2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Expert review
The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a rugged but comfortable midsize SUV.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the most rugged and capable SUVs in its class. Its strong off-road abilities and a long list of available powertrains and options make it a compelling choice, even when compared against competitors in this hotly-contested segment. Buyers that want the capabilities of a Jeep Wrangler and need room for a family will be pleased with the Grand Cherokee's configuration.
For the 2008 model year, the Grand Cherokee gets minor updates that come in the form of new tech features, off-road capability upgrades, and a handful of new safety features. The SUV’s exterior has been lightly revised with a new grille and headlight design.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is targeted at new-car buyers that want a robust off-roader with the comfort of a family SUV. It competes with the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, GMC Envoy, and Nissan Pathfinder. Trim levels include Base, Laredo, Laredo X, Limited, Overland, and SRT8.
The Grand Cherokee is available with a whopping five engine choices, three of which are rowdy V8s. There’s even a torque-rich diesel engine that delivers excellent fuel economy.
The standard mill is a 3.7-liter V6 that makes 215 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. A 4.7-liter V8 is available that makes 305 horsepower and 334 pound-feet of torque. Next, there’s a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that produces 325 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The range-topping gas engine is a 6.1-liter HEMI V8. Exclusive to the SRT8 model, it makes 420 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. The Mercedes-sourced diesel is a 3.0-liter V6 with 215 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic transmission are standard, and four-wheel drive is available.
out of 10 expert review
Look & feel
The Grand Cherokee has aged almost as well as a fine wine, but its competition has grown to be more rounded and modern looking over the years. The Jeep's last redesign brought an angular look with long, straight lines and a sharp profile that might be polarizing for some.
Inside, the Jeep’s cabin is simple and laid out intuitively. The updated gauge cluster offers bright LED backlights, and all controls, buttons, and displays are easily visible from nearly any spot in the cabin. Top trims get rich leathers and wood-grain accents that make the Grand Cherokee feel like a near-luxury liner.
Performance
The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s ace in the hole is its breadth of available powertrains. The base 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission pair well to move around town and hit highway speeds with ease, and when the pavement ends the gasoline engine's decent low-end torque help the Jeep climb over nearly any obstacle. The uprated 305-hp 4.7-liter V8 has been gifted more power and torque than before, while the 330-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V8 can feel like overkill at times.
The Grand Cherokee SRT8 performance model takes things even further with its 420-hp HEMI, making for an exhilarating test drive. The SRT8 is not as spry as a Porsche Cayenne, or as smooth as a Land Rover Range Rover, but the Jeep has a rowdy personality that makes it a unique and entertaining ride. The four-wheel-drive system gives it the ability to corner and grip much better than is expected from a vehicle of its size.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Mercedes-sourced diesel engine provides excellent torque and fuel economy.
Handling usually suffers when off-road performance is in the mix, but it’s not all bad for the Grand Cherokee. There’s a bit more body roll than in other SUVs, but nothing to write home about. Towing capacity is strong, reaching upwards of 7,400 pounds in certain configurations.
Form & function
The Jeep Grand Cherokee can do many things well but does have a few notable issues. Its cabin is cramped and is filled with an awkward mix of hard plastics and low-rent materials that are at odds with its price tag. The front seats are wide, deep, and well-cushioned, but some will find them too flat to be comfortable for long rides.
The back seat's legroom is closer to what is found in midsize sedans, not a family SUV, and it’s positioned low to the floor, which can cause knee pain for taller passengers on long trips. As a result, the Grand Cherokee is much better suited for four passengers instead of the advertised five-person seating capacity. The good news is that adding the optional sunroof doesn't destroy the headroom, at least.
The Jeep’s rear doors are large and have a square shape that makes entry and exit much easier. The doors’ size also makes loading and unloading kids much easier. Thanks to the Grand Cherokee’s gently sloped roof, there’s plenty of headroom, which reduces the chances of bumped heads and angry kids.
While there's a lack of small-item storage, the Jeep's cargo area is large enough to carry several suitcases or carry-on-sized bags.
Technology
Standard tech features include a CD player, MP3 playback, an auxiliary input jack, air conditioning, six speakers, and Sirius XM satellite radio. Optional features include keyless entry, a rear-seat entertainment system, automatic climate controls, a navigation system, voice controls, a DVD player, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, and rear-seat audio controls.
