Used Jeep Grand Cherokees Year by Year

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most luxurious Jeep model available. If you’re interested in a Grand Cherokee, we know you’re looking for a special vehicle that can go off-road and carry you and your passengers in comfort. Wranglers get the performance part of the job done, but the Grand Cherokee can handle everything. It’s easy to get in and out of, and it looks nice without being overly flashy. On top of all this, it’s also large enough to haul the entire family around. The only question is, “should I buy a used Jeep Grand Cherokee, or should I purchase a new one?” The truth is that a used Grand Cherokee can be just as comfortable and capable as a new one for a more affordable price. Before you head down to your used Jeep dealer, though, we’d like to detail the ins and outs of Jeep Grand Cherokees. We’ll talk about everything from mileage and interior to towing and safety. Let’s review the Grand Cherokee’s major perks, then check out some specific Jeep Grand Cherokee model years below.

The Grand Cherokee’s Main Benefits

This SUV is a great option for off-roading, rural driving, and traveling on the highway. It’s not quite Jeep Wrangler-level when it comes to adventuring, but it can still hit the trails with confidence. It can also handle hills and steep areas very well, and the V8 engines are great for mid-level towing and hauling. Alternatively, you can choose the base V6, so it’s easier on the gas tank. Even its earlier models have a nice balance of mileage and power. There are variances between each used model, though. If you plan on visiting your local Jeep dealer, check out older used Grand Cherokee models for strength and affordability, or look at newer models if tech, safety, and aesthetics are your top priority.

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Let’s start with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. This model marked the launch of the current generation and will give you the same looks, layout, and drivetrains as a brand-new 2021 Grand Cherokee. That makes it great if you’re looking for strength and space but aren’t as worried about tech features. You can get it in either 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive, and it comes standard with a V6 engine that produces 290 horses and 260 pound-feet of torque. This model can get up to 22 miles per gallon on the highway and offers over 68 cubic feet of cargo space. Plus, it can tow up to 5,000 pounds. You can also get keyless entry, hill start assist, and trailer sway damping with higher Grand Cherokee trims. Some used examples even come with rain brake support and ready alert braking, which helps you stop easier in wet conditions and makes emergency braking a bit easier. You can buy this model for under $10,000 if you are okay with it having a few miles on it.

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2014 model was the first major update after the 2012 model. While it shares the same basic design, it has more modern styling, it gets a bit better gas mileage, and it offers 105.4 cubic feet of passenger space. It can also tow a lot more, with a max towing capacity of 6,200 pounds with the V6 engine or 7,200 pounds with the optional V8. This model can handle average-sized boat towing with ease. Its highest trim level includes anti-whiplash head restraints, a roll-up cargo cover, a valet function, headed driver and passenger seating, a heated steering wheel, ten speakers, and 20-inch black wheels.

The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

This model steps up its game a bit with another styling update. More importantly for off-roading enthusiasts, it also brought the introduction of the Trail Rated Trailhawk trim. Its performance is similar to the Jeep Wrangler, with numerous off-road upgrades that include skid plates, tow hooks, and an enhanced 4×4 system. The Trailhawk also offers a sportier appeal with chrome body inserts, black window trim, deep-tinted glass, and a black grille with metal-colored accents. If you are looking for luxury and adventure at an affordable price, the 2017 Trailhawk is the way to go.

The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Another iconic high-performance trim joined the Grand Cherokee lineup for the 2018 model year. However, while the Trailhawk focuses on off-road capability, the 2018 Trackhawk enhances on-road capability. Powered by a monstrous 6.2-liter supercharged V8 Hellcat engine, this midsize SUV can outrun most sports cars. But having 707 horsepower under the hood is not the only thing that sets the Trackhawk apart – it also comes with a special track-focused 4×4 system, massive Brembo brakes, and even a launch control system for instant acceleration from a stop. If you’ve always wanted a muscle car but need to be able to fit the family and tow a trailer, then the 2018 Trackhawk is the Grand Cherokee for you.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Finally, let’s take a look at the newest of the used Grand Cherokee models. The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a lot to offer. It comes with a standard V6 engine for most of its trims, but there are three different V8 options if you’re looking for more power, including Trackhawk’s Hellcat. The V6 will still tow up to 6,200 pounds, while all of the V8 engines are capable of towing up to 7,200 pounds. Both rear-wheel drive and 4×4 are available, giving you even more options to choose from as you browse the Grand Cherokees at your used Jeep dealer.

The 2020 model also includes the most safety features, including lane departure warning and lane keep assist, advanced brake assist, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and even parallel and perpendicular park assist to help you park your vehicle with automatic steering and acceleration. You can also get the 2020 Grand Cherokee decked out with a vehicle finder, an SOS call button, remote start, and much more. If you’re visiting a used Jeep dealer in hopes of finding a luxurious used Grand Cherokee, the 2020 model is a great way to go. You can even find Certified Pre-Owned models with factory warranties and support.

Why Not Buy New?

There’s a lot of variety and leeway when buying a used Grand Cherokee instead of a new one. First off, if you’re looking to save money, an older Grand Cherokee is great because it’s still spacious and strong. You just won’t have as many modern tech and safety options. However, that’s not an issue if you’re accustomed to old-fashioned driving. On the flip side, buying a newer used Grand Cherokee is great because you’ll spend far less than you would on a new model, and you’ll still gain access to all those fun tech and safety features like the vehicle finder and parallel and perpendicular park assist. Plus, many used Jeep dealerships provide special benefits to purchasing used vehicles.

If you want a vehicle that won’t depreciate rapidly, that can tow your bass boat, hit the trails or track, and still provide comfortable transportation for five, then the Jeep Grand Cherokee is ideal. It’s more spacious than a Wrangler while maintaining off-roading capabilities and adding in luxury. Contact us at Orange Coast today to find yourself a high-quality used Jeep Grand Cherokee.