The Right Spec: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

by Matthew Guy

Published: July 21st, 2021

the right spec 2021 jeep grand cherokee l

If you’re initially confused between the Grand Cherokee L and Wagoneer (both Grand and not), we don’t blame you. They are distinguishable side-by-each – but separately? Not so much. Think of it this way: The GCL is a unibody design with V6 and V8 options while the Wago is body-on-frame and has two V8 choices.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L was put through its First Drive paces on this site just a month ago. With that top-tier entrée having settled nicely, it is time to paw through the chaff six different trim levels and figure out which one makes for The Right Spec.

We’ll start with the opinion that any machine bearing the Jeep badge should have power going to all four wheels. This choice doesn’t limit us from any of the six trims on offer but it does bump the price of entry to just over 40 grand. While your author recognizes the only off-road driving the vast majority of these rigs will experience is that patch of broken pavement at the mall, he still firmly believes in the value of a two-speed transfer case and a limited-slip rear diff.

These requirements put us in league with the Quadra-Trac II system, first appearing on Grand Cherokee L in the pricey Overland trim. Even then, gaining ownership of a locking diff requires a $1,995 Off-Road Group. In addition to the diff, skid plates pepper the underside, and 18-inch on/off-road 265/60 rubber replaces the pretentious 20-inch dubs. I’ll note right here and now that tasty BFGoodrich KO2 tires are available in this size, making me probably the only person on Earth who’d gladly mount aggressive all-terrain rubber on a $60,000 luxury SUV. Hey, they’ll make good use of the Overland’s Quadra-Lift air suspension which includes a tip-toe setting. So equipped it’ll ford 24 inches of water.

Speaking of decisions, the Grand Cherokee L has me in a quandary. The 5.7L V8 is a pricey $3,295 option and is down on power compared to its deployment in Ram pickups; just 357 horses are produced by the mill, 38 fewer than the truck; it gives up 20 lb-ft of torque as well. With the proven 3.6L V6 making near-as-makes-no-difference 300 horsepower, that’s the surprising recommendation from this particular peanut gallery.

Irritatingly, Jeep nickel-and-dimes the customer by charging extra for every single paint shade save for Bright White. The contrasting roof treatment doesn’t seem to fit the GCL’s image in these jaundiced eyes, so a monotone Velvet Red Pearl will have to suffice. And, as a bonus, some of the neighbors might mistake the thing for a bucks-deluxe Grand Wagoneer.

Creature comforts like a dual-pane panoramic moonroof and tri-zone climate control are standard at this price level, as they should be now that we’ve optioned the vehicle to $59,925. Perforated Nappa leather, heated second-row buckets, and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system are all present and accounted for. Infotainment is handled by a jumbo display packing all the communication and entertainment features you’d expect in this segment.

In this case, the Right Spec is definitely not the cheap spec. Whether that’s down to my own largesse or Jeep’s optimistic pricing choices is a debate we hope to see in the comments.

Please note the prices listed here are in Freedom dollars and currently accurate for base prices exclusive of any fees, taxes, or rebates. Your dealer may (and should) sell for less (obscene market conditions notwithstanding). Keep your foot down, bone up on available rebates, and bargain hard.

#4x4 #GrandCherokeeL #Jeep #TheRightSpec #Three-rowSUVs #TrailRated

Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

More by Matthew Guy

Comments

Join the conversation

3 of 37 comments

Ajla on Jul 21, 2021

Anyway, - Laredo AWD - White - Towing package $42,900

Like Reply
Nrd515 on Jul 22, 2021

I would pass on this and buy a "normal" JGC. I never needed 3 rows even when I had three fairly big dogs. But if I did buy one of these, I don't see how the 3.6 V6 will satisfy many people. Both my JGC's had the 4.0 six and they were not fantastic, just adequate. Several friends have bought GC's since 2010 and most were 5.7's and the ones who bought 3.6's admitted they wished they had just bought 5.7's too. My one friend has a loaded '19, and I really like it. It was very pleasant driving it down to Columbus, Oh and back.

Like Reply
- EBFlex on Jul 22, 2021
  
  The 3.6/8-speed performs very well in this. It’s geared very well. Also, this Grand Cherokee L, despite being much bigger than the WK2 Grand Cherokee, is 150ish pounds lighter.
  
  Like

Recent Comments

MRF 95 T-Bird Whenever I travel and I’m in my rental car I first peruse the FM radio to look for interesting programming. It used to be before the past few decades of media consolidation that if you traveled to an area the local radio stations had a distinct sound and flavor. Now it’s the homogenized stuff from the corporate behemoths. Classic rock, modern “bro dude” country, pop hits of today, oldies etc. Much of it tolerable but pedestrian. The college radio stations and NPR affiliates are comfortable standbys. But what struck me recently is how much more religious programming there was on the FM stations, stuff that used to be relegated to the AM band. You have the fire and brimstone preachers, obviously with a far right political bend. Others geared towards the Latin community. Then there is the happy talk “family radio” “Jesus loves you” as well as the ones featuring the insipid contemporary Christian music. Artists such as Michael W. Smith who is one of the most influential artists in the genre. I find myself yelling at the dashboard “Where’s the freakin Staple singers? The Edwin Hawkins singers? Gospel Aretha? Gospel Elvis? Early Sam Cooke? Jesus era Dylan?” When I’m in my own vehicle I stick with the local college radio station that plays a diverse mix of music from Americana to rock and folk. I’ll also listen to Sirius/XM: Deep tracks, Little Steven’s underground as well as Willie’s Roadhouse and Outlaw country.
The Comedian I owned an assembled-in-Brazil ‘03 Golf GTI from new until ‘09 (traded in on a C30 R-Design).First few years were relatively trouble free, but the last few years are what drove me to buy a scan tool (back when they were expensive) and carry tools and spare parts at all times.Constant electrical problems (sensors & coil packs), ugly shedding “soft” plastic trim, glovebox door fell off, fuel filters oddly lasted only about a year at a time, one-then-the-other window detached from the lift mechanism and crashed inside the door, and the final reason I traded it was the transmission went south.20 years on? This thing should only be owned by someone with good shoes, lots of tools, a lift and a masochistic streak.
Terry I like the bigger size and hefty weight of the CX90 and I almost never use even the backseat. The average family is less than 4 people.The vehicle crash safety couldn't be better. The only complaints are the clumsy clutch transmission and the turbocharger.
MaintenanceCosts Plug in iPhone with 200 GB of music, choose the desired genre playlist, and hit shuffle.
MaintenanceCosts Golf with a good body and a dying engine. Somewhere out there there is a dubber who desperately wants to swap a junkyard VR6 into this and STANCE BRO it.