Jeep’s MyGig system, audio, and technology functions are quite intuitive and easy to use when the SUV is in motion. Buttons, controls, and displays are all clearly labeled, making the system simple with almost no learning curve.
Safety
The 2008 Grand Cherokee was awarded the top "good" rating in moderate-overlap front crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and got the same rating for head restraints and seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the Grand Cherokee five stars in front and side crash tests, and three or four stars for rollover resistance, depending on the drivetrain configuration. That’s not an unusual result for SUVs, due to their higher centers of gravity.
Standard safety features include hill descent control, an electronic stability control system, traction control. dynamic braking assistance, four-wheel disc brakes, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, a rear anti-roll bar, an ignition disable system, an occupancy sensor, front and side-curtain airbags, height-adjustable safety belts, and seatbelt pre-tensioners.
Cost-effectiveness
The Grand Cherokee’s starting price of around $30,000 buys a vehicle that is capable and decently equipped, but the competition is fierce. Other SUVs may lack the Jeep’s off-road capabilities, but many offer a longer list of standard features, a more spacious interior, and better fuel economy. The Jeep’s most compelling feature is its enormous list of powertrains and feature choices. Not many other automakers would even consider offering so many configurations, but Jeep does, and it’s the Grand Cherokee’s big selling point.
It’s not surprising that the Grand Cherokee struggles in the gas-mileage department, especially when the two giant V8 engines are thrown into the mix. With rear-wheel drive and the 3.7-liter V6, the Grand Cherokee has EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 15/20/17 mpg city/hwy/combined. With four-wheel drive, it’s rated at 15/19/17 mpg. The 3.0-liter diesel delivers 18/23/20 mpg with rear-wheel drive and 17/22/19 with 4WD. The 4.7-liter V8 and rear-wheel drive achieve fuel economy of 14/19/15 mpg and with four-wheel drive, those numbers shift to 14/19/15 mpg. The Grand Cherokee with the 5.7-liter engine and four-wheel drive is rated at 13/18/15 mpg, and the 6.1-liter SRT8 engine is estimated at 11/14/12 mpg.
What owners say
"Drivers generally appreciate the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee for its comfort, reliability, and enjoyable driving experience, noting the smooth ride and plenty of power. Many love the interior features like heated seats and remote start, while the spacious cargo area is also a plus for families. However, some drivers have experienced issues with fuel economy, mechanical problems, and build quality over time, leading to mixed feelings about long-term reliability."
I love the new interior, it's almost perfect. However, the center console is cheap-feeling, and the plastic chrome accents are not solid and look really fake. The HEMI has more power over the 4.7L, however it's MDS feature is worthless, adding an advertised 15% better gas mileage, but in reality it's much worse than that. The car weights over 6,000 lbs so gas mileage is pretty crappy, but that's no surprise for a 5.7L V8. I get about 12 MPG average in city and highway driving. The seats are not 8-way power like my old 1999 Grand Cherokee Limited, with manual lumbar adjustment, the passenger seat only 4-way power (can't move up/down), driver is 6-way power -- but the front of the seat doesn't go up as high as I would like it to. The wood and leather steering wheel is a very nice touch, but where the wood meats the leather, big gaps are visible which make it look cheap. I hate how the door locks are in the exact same spot as where I like to put my arm while driving, and the window sill is too high. The 1999 GC Limited didn't have these issues. Sirius satellite, while free for the first year, sounds TERRIBLE, even when compared to standard FM. This is a known issue (google it), with XM offering slightly better quality. The Sirius real-time traffic is neat, but not very practical, as it only shows major roadways and sometimes nothing at all. Once my subscription runs out I will not be renewing. The navigation/radio system sometimes gets "stuck" and won't let you press a button unless you "refresh" it by going to another screen and then back again. I'm sure there will be a software update to address this problem. The last negative thing I can think of is that the seat doesn't offer adequate side support, and I feel that I need to hold on to the center console when making sharp turns. You can't hold onto the shifter like with the < 2005 models because you will shift the gear down/up -- pretty annoying, but not a big deal. OK, now for the things I like. There are waaaaay too many to list, but I will try to touch on the best ones. The 30GB HDD is absolutely great! It has about 16 GB of space for your own music/pictures, which is more than plenty. I recommend buying a 16 GB flash drive (~ $50 on Amazon), and use it to hold your music collection including playlists. The navigation is solid, and very useful. The LED-illuminated instrument panel looks very good and is very functional. Love the HID headlights with the SmartBeam and auto-leveling features. The exterior styling is superb, looks great at any angle. Gas mileage aside, I absolutely love this car.
