All-New 2005 Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee is Named 'SUV of the Year' by Truckin's SUV Magazine

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 21, 2004 -- The all-new 2005 Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee -- the benchmark among sport-utility vehicles for off- road capability and on-road refinement -- is the winner of Truckin's SUV magazine's "SUV of the Year" award.

"All of us at Truckin's SUV are proud to name the all-new 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee 'SUV of the Year,'" said Carl Calvert, editor of Truckin's SUV. "We put all of the vehicles through a series of exhausting tests, including comprehensive performance testing, a grueling off-road course, and two weeks of tough use, and the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee was the clear winner."

Truckin's SUV praised the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee for its "refined ride, off-road performance, and high-feature content coupled with notable quality, excellent road manners, and a warm and inviting interior."

"We are very pleased to add yet another award to the trophy case of the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee," said Craig Love, Vice President, Rear Wheel Drive Product Team and Core Team Leader.

Last week, 4-Wheel and Off-Road magazine named the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee the winner of its 4x4 of the Year competition.

"The new Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most off-road capable Grand Cherokee we've ever built," said Love. "At the same time, its on-road manners and refinement achieve luxury car standards. And with its 5.7-liter HEMI(R) V-8 engine, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee has class-leading power and torque. The design is authentically Jeep, yet contemporary at the same time. It is truly an award-winning package."

The Grand Cherokee's latest recognition will appear in the February 2005 issue of Truckin's SUV.

The competitors for Truckin's SUV award included Land Rover LR3, HUMMER H2 SUT, Wrangler Unlimited, Chevrolet Equinox and Nissan Pathfinder.