Fourth-Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee Shopping Guide (2011-2021)

There are a lot of little but very significant details that you need to look at and consider when shopping for a new vehicle. When you’re looking for a used model, there are even more details you need to keep in mind. For example, if you are looking for a used Jeep Grand Cherokee, the model year is incredibly important because it will indicate what features and options you should expect to find.

The fourth generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee ran from the 2011 model year through 2021, which means you’ll find a lot of them out there when looking at used models. There were plenty of changes during this time, so a 2019 Grand Cherokee will be quite different from a 2012 model, even though they’re both part of that same generation. To help you narrow down your options and find the perfect used Grand Cherokee to meet your needs, we’re going to take you through these model years and highlight some of the great features you should keep in mind while shopping.

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

For 2011, Jeep kicked off a new generation with a complete redesign that made this popular SUV better than ever. As the beginning of the fourth generation, this is a great place to start and see many of the underlying design choices that stuck with the Grand Cherokee in the years that followed it. Since these models are more than a decade old at this point, they are about as far back as you should go when shopping for a used vehicle––you’ll save more on older examples, but they’ve also likely been through a lot.

In terms of performance, the 2011 Grand Cherokee has two engines available: a standard 3.6L Pentastar V6 that offers 290 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and an available 5.7L V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. When shopping for a used model, the V8 is definitely the one to look for. You should also keep an eye out for models with the available Quadra-Lift air suspension for a smooth driving experience and excellent ground clearance. Three different 4×4 systems were offered on 2011 models, so you’ll find a lot of different options there.

Inside, the Jeep Grand Cherokee received a nice makeover for 2011 that was quite stylish, though there was room for improvement. Cloth seating was standard with leather seats available, so keep that in mind while looking at used models, and numerous trims were offered on these vehicles. We suggest looking for the Overland or Overland Summit trim to find the best features and technology––remember that things like backup cameras were still optional, but plenty of great tech was available.

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Changes for the 2012 model year were fairly minimal since a new generation had just launched, but there are a few things worth looking for. The V8 engine received an upgrade from a five-speed automatic transmission to a six-speed automatic, which provides a smoother drive. A new SRT8 trim added a 6.4L V8 with 475 hp for a performance-focused driving experience that is very fun on the road. In general, we like 2012 models since Jeep ironed out a few bugs from the launch of this generation.

The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

In much the same way the SRT8 trim on the 2012 model created a performance-focused option, for 2013, Jeep introduced the Trailhawk trim for drivers looking to go off-road. The Trailhawk is a fantastic choice for hitting the trail––if you want a used Grand Cherokee to take off-road, you should definitely look for one of these models. This trim was discontinued the following year but made a return several years later.

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The fourth-generation Grand Cherokee received the first of its two refreshes for the 2014 model year. While not a full redesign, this was a major update that addressed many of the issues some drivers had with the interior style and overall aesthetics. For starters, an eight-speed automatic transmission became standard in all trims. In addition, Jeep introduced an available 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engine that delivers 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque––something not available on previous models.

You can still find three different 4×4 systems on 2014 models, along with numerous trims including the Altitude starting trim and up to the Summit and performance-focused SRT. The interior updates included excellent technology, like an available seven-inch gauge cluster display and an 8.4-inch infotainment screen. This is a great place to start looking at fourth-generation Grand Cherokee models if you want fantastic features inside and out.

The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Changes for 2015 were minimal, and you can generally view this model year as the same as the previous one. Just about anything you’re looking for from the 2014 update is carried over, so you have a lot of freedom when shopping for these models. The one thing we should add, however, is that there was a recall on the gearshift used in 2014 and 2015 models––make sure any used Grand Cherokee from these two years has had the recall carried out.

The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The new gear shifter was made standard on all 2016 Grand Cherokee models, so you don’t have to worry about any of the potential issues that 2014 and 2015 vehicles can have. Other updates were pretty minimal for this year, though new automatic stop-start technology for the gas V6 engine was introduced to help improve fuel efficiency while providing a smooth drive. Another refresh came with the following model year, so this is a great one to look for if you like the style of these models and want to save some money.

The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Although not as dramatic as the update several years prior, the 2017 Grand Cherokee received an exterior restyle and a refresh to update some features. Previous options like a backup camera and rear parking sensors became standard on all trims, while the interior of the Summit trim received some very nice updates. The biggest news for this model year was the return of the Trailhawk and its fantastic off-road performance. This is where to start if you’re looking for a more modern Grand Cherokee designed to hit the trail.

The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Changes for the 2018 model year were somewhat minimal but included making the available seven-inch infotainment display a standard feature. The starting Laredo trim received new cloth seats and 17-inch wheels, while the Summit has a new package that adds metal details throughout the interior. The big news for this year was the addition of an all-new Trackhawk trim with a 6.2L Hellcat HEMI V8 engine that delivers 707 hp to create an incredible performance-focused version of this SUV.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Updates for the 2019 model were pretty minimal, though the available 8.4-inch infotainment screen was improved with a high-definition display and comes with Navigation standard. Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic alert became standard features on all 2019 Grand Cherokee trims, while a new Limited X package offered some SRT-inspired details. Excellent options like the Trackhawk and Trailhawk remain available, so you can find some fantastic 2019 models out there.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

For the 2020 model year, Jeep discontinued the V6 diesel engine on the Grand Cherokee, so you’ll only find gas engines on these used models. Certain trims, like the Trailhawk, had a single-pane sunroof made into a standard feature, and advanced safety features became available on more trims than in previous years. Otherwise, much of what you’ll find on models from the previous couple of years carried over into 2020.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

As the 2021 model year brought this generation to an end, you won’t find too many additions here. The biggest news was an exclusive 80th Anniversary Edition for the 2021 Grand Cherokee, featuring driver-assistance technology, leather upholstery, and special 80th Anniversary badging for a unique look. A Laredo X trim was also added to provide a great option if you’re looking for advanced tech features, like remote start and a power liftgate, without going too high up the trim levels. Overall, this was a great way to end the generation and showcased how the Grand Cherokee had transformed and evolved over the preceding decade.

A Fantastic SUV, Year after Year

You can see just how much the model year you choose will impact the features you find, particularly with key years such as 2014 and 2017. Knowing which model years saw revisions and updates can make it a lot easier to shop for and find the right Grand Cherokee with all the features you want. But even with this in mind, you can still find so many options when shopping for a used Jeep Grand Cherokee that getting exactly what you need can be a challenge. Come visit us at Orange Coast CJDRF today, and we’ll help you find the used Jeep with everything you’ve been looking for.