What's New
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is now available in 80th Anniversary trim with special wheels, upholstery, and equipment packaging. The new Laredo X model bridges the gap between the entry-level Laredo E and plusher Limited.
The big news is the arrival of the three-row Grand Cherokee L, an all-new design with significantly more interior room. According to reports, the two-row Grand Cherokee will be redesigned on the new platform for 2022.
In this overview, we'll cover both the Grand Cherokee and all-new Grand Cherokee L (see our comparison for a closer look at the key differences).
Choosing Your Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Grand Cherokee is offered in 10 trim levels this year: Laredo E, Laredo X, Limited, 80th Anniversary, Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, Summit, SRT, and Trackhawk. Pricing starts at $35,695 including destination for the base Laredo E and stretches all the way to $89,145 for the Trackhawk.
The Grand Cherokee L comes in six trims: Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. Base prices ranges from $38,690 to $63,690.
Engine Choices
The two-row Grand Cherokee engine roster consists of a standard V6, two optional V8s, and a supercharged V8.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (Combined) |
3.6L V6 | 295 hp | 260 lb-ft | 21 mpg |
5.7L V8 | 360 hp | 390 lb-ft | 17 mpg |
6.4L V8 | 475 hp | 470 lb-ft | 15 mpg |
6.2L Supercharged V8 | 707 hp | 645 lb-ft | 13 mpg |
The Laredo E through the Summit come standard with the V6 engine. The 5.7-liter V8 is available on the Trailhawk and four-wheel-drive versions of the Overland, High Altitude, and Summit for $3,395 ($3,895 on Summit). The SRT comes exclusively with the 6.4-liter V8, and the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 is reserved for the high-performance Trackhawk.
Four-wheel drive is standard on the SRT and Trailhawk, and available on the others for $2,000 or $3,000, depending on the trim.
Every Grand Cherokee uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity tops out at 6,200 pounds with the V6, and 7,200 pounds with any V8.
The new Grand Cherokee L also starts out with the V6 engine and rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive costs $2,000 on the Laredo, Altitude, and Overland; $490 on the Limited; and $1,005 on the Summit. It's standard on the Summit Reserve. The 4WD system used on the Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve features Jeep's Quadra-Lift adjustable air suspension.
The 5.7-liter V8 is optional ($3,295) on the Summit Reserve and 4WD versions of the Overland and Summit. Ratings for both engines are virtually identical to the regular Grand Cherokee. Since there is no high-performance offshoot of the Grand Cherokee L, the two larger V8s aren't offered.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Grand Cherokee is a midsize, two-row SUV room for five to travel in comfort. The Grand Cherokee offers 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, and 68.3 cubic feet with it folded.
The new Grand Cherokee L seats six across three rows — second-row captain's chairs are standard. The optional second-row bench seat ($695) boosts capacity to seven. With all rows in use, cargo space measures 17.2 cubic feet. Folding the third row opens up 46.9 cubic feet. With the second row down as well, the Grand Cherokee L can swallow up to 84.6 cubic feet, enough to place it in the full-size SUV class.
Safety Features
Every Grand Cherokee trim gets blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The ProTech II Group for the Laredo E and Laredo X ($875) adds lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.
The ProTech II Group for the Limited, Trailhawk, and Overland ($1,895) also contains adaptive cruise control, an automated parking system, and automatic wipers. All of these features are standard on the 80th Anniversary, High Altitude, Summit, SRT, and Trackhawk. Unlike many competitors, the Grand Cherokee doesn't offer a surround-view camera system. This shortcoming will surely be solved with next year's anticipated redesign.
In addition to the Grand Cherokee's standard driver assistance features, the all-new Grand Cherokee L comes with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Automatic high beams are standard starting with the Limited. The Luxury Tech Group II ($2,295) for the Limited includes a surround-view camera, automatic wipers, a rear camera washer, front cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic braking, a rearview camera mirror, and an off-road camera. These items are available in the Overland's $1,995 Advanced ProTech Group III (except the automatic wipers because they're standard), along with a head-up display, an interior view camera, highway lane-centering assist, night vision, and a navigation display in the instrument cluster.
The navigation display and lane-centering assist are standard on the Summit and Summit Reserve, along with an automated parking system. Everything else comes in the $1,995 Advanced ProTech Group IV.
Connectivity
The entry-level Grand Cherokee Laredo E makes do with a 7-inch touchscreen, six audio speakers, two USB ports, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. All other Grand Cherokee models get an 8.4-touchscreen, navigation, wi-fi capability, and HD and satellite radio.
A nine-speaker Alpine sound system is available on the Laredo X, Limited, and 80th Anniversary Edition in trim-specific option packages with other equipment. The system is standard starting with the Trailhawk.
A 19-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system is optional on the Overland and High Altitude ($1,495) and standard on the Summit. The system is available on the SRT and Trackhawk for $2,095. The Limited and above can get a rear video entertainment system for $1,995.
The Grand Cherokee L gets the 8.4-inch touchscreen and six USB ports as standard. Wireless phone integration and charging is included on the Altitude and above. Navigation and a 10.1 touchscreen are standard starting with the Limited.
