Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers one of the most diverse lineups around for a midsize SUV. There's a wide array of trim levels suited for on- and off-road performance. From the basic Laredo to the go-nearly-anywhere Trailhawk to the insane 707-horsepower Trackhawk, the Grand Cherokee should have your needs covered. Luxury and tech options are plentiful, and its towing power, especially when equipped with the optional 5.7-liter V8, is impressive for the class.

But also know that the Grand Cherokee has gone 10 years without a major redesign. Jeep has done an admirable job of keeping its stalwart SUV modern and fairly competitive, but there are some obvious flaws, including a cramped interior, subpar comfort and lethargic handling. Rivals such as the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have significantly more modern and spacious interiors, even if they can't match the Grand Cherokee's expansive mix of models. You can read more about our take on the Grand Cherokee in our Expert Rating below.

Which Grand Cherokee does MatoCar recommend?

With seven available trim levels to choose from, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is easy to tailor to your preferences. We think the midlevel Trailhawk offers the best mix of maximum off-road capability and sufficient creature comforts. As a bonus, the beefy 5.7-liter V8 engine is available should you also want to tow the occasional trailer.

The five-passenger 2021 Grand Cherokee is available in seven trim levels: Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, SRT and Trackhawk. Most Grand Cherokees are available with either rear- or four-wheel drive, with the exception of the SRT and the Trailhawk. Those trims come standard with performance-oriented all-wheel-drive systems. All Grand Cherokees have an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine lineup includes:

A standard 3.6-liter V6 (295 horsepower, 260 lb-ft)
An optional 5.7-liter V8 (360 hp, 390 lb-ft) for Trailhawk, Overland and Summit
A 6.4-liter V8 (470 hp, 475 lb-ft) standard on the SRT
A supercharged 6.2-liter V8 (707 hp, 645 lb-ft) standard on the Trackhawk

Laredo Starts you off with features such as:

18-inch wheels
Rear parking sensors (alerts you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Keyless ignition and entry
Dual-zone automatic climate control
7-inch infotainment touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Six-speaker audio system
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)

Limited Dresses up the Laredo by adding:

Sunroof
4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen
Auto-dimming mirrors
Heated front seats and steering wheel
Leather upholstery
Power liftgate
Power-adjustable front seats with driver memory settings

Trailhawk Adds off-road capability and extra features, such as:

Unique 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
Electronically controlled limited-slip differential
Underbody skid plates
Heavy-duty engine cooling
Off-road-tuned air suspension
Enhanced 4WD system
Upgraded audio system
All-terrain drive modes
Special leather and simulated suede seating surfaces
Ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats

Overland Adds luxury touches with:

20-inch wheels
Xenon headlights
Upgraded leather seating
Power-adjustable steering column
Combination wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel

Summit Maxes out luxury with:

19-speaker audio system
Chrome exterior trim
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Jeep and the car in front)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Upgraded leather seating surfaces
Parallel parking assist (aids the driver in parallel parking situations)

SRT Has the 470-hp V8 plus enhancements for on-road performance such as: