2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

　　

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers one of the most diverse lineups around for a midsize SUV. There's a wide array of trim levels suited for on- and off-road performance. From the basic Laredo to the go-nearly-anywhere Trailhawk to the insane 707-horsepower Trackhawk, the Grand Cherokee should have your needs covered. Luxury and tech options are plentiful, and its towing power, especially when equipped with the optional 5.7-liter V8, is impressive for the class.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo E 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$172/mo  for Grand Cherokee Laredo E

　　Grand Cherokee Laredo E

　　Laredo E 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $34,970 MSRPLaredo E 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $36,970 MSRPFreedom 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $37,165 MSRPFreedom 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $39,165 MSRPLaredo X 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $38,470 MSRPLaredo X 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $40,470 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $40,950 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $42,950 MSRP80th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $43,240 MSRP80th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $45,240 MSRPLimited X 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $46,045 MSRPLimited X 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $48,045 MSRPTrailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $46,150 MSRPOverland 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $47,490 MSRPOverland 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $50,490 MSRPHigh Altitude 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $50,435 MSRPHigh Altitude 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $53,435 MSRPSummit 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $53,490 MSRPSummit 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $56,490 MSRPSRT 4dr SUV 4WD (6.4L 8cyl 8A) - $69,940 MSRPTrackhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (6.2L 8cyl S/C 8A) - $88,445 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　But also know that the Grand Cherokee has gone 10 years without a major redesign. Jeep has done an admirable job of keeping its stalwart SUV modern and fairly competitive, but there are some obvious flaws, including a cramped interior, subpar comfort and lethargic handling. Rivals such as the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have significantly more modern and spacious interiors, even if they can't match the Grand Cherokee's expansive mix of models. You can read more about our take on the Grand Cherokee in our Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Grand Cherokee drive? The standard V6 in the Grand Cherokee isn't very exciting. In our testing, 0-60 mph took 8.0 seconds, which is slow for a five-passenger midsize SUV. We'd suggest getting the optional V8. The brakes, however, are strong. In zzdcar testing, a stop from 60 mph took 124 feet — a reasonably short distance for a rig this size.

　　A downside is the Grand Cherokee's significant weight, which affects acceleration, handling and overall drivability. Another negative is the steering, which feels disconnected from the road. This combo makes the Grand Cherokee overly heavy and lethargic to pilot around turns. For off-roading, though, the GC does well thanks to several available off-road-ready options.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Grand Cherokee? The Grand Cherokee provides an isolated feel in the cabin. The V6 is nicely muted most of the time. At full throttle, there's a bit of a rumble from under the hood that is neither annoying nor particularly satisfying. Otherwise, it's quiet to the point that it's almost serene. The seats are very supportive and the air conditioning works quickly. The heated and ventilated seats, however, aren't very effective.

　　Our test vehicle came equipped with the optional air suspension. We weren't impressed. It provides a somewhat floaty ride quality on the highway and struggles to soak up smaller pavement ripples, allowing significant vibration to enter the cabin. Big bumps are absorbed to a point, but hit one midcorner and the JGC loses its handling composure. The standard suspension might be a better choice.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Grand Cherokee has plenty of interior space with generous headroom and legroom in all four major seating positions. It also has a commanding driving position, good visibility and relatively simple controls. Despite that high seating position, everything is within the driver's reach thanks to an impressive range of seat and steering-wheel adjustability.

　　The Uconnect infotainment interface is a bit dated, but it's still easy to use thanks to large, grippy knobs for the stereo and fan speed. So the only real shortcomings are the thick windshield pillars that partially obscure your view through turns.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The Grand Cherokee Uconnect interface features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. There are plenty of charging options for front and rear passengers. The voice controls are pretty apt at understanding commands, from setting a nav destination to changing climate settings. Audio quality from the optional 19-speaker Harman Kardon system is good, if a bit bass-heavy.

　　The operation of some of the advanced driving aids is lackluster. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning, for example, are both a little too sensitive for our tastes.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? While the Grand Cherokee is certainly utilitarian in nature, its 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats isn't class-leading. It trails behind smaller vehicles such as the Honda CR-V. This smaller space is mostly due to the full-size spare under the rear floor. On the flip side, hey, there's a full-size spare! That's something you'll want if you go off-road or tow — two things the Grand Cherokee does very well.

