Overview
The 2023 Grand Cherokee is a multifaceted SUV situated at the intersection of machismo and elegance. While the base model Grand continues to offer a package that’s altogether mainstream—meaning, not very fancy—the midrange and high-end trims are packed with luxury features and upscale materials that make it a clear upmarket player. Despite this upward mobility, the Grand Cherokee retains its trail-busting off-road capability—it is a Jeep, after all. Two powertrains are offered: a V-6 and and a plug-in-hybrid system called 4xe. The Grand Cherokee is a two-row SUV. It’s as happy with suburban family life as it is trudging through the woods, and it offers plenty space for passengers and cargo inside its roomy cabin. But if your family includes more than a couple of kids, you may find the three-row Grand Cherokee L (reviewed separately) more accommodating.
What’s New for 2023?
Following a full redesign for the 2022 model year, the 2023 Grand Cherokee sees only a few changes, but they’re big ones. For starters, the 5.7-liter V-8 is no longer offered. Additionally, the off-road-focused Trailhawk model is now offered exclusively with Jeep’s 4xe plug-in-hybrid powertrain. Midrange Limited and Overland trims now come standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment display with navigation. The nine-speaker Alpine stereo system is now available as a stand-alone option on the Limited, while the Overland and Summit models can be ordered with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Grand Cherokee starts thousands higher than rivals such as the Kia Telluride and the Hyundai Palisade—consider it the Jeep-brand tax—and its higher trims are priced similarly to some luxury SUVs. That being said, we think the Limited model represents the best mix of features, besting the base Laredo with more equipment to satisfy luxury buyers. The Limited comes standard with leather upholstery, a power-operated rear liftgate, heated front and rear seats, power-adjustable front seats, interior ambient lighting, automatic high-beam headlamps, remote start, and more. We’d spring for the Lux Tech Group II package, which adds rain-sensing windshield wipers, a wireless phone charger, perforated leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable steering column, a digital rearview mirror, second-row sun shades, a 360-degree exterior camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and a collision-avoidance feature that helps when traveling through intersections.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Grand is powered by either a 293-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 or the plug-in-hybrid 4xe powertrain, which consists of a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four and an electric traction motor delivering a combined 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid’s motor is juiced by a 14.0-kWh battery pack. Rear-wheel drive is standard with the base V-6, but all-wheel drive is standard on Grand Cherokees with the plug-in-hybrid powertrain. Several different all-wheel-drive systems are available, including an electronically locking limited-slip differential. A Trailhawk model with more robust off-road equipment and greater capability features an adjustable air suspension that provides up to 11.3 inches of ground clearance and a disconnecting sway bar that allows greater wheel articulation for tackling difficult terrain. The quickest Grand Cherokee, is the 4xe, which leaps to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and reaches a quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds at 100 mph. That’s 0.3 second quicker to 60 mph than the discontinued V-8 model from 2022. At our test track, a V-6–powered Summit test vehicle managed a respectable 7.4-second run to 60 mph. The Grand Cherokee is impressively composed and it’s got an exceptionally smooth ride.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Fuel economy estimates for the V-6–powered Grand Cherokee are typical of the mid-size-SUV segment at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway when paired with rear-wheel drive. Adding all-wheel drive drops each of those estimates by 1 mpg. The plug-in-hybrid 4xe delivers better fuel economy and is rated for 23 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. It comes with a 14.0-kWh battery pack and a 134-hp electric motor that allows the Grand Cherokee to cruise for up to 26 miles per charge. Jeep boasts that the Grand Cherokee with the 4xe powertrain completed the famed Rubicon Trail entirely in its EV driving mode. For more information about the Grand Cherokee’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
A thoroughly modernized cabin replaces the outgoing Grand Cherokee’s somewhat dated interior. While base Laredo models offer the essentials, upscale Summit and Overland trims will add luxuries including quilted leather upholstery, open-pore wood trim, and high-tech digital displays. The Grand Cherokee is strictly a two-row SUV, but buyers seeking a third row can upgrade to the Grand Cherokee L, which we review separately. We haven’t had a chance to test the new Grand Cherokee yet, but we expect it to accommodate more of our carry-on suitcases than the previous generation model.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Floating just above the surface of the Grand Cherokee’s dashboard is either an 8.4- or 10.1-inch touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. In-dash navigation with real-time traffic and weather updates is optional, and higher-end models can be had with a digital gauge cluster, a 10.0-inch head-up display, and another 10.3-inch display embedded into the dashboard for use by the front-seat passenger. While the Laredo and Limited models ship with a standard six-speaker stereo, buyers can upgrade to either a nine-speaker Alpine audio setup or a high-end 19-speaker McIntosh arrangement.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Driver-assistance features such as pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous driving modes are becoming increasingly important to shoppers, and Jeep is delivering a more comprehensive suite of standard safety tech to satisfy that demand. For more information about the Grand Cherokee’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Although the Grand Cherokee has moved toward the premium end of the market, its standard warranty package has remained basic. Rivals such as the Telluride and the Hyundai Santa Fe both offer longer terms here, but the Jeep’s warranty lines up with most other mainstream rivals, including the Chevrolet Blazer and the Ford Edge.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance is included
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4X4
Vehicle Type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $62,095/$71,080
ENGINE
DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 220 in3, 3604 cm3
Power: 293 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 260 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.9-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Continental CrossContact LX Sport
275/45R-21 110Y M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.7 in
Length: 193.5 in
Width: 77.5 in
Height: 70.9 in
Passenger Volume: 145 ft3
Cargo Volume: 38 ft3
Curb Weight: 4863 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.6 sec @ 87 mph
100 mph: 21.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.3 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 117 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.85 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 14 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 22 mpg
Highway Range: 500 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 22/19/26 mpg
