I additionally could not assist however wrinkle my face a bit at this Summit Reserve 4×4’s $65,775 as-tested value. That’s practically $25,000 greater than an entry-level Laredo 4×2 ($40,670 together with $1,795 supply) and considerably greater than you would possibility a non-SRT Grand Cherokee as much as simply final 12 months. Needless to say, my facial muscle mass relaxed considerably when inspecting this 5,000-pound, 205-inch Diamond Black behemoth in particular person. Just a little over every week later, that sense of understanding quickly turned to certainly one of outright admiration: This is a superb SUV.I’ve since gone on to drive Jeep’s pricier Grand Wagoneer and the two-row 2022 Grand Cherokee, and if something, my fondness for this middle-child GC L has grown. It’s a splendidly satisfying little bit of vehicular alchemy, concurrently fusing a succesful off-road 4×4, a household hauler and a luxurious cruiser all into one sharp-looking package deal. Simply put, this is likely one of the most versatile and competent autos on the American highway.Assembled in Detroit atop Jeep’s new WL versatile structure, the Grand Cherokee L’s unibody consists of over 60% high-strength metal, so regardless of its extra 15 inches of size to accommodate the aforementioned third row, this platform feels extremely strong taking place the highway. I put over 1,800 miles on the tester seen right here, blitzing from suburban Detroit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with my household and a great deal of seaside gear. Everyone was impressed with the Jeep’s journey consolation — even using on huge 21-inch wheels. Credit goes not simply to the GC L’s 6.9-inch-longer wheelbase (useful for smoothing out wavy surfaces and harsh impacts), but in addition to my Summit Reserve tester’s Quadra-Lift air suspension with adaptive dampers. While the path to the OBX options an terrible lot of boring Midwest interstate miles, I blended issues up by venturing onto plenty of meandering state routes to bypass DC site visitors and take within the bucolic Southern surroundings.As you might recall, again in June, Roadshow critiques editor Craig Cole correctly flogged the Grand Cherokee L off-road at this mannequin’s launch. Cole discovered that regardless of having an extended wheelbase and poorer resultant breakover angle (22.6 levels), this Jeep is not any mere crossover, it is a correct rough-and-tumble SUV. With as much as 10.9 inches of floor clearance and the power to ford 2 ft of water, the GC L can tame 99.97% of the terrain its clients will ever ask of it (and people different 0.03% are both idiots or just eyeing the mistaken sort of car). Thanks to its accessible variable-height adaptive air suspension and Quadra-Drive II 4WD system, this GC L has a large bandwidth of skills. Between its electronically managed limited-slip differentials, bushel of Selec-Terrain drive modes and a slew of underbody bash plates, Cole’s first drive proved that this Jeep can crawl safely and confidently over obstacles. Now, my time demonstrates that this SUV can even really feel correctly hunkered down at greater freeway speeds or when negotiating a decreasing-radius flip that sneaks up on an unfamiliar winding nation highway. That competent on-road demeanor is essential, as a result of with regards to its lower-end trims, the GC L will possible be in contrast extra typically with car-like household crossovers just like the Ford Explorer, Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Highlander than with extra conventional, off-road-minded SUVs like Chevrolet’s Tahoe Z71. In this high-end guise, this Jeep is directly extra succesful, sybaritic and tech-rich than any of these autos. Of course, that functionality comes at a value — this Summit Reserve trim’s pricing begins effectively above the place all however the Chevy prime out.
Enlarge Image

Friends, it is actually, very nice contained in the Summit Reserve. Chris Paukert/RoadshowAt this finish of the GC L’s mannequin spectrum, this Jeep seems to be, feels and drives like a correct luxurious automobile. In truth, on this context, the Summit Reserve is a cut price in contrast with a Mercedes-Benz GLS or a BMW X7 — the L’s specs, options and basic aura of luxurious line up surprisingly effectively. Jeep officers might let you know that these European SUVs are a better match for the brand new range-topping Grand Wagoneer, however do not be fooled: at practically a foot shorter than the GW, this still-midsize mannequin’s footprint is sort of precisely the identical as Team Germany.Pop the hood on the Grand Cherokee L, and you will find certainly one of two very acquainted engines: Stellantis’ 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, tuned to ship 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, or a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 (357 hp, 390 lb-ft), each backed by conventional eight-speed automatics. In this period of downsized, turbocharged engines and electrification, these naturally aspirated selections appear decidedly old-school on paper. Indeed, some rivals supply hybrid energy with superior low-end torque and effectivity, however no less than you needn’t run premium gasoline right here (89 octane is “recommended” for the V8, however it ought to run high-quality on 87). My take a look at route did not embrace any high-altitude climbs or towing duties, so regardless of the GC L “only” being fitted with the smaller of the 2 engines, energy was completely sufficient. Credit goes partly to the graceful and decisive 850RE TorqueFlite eight-speed automated, which not often hunts for the proper gear. And whereas not as refined or as aurally partaking because the Hemi, the Pentastar felt muscular sufficient for this 5,000-plus pound bruiser. Of course, in case your plans commonly embrace dragging a camper or a trailer stuffed with toys, or in the event you dwell within the mountains or have a heavy proper foot, the V8’s additional muscle could possibly be a worthy funding.
Enlarge Image

