This year can be confidently called the "Year of Jeep on the Edge": this material closes the reviews of all Jeep vehicles from the lineup of models currently offered in Ukraine through a network of authorized dealers. For the finale, there is a "sweetie" in the form of the flagship model, and even in the maximum configuration - meet His Majesty Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve! A big car, a majestic history, the best technology and equipment currently available for Jeep cars in Ukraine, a real "Jeep-king" of the premium SUV segment. But... Oh, this "but"...
Design: Make Jeep Great Again
The new Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially in its larger L-versions, looks exactly as it should: lots of straight lines, small headlights and narrow taillights, a signature grille set almost vertically, trapezoidal wheel arches. I would only choose a different body color instead of black. After all, in the maximum versions, the car gets a few black trim elements, dark gray matte decor, and a black roof - but all this is lost on the overall black body.
Nevertheless, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee looks, let's just say, statusy and not cheap. At the same time, it is quite original and different from the usual SUVs of this class and clearly demonstrates its own American Jeep roots. A fresh breath for those looking for originality in the midst of numerous German-Japanese crossovers and SUVs.
With the debut of the new generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL), for the first time in the history of the model, such an enlarged L version appeared : length - 5.2 meters; width - 1.96 meters; height - 1.82 meters; wheelbase - 3.09 meters. Interestingly, the 7-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee L was the first to debut in early 2021, and only at the end of 2021 was the standard 5-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee with a length of just under five meters presented . In any case, we have a full-fledged American full-size, both in size and design.
And also in terms of interior decoration. Speaking specifically about the test car Jeep Grand Cherokee L in Summit Reserve, its interior gives the impression of an overseas uncle's "ranch". The soft black leather has diamond-shaped stitching: it looks like it's for older people, but it's so cozy! There's so much nice open-pore wood that, by today's standards, it would be enough to decorate two such salons. The same can be said about the numerous physical buttons and switches; and don't complain about getting confused by the buttons - in fact, they are grouped quite logically and clearly, you get used to them in no time. Do you want modern displays? Here you go, three at once: in addition to the digital instrument panel and the central touchscreen, we also came up with the idea of adding a screen for the front passenger - it allows you to view images from the interior camera, from external cameras of the car, and control the music. However, we would also like to add image quality (for the digital dashboard) and localization-translation of inscriptions (for all displays); but...
By the way, this "ranch" turns out to be quite spacious: you can sit, lie down, run, jump in the back. Perhaps you can even try to set up a tent like the real Indians to whom the car's name hints. And all this - with a decent level of comfort: the seats are heated and ventilated, there is a separate climate control and window blinds, you can change the angle of the backrest and move the second row of seats forward/backward. When driving behind, it's quite quiet, with little sway on bumps, and the armrests are set at the optimal height. Of course, all the details of this description are about the Jeep Grand Cherokee L in the maximum Summit Reserve version; however, whatever you say, it is a very good car for passengers and a very large family!
Yes, a very large family. Remember that we are talking about the Jeep Grand Cherokee L with an extended length and a 7-seater cabin? The third row of seats is installed almost in the trunk; however, thanks to the large doors, the boarding process is more or less tolerable. The same can be said about the seating arrangement and headroom: there is plenty of headroom, even less knee room, but there are ventilation deflectors and at least some imitation of armrests, and the leather is normal - they didn't skimp. As is often the case with cars of this class: you can't put a child seat in the third row because of inconvenient access, large massive adults simply won't sit there; however, for teenagers or small adults, these seats are quite suitable for a short-medium trip.
The interior of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve test car attracts with its finishes: stitched leather, light wood, and background lighting. There is a place for numerous switches, there are metallized elements with a pleasant chill at hand. But there is also room for a banal glossy finish that requires constant wiping and is afraid of scratches. The rear is very spacious, plus all the details have been worked out for convenience on a long trip; the third row of seats is a typical +2 seats, but these seats can still be useful to someone. The trunk offers a volume of 490-1328-2390 liters, depending on the folded/unfolded second/third row seats. Just keep in mind that, as is typical for American cars, these volume figures are indicated when measured under the ceiling. Plus a few niches and hooks and an electric lid drive.
Equipment: load-bearing body, all-wheel drive, air suspension
The current fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (codename WL) has a body made mainly of high-strength steel, but with the addition of aluminum elements to lighten the structure. Further, it is worth noting the completely independent wheel suspensions, plus in the maximum configurations, an air suspension is added with the ability to increase the ground clearance from the standard 214 mm to a maximum of 276 mm. It sounds good, but so far it all looks like a description of another crossover, albeit a fairly high level.
However, what makes the Jeep Grand Cherokee special is its all-wheel drive systems. For example, the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system offers a low-range (which is not common in crossovers anymore, right?) and an electronically controlled clutch that depends on the selected driving mode: sand, mud, snow, etc. And the maximum version of the vehicle boasts an even more "advanced" Quadra-Drive II 4WD system with a rear axle limited slip differential and electronic control of the eLDS.
