To make the best use of those powerplants, the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets not one but two smooth-shifting five-speed transmissions (one for the 3.7-liter V6 and one for the V8s). Both provide crisp gear changes and feature a manual mode that allows you to move up and down through the gears with a sideways nudge of the shift lever. In the past, we’ve been decidedly unimpressed with similar auto-manual transmissions because of the long delay between gear selection and the actual shift, but these units provide near instantaneous response that actually makes them useful during spirited driving.
Jeep offers four different ways to put power to the pavement. The first, and we suspect least popular, is the rear-wheel-drive set-up that comes standard on both Laredo and Limited. The remaining full-time four-wheel-drive choices start with the simplistic QuadraTrac I. With a single-speed transfer case, this system is designed for maximum ease of use by buyers requiring no more than sure-footed traction on slippery roads rather than serious off-road capability.
Those who’d like to go play in the dirt with their new Jeep-driving buddies will want to opt for the middle-of-the-road QuadraTrac II system. A two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing provides serious grunt in off-road situations, while Jeep’s Brake Traction Control System helps to keep you from spinning your wheels when the going gets tough.
The final four-wheel drive choice, the QuadraDrive II system, combines a two-speed transfer case with sophisticated electronic limited-slip differentials designed to instantaneously send power to the wheels with the most traction. QuadraTrac II and QuadraDrive II also feature a neutral position to facilitate towing on all four wheels, such asbehind a motorhome or other vehicle.
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