Shannon BassettI've been lucky enough to review several SUVs this year. The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was my family's favorite. Here's how it won them over.Between navigating the chaos of motherhood and my work as a content creator, I've logged countless miles in various SUVs with my family, like a Cadillac Vistiq, Kia Telluride, and a Nissan Armada NISM—yet the Jeep brand had somehow never made it into my driveway. When the nearly $73K 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit 4×4 finally arrived, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect.To put it simply, my husband and my two sons were sad to see it go at the end of my loan.AdvertisementAdvertisementMy sons were sold immediately, largely thanks to the second-row Amazon Fire TVs and dedicated HDMI ports that let them plug in their own games. But after a full week of carpool runs and daily errands, I was the one most surprised by how much I genuinely enjoyed its substantial road presence and upscale luxury comforts.This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.What Makes the "L" Summit So Special?The third row is part of the L package, and it's quite roomyIn case you didn't know, the "L" means "long" or "longer." And she is, indeed, longer. Jeep adds five extra inches to the wheelbase over the standard Jeep Grand Cherokee, making the "L" 11.4 inches longer overall, transforming it from a 5-seater to a roomy 7-seater (or 8-seater, if you get the L on the Laredo, Altitude, Overland and Summit trims with a bench seat—Summit Reserve is strictly captain's chairs).At the top of the ladder, the Summit trim steps into luxury territory. It comes loaded with ultra-plush Palermo leather, real open-pore wood trim, front massaging seats, and a concert-quality 19-speaker McIntosh audio system. It's the rare three-row SUV where the cabin feels just as tailored for the driver's daily recharge as it does for the kids in the back.AdvertisementAdvertisementMy husband and I also appreciated the rear FamCAM monitoring system and the responsive air suspension smoothing out every bump and dip. The Summit delivers six-figure executive refinement in a family-ready package. But she's pricey. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L starts at $40,920 ($42,920 if you want 4WD) on the Laredo, and goes up to $60,600 for the Summit—which is 4WD only. My tester had every package and option available, bringing the price to nearly $73,000.How Does She Handle? Like a DreamThe $73K trim comes with every option available, plus extra spaceLet's talk about how this SUV handles. The first thing that stood out to me was the steering. It felt tight, heavy, and purposeful. The drive and handling felt different and a far cry from the disconnected, loose steering I've experienced in some other cars. You can truly feel the quality and the durability of the 4×4 frame through the wheel and in your hands.I noticed a slight stutter at lower speeds where the 324-horsepower 2.0L Hurricane turbo-four engine seemed eager to deliver that power to me quickly; but the overall driving experience felt incredibly premium, sporty and high-quality.Of course, with great power comes not-so-great mileage. I averaged about 23 MPG combined, with about 25 MPG on the highway. Though as a full-sized, 3-row SUV with a towing rating of 6,200 lbs, that mileage isn't as bad as it could be.An Interior Designed for Luxury (and Chaos)The view of the second row from the third of in the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit LThe interior of the 2026 Grand Cherokee L Summit is almost as good as some of the best German luxury three-row SUVs on the market. The leather front seats are arguably some of the most comfortable I've experienced, complete with heating, ventilation, and massage functions that run long enough to feel truly therapeutic instead of distracting.AdvertisementAdvertisementA few daily annoyances take the shine off, however. The extensive piano black trim acts as a mirror for dust and smudges, while the solid metal rotary shifter gets searing hot when parked in the sun. The console geometry is also slightly awkward: because the cupholders sit horizontally right in front of the shifter, a 32-ounce Stanley tumbler creates a literal roadblock every time you reach to change gears.Otherwise, you couldn't find any one of us complaining. It was quiet, comfortable, and every need was met.My Sons Were Excited to Be Passengers, Thanks to Built-In TVWho would have guessed that my sons' favorite feature would be the TVs?If you asked my sons Harrison and Weston, they'd tell you this is the best press car I've ever brought home. And it's not because of the cozy captain's chairs or the abundance of legroom. They, of course, fell hard for the built-in TVs. For $1,995, the optional Rear-Seat Entertainment Group adds two 10.1-inch Amazon Fire TVs on the back of the driver's and front passenger's seats, which, of course, wowed my kids.By using Jeep's elaborate Uconnect 5 software, both TVs can work independently, streaming two different shows or movies, or they can work simultaneously to show the same content. But it's not as simple as starting the TVs and logging into your streaming apps. You have to connect them to your home's WiFi, use your phone as a hotspot, or pay extra to activate the car's built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe cool thing is, if little hands can't reach, you or your kids can use Alexa as a hands-free remote; larger passengers can use touch controls; or you can use the car's voice assistant, too. If you don't want to hear what they're listening to, each TV can connect to wireless Bluetooth headphones. If you're old school, you can use wired headphones with an easily accessible port. The TVs also have USB-C and HDMI ports, so you can plug in any external media device or a gaming system, like a Nintendo Switch.While I personally appreciate screen-free time to have conversations in the car, I can't deny the peace that comes with rear-seat entertainment on longer rides. Between the panoramic sunroof, climate controls, and a car seat-friendly tilt for easy access to the third row, my kids felt like they were in a first-class cabin.She's Big, But She's ManeuverableFrom the outside, it looks like a 5-seater, and I like thatThe Jeep Grand Cherokee L has the perfect "Goldilocks" size. It offers more space than most would assume. Behind the third row is 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a massive 84.6 cubic feet with all rear seats down. That's more than enough for a typical family's needs and then some.Yet from the outside, it manages to appear like a small SUV (or like a standard Jeep Grand Cherokee) and feels remarkably compact and easy to maneuver and drive. It's not too tall for short girls like me at 5'2" and feels like it should only be a 5-passenger SUV. It was one of the easiest 3-row SUVs to park and navigate through suburban traffic that I've tested to date.The Bottom Line: Is it Worth $73k?Me standing with the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit LOnce I took off the rose colored glasses, I had to think realistically: As tested, the model I drove came in at $73,175. That is a luxury-level price tag for a Jeep. While the interior is beautiful enough to trick yourself into thinking you are driving a six-figure luxury model and the drive feel is solid, that price point places it in direct competition with the highest trims of the Acura MDX, Mazda CX-90, and Toyota Grand Highlander.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs I mentioned, it was one of the easiest driving 3-row SUVs I've tested thus far, and my family and I loved the entertainment, premium colors and materials, and how fancy we all felt driving it around. To this day, I think of the Jeep fondly. But, for me, $73k feels steep, especially when you consider that vehicles like the Kia Telluride offer a similarly premium feel and a comparable feature list for closer to $60k. Furthermore, I have to be transparent and consider the reliability factor; for some, the Jeep brand carries question marks that make that investment feel risky.So, would I recommend it? Yes, but only if you are a Jeep loyalist or if you value that specific, heavy-duty four-wheel drive "Jeep" driving feel and top-tier driver comfort. It is an exceptional family vehicle for those who want three rows of seating but don't want to feel like they are driving a school bus. If you aren't scared off by the long-term reliability conversation, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit is a gorgeous, capable, and surprisingly agile family companion.Related HeadlinesWhich is the Better Hybrid: Toyota RAV4 or Mazda CX-50? Both Offer Luxury, High MPG and AWD. Here's How They're DifferentThe VW Atlas Is a Large Family-Friendly 3-Row SUV. But Will I Feel Conspicuous Driving It Solo?The 2026 Audi Q3 S Line Quattro Blends German Precision With Southern CharmAdvertisementAdvertisementRead more at A Girls Guide to Cars
+4 others
