2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of America’s best-selling midsize SUVs because of its outstanding balance of on-road comfort and off-road capability with little compromise. The 3-row Grand Cherokee L takes that reputation and adds a third row of seats with room for up to seven. This Jeep occupies a middle ground between mainstream and luxury SUVs with many standard features, luxurious upper trims, and an optional V8 engine.

The Grand Cherokee L is on the bigger side of midsize 3-row SUVs competing with the Chevy Traverse, Ford Explorer, and Honda Pilot, all of which have respectable off-road trims.

The 2-row Grand Cherokee and its 4xe plug-in hybrid counterpart are reviewed separately.

The popular Limited trim has a new 18-inch polished wheel design this year. That’s about it.

Before buying a Grand Cherokee L, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Jeep Grand Cherokee L resale value is above average for the segment.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is powered by a 293-horsepower V6 engine matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission and rear- or 4-wheel drive. We tested the family-hauling capabilities of a V6-powered Grand Cherokee L with every seat occupied, and it delivered confident acceleration and smooth power delivery on the highway. The V6 is the sensible powertrain choice for most buyers.

The Overland and Summit models are available with a more muscular 357-horsepower V8 engine. Since the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system is standard on these trims, every V8-powered Grand Cherokee L has 4-wheel drive. The V8 gives this Jeep a muscular character that’s hard to find in this class, and the growling exhaust note never gets old.

When the pavement ends, the Grand Cherokee L can get more adventurous than the average family SUV. The Quadra-Trac I 4WD system available in the lower trims isn’t too different from the all-wheel-drive systems available in almost every midsize SUV.

The Quadra-Trac II system on the upper trims has a 2-speed transfer case, Selec-Terrain with off-road drive modes, and an available electronic locking rear differential. The result is better off-road capability, plus better on-road comfort, thanks to the Quadra-Lift air suspension system.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize SUVs, including the Jeep Grand Cherokee L.

Fuel Economy

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L gets 21 combined mpg with the standard V6 and 17 mpg with the optional V8. Mid-grade gasoline is recommended for the V8, but regular gas is fine for the V6. According to EPA estimates, the V6 has a monthly fuel cost of about $91 less than the V8.

The efficiency of the V6 is a little below average for a midsize 3-row SUV.

We’re impressed with the interior quality and comfort of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L. We have few complaints about the Laredo and Limited models, and the Overland and Summit trims are firmly in luxury SUV territory.

Unless you count the Wagoneer sub-brand, the Grand Cherokee L is the only Jeep model with 3-row seating. We’re grateful for the tilting and sliding captain’s chairs (a bench second-row seat is optional), making it easy to load up this Jeep with kids, even with child car seats in the second row. The way-back seats are suitable for kids but tight for adults, with only 30.3 inches of legroom. We were comfortable in the adult-friendly second-row seats with 39.4 inches of legroom. Second- and third-row legroom are both right around the average for this class.

The cargo space in the Grand Cherokee L depends on how many seats you’re using. It has 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all the seats in place, which is a little below average for room behind the third row. It gets roomier when you fold down the third row and get 46.9 cubic feet of space (more than the Telluride and Palisade), and you get a generous 84.6 cubic-foot cargo hold with all the rear seats folded down (more than the Highlander and Pathfinder).

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L has a rugged and upscale aesthetic, which is befitting of its personality. It’s a look that’s unmistakably Jeep. It looks more luxurious in the upper trims with fancier wheels and more chrome, and the Overland trim has a more brawny front fascia with tow hooks.

Up to seven seats
The 7-seat configuration (6-seat with captain’s chairs) makes the Grand Cherokee L one of the most family-friendly models in the Jeep lineup.

Uconnect infotainment system
The Uconnect infotainment systems available in the Grand Cherokee L are feature-rich and easy to use. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, and premium audio systems from Alpine and McIntosh are optional.

Luxurious upper trims
The Overland and Summit trims are luxurious SUVs with premium features like Quadra-Lift air suspension, a panoramic sunroof, and Nappa leather upholstery. The available Summit Reserve Package further adds extra-soft Palermo leather seats, McIntosh audio, a front passenger screen, and more.

Quadra-Trac 4WD systems
The Laredo and Limited trims are available with the Quadra-Tac I 4WD system, and the top two trims come standard with the Quadra-Trac II system with a 2-speed transfer case. Quadra-Trac II gives this Jeep better off-road chops than the average midsize SUV without compromising on-road comfort.

Active Driving Assist
Optional on the Overland trim and standard on the Summit model, Active Driving Assist makes highway driving nearly effortless by helping keep you centered in your lane at a safe distance from the car in front of you.

Muscular V8 option
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is available with a big, potent V8 engine. Specifically, a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 357 horsepower and maximum towing capacity of 7,200. This is the only variant of the Grand Cherokee you can still get with a V8.

The standard engine that powers most Grand Cherokee L models is a 3.6-liter V6, making 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It has a just-right balance of performance and efficiency. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and 4-wheel drive is optional.

A stout 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque is optional in the Overland and Summit models. The V8 makes this Jeep more satisfying to drive, but beware of higher fuel costs compared to the V6. Four-wheel drive is standard with the V8.

As for towing muscle, the V6 pulls up to 6,200 pounds, and the V8 turns that up to 7,200 pounds. Both of those tow ratings are above average for a midsize SUV.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Additionally, it comes with a 3-year complimentary maintenance plan.

Safety

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L has earned the coveted Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ award, and it gets a top 5-Star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It gets top honors not just for its favorable crash-test results but because of its many standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more.