Jeep 3 row suv

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Three-Row SUV Is First of Luxurious New Generation

The fifth-gen Grand Cherokee will eventually have hands-free driving capability and a plug-in hybrid model.

• Jeep has revealed the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee SUV, a three-row model called the Grand Cherokee L that shows design inspiration from the Wagoneer.
• The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L has seating for six or seven passengers and will offer two engines, three different drive systems, an available air suspension, and loads of new technology on board.
• It’ll go on sale this spring likely starting at just under $40,000, and a two-row version and a new plug-in-hybrid model will go into production by the end of the year.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV is about to start its fifth generation, and it’s being introduced with a three-row model called the Grand Cherokee L that seats up to seven. In case the choice of a three-row design raises a question about the off-road cred of this new Jeep, the division’s leader, Jim Morrison, responds, «Don’t let the third row fool you, this Jeep is still capable.»

The popular SUV will continue to offer a two-row model, which is set to enter production by the end of the year along with a plug-in-hybrid 4xe. Hands-free driving capability is coming in the second model year, too, Jeep says. Meanwhile, the 2021 Grand Cherokee L shown here will go on sale this spring, likely starting just under $40,000.

By the end of the year, Jeep will have three new three-row SUVs in its lineup: the unibody Grand Cherokee L, available in Laredo, Limited, Overland, and Summit trims, and the body-on-frame Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer full-size utes. The Wagoneer will start in the $60,000 range while Jeep says that fully loaded Grand Wagoneers can reach over $100,000. The Grand Cherokee L and Wagoneers will compete with the likes of Ford’s Explorer and Expedition, Chevy’s Traverse and Tahoe, and Toyota’s Highlander and Sequoia.

Jeep says that the Grand Cherokee L’s proportions were inspired by the original Wagoneer, and you’ll see a bit of the new Grand Wagoneer concept’s flair blended in as well. The largest dose is in the seven-slot grille, which is slanted slightly forward, with slim LED headlights attached on either side. Below, the new model’s front fascia features active openings and has grown, hiding driver-assistance tech, compared with the previous generation. A gloss-black roof is available on the Overland model and standard on the Summit, and the roofline flows into thin LED taillights. An available Summit Reserve package includes a set of 21-inch wheels (pictured above) while the top two models get standard 20-inch wheels. The Limited and base Laredo models sit on 18-inch wheels.

The Grand Cherokee L’s wheelbase is 6.9 inches longer than the current model’s, and the new model is equipped with an independent front and multi-link rear suspension. (The current two-row version will carry over into the 2021 model year and the new two-row model is coming later, likely as a 2022 model.) The L’s second row seats fold and slide forward to allow easier access to the third row, which has available power-folding seats and 30.3 inches of legroom—1.9 inches less than the Ford Explorer. There are 47 cubic feet of storage behind the second row, 11 cubes more than the two-row Grand Cherokee, and when all the seats are folded to a flat load floor, the L boasts 85 cubic feet of storage, three less than the Explorer.

Same Engines, Plug-In Hybrid Coming

Jeep kept the Grand Cherokee’s powertrains the same for its new generation, though it’ll announce a plug-in hybrid 4xe model, a moniker first introduced on the Wrangler, later this year. We also won’t rule out the mega-powerful Hellcat supercharged V-8, either, because Fiat Chrysler stuffs the beast into just about anything with four wheels, including the three-row Dodge Durango. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with start-stop is standard, whether with rear-, all-, or four-wheel drive, producing 290 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque. A more powerful 5.7-liter V-8 with four-wheel drive and cylinder deactivation is available on the Overland and Summit models, which makes 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Both engines use an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The L’s two powertrains make slightly less power than the two-row model simply because of the different configuration in this new generation, Jeep told Car and Driver. The Grand Cherokee L can tow up to 6200 pounds with the V-6 and 7200 pounds with the V-8, the same as the 2021 Grand Cherokee two-row.

