Two fewer seats scrapes almost $5K off the asking price, but it’s still a lot higher than the old Grand Cherokee
Jeep Australia has announced local pricing and specification details for its upcoming 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee five-seat model range, with the two-row large SUV line-up set to kick off from $77,950 plus on-road costs.
That lowers the latest WL Jeep Grand Cherokee’s entry price by a healthy $4800, but remains more than $17,000 higher than the WK model it directly replaces.
Due in local showrooms this month – at least six months after the launch of the new seven-seat Jeep Grand Cherokee L in mid-2022 – the five-seater takes the total number of Grand Cherokee variants to six and is also available in three grades – the sub-$78K Night Eagle, Limited ($83,950) and Overland ($98,450), a newly revived variant name for the five-seater.
That number will grow to seven by the end of this year, when the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol ‘4xe’ plug-in powertrain is made available in flagship five-seat Summit Reserve 4xe guise, but for now the entire line-up remains powered by a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine developing 210kW/344Nm.
An eight-speed transmission distributes power to all four wheels via a permanent 4×4 system, and the new five-seaters are claimed to average 9.9L/100km on the combined cycle – down from 10.6L/100km for the seven-seaters.
That’s because the five-seater rides on a shorter wheelbase than the seven-seater (2964 v 3091mm), as well as being shorter overall (4917 v 5204mm) and therefore lighter, at 2167 versus 2190kg in base trim.
The standard equipment lists for Night Eagle and Limited variants largely match those of their seven-seater siblings, with highlights for both grades including a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch infotainment system with smartphone mirroring, wireless phone charging and a six-speaker audio system.
They also score heated suede and ‘TechnoLeather’ accented front seats with eight-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, automatic LED headlights, 20-inch alloys and adaptive cruise control.
What they doesn’t have, despite being a Jeep off-roader, is low-range gearing – you’ll have to opt for the top-spec Overland for that perk.
This is partly because both the Night Eagle and Limited utilise the Jeep Quadra-Trac I 4×4 System, however, you do at least get Terrain Select in the mid-range variant.
Other headline inclusions over the base model include full TechnoLeather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, memory function for the driver’s seat, a nine-speaker audio system, rear sun shades, ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera, automatic high-beam and a digital rear-view mirror.
Step up to the Overland and you’ll also score a full panoramic glass roof, Nappa leather upholstery, nine-spealer ‘premium’ sound system, multi-colour ambient lighting, proximity wake-up, hands-free powered tailgate, Jeep Quadra-Trac II Active 4×4 system (with low-range gearing) and Quadra Lift air suspension.
Each Grand Cherokee variant comes with its own suite of optional extras that get progressively more generous as you climb up the ranks.
The Night Eagle for instance can be had with premium paint and/or a powered sunroof, while the Limited offers premium paint and a ‘vision pack’ which bundles in a dual-pane sunroof and head-up display.
The Overland by contrast is offered with the option of premium paint and two accessory packs, the Luxury Tech Pack and Off-Road Group.
The former is comprised of 12-way powered front seats with memory and massage functions, four-zone climate control, ventilated rear outboard seats and the Limited’s digital rear-view mirror, wireless charging pad and second-row window shades.
Tthe latter includes a 230mm rear axle, electronic limited-slip differential, ‘trail rated’ badge, 18-inch alloys shod with 265/60R18 Goodyear all-terrain tyres and a raft of underbody protection.
Jeep Australia managing director Kevin Flynn said the new Grand Cherokee represented a “fundamental shift” for the brand as the “most technologically advanced model” to date.
“This vehicle is a blend of refined sophistication, dynamic performance, cutting-edge technologies, and unsurpassed levels of elegance,” he said.
“The new Grand Cherokee carries an attractive presence and capability that is uncommon in its segment, unquestionably Jeep brand and unmistakably world class.”
All Grand Cherokee V6s come with a maximum towing capacity of 2813kg – including the air-sprung Overland and Summit Reserve, which recently made the switch from ECE to SAE testing standards.
That’s significantly down on the 3500kg capacities of diesel V6 versions of the previous-generation Grand Cherokee and the new model’s most direct rivals including the Toyota LandCruiser, Toyota Prado, Ford Everest, Nissan Patrol and Isuzu MU-X.
How much does the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee cost?
Night Eagle – $77,950
L Night Eagle – $82,750
Limited – $83,950
L Limited – $88,750
Overland – $98,450
L Summit Reserve – $115,950
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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Keyword: Cheaper five-seat Jeep Grand Cherokee here this month