2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L debuts with three-row seating

With a fresh design inspired by the Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept, the fifth-gen Grand Cherokee arrives, for the first time ever, with the third row of seats. It is expected to be launched in India towards the end of 2022.

Jeep has updated one of its best-selling crossovers for 2021, and the fresh line-up is headlined by the arrival of the new Grand Cherokee L, where the 'L' represents a new extended chassis, which allows for an extra row of seats to accommodate six/seven passengers – a first for the Grand Cherokee family since its debut in 1993. The Grand Cherokee L, of course, will be joined by its standard two-row and 4xe electrified siblings in the latter half of this year.

As mentioned above, the 2021 Grand Cherokee L takes its design inspiration from the Grand Wagoneer Concept shown last year. This influence can be clearly seen on the new front fascia – in the slim LED headlamps, updated seven-slot grille, and the new square-look bumper with mesh inserts. Another signature Jeep design element is the trapezoidal wheel arches.

The interior gets a host of updates as well. A new 10.1-inch touchscreen takes the centre stage and runs FCA's latest Uconnect 5 operating system. Also, the frameless 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which offers up to 12 different menu display options, is another new feature.

Other premium bells and whistles offered on the 2021 Grand Cherokee L include 16-way power-adjustable front seats (driver & passenger), with heating, ventilation & massage functionalities, personalised climate zones, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Head-up Display (HUD), a digital rearview mirror, a rear-seat monitoring camera, up to 12 USB-A & USB-C charging ports in the cabin, and a premium 950W 19-speaker McIntosh audio system.

The improved chassis (unibody architecture), with more use of aluminium, also benefits from the three available 4x4 systems (Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II & Quadra-Drive II), an optional Quadra-Lift air suspension (can raise the ride height by up to 60mm), and the standard Selec-Terrain traction management system.

In the US, the 2021 Grand Cherokee L will go on sale with either a 3.6-litre petrol V6 or a 5.7-litre Hemi V8. The standard five-seater Grand Cherokee, though, is expected to bring along smaller, more economical engine options.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee wasn't considered significant for the Indian market in any way until a few days ago when FCA India announced that it will launch locally-assembled versions of the Wrangler (already on sale in India as a CBU) and the new Grand Cherokee here by the end of 2022. Watch this space for more updates.