Today, the Jeep brand of Auburn Hills’ Fiat Chrysler Automobiles unveiled its all-new 2021 Grand Cherokee L, which for the first time has seating for six or seven people.
The newest iteration of the popular Jeep SUV, which has sold nearly 7 million units in the last three decades, will be built at the newly constructed Detroit Assembly Complex – Mack Plant, next to FCA’s Jefferson Avenue Assembly Plant on the city’s east side at Conner and Jefferson avenues.
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L will arrive in Jeep dealerships in the second quarter of 2021 and will be available in four different trim configurations — Laredo, Limited, Overland, and Summit. Fuel economy numbers and pricing will be announced closer to launch.
The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee two-row and its 4xe electrified version are scheduled to start production at the Mack Assembly Plant later in 2021.
The automaker says the new Grand Cherokee L is designed and engineered to deliver “an unmatched combination” of 4×4 capability, on-road refinement, styling and craftsmanship, and a host of advanced safety and technology features.
“The Grand Cherokee L truly stands out in its segment and continues to raise the bar in capability, performance and luxury, while also breaking new ground in versatility and functionality,” says Christian Meunier, global president of Jeep Brand – FCA. “It is built on an all-new architecture and wrapped in a stunning new design that honors its iconic Jeep design heritage, while also extending to accommodate a third row to meet the growing needs of our Jeep customers who have asked for more space and functionality.”
The new Jeep’s all-new architecture and aerodynamic body style combine to improve vehicle performance, safety, and reliability, while reducing vehicle weight, noise, vibration, and harshness, according to Jeep.
The use of lightweight, high-strength aluminum closures, including the hood and tailgate, help reduce weight and boost fuel economy. The Jeep engineering team reduced weight by mounting the axle directly to the engine, along with a solid-mounted aluminum front cradle, aluminum engine mounts and steering gear, a magnesium cross-car beam, aluminum shock towers, and an all-new electronic master brake booster system.
Designed to maximize overall passenger safety, comfort, and convenience, the Grand Cherokee is equipped with next generation features and technologies that the automaker says make it a stand out in the full-size SUV segment.
The new Jeep’s 4×4 capability comes from its Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, Quadra-Drive II, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Terrain traction management systems. The Selec-Terrain system offers five available terrain modes (Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand) to provide optimized calibrations for any given driving scenario.
New for the 2021 Grand Cherokee L 4×4 is front axle disconnect. If the vehicle senses that road conditions do not require all-wheel drive, the front axle disconnect automatically places the Grand Cherokee L in two-wheel drive, reducing drag on the driveline and improving fuel economy. Four-wheel drive automatically re-engages when the vehicle senses it is needed.
The Grand Cherokee L offers buyers a choice of two engines, the standard all-aluminum 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, rated at 290 horsepower and 257 lb.-ft. of torque, and the optional 5.7-liter V-8, rated at 357 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque delivered over a broad power band.
The Grand Cherokee L design continues to build on its legacy, while raising the bar in luxury and performance, according to Jeep.
“The Jeep design team envisioned a modern aesthetic for the all-new 2021 Grand Cherokee L – they worked to sculpt it down and gave it a clean and updated premium appearance tailored for today’s customer,” says Mark Allen, head of Jeep exterior design at FCA. “The design for the first-ever three-row Grand Cherokee pays respect to its heritage and honors its utilitarian roots. The results reflect its premium characteristics, contemporary style and legendary capability that has defined the Grand Cherokee since its inception.”
Inside, the Grand Cherokee L’s design team objective was to create an interior that creates a more refined expression, featuring handcrafted materials with an attention to detail and modern amenities that pair seamlessly with its new lean and tailored exterior.
“The objective for the interior design team was to create a unique statement for 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L,” says Chris Benjamin, head of Jeep, Chrysler, and advanced interior design at FCA. “While the Jeep Grand Cherokee interior has been synonymous with sophistication, our approach to the three-row version was to showcase distinguished details, handcrafted materials, and modern amenities that pair seamlessly with its tailored exterior.”
Among the interior features are:
- 1-inch display for the new Uconnect 5 system.
- 25-inch frameless digital gauge cluster with nearly two dozen different menus from which the user can select.
- All-new multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters.
- Room for six or seven passengers.
- The second row comes with standard “tip and slide” bucket seats (optional bench).
- 7 inches (180 mm) of fore/aft travel and an available power-folding third row.
- Second-row bucket seats can be easily moved to create expansive passage to the third row. Child safety seats installed in the second row do not have to be removed to access the third row.
- Third row provides 37.3 inches (947 mm) of head room.
Among the standard safety features across the Grand Cherokee L lineup are:
- Full-speed collision warning with active braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection.
- Rear cross path detection.
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go.
- Active lane management.
- LaneSense lane departure warning with lane keep assist.
- Advanced brake assist.
- Blind-spot monitoring.
- ParkView rear back-up camera.
- ParkSense rear park assist sensors with stop.
- Switch-activated electric park brake.
- Tire-pressure monitoring.
“There’s a reason Jeep customers are so demanding,” says Mark Champine, head of quality at FCA – North America. “They’ve grown accustomed to going wherever they want, whenever they want, with a spirit that’s unique to Jeep. It’s our job to deliver on those expectations.”
