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2021 Jeep® Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve.
As off-road brands go, Jeep, has covered a lot of ground over the decades. But if there was some white space for one of Stellantis' core brands still to forge, it's the three-row utility that caters to families and weekend warriors alike. It's one of the most competitive yet profitable segments in the industry, led by the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse and newcomers such at the Hyundai Palisade, Subaru Ascent and Kia Telluride. With the 2022 Grand
Cherokee L, Jeep has its first three-row utility since the Jeep Commander was sold from 2005 to 2010. The L will slot between the standard Grand Cherokee and the revived Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer in the Jeep lineup. The
Grand Cherokee L is launching with two familiar engines. The standard 3.6-liter V-6 generates 293 hp and 260 pound-feet
of torque and is rated to tow 6,200 pounds. An available 5.7-liter V-8 engine produces 357 hp and 390 pound-feel of torque, with towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V-6 is available with either rear- or four-wheel drive, and an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard for both engines. The towing stats are fairly impressive when you compare them with most other midsize three-row crossovers that max out at around 5,000 pounds. But how does the L perform and stack up? We've rounded up
some early reviews from the automotive press.
""ike the two-row Grand Cherokee, the three-row Grand Cherokee L is available with either a 290-hp V-6 or a 357-hp V-8 with either rear- or all-wheel drive; both engines come with an eight-speed automatic. Those seeking to maximize towing capacity should spec the V-8, which can tow 7,200 pounds; V-6 models carry a 6,200-lb tow rating. After test driving both, we prefer the V-8 anyway, which produces a sonorous rumble and provides more linear power delivery. The V-6, in comparison, is pokier and not as refined. The Grand Cherokee L's ride is smooth and handling is competent; in our experience, the steering felt nicely weighted and the brake pedal was reassuringly firm. Those seeking a more high-performance demeanor should consider the Trackhawk model that's based on the previous generation Grand Cherokee (reviewed separately). To continue Jeep's legacy of off-road capability, the Grand Cherokee L can be equipped with one of three all-wheel drive systems as well as an optional air suspension which can be adjusted to provide extra ground clearance."
— Drew Dorian, Car and Driver
""ompared 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."
— Frank Markus, Motor Trend
""his Jeep's on-road performance is admirable. Acceleration is brisk, especially with the Hemi. And thanks to a range of NVH improvements — things like acoustic glass, special door seals and enhanced active noise cancellation — the Grand Cherokee L's interior is always serene. The available air suspension enhances dynamics and improves off-road performance by allowing the body to be raised several inches. The vehicle's ride quality is soft, even when fitted with 21-inch clodhoppers that come in the $3,000 Summit Reserve Group options package, yet body roll is minimal when pushed through corners. The steering is light but reasonably precise, which makes the Grand Cherokee L feel smaller than it actually is.
"Off road, this three-row SUV is a Jeep through and through, an incredibly capable mountain goat despite its bulky dimensions. Properly equipped models have up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and can drive through an impressive 24 inches of water. This SUV's off-road geometry is praiseworthy, too. Speaking in maximum figures, the approach angle is 30.1 degrees, breakover angle 22.6 and its departure measurement clocks in at 23.6 degrees.
"Of the three available four-wheel-drive systems, Quadra-Drive II is the most advanced. It includes a two-speed transfer case and an electronically locking rear differential. If slippage is detected, this system can automatically redistribute torque to the wheels with more traction. Quadra-Drive II is available on Overland models and standard on the Summit trim."
— Craig Cole, Roadshow by CNET
""nside, it's refreshing to see Jeep make a car that feels this modern and works this well after producing the previous-generation Grand Cherokee for 11 whole years. (Though, you could argue that was enough time for Jeep to really hone in on what worked and what didn't work.) The 2021 Grand Cherokee L scans as brand new, and this is especially true on the inside. The interior of this car wasn't the most high-design thing out there, but it looked modern and had nice, upscale wood detailing, which was optional. Also optional were the heated and cooled massage seats, a welcomed feature. But the lower, flatter beltline that gave the cabin an open, almost airy feeling is standard.
