New Jeep Grand Cherokee L: larger, more luxurious and more off-road capable

The Jeep Grand Cherokee ranks among the world’s best-known off-road vehicles. Whenever a fresh model arrives, the automotive world turns its attention to Detroit, Michigan, for more than a brief look at the new generation.

This time, for the first occasion in its history - the original was launched in 1992 - the Jeep Grand Cherokee will be offered with two body styles and different wheelbases.

The new Grand Cherokee L, the larger of the pair, will arrive in the second quarter of the year. With a 3.09 m wheelbase, it offers three rows of seats and either six or seven seats. It will therefore take on not only premium rivals in its home market - where around three-quarters of segment sales are three-row versions - but also competitors from Europe and Asia.

Unmistakably Jeep, with major changes

The new Grand Cherokee’s styling is unmistakably Jeep and unmistakably Grand Cherokee. The influence of the new, even larger Grand Wagoneer is clear, while the bold, familiar shapes and proportions are especially evident on this new L version, which is larger than before.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has changed substantially not only on the outside, but in the cabin as well: this American SUV operates at an entirely different level from its predecessors. As is customary in this segment, it features animated instruments on a 10.3-inch display, a central screen of up to 10.1 inches, and a surprisingly large number of physical buttons and switches above and below the central display for individual functions.

Further down the centre console, a rotary controller is used to select the automatic transmission gear, while separate controls allow the various driving modes to be chosen and the optional air suspension to be adjusted.

More luxury and technology

Four trim levels have been announced for the US: Laredo, Limited, Overland and Summit. The highest-specification versions stand out with leather-trimmed seats that are electrically adjustable, heated, ventilated and equipped with a massage function.

The Grand Cherokee L Summit pampers rear passengers further, not only through its long wheelbase and particularly wide-opening doors, but also with individual seats - known as captain’s chairs - separated by a centre console offering several functions.

Potentially class-leading, the Grand Cherokee has a total of 12 USB ports, both Type-A and Type-C, throughout the cabin. There is also four-zone automatic climate control, with individual settings for first- and second-row occupants. Air vents for the second and third rows are incorporated into the B- and C-pillar trim.

Parents of young children in particular will be delighted: when required, the infotainment system can show the rear-seat camera image. What is more, the screen can be split in two for the individual child seats. Infrared lights, positioned around the camera between the second and third rows, can also illuminate the cabin and automatically switch between day and night modes.

There is no shortage of room. The Grand Cherokee L’s increased dimensions - it is more than five metres long - provide a generous cabin for both passengers and luggage. Cargo capacity is 1328 litres behind the second row; the third-row seats are split 50:50 and can be folded down. Folding the second-row seats creates a flat load area with a capacity of 2396 litres.

It is a Jeep, so off-road ability matters

Unlike most of its rivals, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L places considerable emphasis on its off-road capability rather than seeking to impress solely on the road. Although it is based on the Giorgio platform, also used by the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia - promising greater competence on tarmac - the new Grand Cherokee generation offers three different four-wheel-drive systems, according to the version or options selected:

• Quadra-Trac I - an AWD (all-wheel-drive) system that automatically sends power to the front axle when it detects a loss of traction;
• Quadra-Trac II - a 4WD (four-wheel-drive) system with a two-speed transfer case;
• Quadra-Drive II - a 4WD system with an electronic limited-slip rear differential.

For the first time, both 4WD systems can disconnect the front axle when two driven axles are unnecessary, helping to reduce fuel consumption. With the same aim, aluminium is used more extensively - for the bonnet and tailgate, for example - alongside high-strength steels, to keep the mass of this large SUV at sensible levels.

It also has optional air suspension that can alter ground clearance by more than ten centimetres according to requirements. It can be raised to clear an off-road obstacle or lowered to reduce aerodynamic drag on the motorway.

When will it arrive?

For now, it is unknown whether or when the Grand Cherokee L will come to Europe - the five-seat version, due to be unveiled in the second half of the year, certainly will - and neither are the powertrains that will make up the European range or, specifically, the domestic line-up known.

In the United States, the new Grand Cherokee L will reach dealerships in the second quarter of the year with two petrol engines already familiar from the current Grand Cherokee: the 294 hp 3.6 V6 Pentastar and the 362 hp 5.7 V8 Hemi, which can deactivate one of its two cylinder banks. In the “old continent”, the focus will certainly be on the promised 4xe hybrid version.