Jeep’s highly-anticipated new Grand Cherokee L – the “L” marking an extended platform with a three-row seating configuration – has landed in South Africa. The fifth-generation newcomer boasts bold new looks, a plethora of new technologies and safety features, three-row seating improved 4×4 capabilities and the automaker’s trusted 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine.

Exterior design

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee’s attention grabbing new design was inspired the brand’s Grand Wagoneer, Jeep’s first full-size luxury SUV. Exterior highlights of the new Grand Cherokee L include Jeep’s signature forward-tipped grille which are flanked by ultra slim headlamps with unique signature lighting set into Gloss Black bezels and a full suite of standard LED lighting is on all Jeep Grand Cherokee trim levels.

The side profile of the new Grand Cherokee L is sharp and defined, much like the front, and features 21-inch wheels for the first time. At the rear, ultra slim tail lamps with unique lit signatures complete the lighting story. Additional elements include approach-lit door handles and puddle lighting projected from the rear-view mirror, which are standard on the Summit Reserve.

The wheelbase of the L model extends to 121.7 inches, giving way to a total length of 204.9 inches. By comparison, the current two-row Grand Cherokee has a wheelbase of 114.8 inches and stretches out to 189.8 inches in total length.

Interior design and technology

Inside, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L gets a totally new center cluster and digital cluster design, a multifunction steering wheel, attractive leather finishes, and more high-quality trim pieces like wood and metal. The Grand Cherokee L features power-adjustable front bucket seats which are heated and also offer a massage function with five customizable profiles.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L features the latest, most advanced Uconnect system ever, with a 10.1-inch display and intuitive user experience. The new Uconnect 5 is said to deliver operating speeds that are five times faster when compared to the previous generation. By using an Android operating system and over-the-air (OTA) updates, Uconnect 5 brings flexibility that will allow the system to continuously evolve to offer new content, features and services. The Uconnect 5 system offers more connected services and features for unmatched ease of use. The suite of system highlights include a 4-inch or 10.1-inch digital touchscreen, five user profiles plus a valet mode, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, full-colour Head-up Display (HUD) and a fully customizable home screen to name a few.

With the addition of new front and rear interactive displays, the Grand Cherokee L now boasts more than 30 inches of total available digital screen space. New features for the 2022 model year include a frameless 10.25-inch front passenger screen with navigation, camera viewing and visual entertainment.  Front-seat passenger can also easily monitor, as well as stop, start and pause, rear display content.

An all-new Jeep seating architecture has been introduced on the Grand Cherokee L, featuring a length-adjustable cushion for the front row in the Summit Reserve, which is a Stellantis first. As standard, the Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve derivative features first-row seating with 16-way power adjustable position with memory function and lumbar as well as seat back massage that includes five customizable profiles with three levels of pressure intensity.  For improved vehicle access, the Grand Cherokee L features larger second-row door openings than previous generations. They open 64 degrees with an ingress/egress exterior side step.

Grand Cherokee L delivers increased rear cargo volume behind the second row 1,328 litres. The third-row seat features a 50/50 split and is easily folded from the rear of the vehicle. For even more utility, both the second- and third-row seats fold forward into a flat-load floor. When the second- and third-row seats are folded flat, the maximum cargo space is 2,396 litres.

Available first in the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is a McIntosh audio sound system, which comes standard with the Overland and Summit Reserve grades. The advanced, high-performance audio system features a 17-channel amplifier with a maximum output of 950 watts and 19 speakers, including a 10-inch subwoofer, to envelope vehicle occupants in high-definition sound.

Safety and river assistance features

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee L offers more than 110 safety and security features, including innovative applications of technologies which are designed to refine the connection between driver, vehicle and the road. These include Full-Speed Collision Warning with Active Braking and Pedestrian/Cyclist Detection, Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist with 360-degree surround view camera system with built-in washers on both front and rear camera lenses, Night Vision Camera with pedestrian and animal detection (*Summit Reserve), Rear Cross Path detection, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Active Lane Management, LaneSense Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Advanced Brake Assist, Blind-spot Monitoring, ParkView rear back-up camera, ParkSense rear park assist sensors, switch-activated electric park brake, tyre-pressure monitoring and Drowsy Driver Detection system to list a few.

Performance

Powering the new Grand Cherokee L is the automaker’s trusted all-aluminum 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine with engine start-stop (ESS) technology. The powerplant makes 210 kW and 344 Nm of torque.

Legendary off-road capability begins courtesy of three 4×4 systems – Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II with rear electronic limited slip-differential (eLSD). All three systems are equipped with an active transfer case to improve traction by moving torque to work with the wheel with the most grip. The Grand Cherokee L’s class-leading Selec-Terrain traction management system lets customers choose the on- and off-road setting for optimum 4×4 performance with five available terrain modes (Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand) to provide optimized calibrations for any given driving scenario.

Additional to the three 4×4 systems, for the first time in the history of the model, the Grand Cherokee L offers a class-exclusive Quadra-Lift Air Suspension, featuring electronic adaptive damping. The Quadra-Lift Air Suspension delivers a best-in-class ground clearance, at 277mm, while also adjusting height automatically based on road conditions and speed to reduce drag and for better fuel economy.

Pricing and warranty

Pricing for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L is as follows:

Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited:                                  R1,299,900

Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland:                               R1,479,900

Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve:                    R1,679,900

As standard all Grand Cherokee L models come with a five years/120,000km warranty and Roadside Assistance. Maintenance intervals are every 12 months or 12,000km but Five years/100 000 km maintenance   plan.