The first Jeep Grand Cherokee was introduced for the 1993 model year.
Its public debut took place on January 7, 1992, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Chrysler president Bob Lutz famously drove a red Grand Cherokee through the convention center’s glass entrance, creating one of the most memorable vehicle introductions in auto-show history.
The original Grand Cherokee carried the ZJ designation and was developed partly under American Motors Corporation before Chrysler completed the program. It was positioned as a more refined, midsize successor to the Jeep Cherokee and the aging Wagoneer. Sales began in April 1992, but the vehicles were designated 1993 models.
That timing causes the common mix-up: the Grand Cherokee appeared publicly in 1992, yet its canonical model year is 1993. Early versions offered Base, Laredo, and Limited trims, initially powered by a 4.0-liter inline-six engine.