Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011-2020) Review

If you want something that’s a little different from the standard SUVs around, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is an interesting choice. Like a Land Rover, it has genuine off-road ability, especially if you go for an Overland or Summit model as these have a more advanced off-road system and a low 4WD range.

It has lots of appeal to caravan owners or those looking for a strong tow vehicle and as it’s well equipped as standard, you’re getting a lot of SUV for your money. It may be used as a workhorse but the Jeep is still refined and comfortable, much more so than rivals like the Mitsubishi Shogun.

It’s best to avoid the pre-2013 facelift models as Jeep Grand Cherokee models after that are better in every respect. So much so that it’s like comparing two different cars. The facelift models are easy to spot by the thinner LED headlights. Aside from the bonkers V8 SRT model, the only engine is the 3.0 CRD but it’s plenty strong enough in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Being a Jeep, there’s a high level of standard equipment on all models so you won’t find any back to basics models in the range. Limited models represent good value but the Overland has a bit more kit on it and there are plenty on the used market - it’s this we’d suggest going for. 

The Laredo is the entry-level model and came with a less powerful version of the diesel, so we’d avoid it if you want the Jeep Grand Cherokee for its pulling power.

If it’s a proper strong 4x4 that you’re after - and one that can tow - the Mitsubishi Shogun represents a lot of car at an affordable price. It’s far from sophisticated but it’s excellent off-road and pretty much bulletproof in terms of build. 

There’s also the Land Rover Discovery 4, although there are question marks over long term reliability.  If you want to maximise your money, other Grand Cherokee rivals to look at include the Kia Sorento (a favourite with caravan owners) and the SsangYong Rexton. 

Of course, there’s no shortage of more road-based SUVs that are equally as strong such as the BMW X5, Mercedes ML or Volkswagen Touareg, although you’d be looking at something a few years older than a Jeep for the same money.

While Jeep may want its Jeep Grand Cherokee to rival premium SUVs, the interior is the one area that lets it down in this respect. Again, there’s nothing wrong with it as such, but there are far more hard plastics and cheaper trim than in anything from Volkswagen or Mercedes, even on last-generation models.

The unusual gear lever on facelifted models is one nice upmarket touch as is the blue backlighting at night but the rest is a bit of a letdown. The silver-painted plastic on the centre console feels naff and while there’s chrome trim around most bits, it doesn’t feel especially solid or well finished.

Again, facelifted models are far better in terms of quality but while the buttons and switches all work well enough, there’s little to lift it above what you’d get in, say, a Kia Sorento.

Dominating the dash on post-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee models is a big 8.4-inch touchscreen, what Jeep proudly calls its Uconnect system (see what they did there). All models get this as standard and it includes DAB, Bluetooth and a USB port so there are lots of options for connecting and playing music. It’s much better than the dated system used before.

Unfortunately, the one thing most models don’t have is Apple CarPlay or Android Auto - this was only added on newer models from 2019. That said, even without it, the system is simple to use with a clear and high-resolution display, so it’s no great hardship if you’re not too fussed about mirroring your phone. You can still listen to Radio 2 on it…

Most models - Limited Plus, Overland and Summit -  come with navigation as standard too and it works well enough with an easy to use menu plus there’s no delay between touching a button and it doing what you want as we find in some systems.

Given that it’s close to five metres long, you’d be disappointed if the big Jeep Grand Cherokee didn’t have a lot of space inside. There’s no seven seat option as with other SUVs like the Skoda Kodiaq but this does at least mean plenty of legroom and headroom for five adults. You can even happily get three in the back thanks to a low central tunnel on the floor that doesn’t intrude too much.

The boot is big with a hefty 782 litres of carrying space and there’s no load lip so it’s easy to slide heavy bags or boxes in and out. Wickes here we come (other DIY stores are available). 

The boot opening itself is wide and the boot space itself usefully square so you can really maximise all that space. A VolswagenTouareg has a slightly bigger boot but the Jeep can still carry significantly more than a BMW X5.

One useful feature is that the Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with a proper full-size spare wheel under that boot floor, a much better option than a can of sealant and a compressor. The rear seats fold down completely flat too, giving the Jeep van-like carrying ability.

Elsewhere, there’s reasonable storage with two cupholders by the gear lever (or as they are for most people, key and phone holders), big door pockets and a useful storage box under the centre armrest. 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee dimensions are 4828mm long, 1943mm wide and 1802mm tall.

The mainstay of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is the 3.0-litre V6 CRD diesel which although not the most modern of engines, has plenty of pulling power and gives the Jeep a strong turn of pace if the mood takes you.

