Are you looking for a vehicle that can do it all? When it comes to versatility, there’s no question that the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a top performer thanks to its ability to take you from your daily commute and picking up the kids from school to your weekend adventures off the beaten path. But a certified pre-owned Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the smartest choices you can make when it comes to finding a reliable and practical vehicle that can easily handle the demands of everyday life at an affordable price.
What should you look for when shopping for a CPO Jeep Grand Cherokee? And, now that you think about it, what exactly does “certified pre-owned” mean? We’re tackling those questions and giving you a few tips to help you find the best CPO Grand Cherokee for your budget and driving needs. Let’s get started so that you’re one step closer to joining the Jeep family!
CPO: What It Means
If you’ve ever shopped for a used car, have you noticed that they’re typically priced lower than their CPO counterparts? This higher sticker price isn’t a trick from the dealer or a sales gimmick but reflects the work put into the CPO vehicle. This “work” is a set of strict standards outlined by the manufacturer to ensure the vehicle’s reliability and dependability before it’s added to a dealership’s inventory. Each manufacturer has its own set of CPO requirements, so what does this mean when you’re shopping for a CPO Jeep Grand Cherokee?
CPO: Jeep Standards
Jeep has a set of strict standards to certify a pre-owned vehicle like the Grand Cherokee. To even start the certification process, the vehicle must first meet five requirements. It must have fewer than 75,000 miles on the clock and be five years old or newer. The Grand Cherokee also cannot have any frame damage, and any aftermarket accessories on the vehicle cannot compromise its operation, safety, or emissions. Finally, it must have a clean title.
Once these standards are met, the Grand Cherokee undergoes a thorough 125-point inspection that starts with checking its ownership materials like the owner’s and warranty manuals as well as its CARFAX vehicle history report. Mechanically, the Grand Cherokee must pass a pre-road test and a series of operational checks that ensure everything operates correctly, from the ignition switch and turn signals to the air conditioner, door locks, and seat belts.
Any issues with the pre-road test are noted before the Grand Cherokee is taken out on the road to test its mechanical components, from its powertrain and steering to brakes and cruise control. Following the road test, all fluid levels under the hood are double-checked, and the vehicle is examined for any visible leaks.
The last segments of the certification process are focused on the Grand Cherokee’s maintenance and appearance. During the inspection, the technician ensures the Grand Cherokee’s components reflect the manufacturer’s factory standards by changing the engine oil and oil filter, inspecting the air filter, setting the tire pressure to the vehicle’s specifications, monitoring the exhaust system, checking the brakes, and beyond. Once these components are up to standard, the Grand Cherokee’s exterior and interior are thoroughly inspected, cleaned, and detailed to prepare the SUV for its next owner.
CPO: Warranty
While the extensive certification process is enough to give you peace of mind in your purchase, Jeep goes one step further by offering an exceptional warranty program on CPO vehicles like the Grand Cherokee. These warranties start with a 7-year or 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty that covers the repair or replacement of powertrain components like the engine and transmission. For added protection, a CPO Grand Cherokee also comes with a 3-month or 3,000-mile maximum care warranty. This warranty covers most vehicle components and starts the day you purchase the vehicle or at the end of the basic new vehicle warranty.
One of the advantages of shopping for a CPO Grand Cherokee is that Jeep also offers certified upgrade plans. Designed to give you greater confidence in shopping for a CPO model, these six optional plans complement your powertrain warranty. From the basic Powertrain Care plan all the way up to the Maximum Car plan, these plans give you the option of getting the perfect warranty for your peace of mind.
In addition to the upgrade plans, you can also tailor your coverage to better meet your needs and ease your worry. This includes adding options like the $1,000 trip interruption coverage, a car rental allowance, first-day rental coverage, personalized plan provisions, a $100 deductible, and towing or roadside assistance. If you travel frequently, the trip interruption coverage is a great addition since it pays up to $1,000 for car rental, meals, and lodging should you break down over 100 miles from home due to the failure of a covered component. Towing and roadside assistance is also a popular option, ensuring that help is covered whether you need a tow or have accidentally locked yourself out of your car.
CPO: Grand Cherokee Shopping Tips
As you shop for a CPO Grand Cherokee, keep in mind that the model must be five years old or newer and have less than 75,000 miles. These parameters give you plenty of options considering you can shop every Grand Cherokee trim from the Altitude and Classic to the Trailhawk and Trailhawk. You’ll likely discover that you can afford a higher-tier trim when you shop the used lot.
When you’re shopping for a Grand Cherokee, remember that every trim and package offers a unique set of features, from premium interior components to adventure-ready, off-road gear. You’ll especially want to keep an eye out for a recent model if you’re looking for a newer SUV that’s loaded with features and doesn’t feel too outdated in terms of connectivity and safety. The 2019 Grand Cherokee is a great option because it offers the updated Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen display as well as advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking and forward collision alert.
You will also have to pay attention to what’s under the hood of the Grand Cherokee that you are looking at, as this SUV has an incredibly diverse range of engine options. The standard V6 is a solid engine for any driver, but the three available V8 options really take things up a notch. The 5.7L V8 is a good choice if you plan on towing, while the 6.4L SRT and 6.2L supercharged engine are performance powerhouses. The Grand Cherokee is also available with 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains, with the best off-road performance being found in the specialized Trailhawk trim.
Shopping Smart: Buying a CPO Jeep Grand Cherokee
Now that you have a better understanding of what it means when a Grand Cherokee is certified pre-owned, we hope you have even more confidence to shop smart and shop the CPO lot at your local dealership. As you browse through the inventory, be mindful of Jeep’s stringent CPO standards and what that certification means for the Grand Cherokee you decide you can’t live without. These standards, along with the available warranties, are there to give you more confidence in your purchase and help you drive home in a Jeep you love.
