New Jeep Grand Cherokee arrives
Following last year’s launch of the seven-seat Grand Cherokee L, Jeep has launched the 2023 Grand Cherokee five-seat lineup, with the first models reaching local dealerships in February.
Applying many of the features and upgrades already seen on the Grand Cherokee L, the MY23 Grand Cherokee five-seater arrives with an all-new architecture, new exterior design, new interior styling and a new plug-in hybrid drivetrain, but that latter feature won’t be arriving in Australia until later this year.
The first all-new Grand Cherokee in a decade will be available in three model grades initially: Night Eagle, Limited and Overland, with a Summit Reserve grade to come with the PHEV.
The three launch grades will all be powered by the same petrol V6 engine, with the same eight-speed automatic transmission, too, and while all will be four-wheel drive, the Overland will get upgraded and additional off-road kit.
Tech and safety upgrades, along with more standard convenience features, will be applied across the range. There'll be more room, too, with the redesigned exterior and interior delivering increases in occupant space and cargo capacity.
“The all-new Grand Cherokee represents a fundamental shift for Jeep, as it is the most technologically advanced model we have released. This is our new standard,” said Kevin Flynn, Jeep Australia Managing Director.
“This vehicle is a blend of refined sophistication, dynamic performance, cutting-edge technologies, and unsurpassed levels of elegance. The new Grand Cherokee carries an attractive presence and capability that is uncommon in its segment, unquestionably Jeep brand and unmistakably world class.”
New and Familiar Underneath
Amongst the new features on the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee is a front axle disconnect function that automatically disengages drive to the front wheels if the road conditions make four-wheel drive unnecessary. Conversely, four-wheel drive is re-engaged when the Grand Cherokee’s on-board sensors determine additional traction is required.
The front axle is now bolted directly to the engine – a Grand Cherokee first – delivering what Jeep claims is superior and more refined driving dynamics.
In the same vein, changes to the underlying body structure have been made to improve ride quality, comfort and overall operating efficiency while reducing noise and weight. The new unibody construction is more rigid than the previous generation Grand Cherokee (despite being lighter) and uses specific lightweight aluminium and steel components in its construction.
Carryover elements start with the ‘Pentastar’ 3.6-litre petrol V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission, which are standard across the new Grand Cherokee five-seat range. The naturally aspirated V6 produces the same 210kW and 344Nm maximums for all three grades.
There’s no V8 or turbo-diesel engine option (and likely won’t be), but the upcoming PHEV will combine a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor for a claimed combined output of 280kW and 344Nm.
Four-wheel drive systems start with the Quadra-Trac I that’s fitted to the Night Eagle and Limited grades, while the Overland gets the Quadra-Trac II system. Both offer active transition between 2WD and 4WD, but Quadra-Trac II adds a two-speed transfer case with low range.
The Grand Cherokee Overland grade also gets Selec-Terrain traction management control and Quadra Lift adjustable air suspension. Now with electronic semi-active damping, this suspension package delivers a class-leading 276mm ground clearance at maximum lift and 610mm fording depth
Optional on the Overland only is an ‘Off-Road Group’ pack that adds 18-inch alloys with Goodyear A/T tyres, a thicker rear axle, electronic LSD and skid plates for the front suspension, transfer case and fuel tank. Trail Rated badging is also added when this option is selected, making Grand Cherokee Overlands so equipped a Trailhawk in all but name.
Off-road capabilities have been put to the test here in Australia to ensure the new Grand Cherokee is suitable for local conditions. The test programme covered over 60,000km in what Jeep says are some of the harshest and most remote environments in the country.
New Style
Changes made to the Grand Cherokee body haven’t been limited to the underlying structure, with external changes designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Overall, exterior styling has been refined rather than radicalised, with many familiar design cues. The seven-slot grille remains, but is now shorter, while the headlights have been narrowed, the lower grille opening is larger and side vents and fog lamps have been combined.
Squared-off wheelarch openings remain, but the flanks are smoother and a style line, accented in bright metal, runs from the A-pillar to the D-pillar before curving around the rear windscreen.
Tail lights and rear reflectors are slimmer than before and the tailgate has been redesigned, with a less prominent ‘step’ between its lower edge and the rear bumper.
Dimensions are 4914mm x 2149mm x 1799-1801mm (LxWxH) and the wheelbase is 2964mm – larger than the outgoing fourth generation Grand Cherokee in all bar height. The seven-seat version is larger again, with a 3091mm wheelbase and greater length and height.
Compared to the exterior changes, interior styling modifications are much more obvious, with air vents changed from vertical to horizontal orientation, which along with related changes to the steering wheel, instrument binnacle and other areas, give the dash a broader look and feel.
The centre console is broader, too, with a screen that appears to sit proud of the dash, rather than be embedded in it. That screen measures 10.1 inches and is part of an updated Uconnect 5 infotainment system that Jeep claim is the most advanced connectivity platform they’ve ever offered.
Cupholders are moved further back to allow room for a rotary dial drive selector and related buttons on the lower console instead of a traditional gearstick.
The instrument display is larger, now at 10.25 inches, and offers nearly two dozen different menus the driver can access, from driving modes to all the built-in driver assist technologies.
Less bright metal trim in the cabin adds to the premium feel, as does timber-look accents on the dash and doorcards.
On the Grand Cherokee Night Eagle, there’s a 6-speaker sound system, upgraded to 9 speakers on the Limited and a premium 9-speaker set-up on the Overland. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard across the range.
Spec Highlights
Starting with the Grand Cherokee Night Eagle, standard features include automatic headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, suede and ‘technoleather’ seat trims, powered and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless charging pad and safety tech like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, active lane management, pedestrian/cyclist auto emergency braking, drowsy driver detection and traffic sign information.
Moving up to the Limited, there’s a different 20-inch wheel design, memory and ventilation is added to the front seats and heating to the rear seats (with full technoleather trim), along with ambient lighting and second row window shades, while additions to the safety and convenience kit include a 360-degree camera, digital rearview mirror and auto high beam headlights.
On the top-of-the-range Overland, in addition to more off-road capability, this grade also gets its own 20-inch wheel design (with a separate 18-inch option when the Off-Road Group is selected), while the seats are upgraded to Nappa leather. A panoramic sunroof is standard, as is enhanced ambient lighting, a hands-free tailgate and the aforementioned premium sound system, but the Overland misses out on the wireless charge pad and digital mirror. A head-up display is mentioned in reference to the Overland, and while this feature is optional in the US, whether it will be offered in Australia had not been confirmed at time of writing.
Aus Pricing
With local release commencing in early February, the 2023 Grand Cherokee five-seat range – excluding the Summit Reserve PHEV – should be in dealerships by the time you read this.
Pricing sees the entry-level Night Eagle increase by a substantial $17,500 over the old version, with the Limited up by almost $10,000. The Overland is a new grade for this model, so there’s no like-for-like comparison.
Seven-seat variants of the new Grand Cherokee add around $4,800 to the pricing listed below.
To confirm pricing and get more details, see your Jeep dealer.
2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5-seat list pricing (excluding ORCs)
Grand Cherokee Night Eagle - $77,950
Grand Cherokee Limited - $83,950
Grand Cherokee Overland - $98,450