All models have 250PS apart from the entry-level Laredo which has 190PS. It does the job but if you’re going to be using the Jeep Grand Cherokee for hauling a caravan or just with a full load of passengers on board, we’d stick with the more powerful version. There’s no difference in fuel economy either.

What makes the 3.0 CRD so strong is the enormous amount of torque which comes in smoothly and predictably. Again going for a facelift model makes a big difference here. Post-2013 models come with an excellent eight-speed automatic - the same as that used by Jaguar and Audi. It responds well and delivers quick yet smooth shifts. 

Prior to that, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was stuck with a ponderous five-speed automatic. If you’re buying a Jeep Grand Cherokee to tow, the good news is that nearly all models can pull up to 3500kg (the Summit version is limited to 3000kg).

For the very brave, there’s the SRT model, which originally came with a 6.4-litre V8 petrol that was later replaced by a 6.2-litre with no less than 720PS. It’s certainly quick and definitely a car you’ll get noticed in, most likely by the police...

The big 3.0-litre diesel in the Jeep Grand Cherokee is far from the quietest V6 around, especially when compared with newer big diesels from the likes of Audi. The good news is that with all that torque, you rarely have to push it hard and most of the time it pleasantly rumbles away, noticeable but not intrusive. Facelifted models have better sound insulation in the cabin, helping to limit some of that engine noise.

For a big SUV, both wind and road noise are surprisingly low making this a very relaxed motorway cruiser. There’s little vibration or harshness in the cabin either, even if you do work the engine a bit harder.

The SRT models are as loud and as brash as you’d expect, which is all part of their appeal. If you’re buying one of these, refinement is unlikely to be top of your list of priorities we’re guessing.

Tested by Euro NCAP in 2011, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was awarded four stars out of five for its safety and crash protection. Adults occupants are very safe but the child safety rating was much lower and the score for pedestrian safety was, predictably, pretty poor, hence why it lost a star.

The crash test highlighted that the protection provided against neck injuries in a rear-end collision was only marginal while the passenger airbag could not be disabled, so you could not fit a rear-facing child seat in the front.

Fitted with four-wheel drive, the Jeep Grand Cherokee does have the added security of extra traction plus if course it has stability control along with front, side, curtain and a driver’s knee airbag. 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee scored a less than impressive 8.25 out of 10 for reliability in the HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Survey, which is better than the Jeep Cherokee but considerably worse than the Jeep Compass.

Jeep as a brand didn't feature in the same survey due to the limited number of vehicles reported on, but it's worth considering the fact that sister brand Fiat finished dead last overall...

The entry-level Laredo model is the cheapest to insure at group 36 while most of the other sit between group 40 and 44 - the top Summit models will cost you more for your insurance premium.

That’s on a par with rivals like the Volkswagen Touareg and BMW X5 so the Jeep won’t cost you any more to insure if comparing similar spec models with rivals. You won’t be surprised to find out that the SRT models sit in the top group 50 for insurance.

With high CO2 emissions from its diesel engines, older Jeep Grand Cherokee models can prove expensive to tax. If you buy a carl registered before April 2017, it will fall under the older VED system which was based on emissions.

Most are Band I or Band J but some sit in Band K which is a hefty £360 a year. Of course, if you buy a model registered after April 2017, this sits at the flat VED rate of £165 so if you’re not sure as to whether to go for a 17-plate model, this may help you decide. 

Just be aware that all Jeep Grand Cherokee models have a list price of more than £40,000 so have to pay an extra £355 a year (on top of the £165) for five years from the second time the car is taxed.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo is the entry-level model with the lower powered version of the 3.0-litre engine and cloth seats but it still has plenty of stuff on board with electric lumbar adjustment, dual-zone climate control, hill descent control, tyre pressure monitors plus the big touchscreen with DAB and Bluetooth.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited is a better bet and adds the more powerful 250PS engine and gets niceties such as a power tailgate, leather seats which have eight-way electric adjustment, heated front and second row seats, a heated steering wheel and electric steering wheel adjustment. 

There’s also a handy reversing camera. You may see the odd Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited+ around which has 20-inch polished alloy wheels, performance brake discs, sports suspension and navigation.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland is the model to look out for and gets a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather seats, leather-trimmed dashboard top, door panels, armrests and console plus ventilated seats and air suspension. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit goes all out with adaptive xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control, Forward Collision Warning with crash mitigation, blind-spot monitoring and a Harman Kardon surround-sound stereo with 19 speakers and an 825W amplifier.