Lately, Chrysler is on a roll when it comes to cabin design, and the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee is yet another example of excellent interior design. The praise extends beyond aesthetics: we found the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s cabin to be every bit as functional as it is attractive. The remade front seats are a prime example of this well-executed balance of form and function, with pleasing new designs stuffed with a dual-cell foam that provides all day comfort. Seats in the entry-level Laredo model are done up in a nicely textured cloth (leather is an option), while those in the top-of-the-line Limited get upgraded to two-tone leather with perforated inserts. Thinner drivers may wish for slightly larger side bolsters for better lateral support during spirited highway driving or rugged off-road situations, but the seats are likely a good compromise for most Americans’ backsides.

Once you settle in behind the wheel, a standard power-adjustable driver’s seat makes it easy to find a comfortable driving position, especially when paired with the Limited’s standard power-adjustable accelerator and brake pedals. Head and legroom are spacious up front, though a small hump on the right side of the transmission tunnel will leave front seat passengers searching for creative places to put their feet.

While driving, you’ll discover that the cabin is a surprisingly quiet place, very much in keeping with the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s upscale image. Engineers did extensive wind tunnel testing, fine-tuned mechanical components such as axle assemblies, and used additional sound dampening material, weather stripping, and thicker side door glass to achieve a level of refinement we’d normally expect to see in better luxury sedans.