2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

Of Jeep's many SUV offerings, none so effortlessly blends the brand's off-road ethos with refined road manners quite like the Grand Cherokee. To accommodate every lifestyle, Jeep offers a wide variety of Grand Cherokee models, from the affordable Laredo to the classy Summit trim. The standard V-6 should suit most buyers' needs, but for those who want a little more grunt, Jeep offers a potent 360-hp V-8. Those with adventure on their minds should consider the Trailhawk, which comes with a two-speed transfer case, an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, hill-descent control, Kevlar-reinforced tires, and an air suspension that provides additional ground clearance. Inside, the Grand Cherokee offers a comfortable cabin with room for four adults over two rows of seats. A touchscreen infotainment system and plenty of connectivity features help the GC feel current, but Jeep's driver-assistance tech is mostly optional, even though several of its rivals offer such features as standard. Looking for a third row of seats? Check out the Grand Cherokee L, which we review seperately.

What's New for 2021?

With a new model coming for the 2022 model year, this iconic mid-size two-row off-roader receives only minor changes for 2021. An 80^th Anniversary Edition model based on the Limited trim level comes standard with all of the Grand Cherokee's available driver-assistance features plus leather upholstery, Light Tungsten–colored interior accents, special 18-inch wheels, and 80^thAnniversary badging. A new Laredo X model joins the lineup and provides in-dash navigation, an 8.4-inch infotainment display, remote start, a power-operated liftgate, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The mid-range Limited trim now can be ordered with a Sun and Sound package consisting of a panoramic sunroof and a nine-speaker stereo, and the Limited X gains gloss-black exterior trim.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Jeeps offers a Grand Cherokee for every taste and budget. The Limited includes a good amount of luxury items, such as leather seats (heated in front), Uconnect infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces, and 18-inch wheels. We'd consider ordering the new Sun and Sound package to get the panoramic sunroof and upgraded Alpine stereo system. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but Jeep purists can opt for all-wheel drive for between $2000 and $3000 more, depending on the trim level.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Your Grand Cherokee will come with a V-6 unless you opt for the V-8, available only on Limited trims and above. The base engine pulls strongly and transmits very little vibration into the cabin, so it's the powerplant we prefer. It's well matched to the Grand Cherokee's heft, and it does an admirable job of motivating this SUV around town and on the highway. No matter the configuration, the Grand Cherokee has brawny towing capacity—6200 pounds for V-6 models, 7200 pounds with the V-8—that kicks its usefulness up another notch. There's nothing sporty about this utility vehicle, though. Rough stretches of pockmarked pavement send shivers through the chassis and into the cabin. The optional air suspension appears to remedy this, as shown by our Trailhawk test vehicle, which provided a more refined ride. The steering is precise and has a nice heft to it. The Jeep tracks straight, which makes for laid-back highway cruising. Soft in its first couple inches of travel, the Grand Cherokee's brake pedal firms up quickly, and performance is on par with the rest of the class. For those seeking the ultimate in GC performance, check out the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, which we review separately.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

With the V-6 under its hood, the Grand Cherokee is fuel efficient by SUV standards. In our testing, its highway fuel-economy score of 25 mpg held true to its EPA rating. The V-8 may have greater towing capacity, but it's noticeably thirstier.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Stepping into the Grand Cherokee's cabin provides either a sense of ruggedness or luxury depending on the model. The contoured dashboard houses an infotainment touchscreen atop chunky redundant buttons and controls, and a 7.0-inch LCD display in the instrument cluster is flanked by analog gauges. Jeep designers use soft-touch materials and leather where it counts—armrests, upper door panels, the dashboard—but hard plastic persists elsewhere. Behind its second row of seats, the Grand Cherokee has space for 11 carry-on cases. That count expands to 24 when we fold the rear seat, which splits in a 60/40 fashion; the operation is neat and tidy, too, requiring just one action to release the headrest and flop the seat down to its flat position.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Jeep's excellent Uconnect infotainment system is one of our favorites for its ease of use and snappy response times. A dinky 5.0-inch display is standard; we'd recommend stepping up to the large 8.4-inch touchscreen. Available rear-seat entertainment and in-car Wi-Fi make the Grand Cherokee a movie theater on wheels. A six-speaker audio system comes standard, with the option of SiriusXM satellite radio. An array of more advanced setups—including a six-speaker Boston Acoustics stereo, a nine-speaker Alpine system, and a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon arrangement—are available on certain trims.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Grand Cherokee did not perform well in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's small-overlap front crash test, but it still offers a comprehensive list of driver-assistance features. Unfortunately the only active safety feature that comes standard is blind-spot monitoring. Key safety features include:

• Available automated emergency braking
• Available lane-departure warning
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The Jeep's warranty is nothing special. The Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santa Fe both provide much better plans, including 10-year powertrain warranties and five years of bumper-to-bumper coverage. However, all 2021 models do come with three years of free maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance is included

More Features and Secs