Used 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is an elder statesman among midsize SUVs. Far from the newest tool in Jeep’s shed, the 5-seater Grand Cherokee continues to hold a certain appeal where luxury, performance, and off-road capability all overlap, despite its age.

Priced competitively against the Ford Edge, Toyota 4Runner, and Nissan Murano, many owners consider the Grand Cherokee a more luxurious vehicle, similar to the Audi Q5 and Land Rover Discovery.

Few can match the Grand Cherokee’s off-road talents, fewer still have anything that comes close to the performance-oriented SRT and 707-horsepower Trackhawk versions.

Yet even the most basic trim comes generously equipped and can be fitted with numerous upgrades, including cutting-edge driver assistance features. A new generation of Jeep Grand Cherokee launches for the 2022 model year.

Let’s leave its impressive off-road credentials to one side for a moment. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is remarkably civilized on the tarmac. In both city and highway driving, it mixes the ride comfort of a luxury SUV with the power and handling of a large sedan.

Straight-line performance varies by engine choice, but all models have precise cornering and braking, with minimal lean in fast turns. Downsides: the steering feels a bit soft, and the boxy design brings more wind noise than sleeker rivals like the Nissan Murano or Ford Edge.

Those more interested in the Grand Cherokee’s ultimate potential on the road rather than away from it will gravitate toward a performance variant. Like the 475-horsepower SRT trim blasting from standstill to 60 mph in a claimed 4.8 seconds. Or the insane 707-horsepower Trackhawk slicing that time to a mere 3.4 seconds. With a curb weight of 5,356 pounds, this kind of acceleration is phenomenal.

Once off-road, however, the Grand Cherokee’s generous ground clearance and numerous 4-wheel drive systems provide the confidence to go places where most rivals would fear to tread.

Even the entry-level Laredo version of the 2021 Grand Cherokee has a comfortable and well-appointed interior that’s easy to upgrade. The front seats are supportive, and legroom is plentiful. But the same cannot be said in the back, where headroom and legroom are only average for the class.

The Grand Cherokee has a 2-row/5-seater arrangement — don’t expect a 3rd-row option. There is at least an ample luggage area of 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats. With those seats folded, cargo space expands to a generous 68.3 cubic feet.

Base models feature manually adjustable cloth-covered seats. Climbing the trim ladder brings leather upholstery, powered lumbar adjustment, heated/ventilated front seats, and numerous luxury additions such as a panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV has a familiar look that has worn well. Luxurious yet rugged, the GC displays its off-road ability with 8.6 inches of ground clearance (8.2 for the SRT and 8.1 for the Trackhawk). The Trackhawk stands apart, touting quad exhaust tailpipes and a “Supercharged” script on the front doors.

The rock-conquering Trailhawk’s red tow hooks are another exclusive, along with its big 18-inch off-road wheel/tire package and anti-glare hood decal.

Despite its abundant ground clearance, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is easy to get in and out of. One minor gripe is that the tailgate doesn’t open high enough to prevent lofty users from hitting their heads.

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE TRACKHAWK
Not an off-road champ like some of its stablemates, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk wields a 707-horsepower supercharged V8 to decimate just about any other high-performance SUV, including some pricier premium models. A BMW X5 M costs more than $100,000 and has 567 horsepower.

QUADRA-LIFT AIR SUSPENSION
Steel springs give a consistent ride and height, but the 2021 Grand Cherokee’s optional Quadra-Lift air setup brings greater versatility. A Grand Cherokee with this feature can lower itself to allow easier access or rise up to 10.6 inches, enabling clearance over severely difficult obstacles. The Trailhawk model has an even more robust version, befitting to its mission as a prime off-roader.

The Grand Cherokee lineup spans seven main trims, including the roughly $90,000 Trackhawk high-performance SUV. Most buyers will stay south of that.

Starting with the base Laredo, standard equipment includes a V6, 18-inch alloy wheels, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, heated side mirrors, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. For infotainment, you get a 7-inch touchscreen Uconnect infotainment system and two USB ports.

We recommend stretching to at least a Limited to gain the powered tailgate, heated front seats, powered sunroof, and eligibility for the 5.7-liter V8.

From advanced 4-wheel-drive systems to an 8.4-inch touchscreen Uconnect system with navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, there’s a bevy of options for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Some can be had by climbing trims.

The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, for example, comes with the Quadra-Drive II 4WD, as well as convenience features like ventilated front seats. The 19-speaker/825-watt Harman Kardon audio system is also a fine addition.

Active safety and driving features include adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance, which can move the vehicle back into a lane if it drifts, and automatic emergency braking if a collision appears imminent and the driver doesn’t take action.

Jeep offers four engines in the 2021 Grand Cherokee. The 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter V8 are unsurprisingly the most popular. The V6 has more than enough power for most needs, although the V8 is better for towing.

The high-performance Grand Cherokee SRT has a 6.4-liter V8 that generates 475 horsepower. The Trackhawk has a 707-horsepower, 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine (also found in Hellcat versions of the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger).

The V6 comes with 2-(rear)-wheel drive (2WD) or optional 4-wheel drive (4WD), while all V8 models have 4WD. All versions employ an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Cherokee is rated to tow an impressive 7,400 pounds.

3.6-liter V6
295 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 mpg (2WD), 18/25 mpg (4WD)

5.7-liter V8
360 horsepower @ 5,150 rpm
390 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/22 mpg (4WD)

6.4-liter V8 (Grand Cherokee SRT)
475 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
470 lb-ft of torque @ 4,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/19 mpg

6.2-liter supercharged V8 (Grand Cherokee Trackhawk)
707 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
645 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 11/17 mpg