Jeep Grand Cherokee Tagged Midsize Sport-Utility Vehicle of the Year

31 November 2000

            Vehicle Earns High Praise from Northwest Auto Writers
                          At Annual SUV Competition

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 30 The 2001 Jeep(R) Grand
Cherokee took highest honors as Midsize Sport-Utility Vehicle of the Year at
the 7th Annual Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) SUV competition
in Seattle last month, adding further acclaim to the legendary brand's promise
to deliver rugged, versatile vehicles with authentic four-wheel drive
capability.
    "As the flagship of Jeep's 'go anywhere, do anything' lineup, the Grand
Cherokee is unmatched by any SUV on the road today," said Tom Marinelli, Vice
President - Chrysler/Jeep Global Brand Center, DaimlerChrysler Corporation.
"This award is a credit to members of our platform team, who constantly strive
to create revolutionary vehicles that evoke Jeep's strong heritage, while
appealing to the adventurous needs of consumers."
    More popularly known as "Mudfest," the two-day competition featured more
than 20 NWAPA automotive journalists putting 21 sport utilities through
rigorous tests at Bremerton Speedway and Thurston County Off-Road Vehicle
Park.  Journalists thoroughly tested and judged the vehicles, scoring them in
categories for overall design, comfort and convenience, production quality,
cornering ability, ride and handling, braking, on- and off-road performance,
value for the dollar and personal appeal.
    The Grand Cherokee topped its category's competitive list of midsize SUVs,
including the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Nissan Pathfinder and Pontiac Aztec.
Among its many attributes, judges liked the Grand Cherokee's abundant power,
off-road assurance, comfortable seats and excellent brakes.
    For 2001, the Jeep Grand Cherokee offers the award-winning 4.7-liter Power
Tech V-8 engine featuring a hydraulic cooling system for improved fuel economy
and reduced noise, vibration and harshness.  In addition, a new five-speed
automatic transmission provides a second overdrive gear for increased highway
fuel economy and reduced engine noise at highway speeds.