Jeep recently unveiled the new Grand Wagoneer and now we have another big debut, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The new Grand Cherokee will now be offered in two versions for the first time ever, with the Grand Cherokee L being the longer version with three rows of seats.
The 2021 Grand Cherokee L and the shorter Grand Cherokee two-row version are now built on a new platform that isn’t used by any other model. Just like before the new Grand Cherokee is based on a unibody chassis, not like the Wagoneer, which is based on a truck platform.
The chassis is comprised of 60% high-strength steel, while aluminum has been used for the hood, rear hatch, front subframe and shock towers to keep its weight in check.
Under the hood the engine options aren’t new. The base engine is the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 290 horsepower and 257 pound-feet pf torque. The more powerful engine is a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and there are three four-wheel drive systems to choose from.
The first is the Quadra-Trac I single-speed automatic system and the second is the Quadra-Trac II system that adds a a low-range gear set. Lastly the third option is the Quadra-Drive II that adds an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential.
Later this year a 4xe hybrid version will be introduced.
Inside the Grand Cherokee L has room for the whole family with three rows of seats. Buyers can choose either a bench or bucket seats for the second row, which means that it can carry a total of seven or six passengers. The interior looks modern with a 10.25-inch instrument display and a 10.1-inch infotainment screen. A 10-inch head-up display is optional.
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L will go on sale in the second quarter of this year, while the two-row and hybrid models will enter production later this year.
