The Jeep Grand Cherokee was launched in the USA in 1992 and went on sale in Australia in April 1996 after being shown at the 1996 Melbourne Motor Show.

Jeep and Steyr Daimler Puch formed a joint venture in 1993 and began production of RHD (and LHD) Grand Cherokees in Graz, Austria in October 1994. The Australian cars are built in Graz and are all fitted with the 4L 6-cyl engine, 4-speed automatic gearboxes and quadra-trac transfer cases.

The Grand Cherokee is 8" longer, 5" wider and 2" taller than its less haughty sibling. It has lost the latter's sharp styling but shares monocoque construction (no chassis) and the 4L 6 cylinder engine. ABS, twin air-bags, cruise control and air-conditioning are standard. The Laredo costs $54K and the Limited $65K (automatic temperature control, extra trim, leather interior, better seats, 16" rims).

Jeep withdrew from the Australian market in 1985 but returned in 1993, launching the Cherokee locally in 1994. The TJ Wrangler will arrive in late 1996; it looks like they're back for the long run.

Go to the Grand Cherokee (current), 1999, Jeep (main) and Cherokee pages