The Jeep Grand Cherokee is in its fifth generation. Like so many millennials, it was introduced to the world in the early 1990s. 1992 to be exact, as a 1993 model. Those with a comic-con level of fandom for automotive history know of or have watched the video clip of the Grand Cherokee making a grand debut by driving through a plate glass window at the 1992 North American International Auto Show.
Since then, the Grand Cherokee is no longer the top dog in the Jeep SUV lineup. It’s been shifted down the pecking order by the Ram 1500-framed Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUV. However, not being burdened with being the brand’s flagship created an opportunity for engineers and designers to reinvent the Grand Cherokee. In doing so, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee slimmed down to a mid-size, gained a third row, and narrowed its engines to two naturally aspirated options, a V6 or a HEMI V8.
The model shown is the Summit Reserve, the highest trim level of the available six offered. The L in its name represents the addition of a third row bringing the total seating capacity to 6 people. Although on a side note, someone needs to inform Jeep’s product development department that “L” is used as slang for “loss” by today’s youths.
Regardless, my road test in the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve won me over by proving to be a satisfying urban dwelling 4×4 with the bells, whistles, and brawn to drive over (literally) everything I threw at it out in the wild.
4×4 Power with Class Leading Towing
The previous generation of the Grand Cherokee ran for ten years, beginning in 2011. During that decade of development, variants like the 6.4-liter HEMI SRT and grossly overlooked supercharged Trackhawk debuted. Since 2021, the scope of available engines has been narrowed to one option. The 3.6-liter DOHC V6 producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with full-time four-wheel drive.
Jeep claims the six-banger has the muscle to tow up to 6,200 pounds and carry a max payload of 1,210 pounds.
The performance numbers and lack of turbochargers common in many modern SUVs give the impression that this is a slow coach. But once you get behind the wheel, you’ll be pleasantly surprised how well the V6 engine and 8-speed gearbox push the Grand Cherokee 4×4 through traffic.
Technically there is a HEMI Option for 2023
Technically, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is an option for the Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve for $3,995. This V8 option supplements the mid-size SUV with 375 hp and 390 lb.-ft, but it may be hard to find at your local dealer given that the engine will be discontinued at the end of 2023. If you manage to find one you’ll be able to tow up to 7,200 pounds with a satisfying exhaust note when revved past 2,500 RPM.
Grand Cherokee 4xe Plug-in Hybrid
The 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) introduced in the Jeep Wrangler became available on the Grand Cherokee in 2022. It features a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with two electric motors powered by a 14-kWh battery pack to deliver a combined output of 375 hp and a whopping 470 lb.-ft of torque. The range in full-electric mode is 25 miles, while the range for the hybrid 4×4 is 470 miles. Of course, the great thing about PHEV is having the benefits of electrified performance without the range anxiety or charger wait times.
Regardless of which engine you choose, what makes this SUV worthy of wearing the Jeep emblem on its grille is its Quadra-Lift Suspension system.
This adjustable suspension raises or lowers the Grand Cherokee based on the drive mode or at your command using a toggle switch on the center console. At its highest setting, the SUV stands tall enough to traverse through 24 inches of water with over 10 inches of ground clearance. It leaves enough space in the wheel well to place a Jeep branded 16oz travel mug on top of the tire. The suspension automatically lowers past a certain speed.
New Interior Tech Gadgets on Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve comes standard with all the modern electronic gadgets one expects from a premium trier SUV. Things like a heads-up display, a heated steering wheel, Apple CarPlay, and Google Android Auto, front heated and ventilated seats with massaging features, and power-folding seats from the second and third row.
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve comes standard with all the modern electronic gadgets one expects from a premium trier SUV.
The vehicle’s speed and vital signs are presented on a digital cluster behind the steering wheel. A large 10.1-inch Uconnect touchscreen in the dashboard’s center is surrounded by metallic sheen toggle switches housed in a panel of piano trim. However, optional tech features offered in the Grand Cherokee can improve the experience for both driver and front passenger. Or, at the very least, make you say “ouuuu” when you first see them.
Night Vision Camera
The heads-up display in the optional Advanced ProTech Group IV package ($2,830) is the tip of the digital iceberg. The package includes a Fam Cam rear-facing interior camera to help keep tabs on what’s happening in the second and third row without twisting your neck, in addition to a digital rearview mirror that provides a much better image of what’s behind you without headrests and foreheads obstructing the view.
The most exciting feature of this interior package is the Night Vision camera with pedestrian and animal detection. To use this feature, you scroll through the screen settings using the steering wheel controls. Once selected, the center of the instrument cluster projects the front-facing view camera in night vision. The practical use of this feature is having a better optical set of eyes, letting you see anything with a heat source, like running vehicles, pedestrians, and animals, in real time.
The most exciting feature of this interior package is the Night Vision camera with pedestrian and animal detection.
I got a lot of use out of the Night Vision camera setting driving through rural areas and highways when the sun went down. However, it doesn’t have to be nighttime to turn on the camera, and I thoroughly enjoyed the option to turn it off or on at my will. The same goes for the center touchscreen, which provides a “Screen Off” option that you select using an old-school button.
The Preferred Interior Package
The second optional package equipped on this Jeep Grand Cherokee L is the Customer Preferred Package 23U ($4,480). This fully loaded package includes ten additional speakers for a total of 19 and a 950-watt amplifier to support the McIntosh audio system and subwoofer in addition to premium interior details like Palermo leather seats and door-trim, ventilated rear seats, a deluxe headliner, and all-season tires.
Furthermore, it includes what Jeep calls a front passenger interactive display, a third screen mounted on the passenger side of the dashboard. The idea is that someone riding shotgun can connect their phone or any HTML electronic device and enjoy their digital entertainment without having to be looking down on their phone the entire trip.
Full-Size Character with Mid-Size Convenience
This current generation of the Grand Cherokee looks narrower than its predecessor. Its new mid-size body provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance that reminded me of a Range Rover. People frequently commented that they liked the SUV’s Hydro Blue Pear exterior color ($495) accented with the High-Altitude Package ($1,540), which adds 21-inch black painted aluminum wheels and gloss black exterior accents.
Typically, SUVs in this weight class have a distinct wide-set, bloated feeling, but the Grand Cherokee L stands out with feather-light steering and silky-smooth handling that fools the mind into thinking it’s smaller than it is.
Moreover, what makes this third-row capable 4×4 powered SUV with class-leading towing memorable is how it drives. Typically, SUVs in this weight class have a distinct wide-set, bloated feeling, but the Grand Cherokee L stands out with feather-light steering and silky-smooth handling that fools the mind into thinking it’s smaller than it is.
On the road, you forget you’re a third-row SUV until you glance back and notice the additional headrests. Off-road, the SUV’s slim width makes navigating narrow trails and close-quarter obstacles a breeze using its front-view off-road camera. I was surprised at how enjoyable the 2023 Grand Cherokee L is to drive.
Pricing and Final Remarks
As mentioned, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve is available in six trim levels. The entry-level is the Grand Cherokee Laredo starting at $40k. The top-of-the-line Summit Reserve starts at $69,435 or $71,435 if you opt for the third row. Once options are included, the final MSRP for the model shown is $76,820. The available 4xe plug-in hybrid option starts at $60,360 and jumps to $78,320 for the Summit Reserve.
The Grand Cherokee L is a do-it-all type of SUV. It’ll tow, haul, cruise, and traverse in comfort while averaging 21 mpg. The available options provide upscale amenities that rival luxury SUVs with higher MSRPs. It may not be the flagship anymore, but still a leading contender for people who want a family 4×4 worthy of sporting a tow hitch.