No single carmaker can claim to have invented the SUV, Jeep was certainly instrumental in its eventual rise and dominance. One could argue that SUV-shaped vehicles have been in the Jeep portfolio since the mid-1940s, with the Willys Jeep Station Wagon.
The Jeep Cherokee debuted in 1974 as a two-door version of the larger Wagoneer, but it wasn't until 1984 that the model really began to take off. This model, known as the XJ in Jeep circles, is considered by many to be the first modern SUV. Around the same time, plans were already being laid for its replacement, which would eventually become the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Under the ownership of Chrysler, the Grand Cherokee didn't appear in dealerships until 1993. It could have beaten the Ford Explorer to market, but Chrysler wisely saved itself by instead capitalizing on the popularity of its minivans. The Cherokee name took a hiatus in 2008 after being replaced by the Jeep Liberty, but returned in 2014, only to be retired once again in 2023. The Grand Cherokee, however, remained in production and continues today.
That brings us to the present day and the Grand Cherokee L—a larger midsize variant with third-row seats—debuted in 2021, a year before the redesigned two-row Grand Cherokee. It fills the space between the standard Grand Cherokee and full-size Wagoneer and the more luxurious Grand Wagoneer. The Cherokee Nation has requested a name change for the car, though, and reports point to parent company Stellantis being open to the idea.
Compared to other midsize three-row SUVs, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is notable for its off-road abilities, its strong towing capacity, and an interior that is both spacious and luxuriously refined.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Jeep Grand Cherokee L Pros and Cons
- Jeep Grand Cherokee L Generations
- First Generation (2021-Present)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Jeep Grand Cherokee L years are the best?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L has been in production since 2021 and there has only been one model year with a significant change, which we point out below. In 2022, an optional front passenger touchscreen and rear entertainment system were added. For 2024, the Overland and Summit trims came standard with four-wheel drive. Previously, the Summit Reserve was the only model with 4WD.
Considering the recall history for the Jeep Grand Cherokee L so far, the 2023 model year could be your best bet if you want a V8 engine with stronger towing capabilities.
What are the worst Jeep Grand Cherokee L years?
There’s not quite enough data to answer that question in detail, but as far as recalls go, 2024 and 2022 seem to be the most problematic. In 2024, the most alarming was a possible fire risk when parked and a steering component that could fail. There was also a steering component recall in 2022, along with one for unexpected engine shutdowns and another for rear coil springs (for the latter, keep an eye out for a bumpy rear end during a test drive). There were also additional minor recalls with less serious consequences.
Is a used Jeep Grand Cherokee L a good deal?
Based on the limited data available, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L seems to be about average in dependability terms, which should be some comfort to buyers aware of Jeep's previous struggles with reliability. When it comes to resale value, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L seems to hold its price as well as most SUVs. Expect the value to drop around 20 percent in its first year and about 15 percent every year after.
That's about average for today's vehicles, but quite a bit better than some luxury-leaning SUVs. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L distinguishes itself from other midsize SUVs with its impressive all-terrain capabilities. These four-wheel drive components require more maintenance and reduce fuel efficiency, so if you don't plan on off-roading, we'd stick with rear-wheel drive.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Luxurious interior
- Capable off-road
- Spacious seating in all three rows
Cons:
- V6 engine lacks punch
- Pricey for the class
- Poor V8 fuel economy
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Generations
First Generation (2021-Present)
The first Jeep Grand Cherokee L went on sale as a 2021 model, a year before the two-row Grand Cherokee. Compared to the smaller Cherokee, the L is 11.4 inches longer, with an extra five inches between the front and rear axles. This results in a spacious interior that can comfortably transport six adults. With the available second-row bench, passenger capacity grows to seven.
In its first three years of production, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L was available with two engines: a 293-horsepower V6 or a 357-horsepower V8, which was eliminated for the 2025 model year. Unlike the supporting Grand Cherokee, there is no 4xe plug-in hybrid option. An eight-speed automatic was the only transmission offered, and shoppers could add true four-wheel drive to any model. In its inaugural year, the top Summit Reserve was the only trim level with 4WD as standard. In 2024, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland and the Summit also received 4WD as standard.
The V8 accelerated to 60 mph in a speedy 6.5 seconds, while the V6 trailed by almost two seconds. If drag racing isn't your thing, the V8 was capable of towing up to 7,200 pounds when properly equipped. The V6 topped out at 6,200 lbs but, unsurprisingly, had better fuel economy. It was estimated at 21 mpg in combined city and highway driving, compared to the V8's 17 mpg.
Four-wheel drive is more capable in off-road settings than the more prevalent active all-wheel-drive. The Grand Cherokee L is offered in three levels of 4WD, which Jeep calls Quadra-Trac. The Quadra-Trac I system offers a single-speed transfer case that allows the driver to choose between rear- or four-wheel drive. Quadra-Trac II adds low-speed gearing for better all-terrain traction and a neutral setting so you can flat-tow the vehicle. The top Quadra-Trac III upgrades to an automatic high-range 4WD.
The Grand Cherokee L is available in six trim levels: Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The base Laredo comes with three-zone climate control, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and front passenger seat, an 8.4-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, second-row captain's chairs, and safety features such as lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L Altitude adds larger wheels, a power liftgate, heated front bucket seats, a wireless charging pad, leather seats, and several other features. The mid-range Limited trim seems to find the sweet spot in the lineup in terms of price and features. It adds a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation, an upgraded audio system, ambient interior lighting, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland is the rugged choice, with tow recovery hooks, an adaptive Quadra-lift air suspension with selectable ride heights, and the Quadra-Trac II system. It's also luxurious inside, with a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a power-folding third row, and ventilated front seats.
The Summit trims show the posh side of the Grand Cherokee L, bumping up the specs with a gloss black roof, massaging front seats, an Alpine sound system, four-zone climate control, a surround-view camera, and a semi-automated park assist system. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve tops off the features list with a 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system, 21-inch wheels, an added infotainment touchscreen for the front passenger, nappa leather upholstery, and ventilated second-row seats.
This first-generation Grand Cherokee L has performed well in crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), receiving a five-out-of-five star rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it the top score of "Good" in most crash tests, though in the newer frontal moderate overlap test, it received the lowest score of "Poor." Nonetheless, the rest of the vehicle's protections were good enough to award the Grand Cherokee L a Top Safety Pick+, the Institute's highest honor in 2023. For 2024, it was downgraded to a second-best Top Safety Pick.
First-generation Grand Cherokee L models are still relatively fresh on the scene and prices haven’t been affected by any significant updates or changes. For example, a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $48,440. On the used car market today, that same vehicle would cost as much as $28,000 in fair condition and $33,000 in excellent shape. This represents around 32 percent in depreciation, which is average for the class. The top Summit Reserve trim results aren’t as favorable, as it loses almost 40 percent over the same period.