August 28, 2008The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the perfect mix between luxury and functionality. You don't feel like you're in a rugged SUV when you're sitting in the drivers seat but you can haul five people and all of their winter ski gear without a problem for that winter getaway (or canoes and coolers for that summer river trip). This SUV is extremely safe, has a very smooth ride and the power-train warranty is amazing. I would definitely recommend this car to family and friends. I never owned a Jeep before this Grand Cherokee, but I will likely only buy Jeeps ever again!! I now know what people mean when they say they are Jeep People.
June 6, 2013Definitely a car I regret buying. There were multiple things going wrong with this car with only 45,000 miles on it, so much so that I decided I had to get rid of it before even more expensive repairs came up. With only 45,000 miles on it the ignition coil broke, the air bag sensors continuously went off (warning sensors), water was leaking through the handle on the a-pillar, the moonroof constantly rattled, the glovebox didn't close properly, one of the alloy wheels had begun to flake, the paint on the hood was bubbling(!), I could go on and on and on about what broke on this car. Aside from the mechanical defects the interior was very loud, and the fuel economy was awful, averaging only 16.5 mpg. If there is a silver lining in this car it is that it was great in the snow/ice, and the Boston Acoustics speakers were very nice. That's about the only good things I can think of. I bought this car instead of a Highlander/Pilot/CX9 thinking "how bad could it be?". Don't make the same mistake I did.
March 12, 2013What owners say
I love the new interior, it's almost perfect. However, the center console is cheap-feeling, and the plastic chrome accents are not solid and look really fake. The HEMI has more power over the 4.7L, however it's MDS feature is worthless, adding an advertised 15% better gas mileage, but in reality it's much worse than that. The car weights over 6,000 lbs so gas mileage is pretty crappy, but that's no surprise for a 5.7L V8. I get about 12 MPG average in city and highway driving. The seats are not 8-way power like my old 1999 Grand Cherokee Limited, with manual lumbar adjustment, the passenger seat only 4-way power (can't move up/down), driver is 6-way power -- but the front of the seat doesn't go up as high as I would like it to. The wood and leather steering wheel is a very nice touch, but where the wood meats the leather, big gaps are visible which make it look cheap. I hate how the door locks are in the exact same spot as where I like to put my arm while driving, and the window sill is too high. The 1999 GC Limited didn't have these issues. Sirius satellite, while free for the first year, sounds TERRIBLE, even when compared to standard FM. This is a known issue (google it), with XM offering slightly better quality. The Sirius real-time traffic is neat, but not very practical, as it only shows major roadways and sometimes nothing at all. Once my subscription runs out I will not be renewing. The navigation/radio system sometimes gets "stuck" and won't let you press a button unless you "refresh" it by going to another screen and then back again. I'm sure there will be a software update to address this problem. The last negative thing I can think of is that the seat doesn't offer adequate side support, and I feel that I need to hold on to the center console when making sharp turns. You can't hold onto the shifter like with the < 2005 models because you will shift the gear down/up -- pretty annoying, but not a big deal. OK, now for the things I like. There are waaaaay too many to list, but I will try to touch on the best ones. The 30GB HDD is absolutely great! It has about 16 GB of space for your own music/pictures, which is more than plenty. I recommend buying a 16 GB flash drive (~ $50 on Amazon), and use it to hold your music collection including playlists. The navigation is solid, and very useful. The LED-illuminated instrument panel looks very good and is very functional. Love the HID headlights with the SmartBeam and auto-leveling features. The exterior styling is superb, looks great at any angle. Gas mileage aside, I absolutely love this car.
