1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee...Continued

Washington state was sport utility country long before the fad hit the rest of the country. While the exterior changes are not dramatic, they attracted notice wherever we stopped, always with positive comments.

The new Grand Cherokee has the same wheelbase , but has a one-inch wider track, and is 4.4 inches longer, 2.2 inches higher and 1.6 inches wider. Step-in height is reduced by 1.1 inch for easy entry, yet the seating position is one inch higher for enhanced "command-of-the-road."

Occupants have more front and rear head room, much more rear hip room and 1.2 cu. ft. more usable cargo volume. The spare tire is now located inside the vehicle under the cargo floor with room for the largest size full-size spare.

The benchmarks for the new interior design were Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Range Rover. The command-of-the-road feel was improved by reducing the height and width of the instrument cluster. Ergonomics are improved by moving all light and wiper functions to stalks on the steering column, and by reducing the reach to the radio and heater/air-conditioner controls. Major radio/CD controls of the premium audio system are integrated into the back of the steering wheel.

A luxury level of interior fit, finish and refinement is achieved through a careful choice of materials and textures, and a significant increase in soft-touch surfaces. The components now seem planned, rather than pulled out of hardware store parts bins. I'm especially pleased to see the departure of the thumb push door handle, replaced by a much more comfortable and usable grab handle.

Nearly 40 percent of all 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokees will feature a factory-installed power sunroof, more than four times the industry average.

Inalfa's tilt-vent-slide sunroof is thinner and lighter than previous designs, allowing for more headroom space. Sunroofs have been one of Chryslerâs weak points, and lots of effort was put into making these right.

One aspect that makes the Grand more car-like is the unibody structure. "As a rule, a Unibody is lighter than a comparable body-on-frame," said Sue Cischke, Executive Director for Vehicle Certification, Compliance and Safety Affairs. "And mass matters, not only to make a vehicle more nimble and more efficient but also to make it more compatible with lighter obstacles. With the new Grand Cherokee, we think we found the optimum level between a strong body shell and a more impact-absorbing structure."