Jeep has unveiled the 2021 Grand Cherokee L model, the next generation of its big SUV, and it has gotten a little bigger with seating inside for seven people for the first time.

To be available in the US in the second quarter of this year, the new Grand Cherokee L will be available in four trim versions – Laredo, Limited, Overland and Summit. The new model sits on new vehicle architecture and, in the U.S. at least, will be available with two engine options – the 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine that delivers 216kW and 349Nm, and a 5.7-litre V8 offering 266kW and 529Nm. Power options for the Australian market are yet to be confirmed.

The new underlying architecture is designed, the company says, to deliver on handling, to be quieter, and to reduce weight and improve fuel economy.

There’s a new unibody design along with three available 4×4 systems (Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II), plus a Quadra-Lift air suspension and standard Selec-Terrain traction management system.

Jeep reduced weight by mounting the axle directly to the engine, along with a solid-mounted aluminium front cradle, aluminium engine mounts and steering gear, a magnesium cross-car beam, aluminium shock towers and a new electronic master brake booster system. The body structure employs the latest grades of Generation 3 steel.

The Grand Cherokee L also employs a newly located front virtual ball joint to improve lateral control and a multi-link rear suspension. Jeep says that an enhanced engine box with a shock-to-shock tower brace improves local lateral stiffness by 125 per cent. A new variable-rate air spring suspension continuously adjusts stiffness to loading conditions.

New for the 2021 Grand Cherokee L is front axle disconnect. If the vehicle senses that road conditions do not require all-wheel drive, the front axle disconnect automatically places the Grand Cherokee L in two-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive automatically re-engages when the vehicle senses it is needed.

The interior looks great with modern tech mixing nicely with classic materials.

That modern tech includes the Uconnect 5 system that offers more connected services and features, rear-seat monitoring camera, digital rearview mirror, windshield HUD, frameless digital cluster and a 19-speaker premium audio system.

The Uconnect system enables, amongst other features, for five user profiles, wireless Apple CarPlay and Andfroid Auto, connectivity for two Blutooth-enabled phones, Alexa ‘Home to Car’ functionality, TomTom navigation, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot functionality.

Safety and Advanced Driving Assist features are, as you’d expect, excellent, and includes Active Driving Assist, Night Vision Camera, Intersection Collision Assist, Drowsy Driver Detection, Traffic Sign Recognition as well as Surround View Camera.

Standard across the range are Full-Speed Collision Warning with Active Braking and Pedestrian/Cyclist Detection, 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, Switch-activated electric park brake, and tyre-pressure monitoring.

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee L should get its Australian launch later this year.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (February 2021) 

22 February 2021