"One of the most impressive parts was a bit more subtle, though: the packaging. All passengers get adequate head and legroom, even in the third row. A six-foot-four Jeep representative sat in the third row to prove this. He didn't have a ton of room to stretch his legs, but his knees had a few inches to move and his head was clear of the vehicle's headliner. Jeep's reps said the rear end of the car was designed meticulously to make this sort of space available, and it shows. I also didn't have to crawl between the two second-row seats to get into the back; the seats swivel forward and up to ensure there's enough room for even a fair-sized adult to get back there without much fuss. The space and level of comfort in every row was impressive, with optional four-zone climate control and standard pillar-mounted HVAC vents for every rear passenger improving comfort considerably."
— Peter Holderith, The Drive
""ver the tight, undulating trails that Jeep arranged for our drive, the Overland's setup thoroughly impressed, its front-facing camera aiding us over blind crests and its 24.0-inch fording depth making moderate water crossings a nonissue. A greater rear overhang limits the new model's maximum departure angle to 23.6 degrees versus 27.1 for the shorter gen-four Grand Cherokee, yet its angles of approach (30.1 degrees) and breakover (22.6 degrees) are about the same. Confronted with an imposingly steep, boulder-strewn hillside that Jeep said was designed to simulate a section of the Rubicon Trail, the big L clambered up it with ease, seemingly unbothered when its suspension articulated and left a wheel hanging a couple feet in the air. To be fair, there was some undercarriage scraping and a few scratches were added to our rig's rocker panels. But it's clear the Grand Cherokee L has what it takes to conquer far more than the landscaping at your local strip mall."
— Mike Sutton, Car and Driver
""ven over broken and battered highways, the Grand Cherokee L has a comfortable ride. Our first-drive experiences with the L took us over many heavily potholed roads in a city center without much to complain about — only the slight intrusion of some large impacts. The same was true over poorly maintained stretches of two-lane highway. On cambered sections of the freeway, however, the ride of the L equipped with the optional air suspension can feel a bit unsettled, like floating on a
wobbly cloud. This sensation, though, is brief, and it doesn't dominate the driving experience over most flat surfaces.
"All three rows of seating are comfortable, especially on upper trim levels. With the appropriate amount of side bolstering, the driver's and front passenger seats hold you in place around tight corners, while supportive seat padding gives you plenty of lumbar support. The L's seat cushions feel a bit firmer compared to those in some luxury SUV rivals, but
overall it seems like we could spend several hours behind the wheel without any seat-induced fatigue.
"Optional seat heating and ventilation are a nice plus, and they work well to augment the climate control. On our initial drive, which was hot and humid, the system did a nice job of maintaining the set temperature. The optional massaging front seats are less impressive, with inflating and deflating air bladders that are a bit weak even on their highest settings. On a long road
trip, they could be useful, but we'd recommend skipping that option. Second- and third-row seats are nearly just as comfortable as the front row, although the seat bottoms and side bolstering are a bit flat in comparison."
— Travis Langness, Edmunds
""one of the competing three-row SUVs can match the Grand Cherokee L's off-road capability.
"The Overland I tested scrambled up steep piles of boulders and crested hills and mud pits that also test smaller and lighter vehicles at Chrysler's proving ground. The low range of gears and electronically controlled transfer case and differential managed power smoothly, carrying me to the top without a moment's slippage.
"At the peak, the new forward-facing camera paid off. I couldn't see anything but sky through the windshield, but the camera showed me exactly where to aim the wheels to stay on the trail. More electronic controls provide hill descent control so I never had to touch the brake pedal going back down.
"The Grand Cherokee L can ford up to 24 inches of water, 4 more than the previous Grand Cherokee. The GCL's extra length will rule out some off-road trails with particularly tight turning radii for boulders and trees, but with its side mirrors folded, the new SUV is actually slightly narrower than the old model. I was surprised at how tight some of the gaps I made it through were.
"At the end of the day, vehicle line executive Tom Seel had one last trick up his sleeve: the camel humps, a series of parallel 14-inch concrete humps and dips to test the vehicle's suspension and drivetrain. The Grand Cherokee L negotiated them with ease, tipping up and down, one wheel high in the air while its opposite number was 14 inches below the road surface."
— Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press
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- REYNOLDS AND REYNOLDS: Are you ready for the FTC Safeguard Rule changes? Take this quiz to find out
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- Swiss Re: Insurers and car manufacturers: how to unlock the potential of true collaboration
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- Truist: Capitalize on the changing structure of auto retailing
- Truist: Prepare now for the next era of automotive retailing
- Urban Science: Promoting dealer-consumer alignment across continued industry evolution
- Western Digital: To Meet Consumer Demand, Automakers Must Double Down on Agile Development
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