV version of the Cherokee lineup, the Grand Cherokee, was larger and comfier than its predecessor. Several advanced features like ABS and driver's side airbags made it eligible to compete with other advanced SUVs like Ford Explorer.

Debuted in 1992 Detroit Auto Show, the Grand Cherokee ZJ readily claimed people's appreciation, and by 1993 nearly 2,12,410 units were sold. The 1st Gen Jeep Grand Cherokee remained in production until 1998 and was initially launched with three trim levels; the Base or SE, Laredo, and Limited. Later in 1995, trim level Orvis and in 1997, TSI joined the lineup.

Claimed by Jeep as the 'World's Fastest Sport Utility Vehicle' in 1998, the 1st Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee had some cool features underneath its hood.

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The Advanced Convenience Features (1993 to 1998)

An Image Of A Grey Jeep Grand Cherokee
Via TheFaricyBoys.com

Based on a unibody chassis, every trim was equipped with more and more features as customers went up in trim levels. The Base or SE version was featured with full instrumentation, cloth upholstery, driver-side steering-mounted airbags, and an all-wheel anti-lock braking system. Next in the trim level, Laredo offered power windows, power door locks, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Significant upliftments on the outside were also offered, and Laredo's look was enhanced by a medium-grey lower body plastic paneling and five-spoke alloy wheels.

Being the premium trim of the Grand Cherokee lineup, the Limited version had gold exterior accents and body-colored lower body paneling. In the interior, the seats received a complete leather upholstery with power-adjusted front seats. Stylization included woodgrain interior applique and lace-styled alloy wheels. The Limited featured heated mirrors on the technology front, a driver information center with a compass, digitized climate control, an electrochromic rearview mirror, and a Jensen Stereo with a multi-band equalizer for on-road entertainment.

The Most-Advanced Grand Cherokee Limited

An Image Of A White 1st Gen Jeep Grand Cherokee
Via Jeep.com

The Limited trim was further upgraded in 1998 and named '5.9 Limited'. With an improved, more powerful engine, the 5.9 Limited was awarded the '4×4 of the Year' in 1998 by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine. This version added some more features that made it the best Cherokee before the lineup went off production. In the exterior, a wide body-colored mesh grille was added with heat extracting louvers on the hood. The exhaust was featured with a chrome tip, and the top of the vehicle received a roof rack and standard sunroof. The interior was upholstered by Calfs Nap soft leather and faux wood trim with a 10-speaker Infinity Gold sound system.

The most exciting feature present in all Grand Cherokee trims was the Electronic Vehicle Information Centre (EVIC) that monitored and provided audio-visual feedback on critical vehicle systems and faults in vehicle operations.

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The Powerful Engines Of The Cherokee Lineup

An Image Of The 1st Gen Jeep Grand Cherokee's Engine
Via YouTube / CD's Automotive Garage

Throughout its production life, the Grand Cherokee was offered various powertrains. The standard was a 4.0-liter straight-six engine producing 190 hp and 225 lb/ft torque, whereas an optional 5.2-liter V8 capable of 220 hp and 285 lb/ft torque was also available. From 1995, a 115hp 2.5-liter Turbo Diesel engine was added to the list. The final edition and the most powerful of its engine series was the 5.9-liter V8 that powered the 5.9 Limited and pushed out 245 hp and 345 lb/ft torque. This engine made the Grand Cherokee the most powerful SUV in its class.

In terms of engine power, the most notable was the Quadra-Trac four-wheel-drive system that automatically analyzed and switched to four-wheel drive from the rear-wheel drive. It detected the traction loss in wheels and directed the power to keep it moving. This feature significantly improved Cherokee's off-roading capability and aced it among its competitors.

By the end of its production in 1998, approximately 1647188 Grand Cherokees were sold, including all trim levels in every model year. The Grand Cherokee became a lifestyle icon with millions of admirers and is currently its fifth generation and still has massive popularity. Throughout its all generations, the Grand Cherokee remained a tough competitor for other SUVs in its segment. However, the first generation is still special because it laid the foundation of the legend of Cherokee.

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