staff@slashgear.com (Joe Capraro)
2024-04-25 11:15:12
www.slashgear.com
The ZJ Grand Cherokee didn’t undergo many design changes during its short lifespan, but was offered with a variety of engine and transmission options. The first two years were the only ones in which it was sold with Jeep’s legendary 4.0 liter inline six-cylinder engine, which made our list of the best straight sixes in automotive history.
1993 and ’94 Grand Cherokees came standard with the Aisin AX-15 five-speed manual transmission, with the AW4 four-speed automatic as an option in 1993. Both of these transmissions enjoy stellar reputations for longevity, but only the AX-15 was carried over into 1994. That year, the AW4 was swapped out for Chrysler’s less reliable 44RE and 46RH automatics.
Buyers in those first two years could also opt for a 5.2 liter V8 that produced 225 horsepower to the standard I6’s 190 horsepower. Those two remained the only engine options until the ZJ’s swan song in 1998. That year only, Grand Cherokee Limited models could be purchased with a 5.9 liter V8 that made 245 horsepower and 345 pound-feet of torque. This edition was truly limited, with a production run of about 14,000 units. If you can’t get your hands on one of these rare ZJs, stick with a 1993 or 1994 model.
[Featured image by CZmarlin via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | Public domain]