SUV Choices: Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Competitors

Compared to cars and trucks, the best choice for car buyers who want a vehicle with chunky, sporty styling is SUVs. It is like a body of a huge car that’s mashed with a great suspension and the big wheels and tires you can see on pickup trucks.

Jeep is a well-known brand that creates SUVs with versatility and toughness to withstand the ruggedness of the off-road trails. The Grand Cherokee is one of the notable models that have contributed significantly to the enormous success of the Jeep. It is one of the top-selling variants, along with the Compass and Wrangler. A lot of avid Jeepers love the Grand Cherokee because of its impressive features.

2022 Model

Jeep has been teasing us about the new 2022 model. Although no official release date has not yet been announced, the launch is expected before the end of 2021. Many Jeep fans guessed that the Grand Cherokee may be released in the first quarter or the early second quarter of 2021. However, we only got some teasers from the famous SUV brand.

Most of what we have seen were speculations and a strong inclination that they will change the design. According to some rumors, the Grand Cherokee will resemble the Wagoneer concept but with a different design on the taillights and a front end. Some sources say that certain exterior Jeep styling traits will remain, such as the seven-bar grille.

The 2021 L-variant is created with three-row seating that transitions to a modern vibe. We will also see modern design characteristics in the 2022 model, together with luxury and tech-advanced features.

Previous year models were created strictly as a two-row SUV. However, Jeep created third-row seating for the 2021 Grand Cherokee L, so it is unsurprising to see on the 2022 model too.

Engine — For the 2022 model, you may select from two engine choices: the 3.6-liter V-6 or the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine. Aside from the standard rear-wheel-drive, they may also offer a four-wheel-drive option. For those who want to have an electric-powered powered vehicle, watch out for Jeep’s updates. They are preparing a hybrid 4Xe 375-hp powertrain for the engine selection.

Interior — A modernized cabin design will replace the outdated interior. You may see cabin features such as high-tech digital dash displays, quilted leather upholstery, and remarkable wood trims.

Trim Levels — Information on the trim levels is not yet released but the hunch is that, Laredo is the trim for the base model. For more upscale options, the Summit, Overland, and SRT trims.

Alternative to Grand Cherokee

While we anticipate the release of the 2022 model, let us look at the Jeep Grand Cherokee competitors.

• Kia Telluride

The largest crossover of Kia is the Telluride. It is one of the most selected vehicles for families due to its three-row seating. It has an 8-speed automatic transmission 3.8-liter V-6 engine that can make 291 hp and 262 lb.-ft. torque.

The cabin is spacious with a nice leg space that will not make you feel claustrophobic. It is available in different trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX. The base models have 18-inch wheels, and the higher-trim versions have large 20-inch wheels that fill the wheel wells.

For people who want a stylish SUV, this ride is perfect. It comes with standard safety assistance and techs such as Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), blind-spot monitors, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control. The higher trim versions have automatic high-beam headlights and a blind-spot camera that lets you view over the widescreen display.

• Ford Explorer

Ford is known for its sporty Mustangs and pickup trucks like F-150. The Explorer is the popular SUV in the Ford lineup. It comes in various powertrains and trims such as Explorer, XLT, Limited, ST, Platinum, and a special Hybrid Limited. You can put a nice set of Toyo Open Country MT that goes well with the off-road capable trim — the Timberline edition.

The base Explorer has a 10-speed automatic transmission 2.3-liter four-turbo engine that makes 300 hp. The Explorer Platinum and Explorer ST are made with a 3.0-liter turbo V-6 that makes 365 to 400 hp. The Limited and Platinum hybrid version has a 3.3-liter V-6 engine running with a hybrid battery pack, creating 318 hp.

The cabin quality may not be the strong point of the Ford Explorer even though it has three-row seats with nice cargo space. Compared to its SUV rivals, the second and third-row seats are not as comfortable or spacious. This vehicle comes equipped with the standard driver-assist technology but you can get upgrades like the self-parking assist.

• Dodge Durango

This three-row seat competitor has the most powerful engine. It also has the highest tow rating of the mid-size SUV segment. It can tow up to 8,700 pounds which is great for those planning to tow a trailer.

Think of the Durango as a buffed Dodge muscle car because it has an 8-speed automatic transmission, 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 Hellcat engine. Mickey Thompson tires are good to use for Durango’s 20-inch wheels and popularly used in Dodge Challenger drag races.

Just like the Grand Cherokee, the Durango rides on a design that is a decade old but still looks remarkable. To boost the style, you can get optional accessories like hood scoops and vents flex. You can choose from 8 trims such as SXT, SXT Plus, GT, GT Plus, R/T, Citadel, SRT, and SRT Hellcat. The

The Durango has a powerful engine but lacks the advanced driver-assistance features you can see on many of its competitors. The infotainment system is equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen with a Wi-Fi hotspot, USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has voice-activated navigation and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Grander Cherokee

Poison Spyder and other brands of Jeep exterior accessories were used to customize the looks of older Grand Cherokee models. It has been more than a decade after its last redesign. The modern style will set the Grand Cherokee apart from the rest of its rivals in the mid-size SUV selection.

Jeep has paired the off-roading capability with a comfortable cabin for this striking SUV. Although the automaker aims to redesign it with a more modern appearance, buyers will still recognize the rugged, outdoorsy look for the 2022 model.

Originally published at https://blog.4wheelonline.com/ on July 26, 2021