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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Overview
Of Jeep's many SUV offerings, none so effortlessly blends the brand's off-road ethos with refined road manners quite like the Grand Cherokee.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
To accommodate every lifestyle, Jeep offers a wide variety of Grand Cherokee models, from the affordable Laredo to the classy Summit trim.
The standard V-6 should suit most buyers' needs, but for those who want a little more grunt, Jeep offers a potent 360-hp V-8.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Those with adventure on their minds should consider the Trailhawk, which comes with a two-speed transfer case, an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, hill-descent control, Kevlar-reinforced tires, and an air suspension that provides additional ground clearance.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Inside, the Grand Cherokee offers a comfortable cabin with room for four adults over two rows of seats.
A touchscreen infotainment system and plenty of connectivity features help the GC feel current, but Jeep's driver-assistance tech is mostly optional, even though several of its rivals offer such features as standard.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Jeeps offers a Grand Cherokee for every taste and budget. The Limited includes a good amount of luxury items, such as leather seats (heated in front), Uconnect infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces, and 18-inch wheels.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
I'd consider ordering the new Sun and Sound package to get the panoramic sunroof and upgraded Alpine stereo system. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but Jeep purists can opt for all-wheel drive for between $2000 and $3000 more, depending on the trim level.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Your Grand Cherokee will come with a V-6 unless you opt for the V-8, available only on Limited trims and above. The base engine pulls strongly and transmits very little vibration into the cabin, so it's the power-plant I prefer.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
It's well matched to the Grand Cherokee's heft, and it does an admirable job of motivating this SUV around town and on the highway. No matter the configuration, the Grand Cherokee has brawny towing capacity—6200 pounds for V-6 models, 7200 pounds with the V-8—that kicks its usefulness up another notch.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
There's nothing sporty about this utility vehicle, though. Rough stretches of pockmarked pavement send shivers through the chassis and into the cabin.
The optional air suspension appears to remedy this, which provided a more refined ride. The steering is precise and has a nice heft to it.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
The Jeep tracks straight, which makes for laid-back highway cruising. Soft in its first couple inches of travel, the Grand Cherokee's brake pedal firms up quickly, and performance is on par with the rest of the class.
For those seeking the ultimate in GC performance, check out the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, which I will review separately.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Fuel Economy
With the V-6 under its hood, the Grand Cherokee is fuel efficient by SUV standards. The V-8 may have greater towing capacity, but it's noticeably thirstier.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Stepping into the Grand Cherokee's cabin provides either a sense of ruggedness or luxury depending on the model.
The contoured dashboard houses an infotainment touchscreen atop chunky redundant buttons and controls, and a 7.0-inch LCD display in the instrument cluster is flanked by analog gauges.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Jeep designers use soft-touch materials and leather where it counts—armrests, upper door panels, the dashboard—but hard plastic persists elsewhere. Behind its second row of seats, the Grand Cherokee has space for 11 carry-on cases.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
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That count expands to 24 when the rear seat is folded, which splits in a 60/40 fashion; the operation is neat and tidy, too, requiring just one action to release the headrest and flop the seat down to its flat position.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Infotainment and Connectivity
Jeep's excellent Uconnect infotainment system is one of my favorites for its ease of use and snappy response times. A dinky 5.0-inch display is standard.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
I'd recommend stepping up to the large 8.4-inch touchscreen. Available rear-seat entertainment and in-car Wi-Fi make the Grand Cherokee a movie theater on wheels.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
A six-speaker audio system comes standard, with the option of SiriusXM satellite radio. An array of more advanced setups—including a six-speaker Boston Acoustics stereo, a nine-speaker Alpine system, and a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon arrangement—are available on certain trims.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Grand Cherokee did not perform well in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's small-overlap front crash test, but it still offers a comprehensive list of driver-assistance features.
Unfortunately the only active safety feature that comes standard is blind-spot monitoring.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Key safety features include:
- Available automated emergency braking
- Available lane-departure warning
- Available adaptive cruise control
2021 Jeep Cherokee - Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
- The Jeep's warranty is nothing special. The Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santa Fe both provide much better plans, including 10-year power-train warranties and five years of bumper-to-bumper coverage.
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| 2021 Jeep Cherokee |
Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Power-train warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years on Overland, Trailhawk, High Altitude, and Summit models.
2021 Jeep Cherokee
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