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2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L: Loaded and loadable with night vision to boot

If you're in the market for a large SUV that's totally capable in town or off-road, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee L has a lot to offer, including V6 and V8 options, luxe interiors, seven-passenger seating in three rows (a first for the line), and more than 110 advanced safety and security features -- including an available night-vision camera.

It also features a host of 4x4 systems, class-exclusive air suspension, and a selectable traction management system.

On top of it all, an all-new architecture and sculpted aerodynamic body style combine to improve vehicle performance, safety, and reliability, while significantly reducing vehicle weight, noise, vibration, and harshness.

The use of lightweight, high-strength aluminum closures, including the hood and tailgate, help reduce weight and boost fuel economy. The Jeep engineering team reduced weight by mounting the axle directly to the engine, along with a solid-mounted aluminum front cradle, aluminum engine mounts and steering gear, a magnesium cross-car beam, aluminum shock towers, and an all-new electronic master brake booster system.

The Grand Cherokee L body structure employs the latest grades of Generation 3 steel. The next-gen steel gave engineering and design teams the ability to cold stamp complex parts from higher strength materials, which was not possible in the past, creating a more robust and innovative body structure. All in all, Grand Cherokee L is composed of more than 60% advanced high-strength steel.

Grand Cherokee L will be available in four different trim configurations: Laredo, Limited, Overland, and Summit. Buyers will have a choice of two powerful, fuel-efficient, and refined engines with proven performance: a V6 and a V8. Each engine mates to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.

Standard is the all-aluminum 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, rated at 290 hp and 257 lb.-ft. of torque. It features exhaust manifolds integrated into the cylinder heads, chain-driven dual overhead camshafts that include two-step variable valve lift and variable-valve timing (VVT), and fuel-saving engine stop-start (ESS) technology. It is rated for a towing capacity of up to 6,200 lb and an estimated, class-leading driving range of nearly 500 miles.

Buyers who want more power can opt for the a 5.7-liter V8, rated at 357 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque delivered over a broad power band. It features a cast-iron block and aluminum cylinder heads and delivers performance and efficiency with VVT and Fuel Saver Technology (cylinder deactivation). It has a class-leading towing capacity of up to 7,200 lb.

Jeep says the proportion of the all-new Grand Cherokee L was inspired by the original Wagoneer, the brand's first full-size luxury SUV. Grand Cherokee L's lean profile features a longer hood and cab, which shifts the vehicle rearward to give a sense of motion with a ready-to-react response. A forward-tipped grille further enhances the length of the hood and gives a respectful nod to Wagoneer's iconic design. A lowered, tapered roof improves aerodynamic performance and efficiency without sacrificing its cargo spaciousness and utility.

The face has more aggressive styling, featuring slim LED headlights and a larger geometric front fascia that conceals an all-new, long-range radar component and other advanced technology features, including active grille shutters.

A widened track (36-mm increase) gives the Grand Cherokee L more presence. The tires are flush with the body side to showcase the signature trapezoidal wheel arches. For the first time on a Grand Cherokee, 21-in. wheels come standard with the Summit Reserve Package (Limited and Laredo get 18-in. wheels, while Overland and Summit standard get 20-in. ones).

At the rear, new vertical-pillar spoilers added to the tailgate help reduce on-road drag. A rearview camera with washer has been tucked neatly into the tailgate spoiler, which also features a new LED center high-mounted stop lamp. Other rear elements, including a standard integrated tow hitch cover and fascia-mounted exhaust tips, provide a finished, custom look. Overland and Summit models come standard with a hands-free, foot-activated power liftgate, and, for the first time, a premium, full suite of LED lighting is standard on all Jeep Grand Cherokee trim levels.

The Selec-Terrain system offers five available terrain modes (Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand) to provide optimized calibrations for any given driving scenario.

All three 4x4 systems are equipped with an active transfer case to improve traction by moving torque to work with the wheel with the most grip.

