Should You Take the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Off Road?
The 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a desirable balance between off-roading ability and regular day-to-day driving.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The 2002
Jeep Grand Cherokee
offers a solid balance between off-road readiness and on-road refinement. It is an off-roading ticket for all but the most serious off-pavement adventurers.A suitable off-roading vehicle is your key to off-the-beaten-path expeditions. However, not all off-roaders are equal, so it's useful to distinguish between the true off-road champs and mere imitators.
That’s why
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison super app
, has put together this handy article about the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s off-roading capabilities. We’ll give you the lowdown on its key off-roading attributes, such as ground clearance and torque. We’ll also look at some alternatives to the 2002 Grand Cherokee if it doesn’t quite do it for you.
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Can the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee go off-road?
Yes, it can—the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers off-roading prowess in spades, but it's also comfortable driving on paved roads as well.
While the 2002 Grand Cherokee carried an MSRP of $27,835, you can find one on the used market for between roughly $2,000 to $3,500, depending on its condition, mileage, and other factors. The 2002 Grand Cherokee offered a strong 4.0 inline 6-cylinder engine with 195 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. Look for a 2002 version with Jeep’s Quadra-Drive four-wheel drive system, which can keep this SUV moving even if just one wheel has traction.
Keep reading for more on the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s off-roading abilities.
Ground clearance
Ground clearance is key to a fun and damage-free off-roading adventure. The 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee boasts 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which is good enough for most off-roading excursions.
Ideally, you want between 8.8 and 10.8 inches of ground clearance,so the Grand Cherokee just misses the cut-off here, but we think it's close enough to take you on all but the most foreboding trails. Sufficient ground clearance ensures your vehicle’s undercarriage won’t be damaged on your rock- and bog-conquering adventures.
Torque
When you’re off-roading, you want a good amount of low-end torque. This means a higher amount of torque at lower RPM, which gives you greater turning power and the ability to power through the toughest off-road trouble spots.
The 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers 230 lb-ft of torque @ 3000 RPM, which is a solid amount of low-end torque.
Tires
The 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee originally features P225/75R16 tires, which are all-season tires that will get you through most of what any season can throw at you.
However, for off-roading adventures, your best bet is to replace the all-seasons with all-terrain tires. All-terrain tires provide better traction, so all that low-end torque can be put to good use getting you through slick, sandy, or rocky trails.
Drivetrain
You’ll find a 4.0 L inline 6-cylinder engine with 195 horsepower on the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It came with four-wheel drive and is capable of taking you over most off-road trails that a weekend warrior might encounter.
Angles
Angles are key to great off-roading experiences, so you’ll want to pay attention to a vehicle’s approach and departure angles.
- Approach angle: the maximum angle the vehicle can climb without encountering interference
- Departure angle: the maximum angle the vehicle can descend without interference
The 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a 37.3 approach angle and a 28.3 departure angle, making it a good vehicle to both climb and descend in.
Off-road rating: Rough and Ready
We here at Jerry have devised a super-thorough off-road rating system known as DIRT, and it’s broken down as follows:
Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWe give the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee an R rating: this SUV is more than able to tackle most off-road terrain you’ll encounter, save for the most foreboding off-roading trails where you might need a more serious off-roading vehicle.
The best off-road alternatives to the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee
If you’re looking for an off-road capable vehicle of the same vintage as the ‘02 Grand Cherokee, there are alternatives that offer a mix of off-road sportiness and practicality.
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best family-hauling alternative | 2007 Chrysler Aspen | $3,300 to $4,100 | The 2007 Aspen is more upscale and roomier than the ‘02 Grand Cherokee and offers plenty of towing power, but its 4x4 capabilities aren’t as good. |
Best smaller alternative | 2009 Jeep Liberty | $9,800 | The ‘09 Jeep Liberty offered much of the off-roading prowess as the ‘02 Grand Cherokee, but it is smaller and more functional and has kept its value well. |
Best bigger alternative | 2007 Jeep Commander | $4,100 to $5,950 | The Commander is another Jeep that offers off-road capability, lots of luxury, and plenty of space—it features a strong V8 engine, three rows of seating, and a solid low-range four-wheel drive system. |
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
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