What do our experts think of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
Just a year after its introduction, the Grand Cherokee L is receiving some cool upgrades, including an optional 10.3-inch infotainment screen specifically for the front passenger. In addition, new paint colors, as well as new wheels, are available through different sections of the lineup. A new rear-seat entertainment system is also available with dual screens on Limited trims and above.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L – media.stellantisnorthamerica.com | Shop 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L on Carsforsale.com
Spacious interior
Above-average technology
Real off-road capability
Top trims are pricey
Poor visibility
Sluggish V6
No hybrid option
Just a decade or so ago the idea of two three-row SUVs as luxurious as the Grand Cherokee L and the Grand Wagoneer in Jeep’s lineup would’ve felt strange. Today, they’re the benchmark for just how far the off-road-focused company has come. Regardless of which engine one picks out of the Grand Cherokee L, each one is capable of taking passengers way off-road.
The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 with 290-horsepower and 257 lb-ft of torque. It’s a bit buzzy if we’re honest and it needs more power to feel like a modern vehicle. 0-60 takes around 8 seconds which might have passed back in the early 2010s but is slow compared to other full-sized SUVs. Nevertheless, it’s capable enough to use every day without too much disappointment.
The optional V8 is the gem of the pair and makes 357-horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. With that much grunt and twist, it has no problem merging or passing on the highway with ease. In addition, it makes off-road situations just that much easier to get out of. Both engines use the same eight-speed automatic transmission and it’s smooth. Gear changes are quick and accurate without needless delays between cogs.
Every Grand Cherokee L aside from the Summit Reserve comes with rear-wheel-drive as standard but can be outfitted with one of three different 4WD systems. They include Quadra Trac I which is a basic 4WD system with a single-speed transfer case, Quadra Trac II with a two-speed transfer case and neutral mode, and finally Quadra Drive II which basically adds automatic high-range 4WD to Quadra Trac II.
Those who plan to tow with the Grand Cherokee L will want to go after the V8 as it has a total capacity of 7,200-pounds. The V6 can only haul around 6,200 pounds which is a little low compared to the Yukon XL.
Fuel economy isn’t really a highlight for the Grand Cherokee L. The base V6 gets an EPA estimated 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway when equipped with RWD. Those figures each drop by one when 4WD is fitted. The V8 is rated at just 14 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. We’d love to see a hybrid option in the future.
Unlike old-school Jeeps of the past, the new Grand Cherokee L is a properly premium place to be. The seating is exceptional and for the most part, the materials are above average. Upper trim levels even offer massaging front seats and mid-level trims aren’t left far behind. Even they end up with deluxe touches like open-pore wood trim, quilted leather upholstery, and more.
Rear seat passengers in the second or third row aren’t left behind either as each one provides enough space and adjustability to get comfortable. Second-row captain’s chairs are standard but buyers can add a bench seat to increase total passenger capacity to seven. Cargo space behind those seats is fairly limited but expands quickly with unoccupied seats being folded down.
Sadly, there are some functional downsides to the cabin for the driver. First, visibility is less than great. Thick pillars combine with the overall shape and size of the Grand Cherokee L to make placing each corner of the vehicle fairly difficult. In addition, we don’t love the center control stack with its glossy piano black finish or its somewhat complex layout.
Aside from off-road capability, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L might not shine in any one facet of its design brighter than in the category of technology. The standard 8.4-inch infotainment system feels a bit small for the space but in terms of functionality, it’s one of our favorites thanks to quick response times and easy-to-navigate menus. Thankfully, the optional 10.1-inch screen that’s also available is just as good as those details while it fits the space much more appropriately. Both systems feature Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard equipment.
Beyond that, the 2022 model year sees the addition of three more optional screens in the Grand Cherokee L. The first is a 10.3-inch display that can be added to the front passenger dashboard. It allows the occupant there to control a whole host of functions and even engage with different types of entertainment on their own apart from the rest of the cabin.
In addition, two more screens are available as part of a rear-seat entertainment package. These dual 10.1-inch screens are mounted on the back of the front seats and offer individual entertainment for each second-row passenger.
Every Grand Cherokee L comes with lane-departure warning, forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and more. While those features are likely to improve safety we’ll have to wait on official word from organizations like the IIHS and NHTSA who each have yet to release any safety scores on the SUV.
The base Grand Cherokee L starts out with 18-inch wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, second-row captain’s chairs, LED headlights, an 8.4-inch infotainment system, a digital gauge cluster, and roof rails. Every Grand Cherokee L gets the safety equipment mentioned above in combination with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and keyless entry.
Spring for the Altitude trim and you’ll get 20-inch gloss black wheels, heated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote start, a wireless charging pad, leather-trimmed seats, and a power liftgate.
The Limited trim adds LED fog lights, heated first and second-row seats, ambient interior lighting, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat.
As the first serious off-road themed trim, the Overland is the first in the bunch to have access to Quadra-Trac II 4WD. Standard equipment includes Quadra Lift adaptive air suspension, front tow hooks, 20-inch wheels, a dual-panel sunroof, a power-adjustable steering wheel, a hands-free liftgate, ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, and nine speakers.
Nearly at the top of the range the Summit starts out by making the 10.1-inch infotainment system standard. In addition, it gets 16-way power-adjustable massaging front seats, quad-zone automatic climate control, an automated parking system, a surround-view camera system, and a nine-speaker Alpine sound system.
At the top of the mountain is the Summit Reserve which gets Quadra Drive II as standard equipment. It also adds a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, 21-inch wheels, ventilated rear seats, upgraded leather upholstery, and the front-passenger interactive infotainment display.
Jeep offers a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty paired with a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That’s about the least you’ll find from any automaker and falls well behind rivals from Hyundai or Kia. To bolster its value, Jeep is offering three years of complimentary maintenance.
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L – media.stellantisnorthamerica.com | Shop 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L on Carsforsale.com
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L sort of sits in a space that it owns alone. Very few vehicles that can transport this many people in this much comfort are as capable as this one is of going way off-road. At the same time, there are trade-offs like an above-average asking price for the features found within. Still, for those with the cash, the upper trims of the Grand Cherokee L shouldn’t disappoint when paired with its punchy V8 engine.