The 15-inch-longer Grand Cherokee L can tow as much as 7,200 kilos. Chris Paukert/RoadshowThat’s true even with regards to gasoline effectivity. EPA estimates name for the V6 to web 18 mpg metropolis, 25 mpg freeway and 21 mpg mixed. That’s undoubtedly higher than the Hemi’s unimpressive 14 metropolis, 22 freeway and 17 mixed scores, however previous expertise means that the Pentastar’s gasoline effectivity plunges extra precipitously than the V8’s beneath heavy masses. Even with a totally loaded cabin and cargo maintain, I noticed durations on the open freeway above EPA estimates, however in combination, my freeway-heavy whole noticed gasoline economic system was 23.2 mpg — a high-quality if unremarkable determine. It’s value noting that Jeep confirmed a Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid mannequin will arrive quickly, however it’s not clear if these plans additionally embrace the long-wheelbase L.The Grand Cherokee’s legendary off-road popularity and appears are what is going on to get consumers within the door, however it’s the inside that can make shoppers desirous to signal on the dotted line. Even low-end fashions like the bottom Laredo 4×2 ($39,375 delivered) and Altitude ($42,575) have good cabins, however top-shelf fashions like this Summit Reserve are each shockingly posh and tech-rich. Yes, I may grumble concerning the fingerprint-happy display and piano-black trim, however I will not, as a result of from the finely stitched Palermo leather-based on the massaging entrance seats to the huge, artfully sculpted expanses of open-pore waxed walnut and precise-feeling switchgear, this can be a cabin to envy. On the tech entrance, the Summit Reserve’s Uconnect 5 infotainment suite runs on a 10.1-inch touchscreen that impresses with its snappy responses and crisp graphics, in addition to wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration (lower-end trims make do with 8.4-inch shows). Music buffs will admire not simply the excellent constancy of the 19-speaker, 950-watt McIntosh audio system, but in addition the digital illustration of the audiophile model’s iconic blue swept needles. With dual-source Bluetooth, a passenger may even play DJ whereas the motive force maintains telephone entry. Uconnect 5 is snappy and key local weather management and automobile features have accompanying bodily switchgear to maintain issues intuitive. Chris Paukert/RoadshowDifferent niceties embrace a reconfigurable 10.3-inch digital infotainment cluster, a strong head-up show and accessible night time imaginative and prescient. The greatest a part of all of this tech could also be that Jeep’s designers have had the self-discipline to protect a considerate quantity of buttons and knobs, resisting the trade’s pattern towards streamlining bodily switchgear on the expense of usability. You do not need to fish via a sequence of menus to vary the local weather management’s fan pace or redirect air move, and you may simply prod the button for the heated steering wheel or crank the amount knob when your favourite guitar solo comes on.My tester was a 2021 mannequin, however for 2022, you may even get the widescreen front-seat passenger exercise show borrowed from the brand new Grand Wagoneer. This 10.3-inch touchscreen allows front-seat passengers to curate their very own media, plot navigation routes and watch movies (Don’t fear, you may’t see the display from the motive force’s seat). The passenger may even management a pair of optionally available 10.1-inch rear-seatback shows, so with native Amazon Fire TV help, second-row occupants could be anesthetized by streaming Peppa Pig by way of onboard Wi-Fi or a telephone’s cellular hotspot. With the L’s extra family-focused mission, it is smart that it comes with a number of superior driver-assistance options. Adaptive cruise management, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors with cross-path detection, lane-keeping help and collision warning with automated emergency braking are all commonplace throughout the board. My Summit tester additionally included birds-eye 360-degree digital camera protection, drowsy driver monitor and intersection collision mitigation tech, amongst different options. I’m blissful to report that I did not have the event to take a look at all of my tester’s lively security options, however people who I did labored effectively apart from lane-keep help, which ping-ponged between the painted strains greater than anticipated.
Enlarge Image

With its accessible air suspension dialed to its highest setting, the Grand Cherokee L can ford 2 ft of water. Chris Paukert/RoadshowNow that the standard-length Grand Cherokee is hitting the marketplace for 2022, you could be tempted to go together with the shorty, and I actually would not blame you. It’s higher proportioned, extra succesful off-road and barely cheaper. That stated, there is a large purpose to contemplate taking the L: house. The two-seat third row is fairly sized for adults taking quick journeys, and small children can be high-quality again there for longer hauls. But even when you find yourself driving round with the rearmost row stowed more often than not, the added cargo house may simply be value the additional cash it takes to get an L in your tailgate. With all three rows upright, there’s 17.2 cubic ft of house within the cargo maintain. Fold the second row, and also you’re taking a look at 46.9 cubes. Drop all of the seats behind the primary row and there is a huge 84.6 cubic ft. Unsurprisingly, these numbers evaluate favorably with the two-row Grand Cherokee (37.7 cubic ft behind the rear seats or 70.8 with them folded). That’s like getting a complete ‘nother trunk. Over the years, I’ve pushed a whole lot of two- and three-row SUVs, and I’ve discovered that even when two-row fashions supply loads of room for passengers, they typically aren’t as much as the job of transporting 4 or 5 individuals’s value of stuff for a weeklong highway journey with out including a rooftop field. That’s the final good thing about going with a three-row SUV even in the event you do not want the additional seats — the added cargo house actually makes these autos extra helpful.
Enlarge Image

Even in the event you do not want a 3rd row, the L’s additional cargo capability could be value contemplating. Chris Paukert/RoadshowOf course, Jeep’s new Wagoneer is bigger nonetheless, and it has a roomier third row and extra cargo house, as you’d count on. But the Big W is considerably dearer than a loaded Grand Cherokee L, beginning at practically $71,000 for a Series II with two fewer pushed wheels and fewer tools. Just as importantly, Jeep’s full-sizer does not really really feel considerably extra luxurious than this Summit Reserve L till you get to greater trims that value tens of 1000’s extra. Even then, the distinction is not as large as you may suppose. Plus, to my eyes, the Wagoneer’s oversquare rump and hinky windowline lend it a clumsy, minivanlike look in profile and from any rearward side.Like I stated, GC L for the win.