2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee retains its award-winning features and continues to excel where performance and capabilities are concerned. The base trims of the Grand Cherokee come equipped with a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine that provides 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This base powertrain is capable of a fuel economy of 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway thanks to the Engine Start/Stop (ESS) technology, which conserves gas by shutting off the engine when the vehicle is idle. However, the base engine is also powerful enough to tow up to 6,200 lbs.

V8 Power

But the base V6 is only the beginning of what the Grand Cherokee offers when it comes to power. There is also a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that provides 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, upping the maximum trailering capacity to 7,200 lbs. This engine is particularly valuable if you plan on taking your Grand Cherokee off-road, but any driver can benefit from having the extra horsepower and torque on tap.

The Grand Cherokee SRT is equipped with even more powerful powertrain components, including a 6.4-liter V8 HEMI with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. For maximum power and performance, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is built around a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. When paired with the Trackhawk's launch control feature, it can achieve 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds.

Performance Features

Every Grand Cherokee comes paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, capable of handling all of your off-road ventures just as easily as stop-and-go city traffic or high-speed highway driving. This transmission is also capable of confident towing, although to take full advantage of the impressive towing performance of the Grand Cherokee, you will have to opt for the Trail Tow Group IV. The package includes a full-size spare wheel and tire, a Class IV receiver hitch, a seven-and-four pin wiring harness, along with a heavy duty engine cooling and other mechanical upgrades.

Visually, the 2021 Grand Cherokee keeps with the chic design of recent model years. The body molding takes after the fourth-generation facelift. Much like the previous Grand Cherokee years, the 2021 Grand Cherokee retains the integrated bumper, creating a stylized look for a smooth-flowing design that wraps a fluid curvature around the front end. Visually, you could say that it's all about graceful refinement for the 2021 model year.

Some of the big changes for the Grand Cherokee in 2021 comes from the changes in trims. Two new options have been added to the line-up, the Laredo X and the 80th Anniversary Edition. These two join an already stacked trim set that includes the Laredo E, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, Summit, SRT, and Trackhawk.

Essential Trims

The Laredo X is basically a luxury upgrade to the standard Laredo E but falls just below the MSRP of the more expensive trims such as the Limited and 80th Anniversary. This makes it a great option for drivers who want a bit more luxury out of their vehicle while keeping the price affordable. The Limited is equipped with many of the features from the Laredo X but has some extras, such as a larger dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

The 80th Anniversary trim comes with several trinkets and tweaks compared to base trims, giving SUV shoppers something special with an affordable price of entry. The exterior is marked by special 80th Anniversary badging for the Grand Cherokee, along with granite colored crystal-aluminum 18-inch wheels. Inside, leather seats come standard with tungsten trimming and accents.

Pushing the Limits

For off-road adventures, there's the Trailhawk, which comes with skid plates to protect the undercarriage while venturing off the road. The trim is topped off with red tow hooks and a Trailhawk hood emblem. On the mechanical side, the Trailhawk is fitted with the Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system and a rear electronic limited-slip differential. If you want to go off-road in style, this Trail Rated trim is the way to go.

Mixing luxury with rugged off-road capabilities is the Overland trim. Inside, the Overland offers premium interior features such as a 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, as well as leather-trimmed seats. The High Altitude trim features black perforated Nappa leather-trimmed seats and matching black wood interior highlights. Low-gloss granite crystal badging, grille bezels, and step-pad with special tail-lamps help round out the trim's features. Combining the interior quality and safety of the High Altitude with its own unique accessories is the Summit trim, which provides drivers with Laguna leather seats and unique platinum badging.

Unmatched Performance

Both the SRT and Trackhawk trim are designed for top-of-the-line performance. Both come outfitted with lots of power under the hood, including a HEMI V8 in the SRT and a supercharged V8 in the Trackhawk. Rounding out the performance features are race-inspired interior designs with carbon fiber accents, Bilstein active damping suspension, and high-performance brakes from Brembo. Jeep's performance-oriented Quadra-Trac 4x4 system and launch control further enhance the capabilities of these two trims.

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee models include some new packages for specific trims. The Limited and Laredo X trims have access to a new Sun and Sound package option added to their already extensive smorgasbord of functionality. Previously this package was reserved for higher trims, such as the Grand Cherokee High Altitude. But now, those who decide to go with something above the Laredo X trim will have access to the package.

The Sun and Sound bundle is a special exterior and interior package that includes a power sunroof fitted between the roof racks. There's also an upgraded audio system featuring nine Alpine speakers and a 506-watt amplifier. Your audio experience is also enhanced through the addition of active noise-noise control, which makes for an overall quieter ride.

Safety Packages

Another popular add-on is the ProTech II Package, which builds on the standard ProTech I Package. The ProTech I Package already features blind spot monitoring, rear cross path detection, and ParkSense rear parking assistance. It also includes the ParkView rear camera so you can see what's behind you from the dashboard of the SUV.

The ProTech II Package comes with the added functionality of forward collision alerts and advanced braking assistance to provide additional braking during emergencies. Forward collision alerts warn drivers of vehicles or objects ahead of them, while lane departure warnings and lane-keeping assistance alert drivers to any unintentional drifting and steer the vehicle back into its lane. These sensors and alert systems are paired with the automatic high-beam headlamps that are also packed into the ProTech II package.

A Package for Everyone

In addition to the new packages being available for the Grand Cherokee, any of the package and equipment options from 2020 make a return for the 2021 model year. Some of the returning packages include the Trailer Tow Group Package to increase towing and hauling capacity and the Security and Convenience Group for improved convenience and anti-theft deterrent. Other choices include the Mopar Interior and Exterior Bright Accents Groups and the Altitude Appearance Package. However, these are just the beginning of all the customization options available for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.