By 1997, the success of Jeep’s Grand Cherokee line had grown fairly evident. Sales of the corporate’s latest wagon had outdated all expectations, with greater than a quarter-million models moved throughout the 1996 mannequin 12 months alone. Nonetheless, after half a decade in manufacturing, the Grand Cherokee’s recognition confirmed no signal of faltering, because the domestic SUV market solely continued to develop.
Throughout its first a number of years of manufacturing, the Jeep Grand Cherokee underwent solely modest revisions, a lot of which had been geared toward enhancing upon the wagon’s record of luxurious facilities and enhancing general experience high quality. A variety of specialty trim packages had been additionally added to the Grand Cherokee lineup, in a bid to keep up client curiosity. This is a pattern that might finally carry over into the 1997 mannequin 12 months, throughout which era Chrysler would amend the Grand Cherokee lineup as soon as extra.
A Premium Jeep For Every Occasion
Credit: jeepexperts.comThough modifications to the Grand Cherokee had been few and much between for 1997, Jeep did start providing a brand new trim bundle, often called the TSi mannequin. This bundle included a sport suspension system, premium leather-based inside, and upgraded stereo system, and aluminum-alloy wheels. TSi-model Grand Cherokees had been priced barely above the returning Laredo, but beneath the top-tier Limited mannequin.
The 1997 mannequin 12 months additionally served as the ultimate outing for the Orvis-Edition Grand Cherokee. This specialty bundle included a full-time Quadra-Trac four-wheel drive and was painted in Moss Green livery. The Orvis-Edition Grand Cherokee additionally featured two-tone cream/inexperienced leather-based upholstery, in addition to specialty “Orvis” flooring mats. However, this partnership would finally run its course, resulting in the discontinuation of the Orvis-Edition Cherokee previous to the 1998 mannequin 12 months.
Subtle Tweaks
By 1997, the Jeep Grand Cherokee had entered its sixth 12 months of manufacturing. Those on the helm of Chrysler knew that continued development would turn out to be obligatory, in the event that they hoped to stay aggressive with different SUVs of the period, resembling Ford’s Explorer. Therefore, plans for the manufacturing of the second-generation Grand Cherokee had been positioned in movement. As a consequence, the one minor tweaks had been made to the first-generation Grand Cherokee throughout its closing years, with the 1997 mannequin being no exception.
The 4.0 Inline-Six continued its reign because the Grand Cherokee’s base-powerplant, and by this time, had gained fairly the status for reliability. However, these searching for further efficiency might at all times spring for the optionally available 5.2-liter V8, which produced 220 horsepower, and 300 lb.-ft. of torque. Ironically, 1997 served as the primary 12 months during which the Grand Cherokee’s V8 may very well be optioned with out a 4WD drivetrain, thereby boosting gasoline economic system for customers who didn’t require a number of off-road capabilities.
Outside of the introduction of Jeep’s all-new TSi bundle, further modifications for the 1997 mannequin 12 months included upgrades to the Grand Cherokee’s anti-lock brakes, carpet, and stereo system, in addition to purposeful modifications to the wagon’s tilt-steering column. Consumers might additionally choose from eight new paint colours launched earlier than 1997 manufacturing, all of which now obtained anti-chip paint therapy.
Credit: jeepexperts.comUnyielding Popularity
The 1997 mannequin 12 months illustrated the rising recognition of the Jeep Grand Cherokee fairly vividly. For the third straight 12 months, gross sales numbers exceeded the 250,000 unit mark, additional validating Jeep’s entry into the full-size SUV marketplace. Though this market continued to be dominated by Ford’s Explorer, the Jeep Grand Cherokee served because the extra viable choice for these searching for sturdy energy and opulent facilities, all with out compromise to off-road functionality.
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Specifications
| Engine | 4.0L Inline 6
5.2L V8 |
| Horsepower | 185/220 horsepower |
| Torque | 220/300 lb-ft torque |
| 0-60 MPH | 9.1 sec |
| Quarter Mile Time | 16.9 sec |
| Weight | 3,790 lbs |
| Price | $25,545/$27,515 Laredo/4WD
$31,360/$33,790 Limited/4WD $27,695/$29,665 TSi/4WD
|
| Production Numbers | 277,789 |
Credit: jeepexperts.comAvailable Exterior Colors
The 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee was accessible in Deep Amethyst, Dark Rosewood, Forest Green, Candy Apple Red, Chargold 2 Stain Glow, Moss Green, Flame Red, Bright Platinum, Stone White, Opal, Black, Red, Light Quartz, Dark Quartz, Dark Director, and Limited Gold.
Available Interior Colors
The 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee inside was accessible in Light Slate, Dark Slate, Camel, Agate, and Camel/Moss Green.
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Video
We discovered an incredible video concerning the ’97 Jeep Grand Cherokee.