Overview
When you close your eyes and think of a Jeep, it’s likely that the rough-and-tumble Wrangler comes to mind, but the Grand Cherokee is every bit as important to the success of the famed off-road brand in terms of sales. Its appeal is bolstered by the fact that it pairs impressive off-road capability with on-road refinement; offers lots of available luxury appointments and features; and has the rugged, outdoorsy look Jeep buyers love. For the 2021 model year, Jeep launched a new generation of the Grand Cherokee but offered the new model only as a three-row variant alongside the previous-generation two-row GC. For the 2022 model year, the Grand Cherokee sheds the old-gen model with the introduction of a two-row body style riding atop the new architecture.
What’s New for 2022?
The two-row Grand Cherokee transitions to the modernized design of the three-row L variant that launched for 2021.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Pricing and options haven’t been released, so we’re estimating prices here based on what limited information Jeep has revealed so far. The Limited models represent the best mix of features for the price and upgrade the base Laredo with enough equipment to satisfy luxury buyers. All Limited models come standard with leather upholstery, a power-operated rear liftgate, heated front and rear seats, interior ambient lighting, and much more. We’ll let you decide between the two-row and three-row variants based on your personal passenger-hauling needs.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Like the last generation Grand Cherokee, the new one is powered by your choice of either a 3.6-liter V-6 or a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine. Jeep is also preparing to drop its plug-in hybrid 4Xe powertrain into the Grand Cherokee to offer electrification for the first time in its family SUV. Rear-wheel drive will likely continue to be offered as standard, but this being a Jeep, several different all-wheel drive systems are optional. A Trailhawk model with more-robust off-road equipment and rough-country capability is all but a certainty, although Jeep has not mentioned such a variant just yet. When we get a chance to test the new Grand Cherokee at our test track, we’ll update this story with results. On the performance end of the spectrum, we expect Jeep to continue to offer high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models, but we review those separately.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Fuel economy estimates haven’t been released for the new Grand Cherokee yet, but we aren’t expecting much to change. The current Grand Cherokee is rated as high as 26 mpg highway for rear-wheel drive V-6 models and as low as 14 mpg city for the all-wheel drive V-8 model. The plug-in hybrid 4Xe should deliver better fuel economy but we’ll have to wait for additional details regarding that powertrain.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
A thoroughly modernized cabin steps in to replace the Grand Cherokee’s somewhat dated interior. While base Laredo models will likely offer the essentials, upscale Summit and Overland trims will add luxuries like quilted leather upholstery, open-pore wood trim, and high-tech digital displays. The three-row variant has space for up to seven via an optional second-row bench seat; a pair of captain’s chairs is standard and results in space for six riders. We haven’t had a chance to test the new Grand Cherokee yet, but we expect it to accommodate more of our carry-on suitcases than the previous generation model.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen floats just above the surface of the Grand Cherokee’s dashboard and offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio as standard. In-dash navigation with real-time traffic and weather updates is an optional feature and higher-end models can be had with wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the Laredo and Limited models ship with a standard six-speaker stereo, buyers can choose to upgrade to either a nine-speaker Alpine audio setup or a high-end 19-speaker McIntosh arrangement.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have crash tested the new Grand Cherokee yet, but we expect to have results just before or just after the Jeep’s launch. Driver-assistance features such as pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous driving modes are becoming increasingly important to shoppers, and Jeep is delivering a more comprehensive suite of standard safety tech to satisfy that demand. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
One of the few things that won’t change with the 2022 Grand Cherokee will be its standard warranty package. Rivals such as the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Santa Fe both offer longer terms here, but the Jeep’s warranty lines up with most other rivals, including the Chevrolet Blazer and the Ford Edge.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance is included
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