Author Unknown

Jeep's Grand Cherokee is the definitive sport/utility: a midsize 5-door wagon. Our tester was an absolutely top-of-the-line Orvis Edition with a price tag of $37,567. It had a 220-hp version of the same 5.2-liter V8 that powers the Dodge Dakota.

The Grand Cherokee has a car like unitized body/chassis. And despite the fact that it weighs nearly 2 tons, it's 2 ft. shorter than a Tahoe, 6 in. narrower and 6 in. lower. But at 7.7 in., it has a half-inch more ground clearance and can carry 80 cu. ft. of gear and/or tow up to 6500 pounds.

Unlike every other 4-wheeler in our group, all of which use an A-arm independent front suspension, the Jeep has rigid front and rear axles. But you'd never know it, because the Grand Cherokee rides beautifully on pavement. It's also easy to see why these vehicles are so popular. Our Orvis Edition was comparable to an entry-level Lexus or BMW on the luxury scale.

What you might not expect is how competent the Grand Cherokee can be off-road. It motors effortlessly through muck that has other 4x4s spinning their wheels. It's well-balanced not only fore and aft, but side to side. We think it's the best off-roader of the five 4-wheelers in this group.