This is definitely one of the most anticipated, important, and interesting cars of recent months. The new generation of Jeep Grand Cherokee comes to Ukraine as the flagship not only of the model range, but also of the Jeep brand reboot: a challenging and crucial mission. Will the new Jeep Grand Cherokee cope with the challenge? What will help it? And what will prevent it? Let me tell you.
Content
- 1 Positioning of the Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2 How the Jeep Grand Cherokee drives
- 3 Technologies of the Jeep Grand Cherokee car
- 4 Jeep Grand Cherokee cost and potential rivals
- 5 Fuel consumption of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L
- 6 Safety of the Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 7 Results of the Jeep Grand Cherokee test drive
- 8 The car is provided by Jeep in Ukraine
Positioning of the Jeep Grand Cherokee
It’s simple: the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is a large, luxurious, premium crossover. In fact, it created this class itself about 30 years ago, when the first-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee was introduced in 1992. From that time until now, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been characterized by a combination of a reinforced body, very powerful engines, and «advanced» all-wheel drive systems. The result is a dynamic vehicle that feels good on the highway (read «crossover»), but at the same time has great off-road capabilities (read «SUV»).
For more than 30 years of its existence, the car Jeep Grand Cherokee has changed five generations. And each new incarnation brought something new: sporty SRT versions or TrackHawkoff-road version TrailHawk, the emergence of pneumatic suspension, etc. New «fifth» Jeep Grand Cherokee (code WL) also brought something new: for the first time in its history, the car received a 7-seater version Jeep Grand Cherokee L – this is the form in which it debuted in early 2021. It was only in the fall of 2021 that the classic 5-seater version was presented Jeep Grand Cherokee. The main character of the article will be the 7-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee L in the maximum configuration Summit ReserveHowever, examples of 5-meter cars in other configurations will also be briefly presented.
How the Jeep Grand Cherokee drives
The first thing that is memorable about the character of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is its engine with its characteristic sound: it’s just gorgeous! In fact, a V6 is hidden under the hood, but it tries to sound like a V8, which has a positive effect on the perception of dynamics. When starting from a standstill, and to the juicy sound that «cuts through» already from 2,500-3,000 rpm – it seems that we accelerate very quickly! Moreover, the «automatic» helps a lot: it shifts imperceptibly and in time, allowing the engine to gain medium speed (3-4 thousand), where more or less tangible traction comes. The engine’s quick response to accelerator pedal pressing also helps, everything happens almost without pauses: great! Thanks to such accelerations with a pleasant «soundtrack», there is a feeling of sufficient power at speeds up to 70-80 km/h.
However, if you go to the highway, if you load the car (and here, let me remind you, is an enlarged 7-seater version), if you start driving at a pace of 100+ km/h and still need a margin for overtaking, it becomes clear that there is not enough power. During the most dynamic acceleration for overtaking, the engine often «revs up to 4,500-5,000 rpm. And when I measured the car, the tachometer even reached 6+ thousand. It’s not just a V8 sound, it’s a real V8. Someone will mention the HEMI engine, but we are unlikely to see it anymore. However, under the hood of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, we can still see a more powerful power unit – either a 4XE hybrid or a 6-cylinder inline turbo engine (I think the latter is more likely).
On the other hand, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is clearly not about sporty dynamic drive. It can go fast, but it likes to do it on a straight road. Not necessarily on a straight one: the suspension is medium soft, but even with 21 wheels, it clearly does not let a single jolt into the cabin, successfully absorbing small and medium bumps. Taking into account the not very sharp steering wheel (2.7-2.8 turns from stop to stop) and large size, we are not talking about fast and sharp turns. But when you put the car on an arc, the stability is tremendous. The car seems to give you a sense of confidence: everything is reliable, you will get to the right place, I will definitely take you there!
It looks solid and feels the same. The headlights are fully LED, but not matrix; the wheels in the maximum configuration are as large as 21-inch. Engine V6 In fact, he’s good, he’s doing his best; it’s just that his capabilities are not enough for such a large 7 Jeep Grand Cherokee L; but this engine should be enough for a 5-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee. By the way, here’s an interesting example: according to the technical specifications, the acceleration is 8.1 seconds — and it is the same for a 2-ton standard 5-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee without «pneumatic» and 2.3-ton extended 7-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee L with a more sophisticated all-wheel drive system and air suspension. Physics tells us that this cannot be the case; my measurements also show that we have 8.7-8.8 seconds for the test car. But if we forget about numbers and speak with emotions, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L is gorgeous!
The interior is also a great combination of light wood, seats with massage and contrast stitching, contour lighting, McIntosh speakers, and numerous buttons and switches. Yes, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is ready to offer as many buttons as two modern cars. And there will surely be enough displays, as there are three of them: a dashboard, a central touchscreen, and an additional display for the front passenger. The latter allows you to control music connections, set the address of the standard navigation, view a circular view around the car, or even view images from the interior camera. Surprised? I’m the one who’s surprised why no one else has come up with such a cool option for a large 3-row family car.
And the attention to family members is very high. For example, in the rear you can find not only a good amount of space, a sofa with adjustable settings (longitudinal sliding and backrest angle adjustment), sun shades on the windows, but also separate «climate» zones, heated and even ventilated seats. And even further back, you can find a third row consisting of two seats. And they didn’t skimp on the finishes, didn’t spare USB ports and ventilation deflectors, installed electric seat folding/unfolding drives — everything is fine.
And the trunk is the same. Even for a 7-seater, the declared volume is 490 liters (measured under the roof), and if desired, you can get 1328 liters (folded third row and 5-seater configuration) or even 2390 liters (folded second/third row and 2-seater configuration). Plus hooks, a hidden niche, an electric lid…
The front part of the cabin attracts with its general shapes, numerous physical buttons and switches, and elaborate decor and details. However, not everything is perfect: for example, in a niche you can find a number of USB ports, but no wireless charging. The round «automatic» selector sometimes makes you scroll past the «R» position and immediately get to the «P» position. The displays are generally very similar to those in Jeep Compass, but with a slightly expanded functionality: if there are no comments on the central display (only Ukrainianization is needed), then the dashboard screen would be interestingly designed for such a luxurious interior. The space reserve on the second row of seats is huge; on the third row, it is just enough. The comfort options (rear «climate», heating and ventilation, deflectors and cupholders) and the convenience of the trunk have been worked out to the maximum possible extent. So, in general: from the point of view of building a large family car, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L is very successful
Now about the details. For example, about all-wheel drive systems, of which there can be three, depending on the vehicle version. It all starts with the Quadra-Trac I 4WD system: all-wheel drive, active torque distribution between the axles, four Select-Terrain driving modes (AUTO, SPORT, SNOW, MUD/SAND). The next variant is Quadra-Trac II 4WD, which adds a 4WD LOW range (2.72:1 ratio) and a fifth Select-Terrain mode (ROCK), which can only be activated when the low range is selected. Finally, the third option is the Quadra-Drive II 4WD all-wheel drive: in this case, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential (eLSD) is added to the rear axle.
The next interesting design detail is the Quadra-Lift air suspension (the availability of which also depends on the chosen version of the vehicle). In the standard position of the air suspension, the car has a ground clearance of 214 mm; but in SPORT mode or when driving at high speed, the air suspension automatically lowers (-21 mm) to the AERO position, i.e. one position lower. It is also possible to lower the suspension even further (-46 mm) to the PARK position for easier loading and unloading; but this can only be done manually by pressing the suspension control switch to the right of the «automatic» control washer. Two higher body levels are also available. When MUD/SAND mode is selected, the vehicle is raised (approx. +40 mm) to the fourth position, when ROCK mode is selected, the vehicle is raised (approx. +60 mm) to the fifth position — thus, the total maximum ground clearance can reach 276 mm; the ford depth can reach 610 mm.
The car’s capabilities are determined by its «hardware»: air suspension and «advanced» all-wheel drive; as well as the system for selecting driving modes, which combines everything together. In addition, there is a lot of auxiliary electronics: displaying body roll, the position of all wheels and front wheel steering, the status of the all-wheel drive system, and wheel trajectory drawing. Numerous cameras literally cover the perimeter of the car, and these are not necessarily ordinary cameras, but also a night vision camera (thermal imager): the night vision system is trained to recognize human silhouettes
Jeep Grand Cherokee cost and potential rivals
In Ukraine, the vehicle is offered in two body types (standard 5-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee or extended 7-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee L), with two gasoline engines (inline 2-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine or 3.6-liter V6 atmospheric engine), and in three trim levels (Limited, Overland, Summit Reserve). In total, the various sections give us five model variants.
The range is opened by Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited: Stabilization system, front and side airbags, side curtain airbags, adaptive «cruise», blind spot monitoring «and cross traffic detection, lane keeping assist, four-position Select-Terrain driving mode selection system, Quadra-Trac I 4WD all-wheel drive, dual-zone «climate», electric trunk lid, heated front and rear seats, front seat ventilation, heated steering wheel, rear view camera, 10.25-inch color instrument cluster display, Uconnect 10.1N media center with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, CAPRI leather trim, LED headlights with automatic high beam control, 20-inch alloy wheels, etc. Cost Jeep Grand Cherokee 2.0L Turbo 271 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION-8 4WD Limited — from $61 000.
The next will be an enlarged 7-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee L in the package Limitedfor which the following have been added: Quadra-Trac II 4WD all-wheel drive, three-zone «climate», all-round view system, Head Up projection display for the driver, second row of seats with longitudinal sliding, folding third row of seats, etc. Cost Jeep Grand Cherokee L V6 3.6L Pentastar 285 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION-8 4WD Limited — from $65 000.
One level above is located Jeep Grand Cherokee in the version of Overland, What’s extra: Quadra-Lift air suspension, a heavy-duty alternator, a panoramic glass roof, rear seat ventilation, front seat back massage function, four-zone «climate», NAPPA leather upholstery, and more. Cost Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 3.6L Pentastar 285 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION-8 4WD Overland — from $76 000; the cost of a 7-seater version Jeep Grand Cherokee L V6 3.6L Pentastar 285 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION-8 4WD Overland — from $82 000.
The maximum variant of the car is a 7-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee L in the package Summit Reservewhich stands out for the following: Quadra-Drive II 4WD all-wheel drive, traffic sign recognition, lane keeping assist, Head Up projection display, night vision system, McIntosh audio, additional display for the front passenger, PALERMO leather and walnut inlays, 21-inch alloy wheels, High Altitude package in black exterior trim. Cost Jeep Grand Cherokee L V6 3.6L Pentastar 285 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION-8 4WD Summit Reserve — from $94 000.
The black car is a standard 5-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee in the package Limited. Note the silver front bumper and grille inserts, different wheels, and unpainted arch skirts. The interior features gray wood and simpler (though also leather) seat trim. Next to the «puck» automatic transmission, there is only one switch with four positions: here, the all-wheel drive system Quadra–Trac I 4WD and no air suspension. The dark red car is also a 5-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee, but in the version Overland: it stands out with its own front bumper and wheels, air suspension and all-wheel drive are already present Quadra–Trac II 4WD and the list of equipment includes a panoramic roof, ventilation of all seats, NAPPA leather and much more.
When analyzing competitors, you need to consider 5-seater and 7-seater cars at once; they are usually related to each other. Among the most well-known European brands, I would like to mention BMW X5 and X7, Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS, Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7. The strength of these cars lies in their wide range of offerings: a variety of engines (gasoline or diesel), more powerful and even sporty versions, a level of equipment equal to that of a Jeep, and on flat roads they are usually more passenger car-like. Plus, they add exactly the items that Jeep lacks: matrix headlights, wireless charging, door pulls, swiveling rear wheels, better and larger displays, etc. But almost all «Europeans» will be pricier.
For those who need maximum off-road capabilities, we can mention the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 or Land Rover Defender. The Japanese SUV relies on a proven frame, which adds structural strength but negatively affects handling and interior space. The British car relies on modern technology combined with good comfort, plus it offers a wide range of versions. Both are priced at the Jeep level or more.
Finally, I will add two more pairs of cars. First, the Mazda CX-90 and Hyundai Palisade models: for the money of a 4-cylinder 5-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee, you can buy much larger 6-cylinder 7-seater family crossovers; but without outstanding off-road capabilities, and without that maximum Jeep charisma. Secondly, we are waiting for the new generations of Lexus GX and Infiniti QX80 to appear: the price tags will probably be high, but the power, off-road capability, and equipment should also be at a correspondingly high level.
Competitors include 5- or 7-seater cars of well-known brands (in alphabetical order): Audi Q7, BMW X5, BMW X7, Hyundai Palisade, Infiniti QX80, Land Rover Defender, Lexus GX, Mazda CX-90, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Toyota Land Cruiser 300, Volkswagen Touareg. Each of them has many advantages: the presence of diesel engines in the range, more powerful gasoline engines, a lower starting price, a larger list of equipment (for a higher price tag). But the new Jeep Grand Cherokee as you can see, I did not come empty-handed either. Let me put it simply: if I were a competitor, and absolutely all of them, I would be very tense.
Fuel consumption of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L
In the city, the car consumes an average of 15 liters per 100 kilometers. However, this figure can vary significantly: from 12 liters minimum (on empty roads with a calm driving style) to 17 liters maximum (in traffic and/or dynamic driving style). On the highway at 80-90 km/h, the car consumes 7.5 liters per 100 km; at 110-120 km/h, fuel consumption increases to 9–10 liters per 100 km.
It is worth noting that all the data are given for the enlarged 7-seater version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L; for the standard 5-seater version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, you can expect not only better dynamics, but also lower fuel consumption.
The warranty for the vehicle is three years or 100 thousand kilometers. The cost of maintenance depends on the chosen dealer and the scope of work; the dealer network in Ukraine is still being formed.
Safety of the Jeep Grand Cherokee
According to the Euro NCAP crash test cycles, the car received the maximum rating of five stars. Moreover, in this case, safety is really at a very high level: the dummies almost entirely received the maximum green marks for frontal or side impacts, a high level of child protection, and a rating for the operation of auxiliary safety systems. A real five stars!
Results of the Jeep Grand Cherokee test drive
To answer the question of the headline, yes, the king is back. With his habits, with his rules, with his understanding of the world. This is very bold. The only problem is that recently there have been many contenders for the throne: think of the number of competitors. And everyone considers themselves worthy and offers their advantages.
It will not be easy for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee to cope with them, and it is not certain that it will succeed. However, there are a lot of trump cards «»: original design, excellent equipment, good cross-country ability, and a 7-seater version. All this is sure to attract buyers — existing or new — who want to try something outside the usual choice. The path to the top of the class will definitely not be easy among challenging competitors. But Jeep is well-prepared for the new fight.
Pros:
+ Charismatic exterior design and luxurious Summit Reserve interior
+ Off-road capabilities — all-wheel drive systems and air suspension
+ Many nice bonus features: interior camera, night vision, front massage, rear ventilation, McIntosh audio, additional display for passenger…
Cons:
— Globally, we need to add a more powerful engine to the model range
— There are a lot of small comments: the dashboard is not very convenient and the logic «washers» automatic transmission, there is no wireless charging and matrix headlights…
| Jeep Grand Cherokee L 3.6 | |
| Body, type | crossover, 5 doors, 7 seats |
| Dimensions (L×W×H) | 5.2×1.96×1.82 m |
| Wheelbase | 3,09 м |
| Declared clearance | 214-276 mm |
| Trunk volume | 490-2390 л |
| Minimum curb weight | 2 299 kg |
| Engine | atmospheric, V6 gasoline with a volume of 3.6 liters |
| Power | 285 hp at 6400 rpm. |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 3000 rpm. |
| Specific power and torque | 124 hp per 1 ton and 174 Nm per 1 ton |
| Type of drive | all-wheel drive, downshift |
| Transmission type | 8-speed «automatic» (classic hydromechanical transmission) |
| Dynamics 0-100 km/h. | 8.1 seconds |
| Maximum speed | 210 km/h. |
| Fuel consumption, combined cycle | 11.1 liters per 100 km |
| Minimum cost | from UAH 2.39 million or $61 thousand. |