OVERVIEW
The rugged Wrangler is probably what comes to mind when you shut your eyes and think of a Jeep, but the Grand Cherokee is just as vital to the commercial success of the renowned off-road manufacturer. Its allure is increased by combining outstanding off-road capabilities with on-road finesse, offers a wealth of available luxury amenities and equipment, and has the tough, natural appearance that Jeep owners adore. We also think highly of it and gave it an Editors' Choice award.
Three different powertrains are available, including the well-known V-6 and V-8 models as well as a brand-new plug-in hybrid model that Jeep refers to as 4xe. There are no fewer than three different all-wheel-drive systems available to assist you in handling whatever your lifestyle requires, whether that's just commuting through winter weather or crawling boulders in Moab. Rear-wheel drive is standard on versions with the V-6.
What has changed for 2022?
To compete with the two-row Grand Cherokee of the previous generation, Jeep introduced a new version of the Grand Cherokee for the 2021 model year. However, the new model was only available in the L three-row configuration (reviewed separately). The Grand Cherokee sheds its old skin for the 2022 model year with the addition of a two-row body type atop the new architecture. Jeep will continue to offer the Grand Cherokee WK, the previous generation, through the 2022 model year.
Which one to purchase?
Consider it the Jeep tax, but the Grand Cherokee starts thousands of dollars more expensive than competitors like the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade, and its upper versions are priced comparable to certain luxury SUVs. Having said that, we believe the Limited model offers the best combination of features, outperforming the standard Laredo with additional gear to appease luxury shoppers.
Leather upholstery, a power-operated rear liftgate, heated front, and rear seats, power-adjustable front seats, ambient interior lighting, auto-on high-beam headlamps, remote start, and other features are all standard on the Limited. We would invest in the Entertainment Group option, which includes nine-speaker Alpine audio and a larger 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen.
We'd also pick the Lux Tech Group II package, which includes front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, a wireless phone charger, perforated leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable steering column, a digital rearview mirror, second-row sunshades, a digital rearview mirror, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and an intersection collision avoidance feature.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Interior and Comfort
A completely renovated cabin replaces the rather old interior of the departing Grand Cherokee. While entry-level Laredo models come standard with the necessities, more expensive Summit and Overland trims come with extras like quilted leather upholstery, open-pore wood trim, and cutting-edge digital displays.
Grand Cherokee buyers who want the third row can upgrade to the Grand Cherokee L, which we examine separately. Although we haven't had a chance to test the new Grand Cherokee, we anticipate that it will hold more of our carry-on bags than the ones from the previous generation.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Pricing
The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in two versions: the standard and the L. The standard Grand Cherokee starts at a more affordable price of $37,460, while the most feature-packed version, the Summit Reserve, starts at $66,575. If you need more space, the larger Grand Cherokee L starts at $38,890. For the L, you can upgrade to the Limited trim for $45,210, or go all out for the Summit Reserve which goes over $68,000.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Engine and Performance
Like the Grand Cherokee of the previous generation, the new one is powered by a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 or a 3.6-liter V-6 engine. In addition, Jeep provides its plug-in hybrid 4xe powertrain, which electrifies its family SUV. The base V-6 Grand Cherokee comes with rear-wheel drive as standard, however vehicles with the V-8 or plug-in hybrid engine come standard with all-wheel drive. There are numerous all-wheel-drive options, including one with an electronically locking limited-slip differential.
There is also a Trail Hawk model with stronger off-road gear and more capability; it has an adjustable air suspension that offers up to 11.3 inches of ground clearance and a detaching sway bar that increases wheel articulation for negotiating rough terrain.
We were thrilled by the Grand Cherokee's controlled, comfortable ride during our initial test drive, and we discovered that both the V-6 and V-8 engines had plenty of peps. The off-road-oriented Trailhawk accomplished the identical test at our test track in 7.7 seconds, while our V-6-powered Summit test car managed a decent 7.4 seconds.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Fuel Efficiency and MPG
When equipped with rear-wheel drive, the Grand Cherokee's fuel efficiency ratings of 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway are standard for the mid-size SUV market. The V-8 variant is rated for 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, although both of those estimates are reduced by 1 mpg when all-wheel drive is added.
The plug-in hybrid 4xe should achieve better fuel economy, but the EPA has not yet provided numbers for that model. With a 14.0-kWh battery pack and a 134-hp electric motor, models with the 4xe plug-in hybrid engine enable the Grand Cherokee to travel up to 25 miles on a single charge. According to Jeep, the Grand Cherokee with the 4xe powertrain successfully traversed the renowned Rubicon Trail totally in EV mode.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Connectivity
Either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Sirius XM satellite radio comes standard on the Grand Cherokee's dashboard. Higher-end vehicles can be ordered with a digital gauge cluster, a 10.0-inch head-up display, and another 10.3-inch monitor built into the dashboard for use by the front-seat passenger. In-dash navigation with real-time traffic and weather updates is optional. While the Laredo and Limited models come with a standard six-speaker radio, customers can choose to upgrade to a high-end 19-speaker McIntosh or nine-speaker Alpine audio system.
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