Both trim levels offer a long list of standard features, including air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, power windows, doors and mirrors, and cruise control. For 2001, Laredo gets an appearance package that includes leather seats, fog lamps and 17-inch alloy wheels. Limited adds automatic climate control, heated mirrors, 10-way power seats with mirror memory, and an Infinity 180-watt AM/FM/cassette stereo system with CD.

Two engines are offered. Standard equipment is Jeep's 4.0-liter inline-6, which was re-engineered for 1999. It's quieter, cleaner and more powerful, producing 195 horsepower. Optional is a 235-horsepower 4.7-liter overhead-cam V8 that was introduced last year. Both engines come standard with a four-speed automatic, while a new five-speed automatic is optional with the V8. The five-speed carries a second overdrive ratio for better highway fuel economy.

Grand Cherokees come standard with rear-wheel drive, but that seems like buying a Louisville Slugger just to hit rocks. Four-wheel drive is the soul of the Grand Cherokee and three different systems are available, all of them capable.