The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee may not have the same iconic look as its off-road-oriented brethren, the Jeep Wrangler, but for those that want to be able to take a 300-mile journey in comfort and then do some serious off-roading, the Grand Cherokee hits the nail on the head. A new version is, supposedly, right around the corner. Until that SUV arrives, the Grand Cherokee continues to impress with its style, luxury features, and, of course, ability to traverse rough terrain.
What's New For 2019
There's a new Limited X model that's equipped with bespoke front and rear fascias, a different hood, exterior accents finished in Granite Crystal, and 20-inch wheels. The rest of the lineup benefits from blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto courtesy of a new standard 8.4-inch screen. Grand Cherokee Overland and Summit trims get new 20-inch wheels, while three new exterior paint schemes have been added to the SUV: Slate Blue, Green Metallic, and Sting Gray.
Choosing Your Grand Cherokee
There's no shortage of trims to choose from with the Grand Cherokee. Besides the SRT and Trackhawk trims, the Grand Cherokee is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that's rated to make 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. When properly configured, the 3.6-liter V6 is rated to get an EPA-estimated 19 miles per gallon city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 combined.
While the standard V6 will be enough for the majority of consumers, the Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, and Summit can be fitted with a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 that's good for 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque as a $4,500 option. Jeep hasn't released fuel economy figures for the diesel motor yet, but the previous model was rated to get 22/30/25 mpg (city/highway/combined).
Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, and Summit trims also have an optional 5.7-liter V8. The motor may be expensive, as it's an $3,295 option, but it raises power to 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Towing is the best for the motor, as it's rated to tow up to 7,200 pounds. Fuel economy checks in at 14/22/17 mpg.
If getting a SUV with supercar-like performance sounds good, only the SRT and Trackhawk trims will do. The SRT features a 6.4-liter V8 cranking out 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Trackhawk ups the ante with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that's rated to make 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. Despite its weight, the Trackhawk can get to 60 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds. If fuel economy really matters to you, look at other trims, because the Trackhawk is rated to get up to 11/17/13 mpg.
While rear-wheel drive is standard, the Grand Cherokee wouldn't be a Jeep if it wasn't available with a sturdy four-wheel-drive system. Depending on what trim you go with, four-wheel drive can cost between $2,000 and $3,000. Some trims, like the Trailhawk, SRT, and Trackhawk come with four-wheel drive as standard.
There are 12 trims to explore:
As appealing as the 707-hp Trackhawk sounds, being able to eclipse $100,000 in a Grand Cherokee isn't something we recommend average buyers do. Instead, with so many options to choose from, narrowing down a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee trim mostly comes down to your budget. While it may seem like a large jump up from the base Laredo, the Limited trim is the one we'd go with. It has a lengthy list of standard features, allows you to choose between three engines, and the latest safety tech with the Jeep Advanced Active Safety Group. Buyers who want to go off-roading will also want to tick the box for the Off-Road Adventure II package.