Same Jeep Capabilities

Three drive systems are available: Quadra-Trac I and II, single- and two-speed transfer cases, as well as Quadra-Drive II, which includes the two-speed transfer case and a rear electronic limited-slip differential. The latter is optional on the Overland model and standard on the Summit. Those two models are also equipped with adaptive dampers and a standard air suspension that has five height settings ranging from 6.5 to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. The Grand Cherokee L has five terrain modes, including auto, sport, rock, snow, and mud/sand, and hill-descent control, standard on the Overland and Summit, is governed with the paddle shifters.

An off-road package is available on the Overland model, which gives it Jeep’s «Trail Rated» badge, and it includes skid plates, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, and 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in Michelin Primacy all-season tires. The Grand Cherokee L is also equipped with a front axle disconnect that automatically puts the SUV in two-wheel drive if it senses that four-wheel drive is not required.

Luxurious Interior with Larger Screens

The new Grand Cherokee’s biggest improvement is in the cabin, and well-equipped versions might even compete with luxury SUVs such as the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-class. An 8.4-inch touchscreen is standard with FCA’s new Uconnect 5 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability while a 10.1-inch screen is available on the Limited and Overland and standard on the Summit. A 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster is standard. The center console is finished in gloss black and features a backlit rotary shift knob similar to the one seen in the Grand Wagoneer concept.

Overland and Summit models get 16-way power front seats with an optional massaging function. All Grand Cherokee Ls have customizable interior LED lighting and 12 USB Type A and Type C outlets. The available Summit Reserve package includes cooled front- and second-row seats with nicer leather, massaging front seats, special trim, and a McIntosh audio system.

Jeep says that the Grand Cherokee L will have Level 2 self-driving capability, which should be available by the end of the year. For now, FCA’s lane-centering and adaptive cruise control technology is available on the Overland model and standard on the Summit. Those two models also receive a night vision camera and head-up display. Limited models and above have the option for a 9.2-inch digital rearview mirror. All 2021 Grand Cherokee Ls come standard with collision warning with active braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist with lane departure warning, brake assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L will go on sale in the spring. Pricing is expected to start at just under $40,000 for the Laredo, around $45,000 for the Limited, $50,000 for the Overland, and $55,000 for the Summit.

Источник

2021 Grand Cherokee L

A LEGACY EXTENDED

WORRY-FREE MAINTENANCE FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND

You will be automatically enrolled into the Jeep Wave® program with the purchase or lease of any 2021 Jeep® Brand vehicle. This premium customer care program is valid for 36 months from date of ownership and provides you with no additional cost worry-free maintenance and dedicated 24/7 support along with additional perks and benefits.

ALL-NEW GRAND CHEROKEE

The All-New 2022 Jeep® Grand Cherokee and the first-ever Grand Cherokee 4xe are coming. Available winter 2021, you can experience legendary style, exceptional capability and plug-in hybrid electric power. Let tomorrow’s adventure begin.

GREATNESS REDESIGNED

EXTRAORDINARY CAPABILITY

The highly versatile Grand Cherokee L offers three available 4×4 systems and a host of capability features designed for off-road trails, city streets and everything in between. Available all-weather capability and a Best-in-Class Maximum Towing Capacity of 7,200 pounds continue to advance the legendary reputation of Grand Cherokee.

ALL-NEW EXTERIOR DESIGN

A new sculpted exterior with a tapered roof optimizes aerodynamic performance without sacrificing space. The front view has been refreshed but remains reminiscent of its Grand Cherokee lineage. A full suite of available premium LED lighting completes the picture.

EXPANSIVE INTERIOR

The Most Awarded SUV Ever now comes with three rows that seat up to seven passengers and achieves Best-in-Class second-row legroom . New features like available 16-way adjustable power front seats with memory and massage help keep you comfortable while the available Quad-Zone Automatic Temperature Control makes for a cozier cabin for all.

EQUIPPED FOR YOUR SAFETY AND SECURITY

With the Most Available Safety and Security Features in its Class , the All-New Grand Cherokee L watches your back, front and sides. Drive confidently with over 110 standard and available safety and security features including Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go , Forward Collision Warning , Active Lane Management , Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection and Automatic Emergency Braking .

