Jeep turns up the luxury in its largest Grand Cherokee yet
John Pangilinan
The 7-passenger Jeep Cherokee L is a combination of luxury and refinement mixed with the capability that Jeep is known for. The L signifies a three-row variant that makes for a spacious adventure vehicle that can haul the whole family. We got our hands on the Overland trim, which features a black grille insert, black roof rack, front tow hooks, and four-wheel-drive options that can include a two-speed active transfer case and an electronic limited-slip rear differential as part of an off-road package.
The fifth generation of the popular SUV is more of an evolution of the model's design language with a boxier but sculpted silhouette and a look that's unmistakably Grand Cherokee. The model tested was equipped with 18-inch wheels wrapped with all-season tires to round out the vehicle’s juxtaposition between on-road luxury and off-road capability.
The cabin of the SUV showcases an impressive amount of amenities that include everything from Nappa leather-wrapped heated and cooled massage seats, a large infotainment screen, and a ridiculously crisp 19-speaker McIntosh stereo system. A touch of woodgrain coupled with stitched leather throughout the doors and dash provides a warm and modern finish. Passengers can keep their devices charged with USB ports installed in every row. The L's cargo space is a bit limited when the third row is in use but you do gain a generous amount of space when the use of the third row is no longer necessary.
Multiple Jeep Selec-Terrain drive modes provide options for a variety of terrains. From sport mode on the highway to rock, sand/mud, and snow - the SUV can adjust to tackle most environments. The adaptive air suspension provides the ability to adjust the ride height of the vehicle, adding up to 4.2-inches to add some clearance when you're on the trail.
The base 3.6L V6 produces 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, which we found hit the sweet spot for a vehicle of this size. The version we drove was rich with driver-assistance features including Active Drive Assist, a level 2 autonomous system that came in handy on our recent trek from LA to Arizona.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland ticks all the boxes for luxury and comfort with just the right amount of amenities for a solid daily driver and all capabilities you need for those adventures on the road less traveled. Pricing starts in the mid-$50,000 range for the Overland, which puts it right in line with most of its competition with similar equipment.
From $55,635, jeep.com
