The Jeep Grand Cherokee: A Midsize SUV that Keeps Evolving and Improving

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is not a new kid on the block. It’s been around since 1992, and it has earned a reputation as one of the most capable, versatile, and comfortable midsize SUVs on the market. But that doesn’t mean it’s resting on its laurels. On the contrary, the Grand Cherokee constantly evolves, improves, and surprises us with new features, technologies, and models. And the critics have noticed. For the second year in a row, the Grand Cherokee has won the Best Midsize Utility Vehicle in the MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards, beating out some tough competitors in the segment. How did it do that? Let’s find out.

The Grand Cherokee Lineup: Something for Everyone

One of the reasons why the Jeep Grand Cherokee is so popular and successful is that it offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a family hauler, off-road adventurer, luxury cruiser, or performance beast, a Grand Cherokee model suits your needs and preferences. Here are some of the highlights of the Grand Cherokee lineup:

• Grand Cherokee L: This is the newest addition to the family, and it’s a game-changer. For the first time, the Grand Cherokee is available with three rows of seating, accommodating up to seven passengers. With an extended 121.7-inch wheelbase, the Grand Cherokee L delivers class-leading second-row legroom and a maximum cargo space of 84.6 cu. ft. It also features a new exterior design, a refined interior with premium materials and advanced technologies, and a choice of two engines: a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 290 hp and 257 lb-ft of torque, or a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, or Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system. The Grand Cherokee L is also available with the Quadra-Lift air suspension, which can raise or lower the vehicle by up to 4.2 inches, and the Selec-Terrain traction management system, which offers five modes: Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Mud/Sand. The Grand Cherokee L starts at $36,995 for the Laredo trim and goes up to $65,290 for the Summit Reserve trim.
• Grand Cherokee 4xe: This is the most technologically advanced and 4x4-capable Grand Cherokee ever, and it’s also the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in the Jeep brand’s history. The Grand Cherokee 4xe combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 17 kWh battery pack, delivering a total output of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. It also offers three selectable driving modes: Electric, Hybrid, and e-Save. In Electric mode, the Grand Cherokee 4xe can travel up to 25 miles on battery power alone and achieve an impressive 56 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe). In Hybrid mode, the Grand Cherokee 4xe uses both the engine and the electric motors to optimize performance and efficiency. In e-Save mode, the Grand Cherokee 4xe preserves the battery charge for later use or can recharge the battery while driving. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also features the Quadra-Trac II 4x4 system with a two-speed transfer case and a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, as well as a 47.4:1 crawl ratio. It can tow up to 6,000 lbs, and it has a Trail Rated badge, meaning it can handle tough terrain, steep slopes, deep water, and harsh weather. The Grand Cherokee 4xe starts at $47,995 for the Latitude trim and goes up to $65,190 for the High Altitude trim.
• Grand Cherokee Trackhawk: This is the ultimate performance machine in the Grand Cherokee lineup, and it’s not for the faint of heart. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces a staggering 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful SUV ever. It can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 180 mph. It also features a high-performance Brembo brake system, an adaptive Bilstein suspension, a launch control system, and a Torque Reserve system that pre-loads the supercharger for maximum acceleration. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk also has a sporty exterior with a sculpted hood, a blacked-out grille, 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust tips. The interior is equally impressive, with leather and suede seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk starts at $87,895 and is available in one trim level.

The Grand Cherokee’s MotorWeek Award: A Well-Deserved Recognition

The MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Awards are among the most prestigious and respected awards in the automotive industry, as they reflect the opinions and preferences of the vehicles' consumers. The awards are based on driving performance, technology, practicality, fuel efficiency, and value. The Grand Cherokee has won the Best Midsize Utility vehicle award for the second year in a row, proving that it’s still the leader in its segment. Here’s what John Davis, the creator and host of MotorWeek, had to say about the Grand Cherokee:

“The Jeep Grand Cherokee is our back-to-back winner as Best Midsize Utility of the Year. We are convinced that the Grand Cherokee lineup can handle just about anything adventure-loving families can throw at it! After existing for decades as a rough-around-the-edges, take-it-or-leave-it SUV, the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee arrived with all kinds of surprises, including an extended L version with three rows of seating and even an available 4xe plug-in powertrain. The PHEV Grand Cherokee is proving to be very popular and adds serious breath to Jeep’s already substantial environmental posture. For a brand that survived on tradition for many years, the Grand Cherokee makes a truly modern statement by all measures.”

We couldn’t agree more with Davis. The Grand Cherokee is a remarkable SUV that combines the best of both worlds: the legendary Jeep heritage of off-road capability and adventure and the modern features and technologies that make it a comfortable, efficient, and fun-to-drive vehicle. The Grand Cherokee is not just a midsize SUV, it’s a lifestyle choice. And it’s a choice that keeps winning.

How the Grand Cherokee Compares to Its Rivals: A Table of Comparison

To give you a better idea of how the Grand Cherokee stands out from its rivals, we’ve prepared a table of comparison that shows some of the key specifications and features of the Grand Cherokee and three of its main competitors: the Ford Explorer, the Toyota Highlander, and the Hyundai Santa Fe. Here’s the table:

As you can see, the Grand Cherokee L offers a competitive engine, power, torque, and fuel economy while also having a higher starting price than its rivals. However, the Grand Cherokee L also offers more features and options that justify its premium, such as the 4x4 systems, the air suspension, the Selec-Terrain system, the 10.1-inch touchscreen, and the 19-speaker sound system. Moreover, the Grand Cherokee L is the only one that has a plug-in hybrid variant, the Grand Cherokee 4xe, which offers even more power, torque, and efficiency. And of course, the Grand Cherokee L has the advantage of being a Jeep, which means it has a unique style, personality, and heritage that no other brand can match.

Conclusion: The Grand Cherokee is a Winner

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a winner, not just because it has won the MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award for the second year. It’s a winner because it offers a complete package of performance, capability, comfort, technology, and style that appeals to a wide range of customers. It’s a winner because it has a diverse and impressive lineup of models that cater to different needs and preferences. It’s a winner because it has a loyal and passionate fan base that loves and supports the Jeep brand. And it’s a winner because it keeps evolving, improving, and surprising us with new features, technologies, and models. The Grand Cherokee is not just a midsize SUV, it’s a legend.