Things start with the base Laredo for $29,995 in its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) guise or $31,995 with 4-wheel drive (4WD) and go all the way up to the super high-end SRT Red Vapor, which is available only with 4WD and comes in at $64,595. In between are six other trims from which to choose.
The base Laredo comes with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that can tow up to 6,200 pounds and is paired with an 8-speed automatic. Options and features are minimal on this base trim, with just dual-zone automatic temperature control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, UConnect 5.0 with voice command and Bluetooth, and keyless entry making the cut.
The Laredo E opens up a stunning number of optional features that add both looks and utility. There’s the Chrome Edition Group, which adds chrome exterior mirrors, a bright pedal kit, chrome tubular side steps, and front and rear door guards. You can also opt for the Exterior Appearance Group, which swaps the chrome steps for black and ditches the chrome mirrors.
The All Weather Capability Group adds key features like an engine-block heater, heated front seats and steering wheel, hill-descent control, Quadra-Trac II 4WD, remote start, Selec-Terrain System, and tow hooks. The 18" Wheel and 8.4" Radio Group adds both of those options along with an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with microphone, roadside assistance, and 911 call.
The options continue with an Off-Road Adventure I Group that adds a multitude of skid plates and a full-size spare along with Quadra-Trac II 4WD, Selec-Terrain, tow hooks, and a Trail Rated badge so everyone knows you mean business.
The Trailer Tow Group IV adds a 7 and 4 pin wiring harness and receiver hitch as well as a full-size spare, and finally, there’s the Security and Convenience Group, which adds a security alarm, power liftgate, and cargo compartment cover. Heated seats and steering wheel also come with that last group, depending on the exact configuration you select.
If it seems like there’s some duplication between the options, you’re right. There is overlap so you can get heated seats, for example, in several different packages rather than only in one. It gives you a wider range of choices, but it can be a bit confusing to put all the pieces together.
Move up to the Altitude, and the Security and Convenience Group as well as heated front seats and a heated steering wheel become standard, as do an 8.4-inch Uconnect screen and power liftgate. Your only options on this trim are a reversing camera and the Trailer Tow Group. It’s unfortunate that the camera isn’t available for those first two trims.
The Limited makes the rear back-up camera, Quadra-Trac II 4WD, and Selec-Terrain system standard and adds 18-inch aluminum wheels or optional 20-inch wheels. Many of the same options on the Laredo E are available on the Limited, with the notable addition of a Luxury Group II that adds a huge list of features including ventilated front seats, 9 amplified speakers with a subwoofer, automatic high-beam headlamp control, Bi-Xenon headlamps, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, rain-sensitive windshield wipers, and more.This is the trim that steers the Grand Cherokee firmly toward the realm of luxury.
It’s also the start of the trims that are able to tow 7,200 pounds with 4WD or 7,400 pounds with RWD, as an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine and a 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel enter the mix.
The Overland offers an even more comprehensive off-road package in the Off-Road Adventure II, which includes Quadra-Drive II 4WD, electronic rear limited-slip differential, and Selec-Speed in addition to skid plates and special badging. Comfort features like heated front and rear seats and steering wheel and ventilated front seats are standard.
Approaching the top end of things is the Summit, which takes all the comfort and off-road features and throws them into one fully loaded car. Your only choices here are which of the three engines you’d like and whether you want to add a rear-seat dual-screen DVD player.
Two final trims sit up with the Summit, but with a different focus. The SRT and SRT Red Vapor, which has unique interior trim, are both performance-oriented versions of the Grand Cherokee. In addition to being very well-equipped with lots of features, they get only one engine choice: an SRT 6.4-liter Hemi V8.
This huge range of trims and options means you’re able to get the Grand Cherokee as toned down or tricked out as your budget permits. Jeep is known for its off-road worthiness, but its styling and quality are comparable to that of many luxury cars.
The interior, especially on higher trims, is downright sumptuous, with lots of leather and accent stitching. Seats are comfortable and supportive, and as a great big SUV, the Grand Cherokee offers plenty of room for everyone, no matter where you sit or your size.
The folks at Jeep know how to design an interior, and this is shown off in the Grand Cherokee, with color combinations and material choices that work together beautifully. You might be able to take this out in the mud, but you’d be perfectly fine taking it out for a night on the town, too.
The Grand Cherokee's exterior looks are bold, but with enough finesse that nothing comes off as tacky. The signature Jeep seven-slot grille that was updated last year is there, but without so much chrome that it's blinding in the sun. LED tail lamps in back add a little dose of pizzazz and style and differentiate this Jeep SUV from competitors in the segment.