THE PEAK OF TECHNOLOGY

Jeep® Connect services offer a new world of high-tech capabilities. Plus, the All-New Uconnect® 5 with an available 10.1-inch touchscreen is a pioneer in personalization with up to five user profiles and simultaneous dual-phone connectivity for passengers. Along with the available Head-Up Display and a new available McIntosh® MX950 Entertainment System with 19 speakers, the Grand Cherokee L makes a true leap forward from its groundbreaking predecessors.

Источник

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L First Drive: Respect Earned

Behold! It’s the Jeep of midsize three-row SUVs.

«Respect the Grand and earn the seven slots.» That was the task given to the team developing the fifth-generation (codename: WL) Grand Cherokee lineup, which includes this three-row 2021 Grand Cherokee L and its two-row sibling arriving for 2022. The directive is Jeep-speak for «keep it comfy and classy but ensure it’ll go everywhere its ZJ, WJ, and WK predecessors could.» We just spent a day driving four variants of the L, cruising interstate highways, thrashing twisty roads, towing 7,200 pounds, and scaling boulder trails. It’s report card time.

Does the Grand Cherokee L Earn Its Seven-Slot Grille Off-Road?

Yes, and frankly, Jeep off-road capability is what the midsize three-row class is currently missing. A properly equipped 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland will surely rank as the most capable mainstream midsize three-row SUV offering, with a state-of-the-art low-range full-time 4WD system, screens that monitor pitch and roll angles, and a trail camera to provide a view of what’s just over the hill you’re cresting, complete with guidelines to indicate where the tires are headed.

On paper, ground clearance measures about the same as with the previous two-row Grand Cherokee, with the new L trailing only slightly in approach, breakover, and departure angles. With the standard steel suspension, these measures drop by 5.6, 0.8, and 2.5 degrees, but an Overland aired up on its tippy toes narrows those angles to differences of +0.3, -0.2, and -3.5 degrees.

All three available transfer cases employ active front-to-rear torque distribution with a front-axle disconnect for improved fuel economy. Stepping up to the Limited 4×4 adds the Selec-Terrain system, which has five modes to tailor various functions to different conditions (auto, sport, rock, snow, mud/sand). The Overland gets standard Quadra-Trac II, which adds a 2.72:1 low range and hill-descent control and Quadra-Lift air suspension for 4.2 inches of height adjustability. The most serious bushwhackers will add the Off-Road Group to get 18-inch wheels with off-road tires, skidplates, and Quadra-Drive II, which adds an electronically actuated limited-slip rear differential (Summit models also get Quadra-Drive II, but with less off-road-optimal 20- or 21-inch wheel-and-tire packages).

With ample spotter assistance, we traversed stacks of logs and an aggressive rock pile that most civilians would never attempt in a $60,000 SUV, making extensive use of the skidplates. We also crossed a frame-twist field that placed diagonally opposed wheels at a 24-inch height difference. The articulation and traction were impressive, especially given the unaggressive looking tread of the Michelin Primacy XC All-Season tires. A future Trailhawk model could do with knobbier tires, a skosh more ground clearance, and a lower (numerically higher) crawl ratio, as the Overland Off-Road pack’s 44.2:1 ratio frequently required so much accelerator input in some situations that when a tire finally surmounted an obstacle it was necessary to immediately jump on the brakes.

How Grand Is the Newest Cherokee?

The top-shelf Summit Reserve strives for Bentley-level grandiosity with diamond stitching on the door panels and the bolsters and of its perforated Palermo leather seats, waxed walnut wood veneers on the dash and door panels, and an over-the-top 950-watt, 17-channel, 19-speaker McIntosh sound system. And sure, it falls short of the Bentley benchmark with middle-row seats that must—sigh—be manually folded and slid to access the third row and in the quality of some plastic materials low on the dash and door panels, but let’s recall that this model tops out at less than $70,000.

We spent most of our drive time in the base Laredo model, which opens at $38,690 with rear drive or $40,690 with AWD, having climbed directly out of an example of its three-row sibling from Dodge, the Durango GT ($40,795 to start). The much newer Jeep instantly came across as the quieter, suppler-riding, and more refined of the two. Yes, the instrument panel upper surface is a soft-touch molded material, as in the Dodge, and the cloth seats whisper «Emerald upgrade at the rental counter,» but there is cut-and-sew trim on the dash and armrests, and the standard features content is reasonably grand: fully digital and reconfigurable 10.1-inch instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control with lane assist, and collision braking assist with pedestrian detection. The 8.4-inch standard infotainment screen gets a big black frame to remind you of the available 10.1-inch upgrade, and its pixel density is about half that of the larger screen’s, but it still looks bright and crisp and displays loads of information.

The third-row’s 32.6 cubic feet of third-row space rank near the bottom of the midsize three-row class, below the Nissan Pathfinder (33.7) and above the GMC Acadia (32.6), Toyota Highlander (30.4), and Mazda CX-9 (29.9), but that measurement is made with the sliding middle-row seats at the back of their 7 inches of travel. The seat feels plenty spacious when the middle row is moved to give a couple of those inches back.

The intermediate Limited, Overland, and Summit trim levels each ratchet up the swellness, upgrading the Laredo’s cloth seats with first Capri, then Nappa, and finally Palermo leather, and troweling on luxury features like motors to actuate the liftgate and third row, an intermediate nine-speaker, 506-watt Alpine audio system, and more. Suffice it to say that this Jeep, like most Ram pickups, continues to rank Stellantis as the Audi of mainstream vehicle interior design.

How’s the Ride and Handling on-Road?

All grown up. Compared to the old two-row model, the L is 15.1 inches longer and about 13 percent larger overall on the outside, and yet Jeep has managed to keep the curb weights to within a percent of each other while also increasing torsional rigidity by 13 percent and bending stiffness by 18 percent. This rigid foundation supports a new three-link virtual steering axis front suspension, as well as a retuned multilink rear setup. The whole package feels more sophisticated and delivers on Jeep’s «glide ride» promise while cornering with remarkably flat poise and minimal tire squeal even on the off-road-optimized 18-inch Michelin Primacy XC footwear standard on Laredo models.

Ride quality is excellent on the steel springs and 18-inch tires. The air suspension standard on Overland and Summit models adds adaptive damping this year, further improving body motion control when executing left-right maneuvers or transiting dips and rises. But the motion control on the base suspension is darned good, too, and certain tilted-slab-type bumps that hit both tires at the same time seemed to «ring» the suspension more noticeably in the Summit Reserve variant. This could be attributed to the shorter sidewalls of its 275/45R21 tires, a striking natural frequency of the pneumatic corners, or both.

What About Straight-Line Performance?

We expect the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L with the Pentastar V-6 to perform identically to the two-row 2020 model, given that they share virtually identical power, weight, tires, and gearing. With V-8 models switching from a 3.09:1 axle ratio to the V-6’s 3.45:1 setup, the new model might possibly shave a tenth or two off its predecessor’s time. Naturally, this means the forthcoming two-row 2022 Grand Cherokee is likely to be quicker still, not to mention potential SRT models yet to come. The current V-6 motivates an empty Grand Cherokee with more than ample verve, and the 5.7-liter V-8 whisked a 7,200-pound boat up to speed with relative ease.

Fractionally larger front and rear rotors and calipers increase the pad swept area by 8 percent in front, 14 percent in the rear. This should improve stopping distances, but the real win is brake pedal feel. The brakes engage very near the top of the travel and their bite is linear throughout, which quickly builds confidence.

A note for trailering buyers: Jeep provides trailer-sway mitigation, but no built-in trailer-brake controller and no automatic adjustment of the blind-spot monitoring system to account for trailer length, so if you’re towing a long or heavy trailer, make sure it’s equipped with surge brakes and check those mirrors carefully when changing lanes.

Should You Buy a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L?

If you seriously plan to leave groomed gravel roads to explore truly unbeaten paths, absolutely. If you need to tow more than 6,000 pounds, probably. And if you’re not routinely transporting the JV basketball starting lineup, sure. And about that brief given to its development team? Based on this first experience, the new Grand Cherokee can consider its seven-slot grille earned and its badge respected.

Источник