The Jeep Grand Cherokee L has broken cover and will finally be available as a seven-seater, regular five-seat model and also a hybrid.
This is the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The L stands for Large or Long, or something like that…anyway, it’s the first one to market and the first six or seven-seat Grand Cherokee. A five-seat and hybrid 4Xe model will arrive later this year.
This new fifth-generation Grand Cherokee looks very different to the current generation model, with Jeep claiming the design was inspired by the original Wagoneer. And you can see that with the squat design of the current model giving way to a longer bonnet and cab with a lowered roof line. It looks leaner. Other design highlights include the slimline LED headlights, new-look seven slot grille and the option of fit 21-inch wheels.
Riding on new aluminium architecture there are a number of firsts for Grand Cherokee, like the fact the axle is bolted directly to the engine which is meant to improve on-road ride and handling. And there are active engine mounts which will apparently reduce vibration through the vehicle at idle.
It’s off-road capability hasn’t been forgotten about with three 4×4 systems to choose from, including 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. And the Grand Cherokee now gets Quadra-Lift air suspension which can be activated automatically or manually to raise of lower the vehicle depending on the terrain or situation. Standard running ride height offers 212mm of clearance but can be increased by an extra 60mm for water fording or rock crawling.
With the available Quadra-Lift air suspension, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L features a 30.1-degree approach angle, a 23.6-degree departure angle and 22.6-degree breakover angle.
In the US, a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 will be standard with the option of the 5.7-litre Hemi V8. It’s unknown at this stage which engines will be offered in Australia.
There will be four variants available: Laredo, Limited, Overland and Summit. And the interior, according to Jeep, has been designed to be one of the most technically advanced interiors on the market. Obviously there’s stuff like leather and wood grain, but you’ll be able to get seat massagers, 10.25in x 2 infotainment and instrument displays and, of course, three rows of seating. The Grand Cherokee L will also be the first Jeep to offer a windscreen HUD and fully digital (camera-based) rear vision mirror.
So, Internet, what do we think?
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