Quadra-Trac I is a single-speed active transfer case that uses input from multiple sensors in the vehicle to pre-emptively adjust torque distribution and will continue to reactively make corrections if tire slip occurs. When wheel slippage is detected, as much as 100% of available torque is instantly routed to the axle with the most traction.

The Quadra-Trac II's two-speed active transfer case with low-range gear reduction uses input from multiple sensors in the vehicle to pre-emptively adjust torque distribution and will continue to reactively make corrections if tire slip occurs. When wheel slippage is detected, as much as 100% of available torque is instantly routed to the axle with the most traction. Active 4-Low torque control with 2.72:1 gear ratio improves off-road maneuverability and delivers uncompromised performance.

Quadra-Drive II, with a two-speed active transfer case and rear eLSD, instantly detects tire slip and smoothly reacts by distributing engine torque to tires with traction. In some cases, the vehicle will anticipate low traction and pre-emptively adjust in order to limit or eliminate tire slip. Quadra-Drive II is available on the Overland 4x4 model when equipped with the Off-Road Group, and it is standard on Summit models.

The available Jeep Quadra-Lift air suspension adds up to 4.17 in. of lift span supported by four-corner air springs that provide an air-cushioned, premium ride. It now includes electronic adaptive damping to deliver class-leading ground clearance and water fording. The system automatically adjusts the shock tuning to changing road conditions for enhanced comfort, stability, and control. It operates automatically or can be controlled manually with console controls. It features five height settings for optimum ride performance and includes lowering the vehicle 1.8 in. in Park Mode. The crawl ratio on the Grand Cherokee L is 44:1.

Also new for the 2021 Grand Cherokee L 4x4 is front-axle disconnect. If the vehicle senses that road conditions do not require all-wheel drive, the front-axle disconnect automatically places the Grand Cherokee L in two-wheel drive, reducing drag on the driveline and improving fuel economy. Four-wheel drive automatically re-engages when the vehicle senses it is needed.

Inside, Grand Cherokee L boasts luxury, refinement, and a cockpit filled with high-tech features. Metal, real oak or walnut wood, and leather are the primary materials. The center stack has been realigned and is now even more accessible to the driver, featuring a 10.1-in. display for the new Uconnect 5 system.

Also new is a 10.25-in. frameless digital gauge cluster with nearly two dozen different menus from which the user can select, including driver-assist technologies such as adaptive cruise control, highway assist, intersection collision assist, drowsy driver detection, and speed-limit traffic signs display (if equipped). There's a 360-degree surround view camera, and the Night Vision Camera, available on Overland and Summit models, uses infrared sensors to search for the heat signatures of pedestrians and animals in the road up to 219 yd (200 m) ahead and put out an alert.

To control the digital cluster, the Grand Cherokee L features an all-new multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters. A premium McIntosh audio system is available on Overland and Summit models and comes standard with the Summit Reserve Package.

An all-new Jeep seating architecture has been introduced, featuring a length-adjustable cushion for the front row in Overland and Summit models. First-row seats with power 16-way adjustable position with memory and lumbar are available on Overland and standard on Summit. Seat-back massage that includes five customizable profiles with three levels of pressure intensity is available on Overland and standard on Summit models.

Overland and Summit models include the CommandView dual-pane sunroof with a power sunshade (available on Limited). The Laredo model features an available single-pane sunroof. Many, many more features.

Built at the new Detroit Assembly Complex's Mack Plant, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L will arrive in Jeep dealerships in the second quarter of 2021. The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee two-row and its 4xe electrified version are also scheduled to start production at the plant at that time.

Pricing has not been released. Expect the lowest-tier Laredo to start around $40,000. Prices climb steeply from there. Learn more at www.jeep.com/all-new-grand-cherokee-3-row.html.

Note: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot S.A. (Groupe PSA) have merged to become Stellantis.

Source: Jeep/Stellantis

Published February 2021

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