Just a few months after the launch of the three-row Grand Cherokee L, Jeep is finally introducing their 2-row Grand Cherokee for the 2022 model year. Jeep recently brought us out to Moab, Utah for a first drive.

Trim levels remain the same as what we’ve seen in the L except for the introduction of the off-road optimized Trailhawk, which is only available with the shorter wheelbase. Plus a plug-in 4xe model will arrive sometime early next year.

The 5th-generation now exists on a new unibody platform and is 3.4 inches longer than before but 250 pounds lighter. The look is still very Grand Cherokee but the new sheet metal is squared off and smoothed out to improve aerodynamics and overall visibility.

 “So it is very impressive that the all-new Grand Cherokee managed to shave some weight from the previous generation because usually when we talk about new cars being bigger usually that means size all-around. But here the Grand Cherokee is just a little bit longer to maximize space inside but it is lighter. And I wouldn’t call this nimble by any means  but that lighter weight paired with the Quadra-Lift air suspension gives this an incredibly smooth ride on the highway.”   

The standard 293-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine has been in service with Jeep for a while but sees slightly improved fuel economy with 26 on the highway. The V6 feels much more at home here than in the larger Grand Cherokee L.

The optional and also familiar 5.7-liter V8 engine outputs 357-horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque to give you a 7,200-lb tow rating. The eventual 4xe model will have a 375-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-4.

Jeep’s three 4X4 systems are available and where better to test them out than in the new Trailhawk. So we used the new sway bar disconnect and were on our way! The air suspension gives up to 11.3-inches of ground clearance and an integrated off-road camera along with the rear electronic limited slip differential made it easy to navigate the rockiest of terrain.

Inside sees Jeep’s impressive new interior which we enjoy more every time we see it and it now includes an available 10-inch front passenger interactive display, similar to the Wagoneer.

With a new generation comes a pretty significant price increase. Base rear-wheel drive Laredo models start just under $40,000, the Trailhawk coming in around $53,000, and top-of-the-line Summit Reserve starts at $66,000. They should be arriving in dealerships by the end of the year with the 4xe model following sometime in early 2022.

There’s more Grand Cherokee news to come so keep it locked, right here on MotorWeek!

Specifications

  • Engine: 3.6L V6 | 5.7L V8
  • Horsepower: 293 | 357