NORTH SHORE COMPLETELY radesigned lest year, the 2000 Grand Cherokee has minor -upgrades this year. Still ane of Canada’s most popular SUV's, the Grand Cherokees has one of the finest V8 engines in its class: a sporty 4.7-litre SOHC V8 - engine developing 235 horsepower. Test drive the Grand Cherokee at Regency Chrysler, 1177 Marine Drive, North Vancouver or at Mountview Jeep, 1600 Marine Drive, North Vancouver. Bvrison RECENTLY, I had a chance to drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the optional 4.7 litre V8 engine. ‘Thad driven this vehicle briefly in the Fall of 1998 when the redesigned Grand Cherokce § was introduced, but not long enough to get to know it. My week-long test-drive confirmed why this remains one of North America’s most sought after upmarket sport utility vehicles — it’s combina- tion of looks, luxury, versatility, power and price is very attractive. Of course, like most other sport utility vehicles, it is 29 OME PEKUP 2 ce V6 Auto, locks & runs great eS 82 TOVOTA RAY 4° Auto 4WD, won os ey: AG NEWS AUTOMOTIVE GUIDE The Grand Cherokee has a sportier character than most other SUV's particularly when equipped with the optional 4.7-litre V8 engine. I won't say it’s fun-to-drive, but it’s probably the best compromise between an off-road machine and performance car in the mid-sized SUV market.” NEWS photo Mike Wakefietd heavy, thirs sive — but compared to its V8 competitors, the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Blazer/GMC Jimmy, Land Rover Discovery, Dodge Duzango, and Mercedes-Benz MIL 430, the Grand Cherokee offers a very competitive all-around package. Unique Features In terms of styling for example, | think the Grand Cherokee is probably the sportiest SUV in its class, with ber- ter proportions than most of its competitors with the possi- ble exception of the Durango. The Grand Cherokee’s “trapezoidal” styling theme, bold grille slats, prominent fender flares, and large covered head- lamps are very distinctive. Less obvious is the Grand Cherokee’s car-like unit body construction which differs from its competitor’s traditional truck-like body-on-frame design. 57 FOREAROER 4 cyt, 5 speed, rare Though hard-core off-roaders prefer the latter, unit bady designs have the advantage of lighter weight and greater body stiffness which contributes to better handiing and reduced vibrations and squeaks. ; Given that most mid-sized SUV's spend mosi of their time on the pavement, a unit body design is probably a bet- ter idea, any way. Off-road, the Grand Cherokee is a superb performer too, and with modern rustproofing techniques, there’s no longer any worry about the body rusting through and compromis- ing the unit body’s integrity. Great V8 Base Grand Cherokee Laredo and Limited models are equipped with the venerable inline 4.0-litre six-cy See 4.7-litre next page 99 TOYOTA CAMRY LE Factory Warranty “ $8 FORD wimasTan | 7 pass., nicely equipped 84 TOYOTA TERCEL 4dr auto local car 9? CHEV MALOU 4dr loaded - $9 TOVOTA CORMALA VE auto, 4 dr $3 TOVGTA CAMRY LE V6, loaded, leather 97 CHEV LUMIHA Hurry, hurry 26 TOVOTA AVALOE | Toyota flagship. every option 99 TOYOTA RAVE 4ud, Automatic, fully !oaded 54 RISSAN SENTRA 2dr, auto, focal car 93 OLDS CUTLASS CIERA *- Wel equipped 92 TOYOTA CAMRY V6, LE G1 FORD F259 4X4 Great work truck :