With the reveal of the All-New Jeep Grand Cherokee L in southern Africa, the Jeep brand marks 81 years of 4x4 leadership with the rebirth of an American SUV icon –blending off-road capability with a premium on-road driving experience, which, for the first time in the vehicle’s history, includes a third row of seating.
The newest iteration is designed and engineered to deliver an unmatched combination of even more legendary 4x4 capability, superior on-road refinement, premium styling and craftsmanship inside and out, and a host of advanced safety and technology features.
The All-New Jeep Grand Cherokee L is re-engineered with a focus to optimise comfort & handling, while reducing weight, improving fuel economy and delivering improved 4x4 capability along with unrivaled premium on-road driving dynamics.
Legendary off-road capability begins courtesy of three 4x4 systems – 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. The Grand Cherokee L’s class-leading Selec-Terrain traction management system lets customers choose the on- and off-road setting for optimum 4x4 performance with five available terrain modes (Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand) to provide optimized calibrations for any given driving scenario.
Additional to the three 4x4 systems, for the first time in the history of the model, the Grand Cherokee L offers a class-exclusive Quadra-Lift Air Suspension, featuring electronic adaptive damping. The Quadra-Lift Air Suspension delivers a best-in-class ground clearance, at 277mm, while also adjusting height automatically based on road conditions and speed to reduce drag and for better fuel economy.
The All-New Jeep Grand Cherokee L offers buyers a fuel-efficient and refined engine with proven performance for any driving situation.
Standard is the all-aluminum 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, rated at 210 kW and 344 Nm of torque. Lauded for its power and refinement, the 60-degree angle between the Pentastar V-6’s cylinder banks make it inherently smooth running, augmented by accessories that bolt directly to the engine block. Fuel-saving engine start-stop (ESS) technology is also standard on the Pentastar V6.
The proportion of the All-New Grand Cherokee L was inspired by the original Wagoneer, Jeep’s first full-size luxury SUV. Grand Cherokee L’s lean profile features a longer hood and cab, which shifts the vehicle rearward to give a sense of motion with a ready to react response. A forward-tipped grille further enhances the length of the hood and gives a respectful nod to Wagoneer’s iconic design. A lowered, tapered roof improves aerodynamic performance and efficiency without sacrificing its cargo spaciousness and utility.
For the first time, a premium, full suite of LED lighting is standard on all Jeep Grand Cherokee trim levels, which allowed for design flexibility and helped to shape the identity of the vehicle.
When it came to the interior design of Jeep Grand Cherokee L, the team’s objective was to create one of the most exquisite and technically advanced passenger cabins in the industry.
“Utterly breathtaking interior,” notes Wards 10 Best judge Drew Winter. “A stunning mixture of rich colours and lavish materials.” The editorial staff of Wards, a global leader in automotive intelligence, selected the winners after evaluating 33 vehicles, which were scored on ergonomics, comfort, fit-and-finish, material quality and aesthetics.
The centre stack has been realigned to be even more accessible to the driver. A bright, structural element neatly frames the next-generation, 10.1-inch display for the new Uconnect 5 system. Also new is a 10.25-inch frameless digital gauge cluster with nearly two dozen different menus from which the user can select, including driver-assist technologies such as adaptive cruise control, highway assist, night vision and drowsy driver detection.