I would like to write that the new Jeep Grand Cherokee has a similarly wide range of engines. However, the range of engines may vary depending on the market and the specific version of the vehicle: an inline 4-cylinder turbo engine, a PHEV-hybrid version of the 4xe based on it, an atmospheric gasoline V6 - and it is the latter that is the main focus in Ukraine. This engine is offered in conjunction with the TorqueFlite 850RE hydromechanical 8-speed automatic transmission developed under license from ZF.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee WL was the first in many ways. For example, two body types were offered for the first time: the standard 5-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee (4.91 meters long and 2.96 meters wheelbase) or the extended 7-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee L (as a test vehicle). The PHEV hybrid Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, which is intended mainly for the European market, first appeared. Instead, we are focusing on the gasoline atmospheric engine V6 3.6L Pentastar: start-stop system and variable valve timing, 11.3:1 compression ratio and multi-point fuel injection system, 285 hp at 6400 rpm and 400 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm. All this promises acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h, as well as fuel consumption of 11.1 liters in the mixed cycle. So...
Behind the wheel: bright and interesting emotions, but what about the numbers?
This is the second time I've seen this particular car (regular readers will understand) and everything seems familiar; but suddenly I notice some new details. It seems to have something to do with the Pirelli summer tires, which affected the suspension feel. If the first time I met the Jeep Grand Cherokee L (then it was on winter tires), I noted it as the most comfortable and smooth, then on summer tires, you can already feel a little stiffer passing small bumps. Although on large bends, surges, waves of asphalt - when driving at high speed, flying over bumps on the highway, etc. - the car still tries to be smooth and soft.
Did this change affect the feeling of handling and steering? Not really. After all, we're talking about a 5.2-meter, 2.3-ton car, whose steering wheel makes an emphatically unsharp 2.7-2.8 revolutions from stop to stop. You won't be able to maneuver sharply in such a car, but it has great stability in an arc and, by the way, rather moderate rolls in corners. The main thing is to clearly set the course with this giant steering wheel. And I would say that this is normal for a large 5-meter 2-ton SUV car; but the truth is that I know crossover cars of similar size that drive more pleasantly and more like a car. However, they don't have such a sophisticated all-wheel drive system with a low-range.
What is constant is the excellent engine and automatic transmission. A pleasant cheerful start from a standstill, easy acceleration to 5-6 thousand revolutions, a good sounding growl during acceleration, imperceptible quick gear changes: wow, how does this American strength, power, power feel! The main thing at this time is not to look at the speedometer, because there you can see figures of about 60-70 km/h - it is up to this speed that you feel a good acceleration of the car. Closer to the "hundred" you can exhale and come to your senses and start thinking about the dynamics. And at speeds over a hundred, you realize that you want to have more power. Because we're talking about a large Jeep Grand Cherokee L, which has three rows of seats and a large trunk: if you go on a long trip with a large family with a lot of things, you need to have more traction for comfortable overtaking.
However, as long as we are talking about a car with 1-2-3 people, as long as we are talking about starting from a standstill or accelerating at city speeds, everything is perceived quite well. This is largely due to the emotional engine and its good sound. As well as the automatic transmission, which is not lazy to downshift at every opportunity when acceleration is needed - and this again means increasing the speed to 2.5-3-4 thousand, a good growl again, and a feeling of acceleration again. Well, the Jeep Grand Cherokee knows how to give emotions!
This V6 engine is emotionally and sound-wise simply gorgeous! For the large and heavy 2.3-ton Jeep Grand Cherokee L , this engine is enough, but not more. However, for the lighter 2-ton standard Jeep Grand Cherokee, it should be really optimal. And, finally, it must justify the promised dynamics of 8.1 seconds - because so far, it has been a little more than that. Off-road, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L doesn't let you "fly by the seat of your pants" like a frame SUV. With its air suspension and numerous wheel locking levers, it is more of a cautious drive over numerous hills; and given the long body length, it also requires you to watch out for overhangs, entry (28-30 degrees) and exit angles (21.5-23.6 degrees), and space under the bottom within the long wheelbase. At the same time, the air suspension makes it possible to adjust the ground clearance in very wide ranges - up to a maximum of 276 mm; in addition, in this case, the ford depth reaches 610 mm. However, the maximum body lift (level five) or lowering of the body for easy loading and unloading (level one) can only be achieved in forced mode by switching the air suspension control selector. At the same time, the Select-Terrain switch allows you to select the driving mode: it affects the engine and gearbox, the operation of the all-wheel drive and the body height; however, only within 2-3-4 levels - that is, within 193-214-250 mm. Among other observations: fuel consumption in the city averaged about 15 liters per 100 km, the minimum dropped to 10-11 liters, the maximum rose to 18 liters; on the highway at a speed of 100 km/h, fuel consumption was kept around 8 liters. The parameters of ground clearance, entry/exit angles, dynamics, and fuel consumption can vary greatly depending on the type of body and equipment of the car. That is why it is very interesting to try the standard 5-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is also available in Ukraine.
Cost: how much does a Jeep Grand Cherokee cost and who are the competitors
If we look at the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the price list looks quite simple and clear: one engine, two body types, and two trim levels - that's all.
