2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Salem, Oregon

The introduction of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee represents a bold move by DaimlerChrysler. The 2005 Grand Cherokee is not a Jeep from the tradition of American Motors, but rather a Jeep from the Mercedes-Benz tradition, with a little Dodge Magnum attitude thrown in.

You can't mistake it for anything but a Jeep. Yet its proportions are completely different from before, with more steel and less glass, a laid-back windshield, the trademark giant wheel well flares, and a slickly angular body without the cladding of the previous generations; just one small spear. The D-pillar has been laid forward, which cuts into cargo space, but it sure looks cool. It's got a replaceable chin spoiler on it, and it looks mean. Inside, it's got nearly 70 cubic feet of storage and three modern, if not brand-new, powerplants.

Interior materials are dramatically improved over the previous model's, which left much to be desired. The atmosphere inside the new Grand Cherokee is light, comfortable, and more enveloping than the previous model, more bolted in than hanging on from the driver's perspective, with lots of seat adjustment, excellent outward vision around the relatively slim posts, and all the switches and controls clearly labeled and easy to find and use.