2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review: Smaller Than the Earlier Models, But Otherwise an Improvement

The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is everything you expect of a Jeep. It’s great at off-roading, and bad at everything else. Powerful and fun to drive, but inefficient, prone to early breakdown and expensive repairs, and rough on the posterior. But, only Jeep makes a Jeep.

Is the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – It’s an 8/10 if you’re making it your weekend vehicle. If you’re going to use it as a daily driver, it’s a 5/10.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Jeeps have never been the most comfortable vehicles to drive but they’re at least roomy. Except for this one, which comes in a few cubic feet short of the 2004 model, and offers limited headroom for taller drivers.
• Reliability 6/10 – You’re probably only going to get around 50,000 miles out of a used Grand Cherokee, and you’re going to be paying for a lot of little repairs along the way.
• Safety 7/10 – Standard safety features like power anti-lock brakes and occupant sensing airbags are generous for 2005, even if they’re hardly cutting edge by modern standards.
• Gas Mileage 6/10 – With the most efficient models getting just 17/22 miles to the gallon, city/highway, it’s a mid-size SUV that feels like a full-size at the pump.
• Value 6/10 – Sticker prices are fair, but exorbitant maintenance and refueling costs will make up the savings faster than you can say “what is it THIS time?”

What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Consumer Reports found the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee to be an improvement over earlier models, but still underwhelming, with a V6 engine that doesn’t quite deliver the horsepower you expect at such a low MPG, a wide turning radius, and a low ceiling.

Kelley Blue Book users give the 2005 Grand Cherokee an 88% recommendation. They cite the all-wheel performance as the main attraction, and high cost of ownership as the biggest shortcoming, with loads of mechanical and electrical problems to fix on a near monthly basis.

Edmunds liked the strong engine choices, the best-in-class offroad performance, and the generous standard safety features. They didn’t like the hard plastic interior, and they found the cargo space coming up short.

What Common Problems Does the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Have?

The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s long list of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints is led electrical issues making up 919 of 2,039 total. The main problem here is ignition failure, despite a recall in 2014 to address the SUV shutting down if you bump the key with your knee.

Structural issues make up 405 of the Grand Cherokee’s complaints, with drivers reporting sunroof leaks, broken door handles, busted AC blend doors, and loads of cracks and tears in the interior. In short, the overall build quality of the interior is poor, and it hasn’t stood the test of time.

There are quite a few powertrain and engine complaints on file, at 252 and 130, respectively. One of hte biggest problems being reported sees the vehicle overheating. This is usually linked to a 2005 recall for water entering the transmission, purging the transmission fluid and potentially starting an engine fire.

The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee has just 5 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which isn’t a lot for a vehicle released roughly twenty years ago. But, considering that there are more than 2,000 user complaints on file, maybe a few more recalls are in order.

How Long Will the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Last?

Drivers have reported total engine and powertrain failure with mileage as low as 130,000. But if you’re fastidious about maintaining your vehicle, and if you can get the recalls taken care of before the overheating problems set in, you should expect a minimum mileage of 200,000.

RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $666, with new diesel injection pumps being the most expensive common fix starting at around $946.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology onboard the 2005 Grand Cherokee is pretty basic. You’ve got a CD player in the base Laredo model and a 6-disc changer and MP3 player in the high-end Limited. Remember, iPhones were still a few years off at this point, so phone connectivity wasn’t an option yet.

Safety features are dated, but generous enough for a 2005 SUV. You’ve got power anti-lock brakes and multistage airbags with occupant sensing as standard features. Nothing too cutting-edge, but none of these features were a guarantee in 2005.

Is the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee a Good Value?

The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a decent value if you’re looking at the sticker price. The Laredo typically lists at around $4,742 with under 160,000 miles on the odometer, and a Limited lists for around $5,243. These are roughly median prices for a 2005 mid-size SUV.

Cost of ownership is where it starts to get pricey. You’re going to be spending around six, seven hundred dollars a year in routine maintenance, and you’ll be lucky if you get 20 miles to the gallon. And, the 2005 Grand Cherokee usually breaks down before 250,000 miles.

What are the Different Models of the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is offered in just two trims, being the base Laredo and the high-end Limited.

With the entry-level Laredo you’re getting:

• Cloth seating 8-way power driver seat
• Power windows and door locks
• CD changer with 6 speakers
• Manual air conditioning
• Remote keyless entry

The top-of-the-line Limited adds:

• Leather seating
• Fog lights
• Heated mirrors
• Dual zone automatic air conditioning
• Leather wrapped steering wheel
• MP3 player with 6 Boston Acoustics speakers

What Engines Come In the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

• The Laredo model is packed with a 3.7L Power Tech V6 engine delivering 230 horsepower and 290 lb.-ft. of torque, averaging 17/22 miles to the gallon, city/highway. The engine is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission, and configured in rear/four wheel drive. Towing capacity maxes out at 3,500 pounds.
• In the Limited edition you’ll find a 4.7L V8 delivering 325 horsepower and 370 lb.-ft. of torque at an average MPG of 15/20. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic, configured in rear/all wheel drive, and can tow up to 6,500 pounds.

What Colors Does the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Interior space in the 2005 Grand Cherokee is decent. You’ve got 60 inches of rear hip room and 40 inches of front head room, which is enough to call it a mid-size SUV, but some drivers find the seating a bit tight.

And then you’ve got the off-road suspension. It works wonders when you’re crawling over rocks, sand, mud, and tree stumps, but it’s a bit stiff for daily driving. On the upside, it’s held up well over the years, with just 22 NHTSA complaints on file for the shocks and struts.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Have?

The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers adequate cargo space. You’ve got 34.53 cubic feet in the back, or 67.4 cubic feet with the seats down. This is a few cubes short of the 2004 model, and weighs in on the smaller end of mid-size SUVs for this model year.

You’ll have enough space for the cooler, the charcoal grill, and whatever camping and fishing equipment you’re bringing for a weekend excursion, but you’re going to need to borrow a truck if you plan on moving any furniture.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee was the first model year in the 3rd Generation, or the WK Grand Cherokee, retired for the WK2 with the 2011 model year..

2002: Jeep launched the Overland model in 2002, with leather seating, wood trim setting, and premium audio features.

2003: GPS navigation was added for 2003.

2004: No major changes for 2004, but the SUV did get some new fascias and neat Trail Rated 4×4 badges on the four wheel drive models.

2005: Rather than a total overhaul, the 3rd Gen Grand Cherokee was given a subtle redesign with sleeker edges, active suspension, electronic differentials, and smaller body dimensions overall.

2006: The 425 horsepower SRT8 model was introduced for 2006, boasting a massive 6.1L V8 engine.

2007: Diesel engines and flex-fuel V8s made their debut in 2007.

How Does the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Compare to the Competition?

Jeeps are sorta their own thing. They’re terrible daily-drivers because they’re not trying to be anything but adventure vehicles. So you’re not going to find a better off-roader, but there are more versatile vehicles that are just as capable on the dirt as they are on the tarmac.

The 2005 Toyota 4Runner is a great alternative if you want to do a lot of off-roading, but with a more comfortable ride and better fuel economy than you get with a Grand Cherokee. It typically lists for as much as twice the cost of a Grand Cherokee, but it’s cheaper to refuel and maintain, and it’ll last longer.

A 2005 Ford Explorer is limited to light off-roading, but can be had for under three grand and has proven to be arguably the most reliable American SUV from this era.

There’s really no runner-up to a Jeep. If you’re after a Jeep, you’re after a Jeep. But, it’s not the only way to go off-road.

Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee?