2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L; America's Range Rover?

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Odds and Ends
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Jeep is aiming to be a more luxury or premium focused off-road brand. That intent is more evident with the new 5th generation 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The 3-row SUV sits on a new platform and is packed with the latest driver and infotainment technology.

Performance

Engine – For the time being, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is only available with two engine options. The base engine is a 3.6L naturally aspirated V6, as equipped on this demo vehicle. The optional engine is a 5.7L Hemi V8 that is also found in the Dodge Durango. The 2-row version of the Grand Cherokee will be available with the 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain in 2022 so I don’t see why the Jeep Grand Cherokee L 4xe couldn’t exist sometime in the future.

Back to the V6 engine, it produces 290 hp and 257 lb-ft of torque (216 kW / 348 Nm). In an SUV that tips the scales at 2,173 kg (4,791 lbs), the V6 engine has its work cut out for it. The 0-100 km/h sprint takes the better part of 8 seconds to complete and this engine makes quite the racket when the rpm needle edges closer to the redline. So if you’re wanting for more power, the V8 option is the choice for you.

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However, the reason why you would want to consider the V6 engine is fuel economy. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L 4×4 is rated for 13 L/100km (18.1 MPG) in a city and 9.4 L/100km (24 MPG) on a highway. That highway fuel economy number is easily achievable but the city fuel economy is much more difficult. Because of that, the best combined fuel economy number that I was able to achieve was 13.9 L/100km (16.9 MPG).

With the V6 engine, the Grand Cherokee L can tow up to 6,200 lbs. With the V8 Hemi, that number increases to 7,200 lbs.

Transmission – Both the V6 and the V8 are paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. Left to its own, the transmission shifts very smoothly between the gears. It’s not the fastest iteration of the ZF 8-speed but for this type of SUV, it’s quick enough.

Braking – The Grand Cherokee L has a firm and confidence inspiring brake pedal. It’s not overly sensitive so you can arrive at a complete stop smoothly. Automatic emergency braking is standard on the Grand Cherokee L.

Handling – From behind the steering wheel, the Jeep grand Cherokee L doesn’t feel particularly sporty but that’s not what the intended driving characteristic is supposed to be. Around corners the SUV feels planted and stable. The air suspension provides a strong resistance to body roll so you don’t get that rolling over feeling. Steering is sharp and direct but not too good at providing much feedback.

However, one would consider the Jeep Grand Cherokee L because of its off-road prowess. While this is not exactly a Jeep Wrangler, it can tackle some light off-roading duties. It has Sand, Snow, and Rock off-road modes that alter the transmission shifts, throttle response, 4×4 system, air suspension, and traction / stability control programs. The Grand Cherokee L won’t exactly go rock crawling in Moab but it’ll get you back home after a drive on a forest service road or through 24-inches of water fording. In Canada it is only available with a 4×4 drive train while in the United States, 4×4 is optional.

Comfort

Ride Comfort – Coupled with the air suspension, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L makes for a comfortable long distance tourer. You do still feel the bumps in the road but the shunts are absorbed by the air suspension. The suspension also does a very good job of settling the whole body after a particularly big bump in the road. After one jounce, the body is immediately settled again and you don’t get the feeling of a floaty ride at higher speeds.

Interior Space – The 2021 Grand Cherokee L is a spacious 3-row SUV with more legroom than its sister; the Dodge Durango. The front seats provide a lot of legroom for tall adults as well as enough extension in the powered telescoping steering wheel (on this Overland trim). The front seats are heated, ventilated, and massaging with multiple programs to choose from.

The second row is also spacious for adults. This Overland trim is equipped with captain’s chairs as standard but bench seating can be optioned like this demo vehicle.

Getting into the third row is easy as it is just a pull of a tab on the top of the second row seats. The opening is large making ingress and outgress a breeze. The third row space however is tight for adults. If you do plan on utilizing 3rd row seats often, the Honda Pilot still offers more legroom.

In the trunk, you will find 487 L (17.2 cu-ft) of space behind the 3rd row, 1,328 L (46.9 cu-ft) with the 3rd rows folded via power buttons in the trunk, and 2,395 L (84.6 cu-ft) with the 3rd and 2nd rows folded.

Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – Overall, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L provides a quiet cabin. But there are some driving situations in which the cabin is not quite as well insulated from outside noises. In particular when accelerating from a stop or overtaking a vehicle. The engine is loud once it goes past 2,000 rpms and it’s not the most pleasant sounding V6 on the market.

Odds and Ends

Pricing – The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L starts at $52,495 CAD ($38,635 USD w/ 4×2) with this Overland trim costing from $68,745 CAD ($57,435 USD w/ 4×4). A fully loaded Summit Reserve trim will cost you closer to $83,000 CAD ($66,000 USD).

Gadgets – For the money, the Grand Cherokee L has a lot of gadgets. The usual luxury features are there which include leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, heated, ventilated & massaging front seats, heated 2nd row seats, panoramic sunroof, power liftgate, wireless phone charging, head-up display, surround view cameras, adaptive cruise control, lane keep, blind spot sensors, automatic emergency braking, LED headlights & taillights, navigation, and a powerful McIntosh sound system. A small word about the sound system, it has a very strong bass. So much so that I had to lower the intensity. But if you do like bass, then this is the system for you. The Grand Cherokee L also has a cool night vision camera that quickly highlights pedestrians and larger animals before the headlights shine on them.

The infotainment is Stellantis’ new Uconnect 5 that is an Android Automotive based system. It is displayed on a 10.1-inch touchscreen with crisp and clear graphics. It can be updated with over-the-air updates and allows for 2 simultaneous Bluetooth smartphone connections. It also allows for wireless Apple CarPlay & wireless Android Auto. However, I have experienced some connection issues with wireless Android Auto. At times it would disconnect and reconnect after 30 seconds or so and repeat after a few minutes. Navigating through the system is fairly straightforward and intuitive and it allows for some degree of customization with a favorites tab that can be displayed by a swipe down of the screen.

Interior Design – Jeep’s desire to move a bit more upmarket really shows in the new Grand Cherokee L. Majority of the cabin is covered in leather, soft touch plastics, or wood trim. Of course the lower portions of the cabin are hard plastics but you’ll rarely touch those areas. My biggest gripe with the interior (as well as other auto manufacturer interiors) is the use of gloss black plastics around the center console. This demo vehicle barely had 3,500 km and scratches can already be seen; nevermind dust and fingerprints.

Exterior Design – The Grand Cherokee L’s exterior styling is an evolution of the Grand Cherokee design that we’ve grown accustomed to. It retains the 7 rectangles in its grille that all Jeep vehicles have. Around back, it looks a bit more simplistic with the horizontal LED tail lights. The overall shape is still easily recognizable as a Jeep SUV.

Warranty – The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km basic and 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty.

So as Jeep continues to push towards the premium & luxury segments of the market with the new Grand Cherokee L, it still retains some off-road prowess. Of course it’s no Jeep Wrangler but for those snowy days in December or going to the cabin in July, the 2021 Grand Cherokee L will take you and your family there in comfort.