The Jeep Grand Cherokee is in line for a facelift, and the folks over at Popular Mechanics have the photos to prove it. The mule in these pics sports very little camo up front, and nothing covering the rear, and yet it's still difficult to tell where the changes lie.
Up front, the headlights have been updated, with the outside light overlapping the inside light. The front bumper and the grille are also both revised. Out back, the taillights have been slightly changed and now feature amber turn signal lenses.
The 2008 Grand Cherokee will be getting the 3.0L Common Rail Diesel, which is sourced from foster parent Daimler-Benz. No word yet on whether Jeep will get the upgraded 290-hp 4.7L V8 that powers the 2008 Dakota, but we'll undoubtedly find out soon enough. The updated Grand Cherokee will be unveiled next week at the New York Auto Show, and we'll be on hand to chart the changes in person.
[Source: Popular Mechanics]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ford Mustang @ Mar 29th 2007 9:55AM
It has more of a Mercedes look to it, but overall there doesn't seem to be much difference.
cdiddy67 @ Mar 29th 2007 9:58AM
yeah I'm not really seeing it, and I'm not really digging it...
georgejetson @ Mar 29th 2007 9:59AM
"No word yet on whether Jeep will get the upgraded 290-hp 4.7L V8 that powers the 2008 Dakota"
...except that these pictures show that the mule has a 4.7 badge on its tail.
Mike @ Mar 29th 2007 10:30AM
What about the interior? I believe it is due for a MAJOR update...
philip @ Mar 29th 2007 10:32AM
they've had the 4.7 since the WJ, and the ZJ too I think. Its the base in the limited and an option on the laredo. The bigger question is, when does the hemi get an upgrade?
Mike @ Mar 29th 2007 11:04AM
Know what sucks hard? The repair costs for a simple 5-10mph accident are going to be ASTRONOMICAL with those seamless one-piece wrap around bumpers they added...I'm surprised insurance companies put up with that shizzle. I'd be like, "Yo change those bumpers or I'm gonna charge your customers a %20 premium to insure that tank!"
MikeW @ Mar 29th 2007 11:17AM
What has changed in the rear? It looks like the standard euro rear end.
The US is the only place that allows for crappy red turn signals, (for now) and they aren't even positive signalling red.
rob @ Mar 29th 2007 11:37AM
its still an ugly domestic POS.
Matt @ Mar 29th 2007 12:15PM
Hey Rob, so is your mom.
shugs @ Mar 29th 2007 12:52PM
I've got an 06 Grand Cherokee Overland. I agree with some of the comments. Right now in the Jeep forums everyone likes those new turn signals and we are having trouble ordering them. Basically this jeep is what is avaiable in Europe right now. Also the 2008 have HID lights so that will be nice.
As for the interior... not sure if much will change. There are ton of cheap plastic everywhere, but thats also a good thing. I never need to worry if I spill something.
Overall the 2008 should be the best model by far. The overland will have power liftgate, autostart, HID's, rear back up camera, and improved styling. Not bad for a domestic mid size SUV.
jarvo @ Mar 29th 2007 3:20PM
i'm gonna sound crazy, but it's actually a big change for the limited ... it's body-color on the side mirrors & the trim along the bottom of the front and side, which was previously specific to the overland (and srt8) model. for those of us averse to bling-tastic wheels, it'll be nice to have those body-color touches on the more reasonable limited model. i think the front will look good (amazingly no one pointed out the tiny change to the front turn signal lense, in that it wraps slightly underneath the headlights now -- that's new). i'd never buy one, though, with that horrible mess of lighting in the back. sorry euro's, but that's just a mess. the current model has a much cleaner rear end. at least PM & AB are wrong that the back has an amber "lense" ... it's a clear lense with an amber bulb, thankfully. an amber lense is an instant deal-breaker for me.
Dub @ Mar 29th 2007 3:41PM
It's a bloody time they put luxury equipment -- power lift gate, HIDs, reverse camera -- in their luxury Jeep flagship. Hopefully those options will be available on models other than the Overland though.
As far as the tail lights though, personally I'd rather have an amber lens, then a ricer-styled clear lens and amber bulb. At least they didn't give it the double-bubble afterburner tail lights they seem to be sticking on all the Dodge trucks now.
Don @ Mar 29th 2007 3:56PM
I dunno...I think it looks pretty swell.
Bryan @ Mar 29th 2007 3:57PM
I always liked the Grand Cherokee. This one still looks good too. If I was not a Ford guy, and wanted a midsizer this would be it.
Deezee @ Mar 29th 2007 5:50PM
Its ok I guess.
tsand @ Mar 30th 2007 10:06AM
Hopefully they changed enough of the headlights structure so thieves won't steal the HIDs to sell to those with pre '08s.
That's what happened to the Maximas when they came out with HIDs that could be easily swapped out.
Kendall Tawes @ Mar 30th 2007 11:17PM
It's about time they bring the european lights to the American model. Red turnsignals will forever suck. Thoes better be working rear fog lamps too.
bumblebee @ Feb 26th 2008 1:32AM
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