2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Lately, we have been seeing more of the three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee L on the road than its iconic two-row sibling. There’s a good reason for that.
Consumers asked Stellantis to add a spacious, practical and capable three-row SUV to their current Jeep lineup. When they delivered, customers were snapping them up left and right.
This time around, we received a 2023 version of the Grand Cherokee L to see if Stellantis made the right call to introduce this before the two-row version. And, whether the customer base made the right choice.
Being a three-row premium mid-size SUV, the Grand Cherokee L definitely looks the part. The grille is upright with the trademark seven slots in chrome. It appears to be taller than before, while showing its extra length for the third row. The side glass profile matches the upright roofline, giving more light to the extended Grand Cherokee L. We also like the rear end with its slimmer horizontal taillights and large liftgate.
Our tester is the Altitude model with its blacked-out grille, badges, and trim. The sporty package is finished off with a set of 20-inch black-finished alloy wheels.
Inside the Grand Cherokee L Altitude’s cabin are soft materials, including a mix of leatherette and sueded cloth on the seats. The instrumentation is fully digital and highly customizable to match your needs. The controls and switches are tactile and logical. The center stack is crowned by an 8.4-inch touchscreen for the Uconnect 5 infotainment system.
There are loads of room for six inside the Grand Cherokee L, including a set of captain’s chairs for the second row, providing easy access to the third row. While we praise the leatherette/sueded cloth upholstery, the front seats are on the firm side. There are some bolstering to lock you in, but you somehow feel the framing of the seatback when you nestle in for the drive.
Cargo space starts with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row. It is expandable to 46.9 cubic feet to the second row, ultimately giving you up to 84.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down.
Our Grand Cherokee L Altitude tester is powered by the standard 293-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. With a 6200-pound maximum towing rating, the V6 was strong enough to handle 4,658-pound three-row SUV through its daily routine. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels through its standard four-wheel drive system.
Power comes on smoothly. It delivers on in-town and highway performance. In turn, we observed an average fuel economy figure of 22.3 MPG.
The Grand Cherokee L rides smoothly and confidently. Handling-wise, the Grand Cherokee has plenty of weight to maneuver. It responds well to evasive maneuvers. The steering system felt just right – not soft not heavy. It is also precise, with a solid on-center feel. The brake response from the pedal is good, giving the right amount of effort for a solid stop. It turned in some good stops in normal and panic situations.
Pricing for the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L starts from $42,030. You have a choice of six trim levels available with two- or four-wheel drive and a choice of the Pentastar V6 or HEMI V8. Our Altitude 4X4 tester came with a sticker price of $54,565.
Adding a three-row model makes the Grand Cherokee L more competitive with other family-oriented rivals. Those competitors include the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango, GMC Acadia, Toyota Highlander and Grand Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent, Mazda CX-9 and CX-90, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Volkswagen Atlas.
There is a lot to be said about the Grand Cherokee L that has not been written or spoken about. It does the job hauling families where they need to be. Plus, you all of the good things that Jeep stands for. This is why you’re seeing more of these mid-size three-row SUVs on the roads today!
Credits: CarSoup Editors