The Overland and Summit receive the nine-speaker Alpine system. A 19-speaker McIntosh system is available on the Summit ($1,495) and standard on the Summit Reserve. The rear entertainment system can be added to any Grand Cherokee L for $1,695.
Grand Cherokee Models
The Laredo E comes with cloth upholstery, a power driver seat, automatic dual-zone climate control, roof rails, proximity key access, and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
The $2,000 Security and Convenience Group includes remote start, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power liftgate, and a universal home remote. The Premium Lighting Group ($995) adds bi-xenon HID headlights with automatic high beams, LED fog lights, and LED running lights. A single-panel sunroof costs $1,295.
The Laredo X features black suede upholstery and the contents of the Security and Convenience Group as standard.
The Sun and Sound Group adds the Alpine audio system and the sunroof for $1,595. The Altitude Appearance Package ($1,250) provides body-color exterior trim with gloss black accents and 20-inch gloss black wheels.
The Limited takes the Grand Cherokee upmarket with leather upholstery, driver memory, a power passenger seat, auto-dimming side mirrors, and polished aluminum wheels.
The single-pane sunroof is standard, but buyers can upgrade to a panoramic sunroof and get the Alpine system in the $1,840 Sun and Sound Group. The Luxury Group II ($2,995) tops off the Limited with enhanced leather seat trim, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a power-adjustable steering wheel, automatic wipers, and a cargo cover.
80th Anniversary — From $43,830
The 80th Anniversary receives a black leather interior with light tungsten stitching, 20-inch low-gloss granite crystal wheels, matching exterior accents, and special badging throughout.
The 80th Anniversary Luxury Group provides the contents of the Limited's Sun and Sound Group and Luxury Group II for just $1,595.
The Trailhawk bolsters the Grand Cherokee's off-road credentials with a rear limited-slip differential, an air suspension, underbody skid plates, and all-terrain tires. The interior receives leather seats with suede inserts and red stitching, slush mats, the Alpine system, and the climate-controlled seats.
The Trailhawk Luxury Group ($2,695) adds perforated leather seats and the panoramic sunroof, automatic wipers, power-adjustable steering wheel, and cargo cover.
The Overland features a Nappa leather interior, the air suspension, and 20-inch polished wheels with painted gray pockets. The contents of the Luxury Group II and Premium Lighting Group are also standard.
The High Altitude gets a perforated Nappa leather interior in black, the granite crystal wheels with matching exterior trim, and dual black chrome exhaust outlets.
The pinnacle of Grand Cherokee luxury, the Summit takes on a Natura Plus leather interior, ventilated front seats, illuminated door sill plates, and fully polished aluminum wheels.
A sumptuous extended Laguna leather interior is available for $4,995. The Platinum Series Group ($1,145) adds platinum-colored wheels and body trim. The Summit can get a black-painted roof for $2,100.
Along with the 6.4-liter V8 engine, the SRT runs with an adaptive sport suspension, high-performance Brembo brakes, and a sport hood. Design elements include carbon fiber interior trim, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and satin carbon wheels.
The panoramic sunroof reverts to option status ($2,095), and the Laguna leather interior is available for $5,295.
The Trackhawk builds on the SRT with the enormously powerful 6.2-liter supercharged V8, front yellow Brembo brakes, and quad exhaust outlets. Options are shared with SRT.
Grand Cherokee L Models
The Grand Cherokee L Laredo offers a 10-inch digital instrument display, cloth upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats with eight-way driver power, LED exterior lighting, and 18-inch painted aluminum wheels. The Luxury Tech Group I ($1,295) adds remote start, a heated steering wheel, a power liftgate, automatic wipers, and wireless charging. A single-panel sunroof is available for $1,095.
The Altitude comes standard with Luxury Tech Group I features, plus leather upholstery and 20-inch gloss black wheels.
Interior upgrades for the Limited include premium Capri leather upholstery, driver memory settings, an eight-way power passenger seat, and heated second-row seats. In addition to its safety features, the Luxury Tech Group II furnishes ventilated front seats, perforated leather seat inserts, proximity key access, second-row sunshades, and a power-adjustable steering wheel with memory. A panoramic sunroof becomes available for $1,795. The Limited rolls on 20-inch painted aluminum wheels.
The upmarket Overland features Nappa leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, a power-folding third row, and fully polished 20-inch aluminum wheels. The panoramic sunroof is standard. The Luxury Tech Group IV ($1,995) tops off the Overland with four-zone climate control, 12-way massaging front seats, and heavy-duty engine cooling.
The Summit comes standard with the contents of the Luxury Tech Group IV, augmented by 16-way front seats. A black roof and multi-spoke wheels distinguish the outside.
Along with standard 4WD, the plush Summit Reserve features a quilted Palermo leather interior with open-poor walnut trim and ventilated second-row seats. The exterior wears unique 21-inch wheels.
Compare Grand Cherokee Trims Side-By-Side
Among the two-row 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee models, the Limited has always been popular for its combination of luxury, features, and affordability. This year's 80th Anniversary edition has the same appeal, only more so due to its standard safety technology and more affordable options. It's our pick of the lineup while it lasts.
As for 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, the Limited hits the sweet spot for most shoppers in this class. The Summit Reserve stands out as a legitimate alternative to large luxury-branded SUVs costing substantially more.