2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland review from North America

Rear differential lubricant pump failed - Jeep replaced at no cost to me.

I bought this vehicle for several reasons. First of all, I have a family, so I needed a four door vehicle. Second, I live in Colorado so I need a 4X4 for the winter weather, and for the four-wheel-drive roads that take me to the places I love to go. I also have a small travel trailer (21ft 3500 lb dry weight). Jeep equipped this vehicle with a towing package that will pull 6500 lbs. My trailer, family, bicycles and kayaks have never had to stay home.

My experience has been very positive. I have had the vehicle for 6 years, and other than normal maintenance, no repair expenses have been paid by me. I have never replaced the brakes or had any pulsating problems, and at 62000 miles there is plenty of wear left.

I have the original tires still on this vehicle. The vehicle itself looks like new.

The 4.7L HO engine is a hard worker with gobs of power and torque. It pulls my trailer easily, even over Colorado's high mountain passes.

When I have pulled my trailer to a campsite, set up and dumped my gear, I now have a vehicle capable of negotiating Colorado's exciting back roads and Jeep trails with ease. I think this is where this vehicle separates itself from the rest of the trailer pullers. It is narrow enough for back country roads and has the ground clearance to climb over rocks, tree roots, ditches and etc.

If I could ask for anything more, it would be for a larger gas tank. Pulling a trailer, I am lucky to get 11-12 MPG, and if I am not careful enough to refill before I leave civilization, I have to curtail my exploration so I will have enough fuel to haul my gear out of the outback.

One last thought - I didn't buy this vehicle to drive to work, and I hardly ever have - except during periods of deep snow - where this vehicle performs exceptionally well. I have virtually no city driving miles on this vehicle and it REALLY DOES make a difference. The vehicle that I drive to work everyday has 30000 miles on it, and the tires will need to be replaced within 10000 miles. The brakes have as much wear on them as this Grand Cherokee with twice that many miles.

I take good care of my vehicles, follow the recommended maintenance intervals, and they have never let me down. Also this vehicle almost never sits outside. Keeping everything as clean as possible makes a difference too. It has lived up to every expectation that I had when I bought it. I am looking forward too many more happy escapes in my Grand Cherokee.