2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Revealed, Ups the Tech, Luxury, and Every Other Ante

We'll start with the exterior design because the first thing we did, just like you, was to look at the pictures. At first glance, you could say Jeep has done a great job of bringing the appearance of the model's fifth generation up to modern standards while also remaining true to its legacy. It's definitely a Jeep, and even though there are clear traces of the Grand Wagoneer concept scattered all around, the Grand Cherokee still has its own personality.

The front end is dominated by the radiator grille that, even though not particularly massive, has enough presence to act as an eye magnet. On either side sit the narrow LED headlights (standard equipment) with a large gaping vent taking up most of the lower bumper.

The side view reveals a lot of square angles though it has to be said, the windshield has a very nice slope to it that should improve its aerodynamics considerably. Other than that, the rear ends pretty abruptly, and the wheel arches have a squarish design as well, giving the new Jeep a strong stance.

The rear is pretty straightforward, with the narrow LED taillights deserving a mention as well as the chromed line that goes over the side windows only to dip down on the C-pillar and frame the lower edge of the tail window. It's a nice touch that shows a lot of consideration has gone into the SUV's design, even though it might not always seem like it.

To round up the styling section, we should now move to the interior, which is where the real magic happens. If the exterior feels in a different league compared to the predecessor, the cabin is in a different division. Gone are the clunky controls of the old model, replaced by sleek, elegant buttons and large, well-integrated touchscreen displays. It has everything you could want from a modern car, all wrapped up in nice, premium materials. Of course, it'll all depend on the trim and price, but some of the features - like the central 8.4-inch display (10.1-inch optional) - come as standard across the range.

Given this is the three-row version (two-row will come soon), you would expect significant growth over the old, two-row model, and you'd be right. We're looking at a 6.9-inch (175-mm) longer wheelbase and an overall length growth of 15.1 inches (383 mm). The width of the new Grand Cherokee is also greater thanks to the 1.4-inch (35-mm) wider track.

This larger exterior reflects in the room available inside as well, starting with the cargo space. With the third row in place, a volume of only 17.1 cubic feet (484 liters) is available. However, fold them down, and you get as much as 46.9 cubic feet (1,328 liters), a value that can be further extended to 84.6 cubic feet (2,395 liters) by folding the second row as well.

A big vehicle needs big engines as well, but this is probably the first area where the new Grand Cherokee disappoints a little - for now, at least. That's because the two engines available at launch are the base 3.6-liter V6 and the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 carried over from the previous model.

It's not that there's anything wrong with these options; we just would have liked to see this new design receive some new powerplants as well. All in due time, as the Grand Cherokee range is bound to expand in the coming months, receiving anything from a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the Hellcat-powered 700+ hp Trackhawk version.

With all this talk about the Trackhawk, it's easy to forget the Grand Cherokee is still a Jeep, which means it's meant to be more than decent off-road. To help with that are the three options for the SUV's 4x4 system: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II with a rear electronic limited-slip differential. Regardless of the choice, all three come with an active transfer case and can be combined with the Quadra-Lift air suspension.

Speaking of the adjustable suspension, this can bring the new Grand Cherokee's ground clearance to a maximum of 10.9 inches (27.7 cm) in its Off-Road 2 position. Down in Normal, the value drops to a still decent 8.5 inches (21.6 cm), which represents a 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) improvement over the previous model.

Sticking to trail driving, we should also talk about the new Grand Cherokee L's approach and departure angles. Compared to the last model, the approach angle is improved by 4.4 degrees (30.1 as opposed to 25.7), with the air suspension in its maximum setting in both cases. However, due to the longer wheelbase and rear overhang, the break-over (22.6 degrees) and departure (23.6 degrees) angles both have to suffer slightly.

On the road, though, which is where the Grand Cherokee L will spend most of its time if we're honest, the new SUV has a host of features to make driving both simpler and safer. The person behind the wheel will have access to Level 2 automated driving thanks to adaptive cruise control and a lane-centering system. Other features such as emergency braking and intersection collision alert will also be available.

By this point, you're probably asking how much will all this cost. Well, that's the one thing Jeep hasn't let out yet, but given the outgoing model went for a $37,765 starting price, expect the three-row fifth-gen to move closer to $40,000. A fully decked one, however, should easily be within sniffing distance of the $70,000 mark, if not more. Deliveries are expected to start this spring, so anyone interested should waste no time contacting their local Jeep dealership.