The range is opened by the standard 5-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee in the Limited version : ABS and ESC systems, hill climb assist and hill descent assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and emergency braking function, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, Select-Terrain system with four modes (snow, mud/sand, auto, sport), permanent Quadra-Trac II 4WD with low-range (ratio 2.72:1), mirror blind spot monitoring and cross traffic detection, front and side airbags, driver/passenger knee airbags, side inflatable air curtains, dual-zone climate control, panoramic glass roof, keyless entry, heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, front seat ventilation, rear view camera, 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, nine-speaker audio system, Uconnect 10.1N media center with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, synthetic Capri leather interior trim, rain sensor, automatic light switching system, LED headlights with automatic high beam control, 20-inch alloy wheels, electric trunk lid, etc. The cost of Jeep Grand Cherokee 3 .6L Pentastar 285 ACP-8 4WD Limited starts from UAH 2.68 million or $64.4 thousand.
The next option is the extended 7-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee L in the Summit Reserve version , which additionally offers the following Quadra-Drive II 4WD all-wheel drive with eLDS increased friction rear differential, five-mode Select-Terrain system (added mountain/rock mode), Quadra-Lift air suspension, adaptive suspension damping control, lane centering system and Active Driving Assist, traffic sign recognition and speed adaptation, enhanced engine and automatic transmission cooling system, enhanced alternator and battery, four-zone climate control, power tailgate with opening sensor, massage seats for the driver and front passenger, ventilation of the second-row seats, surround view cameras, night vision system, projection display for the driver, display for the front passenger, McIntosh 19-speaker audio system with 950 W amplifier and subwoofer, Palermo leather and wood trim, second row of seats divided in a 60/40 split and sliding, the third row of seats is divided in the proportion of 50/50 and with an electric backrest, background lighting in five colors, alloy 21-inch wheels, black exterior trim (rails, logos, grille, etc.), contrasting black roof, premium reflector LED headlights, etc. The cost of Jeep Grand Cherokee L 3 .6L Pentastar 285 ACP-8 4WD Summit Reserve starts from UAH 3.5 million or $84 thousand.
Not enough room to choose? Do you want something cheaper? Then you can look at the 2023 car prices and find a lot of interesting things there. For example, the starting version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee with a small 2-liter turbo engine with 271 hp and in a slightly simplified Limited configuration at a price of 2.47 million UAH or $59.4 thousand. You can also find an elongated 7-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee L 3.6L - in the Limited configuration, such a car will cost from 2.61 million UAH or $62.7 thousand, and in the Overland configuration, its price starts at UAH 3.03 million or $72.8 thousand. And the maximum variant of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L 3.6L Summit Reserve 2023 is estimated at UAH 3.46 million or $83.2 thousand. However, it is clear that such cars in 2023 will no longer be ordered additionally for production. How many of them are still in stock in Ukraine? What from this list is actually available and what was sold just yesterday? These questions can only be answered by salespeople at authorized dealerships. If we talk about the basic price list for 2024 cars that are available for purchase or on order for production, the situation is as described above - there are only two versions of the car.
Every variant of theJeep Grand Cherokee offers a digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch center display; however, only the top-of-the-line version offers night vision camera images, 360-degree surroundings, and even an interior camera to see what's inside the vehicle. Any variant ofthe Jeep Grand Cherokee offers climate control and leather seat trim, but only the top-of-the-line version adds climate control in the rear, massage seats in the front, light wood, and beautiful stitched leather. Any variant ofthe Jeep Grand Cherokee has a panoramic glass roof, but only the maximum version will have McIntosh sound , an additional display for the front passenger, and a third row of power seats. It also has improved all-wheel drive, air suspension, and additional driver assistance systems. A lot of changes, right? And so the surcharge is appropriate: the transition between the configurations costs $20 thousand.
Now let's discuss competitors, the choice of which depends on a particular version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and expectations from the car. For example, if we're talking about the standard 5-seater version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Limited trim, then for similar money you can buy a Hyundai Santa Fe in the maximum configuration (very spacious inside and very comfortable on the move), or a new generation 4-cylinder BMW X3 (not the maximum, but a solid one) (a well-known premium brand and a good ride). If we choose a rival for the elongated 7-seater Jeep Grand Cherokee L, then the Mazda CX-90 can be a worthy competitor (a powerful turbo engine and a lower price tag, albeit slightly inferior in equipment). Finally, if you need good off-road capabilities, there is the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (turbo diesel and good all-wheel drive for reasonable money), as well as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (novelty and a wide range of versions/engines). And if you want a lot of power, then this will be the Lexus GX.
And we haven't even started considering large premium European cars of this class: Audi Q7 and Audi Q8, BMW X5, Land Rover Defender, Mercedes GLE, Volkswagen Touareg, Volvo XC90. In most cases, and taking into account versions/equipment, they will all be more expensive. But in most cases, they will also offer more: different engines, the most detailed selection of options and finishes, more modern equipment. So what can the Jeep Grand Cherokee do to win among its rivals to attract the attention of a buyer? So, let's summarize our thoughts...
