2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been on sale in Australia for quite some time now and has just received a major overhaul from top to bottom, inside and out.

The update includes everything from a styling makeover to more interior space and added tech as standard, so let's take a closer look at how America’s sweetheart stands against its large SUV rivals here in Australia.

Pros

• Generous features lists, even on the base model

• Genuine off-road abilities with comfortable on-road dynamics

• Spacious and stylish interior design

• Plug-in hybrid joining the range soon

Cons

• Some interior trim elements feel cheap

• No turbo-diesel engine option

• No ANCAP safety rating, yet

OnlineAuto Rating: 8/10

Jeep Grand Cherokee Competition

Starting Price: $77,950

OnlineAuto Savings: Enquire now

How Much Does It Cost?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee range is priced from $77,950 for the entry-level Night Eagle, with prices rising to $83,950 for the Limited variant, and up to $98,450 for the range-topping Grand Cherokee Overland.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

You could save money by getting one of OnlineAuto’s car buying agents to assist you in finding the greatest value model for you.

Jeep Grand Cherokee - LIMITED 5 SEAT (4x4) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Jeep Grand Cherokee car page.

What Features Does the Jeep Grand Cherokee Have?

Jeep’s entry-level Grand Cherokee, the Night Eagle comes riding on 20-inch alloys and receives LED headlights and fog lights, keyless entry & start, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with front and rear parking sensors, TechnoLeather upholstery with heated front seats and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

Stepping up to the Grand Cherokee Limited adds a set of heated rear seats with ventilated seats up front, a digital rear-view mirror, surround-view monitor, ambient lighting, active noise cancellation, an upgraded nine-speaker sound system and added TechnoLeather for the door surrounds.

Finally, the range-topping Grand Cherokee Overland comes fitted with LED cornering lights, air suspension with semi-active dampers, Nappa leather upholstery, a two-speed transfer case for the 4x4 system and a panoramic sunroof.

Range Features:

• 20-inch alloys

• LED headlights & fog lights

• Adaptive cruise control

• TechnoLeather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats

• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster

• 10.1-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

• Heated rear seats with ventilated front seats (Limited)

• Surround-view monitor (Limited)

• Active noise cancellation (Limited)

• Nine-speaker sound system (Limited)

• LED cornering lights (Overland)

• Air suspension with semi-active dampers (Overland)

• Two-speed transfer case (Overland)

• Panoramic sunroof (Overland)

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee Comfortable to Drive?

The Grand Cherokee platform strikes an interesting balance of an off-road performer that is equally impressive - and comfortable - on a daily drive.

The end result makes the Grand Cherokee an undeniably smooth and relaxing car to drive around town and on long-distance journeys.

Power for the entire Grand Cherokee range is provided by a 3.6-litre V6 petrol producing 214kW of power and 344Nm of torque, which is paired with a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission and Jeep’s four-wheel drive system.

For those wondering, the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s braked towing figures stand at 2813kg.

“A super comfortable American loungeroom that is more than capable of handling the rough-and-tumble of Australian roads.” Glynn - OnlineAuto Car Buying Specialist

While it might be big, the driving experience on offer in the Jeep Grand Cherokee is far from intimidating thanks to a clever array of high-definition cameras.

These are a nice addition considering Jeep has stuck with a heavier-weighted steering rack that makes the Grand Cherokee feel a little less user-friendly than some of its rivals, though it’s still very manageable while parking.

Jeep’s addition of legitimate off-road hardware has made a huge difference on the roads here in Australia, where the Grand Cherokee feels settled, smooth and dare we say - refined.

One of the biggest compliments we can give the Grand Cherokee, even on the rougher road surfaces here in Australia, is just how settled the ride quality is, and how quiet the cabin can be at speed.

Around town, it glides over smooth city streets while being more than prepared for the rough-and-tumble conditions that frequent Australia’s country roads, making for a great road trip companion.

Is it Good Off-Road?

All members of the Grand Cherokee lineup receive a Quadra-trac 4WD system with a low-range transfer case, while the range-topping Overland receives a two-speed transfer case and a trick air suspension system with semi-active dampers.

This makes it the most imposing and versatile off-road option, while the two standard Grand Cherokee variants remain very impressive contenders when sealed roads stop.

The Night Eagle and Limited offer the greatest ground clearance figures of 214mm over the Overland’s 193mm, though the Overland has them covered with 610mm of wading depth over their 530mm figures.

Approach and departure angles for the Night Eagle and Limited stand at 20.5 and 26.6 degrees, respectively, while the Overland offers more hardcore off-road figures of 30.1 and 28.4 degrees.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Jeep’s 3.6-litre V6 is rated at 9.9L/100km on a combined cycle, making it quite a thirsty option for a segment dominated by turbo-diesel options, but not unreasonably so.

This does make us wish that Jeep stuck by a turbo-diesel unit here in Australia, though it’s worth noting that a Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant is set to arrive Down Under in late 2023.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

As you might expect from a large SUV platform straight out of the U.S., the Grand Cherokee is a heavy-hitter when it comes to family-friendly space and practicality.

Up front, the driver and front passenger gain access to a supremely comfortable set of seats, separated by a large centre console that offers a heap of storage options and a tonne of headroom that makes it feel premium and spacious.

On the technology front, the Grand Cherokee ticks the important boxes of a large digital instrument cluster and a high-definition infotainment display, with a healthy mix of physical buttons and digital inputs on offer.

Storage options are aplenty, with a large folding cubby hole at the base of the centre console, a pair of cup holders and a giant folding armrest with stowage inside, along with large door bins on either side of the cabin.

One of the few downsides we’ve been able to find inside the Grand Cherokee is a few cheap interior elements and clumsy arrangements, though these are admittedly hard to find and very forgivable considering how spacious the cabin is.

“Even with some cheaper trim pieces, the Grand Cherokee’s cabin is nothing short of a quiet and comfortable lounge room on wheels.” Arnaud - OnlineAuto Car Buying Specialist

Move to the rear of the Grand Cherokee’s cabin and the good news keeps coming, with acres of legroom on offer for second-row passengers, and no issues when it comes to headroom, either.

Those seated in the second row pick up their own set of climate control dials, four USB ports, a folding armrest with cup holders, as well as two ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts to accommodate forward and rear-facing child seats.

Finally, on the practicality front, the Grand Cherokee comes out the gates boasting one of the largest boots on the market, claiming 1067L of space, though this includes volumes up to the roofline, a system not used by other manufacturers.

Whichever way you want to measure it, the Grand Cherokee’s boot is massive, and rounds out an already impressive family-friendly package.

Is it Safe?

While it’s yet to receive an official ANCAP safety score, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has scored a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and comes extremely well-equipped with active safety gear.

As standard, all members of the Grand Cherokee range boast forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control, junction assist, driver attention monitoring, a rear-view camera with parking sensors and curtain airbags.

Our Verdict: Is The Jeep Grand Cherokee Worth it?

While it might be one of the more obscure picks of the segment, the latest Grand Cherokee stands firmly on its own feet and offers a healthy slice of comfortable motoring with real off-road abilities.

Admittedly, it doesn’t come cheap, though it sweetens the deal with a very generous equipment list and a spacious and super practical interior design that is perfect for Australian families.

If you’re tossing up your best options within the large SUV segment, be sure to reach out to one of our car buying specialists who can take the stress out of buying and find you the best possible price.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, 100,000km warranty

2. 12-month/12,000km service intervals

3. No official ANCAP safety rating, yet (Five-star Euro NCAP rating)

4. 4x4 system as standard

5. 3.6-litre V6 petrol rated at 9.9L/100km