　　Small-item storage is limited to a small center console, can-size cupholders in both the front and rear seats, and slim door pockets. The rear car-seat anchors are well marked and easy to find, and there's a good amount of space for most child seats. A properly equipped Grand Cherokee with the V8 has a maximum tow rating of 7,200 pounds.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? With the base V6 and the eight-speed automatic, the Grand Cherokee is good for 21 mpg in combined city/highway driving for both the rear- and four-wheel-drive models. Not outstanding perhaps, but it trounces the 4Runner, its main V6 SUV competitor with similar off-road abilities.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Grand Cherokee a good value? Build quality is top-notch in the Grand Cherokee. You'll find tight panel gaps and impressive leather. But decked-out versions such as the Summit get quite expensive, and at that point some luxury rivals start to look more attractive. You'll find the most value with the Trailhawk and the Limited. The Grand Cherokee's warranty is typical. Roadside assistance is good for the class with five years/60,000 miles of coverage.

　　

Wildcard

7.0/10

　　The Grand Cherokee's optional air suspension isn't something we'd recommend to lead-footed drivers. We're also not enamored with the base V6. But other choices are available, including the impressive V8 and the absolutely bonkers 707-horsepower Trackhawk. And of course, the available Quadra-Trac II 4WD system means you can get pretty far in off-road or snowy conditions. This Jeep is a midsize SUV with a wide range of appeal.

　　

Which Grand Cherokee does zzdcar recommend?

With seven available trim levels to choose from, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is easy to tailor to your preferences. We think the midlevel Trailhawk offers the best mix of maximum off-road capability and sufficient creature comforts. As a bonus, the beefy 5.7-liter V8 engine is available should you also want to tow the occasional trailer.

　　

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee models

The five-passenger 2021 Grand Cherokee is available in seven trim levels: Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, SRT and Trackhawk. Most Grand Cherokees are available with either rear- or four-wheel drive, with the exception of the SRT and the Trailhawk. Those trims come standard with performance-oriented all-wheel-drive systems. All Grand Cherokees have an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine lineup includes:

　　A standard 3.6-liter V6 (295 horsepower, 260 lb-ft) An optional 5.7-liter V8 (360 hp, 390 lb-ft) for Trailhawk, Overland and Summit A 6.4-liter V8 (470 hp, 475 lb-ft) standard on the SRT A supercharged 6.2-liter V8 (707 hp, 645 lb-ft) standard on the TrackhawkLaredo

　　Starts you off with features such as:

　　18-inch wheels Rear parking sensors (alerts you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Keyless ignition and entry Dual-zone automatic climate control 7-inch infotainment touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Six-speaker audio system Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)Limited

　　Dresses up the Laredo by adding:

　　Sunroof 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen Auto-dimming mirrors Heated front seats and steering wheel Leather upholstery Power liftgate Power-adjustable front seats with driver memory settingsTrailhawk

　　Adds off-road capability and extra features, such as:

　　Unique 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires Electronically controlled limited-slip differential Underbody skid plates Heavy-duty engine cooling Off-road-tuned air suspension Enhanced 4WD system Upgraded audio system All-terrain drive modes Special leather and simulated suede seating surfaces Ventilated front seats Heated rear seatsOverland

　　Adds luxury touches with:

　　20-inch wheels Xenon headlights Upgraded leather seating Power-adjustable steering column Combination wood and leather-wrapped steering wheelSummit

　　Maxes out luxury with:

　　19-speaker audio system Chrome exterior trim Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Jeep and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Upgraded leather seating surfaces Parallel parking assist (aids the driver in parallel parking situations)SRT

　　Has the 470-hp V8 plus enhancements for on-road performance such as:

　　Special 20-inch aluminum wheels with performance tires High-performance braking system Sport-tuned adaptive suspension Sport front seatsTrackhawk

　　One-ups the SRT with the 707-hp V8 plus:

　　20-inch black-painted aluminum wheels Black exterior trim Ultra high-performance braking system Sport exhaust with quad exhaust tips Ultra high-performance suspension Heavy-duty eight-speed transmissionNote that many of the features found on the upper trim levels can be added to other trims through option packages.

　　zzdcar Latest Jeep Grand Cherokee News

　　You Can Now Order a 2-Door Jeep Wrangler With 35-Inch Tires

　　

2021 Grand Cherokee Highlights

Type: SUVSRTTrackhawkSUV

　　Trim: Laredo EFreedomLaredo XLimited80th Anniversary EditionLimited XTrailhawkOverlandHigh AltitudeSummitSRTTrackhawkLaredo E

　　

Base MSRP	$34,970
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$172/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	36.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles