It was unveiled at the 2004 New York International Auto Show and subsequently in Europe at Euro Camp Jeep in Ardèche, France.

Major features included Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive, rear-seat DVD player, and optional 5.7 L Hemi V8 engine.

In 2008, the WK received a minor facelift with revised headlights and high intensity discharge (HID) Headlamps with auto leveling.

The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee was available with an improved 5.7 L Hemi engine rated at 360 hp (268 kW; 365 PS) and 390 lb⋅ft (529 N⋅m) of torque.

Standard features included: the 3.7L Power-Tech V6 engine with 5-speed automatic transmission, seventeen-inch (17") alloy wheels, a full-sized spare tire and spare wheel, cloth seating surfaces, a 6-way power front driver's seat, an A/M-F/M stereo with CD player (and later, an auxiliary audio input jack), 6 speakers, black body-side inserts and front and rear bumper inserts (both chrome in 2010), remote steering wheel-mounted audio system controls, a driver's information center (VIC), keyless entry, and more.

The Limited added these features to the base Laredo trim: a full-sized matching spare wheel, dual power front bucket seats, premium leather seating surfaces, an A/M-F/M stereo with six-disc CD/MP3 changer, a premium 276-watt Boston Acoustics sound system with 6 speakers, heated front bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome body-side inserts and front and rear bumper inserts, driver's 2-position memory, a rear-mounted fold-down center console, and more.

These trim levels added the following features to the base Laredo trim: power driver's bucket seat, unique cloth seating surfaces with special embroidery, embroidered carpeted floor mats, chrome body-side inserts, an AM-FM stereo with six-disc CD/MP3 changer, a premium 276-watt Boston Acoustics sound system with 6 speakers, special emblems on both front doors, special seventeen-inch (17") alloy wheels, a full-size spare, fog lights, and power double-function sunroof.

Spec), leather-and-suede performance seating surfaces, a sunroof, a 6.1L HEMI V8 engine, mandatory 4X4, a body kit, a center-mounted dual exhaust system, 'SRT' emblems on both front doors and the tailgate, performance-tuned suspension, a special instrument cluster, carbon fiber interior trim, and more.

An SRT-8 (Street & Racing Technology V8) version of the Grand Cherokee debuted at the 2005 New York International Auto Show.

Powered by a 420 hp (313 kW) version of the 6.1 L Hemi, it also features upgraded Brembo brakes, large dual performance exhaust with polished tips (exiting out the middle of the rear), Bilstein performance gas charged shocks and modified suspension components, Mercedes-Benz NAG1 (WA580) 5-speed transmission, unique NV146 transfer case, specially designed electronic all-wheel-drive system and interior and exterior updates.

Its ride stance is significantly lower and the front fascia spoiler gives the vehicle 7 inches (178 mm) of ground clearance.

Laredo: The Laredo served as the entry-level Grand Cherokee model offering an A/M-F/M radio with single-disc CD player (later, an auxiliary audio input jack was also added), seventeen-inch alloy wheels, power windows, door locks, side mirrors, and driver's seat, lumbar support, keyless entry with security system, cloth seating surfaces, tinted windows, and six speakers.

In Europe, South America, South Africa and Australia, a V6 CRD engine produced by Mercedes-Benz was available from the Grand Cherokee (WK) introduction in 2005: Note: MPG figures are based on United States Environmental Protection Agency, European combined consumption is 27.7 mpg‑imp (10.2 L/100 km; 23.1 mpg‑US).

In North America the 3.0 CRD was available for the 2007 and 2008, however the rest of the world - i.e. UK, Europe Australia etc., it had the Mercedes sourced engine for the production life of the vehicle from 2005.

A Rocky Mountain Edition trim level went into production on March 1, 2005, going on sale in late April 2005, and concluding at 9,500 examples on May 31, 2005.

The base Grand Cherokee Laredo gains exterior color-keyed door handles and rear brow, and revised tail lamps.

The 3.0L CRD Diesel V6 engine was discontinued, while an S Limited trim level, which had been available in Europe, was introduced to the United States.

The steering wheel was redesigned, and the instrument cluster received a facelift, with green backlighting changed to white.

The rear DVD entertainment system was redesigned to feature a larger LCD display screen, as well as SiriusXM Backseat TV compatibility.

All powertrains remained identical to the 2007 models, although 2008 would be the final year for the 3.0L CRD (Common Rail Diesel) V6 engine.