August 28, 2008The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the perfect mix between luxury and functionality. You don't feel like you're in a rugged SUV when you're sitting in the drivers seat but you can haul five people and all of their winter ski gear without a problem for that winter getaway (or canoes and coolers for that summer river trip). This SUV is extremely safe, has a very smooth ride and the power-train warranty is amazing. I would definitely recommend this car to family and friends. I never owned a Jeep before this Grand Cherokee, but I will likely only buy Jeeps ever again!! I now know what people mean when they say they are Jeep People.
June 6, 2013Definitely a car I regret buying. There were multiple things going wrong with this car with only 45,000 miles on it, so much so that I decided I had to get rid of it before even more expensive repairs came up. With only 45,000 miles on it the ignition coil broke, the air bag sensors continuously went off (warning sensors), water was leaking through the handle on the a-pillar, the moonroof constantly rattled, the glovebox didn't close properly, one of the alloy wheels had begun to flake, the paint on the hood was bubbling(!), I could go on and on and on about what broke on this car. Aside from the mechanical defects the interior was very loud, and the fuel economy was awful, averaging only 16.5 mpg. If there is a silver lining in this car it is that it was great in the snow/ice, and the Boston Acoustics speakers were very nice. That's about the only good things I can think of. I bought this car instead of a Highlander/Pilot/CX9 thinking "how bad could it be?". Don't make the same mistake I did.
March 12, 2013This Jeep is geared low, so it has excellent acceleration. It handles very well and feels safe while driving. The cabin is quiet and has smooth ride. The seat is comfortable and adjustable, so the Jeep fits like a glove. Very dependable vehicle, just standard maintenance.
November 5, 2012Very powerful, can pull anything. I am very impressed with all the amenities and the ease of use. Comfortable to drive, even on long trips. Quiet ride, smooth shifts and there always seems to be more power if you need it.
September 3, 2014I love my Jeep. Great features that include remote start and side mirror defrost, heated seats and intelligent four wheel drive. Only thing missing would be navagation. Ill definitely be back.
January 19, 2022needs better gas mileage. should have gotten a hybrid. i bought it right befor the speculators started screwing us with oil prices. fun to drive although I don't use the Hemi much with 3.60 gasoline. Much better interior than previous model in 2005. it's cool you can play your Ipod through it.
October 3, 2008This has been a great vehicle. I haven't had any mechanical issues since I've owned it. It has great features and the design of the vehicle was thought out very well. I would recommend that anyone buy the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
August 10, 2013The Red Rock exterior color and charcoal cloth interior are very sharp looking, super clean and very well taken care of. And with 4WD she get's around great in ALL weather. Sunshine, rain or snow.......she will get you there.
May 25, 2012I really, really enjoy driving this vehicle. No matter how fast I'm going she's always up for more speed. In the winter I don't ever worry about the roads because of the independant wheel slippage. a lot of fun to drive.
February 9, 2012Trims & specs
Base MSRP $40,725 | Seating 5 |
Engine 6.1L 420 hp V8 | Cargo Capacity 29.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 12 | Drivetrain 4X4 |
Base MSRP $30,490 | Seating 5 |
Engine 3.7L 210 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 29.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 17 | Drivetrain 4X4 |
Base MSRP $38,555 | Seating 5 |
Engine 4.7L 305 hp V8 | Cargo Capacity 29.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 16 | Drivetrain 4X4 |
Base MSRP $43,440 | Seating 5 |
Engine 5.7L 330 hp V8 | Cargo Capacity 29.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 15 | Drivetrain 4X4 |
Base MSRP $32,480 | Seating 5 |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |
Base MSRP $28,520 | Seating 5 |
Engine 3.7L 210 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 29.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 17 | Drivetrain 4X2 |
Base MSRP $35,965 | Seating 5 |
Engine 4.7L 305 hp V8 | Cargo Capacity 29.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 16 | Drivetrain 4X2 |
Base MSRP $40,005 | Seating 5 |
Engine 5.7L 330 hp V8 | Cargo Capacity 29.5 cu ft |
Combined MPG 16 | Drivetrain 4X2 |
Base MSRP $30,610 | Seating 5 |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |
Pricing trends
MSRP range
$28,520 - $43,440
Current avg. market price
$6,312
Trending down by 1.8% this month
May 2026 - October 2026
