The all-new 1999 Jeep® Grand Cherokee has won Four Wheeler Magazine's "Four Wheeler of the Year" award, the publication announced today. During an intensive week-long competition, the Grand Cherokee upstaged nine rivals in both on-road and off-road evaluations.
"We are very proud to receive this award from Four Wheeler Magazine, the longest-running four-wheel-drive enthusiast publication, " said Martin R. Levine, Vice President - Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep Division. "Staying true to its Jeep heritage, the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee combines an all new 4.7-liter V-8 engine with the revolutionary Quadra-Drive(tm) four-wheel-drive system, making it the most capable sport-utility vehicle ever."
Four Wheeler Magazine, celebrating its 25th anniversary, tests every all-new or significantly revised sport-utility vehicle to determine which vehicle deserves the coveted "Four Wheeler of the Year" title. The very first vehicle to win the award was the 1974 full-size Jeep Cherokee. This year's title is the seventh time a Jeep vehicle has captured the prestigious award.
"We tested 10 trucks over 1,200 miles of diverse terrain," said John Stewart, editor of Four Wheeler Magazine. "We crested wind-blown sand dunes near Death Valley, climbed craggy trails in the high desert, trekked across dry lakes, navigated boulder-strewn alpine two-tracks and piloted each vehicle on lonely desert highways, suburban streets and congested freeways. With the numbers tallied, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is everything a genuine ready-for-the-trail Jeep should be, with luxury comforts and conveniences to make it the best four-wheel-drive vehicle on the market."
