Right now, you don't have to look hard to see that crossovers and SUVs are the most popular vehicles on the road. And while there are many great, capable options across those segments, few rivals can approach the capabilities offered by America's legendary Jeep. This is a brand built on conquering the most extreme terrain on the planet, and the 2022 Grand Cherokee Overland is a worthy entry into its stable.
Back in November, I attended the Grand Cherokee launch in Moab, Utah, and got a chance to drive this Jeep in its natural habitat. So I was stoked to get an opportunity to experience its softer side during a week-long test in Seattle. Spoiler alert: It didn't disappoint, and while the year is young, the Grand Cherokee set a high-water mark that's going to be tough to top.
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2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Exterior
The styling of the latest Grand Cherokee is boxy, handsome, and purposeful. Short overhangs front and rear give it off-road friendly approach and departure angles, and the two-tone 18-inch aluminum wheels allowed for plenty of sidewall. Because while low profile tires might look cool? They've no good off-road. My tester was finished in Jeep's Velvet Red Pearl-Coat, which sparkled slightly in the sun, and provided a nice contrast to the black roof.
Given the prevalence of black fender liners, I appreciated how the wheel wells on the Grand Cherokee were body colored, and that touch added to the rig's upscale presence. At the front, there's Jeep's hallmark seven-slot grille, which sits beneath a wide, flat hood. In a nod to its off-road chops, prominent tow hooks flank the lower section of the front fascia, and helped communicate that this baby means business.
The slim LED headlights were another element that I liked, as I thought they looked modern, while avoiding the gun-slit style embraced by some other manufacturers. Overall, I think this sheet metal will age well.
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2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Interior
In my experience, the cabin of a Grand Cherokee has always been a pleasant place to be. For the fifth-generation, however, Jeep's interior design team has outdone itself. This is a world-class environment, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time behind the wheel.
The touchpoints that aren't soft, like the dial-style gear selector, are beautifully rendered, and I felt the beveled edges every time I shifted into drive or park. The heated and cooled front seats were comfortable enough to soak up hours on the road, and at every level, the attention to detail is remarkable. For example, if you look through the steering wheel, toward the dash, you'll see a fabric piece between the base of the wheel and the area under the gauge cluster. That's there to allow room for the tilt-wheel function to operate, and since it's not a piece you'd generally touch, it doesn't really have to be nice, supple leather. But it is. I also appreciated the matte-finished wood which wraps from the door panels all the way across the dash, and the piano black trim around the controls in the center console. There's plenty of room in both the front and rear seats, and the massive dual-pane sunroof magnifies the airy feel.
With its 10.1-inch touchscreen display and Uconnect 5 operating system, the Grand Cherokee doesn't disappoint from a tech standpoint either. The system is intuitive and responds to inputs quickly, and while the crisp display is large enough to be easily viewable, it doesn't make the rest of the dashboard look like a glorified table mount either. As you'd expect, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio are all available, as is a conveniently located wireless charging pad.
But the cherry on top of the technological sundae is unquestionably the killer 19-speaker McIntosh stereo. For audiophiles, the American hi-fi company needs no introduction, as it's been a leader in ultra high-end sound systems for more than seven decades. And even as an admitted audio gear dork, I was blown away by the stunning clarity of this system, as was my audio engineer brother. So if you're interested in high-fidelity audio, this is a must-have option. For a complete breakdown of all Jeep Grand Cherokee trim levels, check out our complete guide.
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2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Performance
During my trip to Moab, Utah for the launch of the Grand Cherokee, I got a chance to drive it down desert trails, along empty twisting highways, and up a rocky path that I wouldn't have dared to traverse in a vehicle that I actually own. Predictably, the big Jeep shrugged off everything I threw at it, so if you were curious about just how Jeep this luxurious SUV is? The answer is very. The capability of the Grand Cherokee demonstrates why Jeep is a verb as well as a noun.
That said, this Jeep was perfectly at home in the urban jungle too. While a V8 is available, my test model was equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 and an eight-speed automatic. This mill is good for 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and while acceleration wasn't neck-snapping, it moved the Jeep down the road nicely, and it's unlikely that most folks will want for more power. The steering was also nicely weighted, pedal feel from the brakes was excellent, and wind and tire noise was minimal. Now, not all that long ago, a vehicle this capable off road would have had the driving dynamics of a tractor. Of course, as the engineers I spoke to at the launch said, you can do a whole lot with a unibody and adaptive suspension.
Around town, the Grand Cherokee drives in a way that belies its size, which is fantastic. Visibility was notably good, and even without the camera, the square hood and short overhang made it easy to judge the dimensions, so berthing this beast is easier than you might expect. When properly equipped, the six-cylinder Grand Cherokee can tow 6,200 pounds.
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2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Safety
In testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the latest Grand Cherokee earned four out of a possible five stars.
My tester was also equipped with Jeep's Advanced Protech Group III, which includes trick tech like an Intersection Collision-Assist System, a Heads Up Display, and the Active Driving Assist System, which combines Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering to provides relief for drivers on long stretches of highway. While it's not "autonomous" driving, it's an excellent feature that worked well when I tested it.
One of the coolest features--safety or otherwise--on the Jeep was the Night Vision with Pedestrian and Animal Detection. Engage this trick bit of kit, and the gauge cluster displays thermal imagery of the road ahead, and highlights cyclists and pedestrians that would otherwise be invisible. Since it's winter in Seattle, and dark for about 85 percent of the day, I found it incredibly useful, and if you live in a place with lots of wildlife, it would be incredibly useful.
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2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Overall
Over the last few years, Ma Mopar's Jeep brand has been on a tear, and the new Grand Cherokee is another winning product. While I don't think most buyers will ever drive this machine anywhere near its mechanical limits, anyone who gets behind the wheel will appreciate the fantastic cabin, build quality, and tech. Rest assured, if you want luxury car comfort and tank-like indifference to road conditions, you need to put the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee on your list.
The MSRP of my test model was $55,305. But options like the Luxury Tech Group IV ($1,995), the Advanced Protech Group III ($1,995) and upgraded infotainment system ($1,795) brought the price up to $65,070. To experience the Grand Cherokee for yourself, head to your local AutoNation Jeep dealer and take a test drive.
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John Coyle | Jan 18, 2021