New Jeep Grand Cherokee in South Africa – Pricing and features

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee L has launched in South Africa at a starting price of R1,299,900.

The next-generation Jeep is said to bring “legendary 4×4 capability, superior on-road refinement, premium styling and craftsmanship inside and out, and a host of advanced safety and technology features,” said the American manufacturer.

Local buyers of the Grand Cherokee L will have a choice between three specifications – Limited, Overland, and Summit Reserve – each powered by a V6 petrol engine.

Standard equipment

As Jeep’s halo SUV, the Grand Cherokee L is equipped with top-end technologies, a few of which are firsts for the brand.

Inside the cabin, the range boasts a 10.25-inch frameless digital driver’s display and touchscreen infotainment system measuring between 8.4 and 10.1 inches, depending on the model, whereas the Overland and Summit Reserve are also the first vehicles in the world to sport a McIntosh stereo, seeing 19 speakers including a 10-inch subwoofer.

Additionally, the Grand Cherokee L is the first production Jeep to offer a windshield heads-up display, a digital rear-view mirror with a rear-facing camera, and electronic releases in the boot for the second row of seats.

Standard fitment continues with a full suite of automatic LED lighting, leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, heated and ventilated electric front seats, keyless entry and start, a wireless charger, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in GPS, rear parking sensors with automatic braking, an electric tailgate, and ambient lighting.

A host of driver assistance systems are also fitted to each new Cherokee, including:

Hill start assist
Rain-brake support
Blind-spot monitoring
Active lane management
Rear-seat reminder alert
Rear cross-path detection
Park assist with 360-degree cameras
Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
Lane departure warning with keep assist
Advanced brake assist with emergency pedestrian/cyclist braking
Full-speed collision warning with active braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection

The Overland and Summit Reserve are further set apart by a 10.25-inch front-passenger screen providing co-pilot navigation assistance, camera viewing, and visual entertainment.

On top of this, the most expensive new Grand Cherokee gets 16-way electric front seats with massaging and a night-vision camera with pedestrian and animal detection, and it’s also the first-ever Jeep to feature length-adjustable seat cushions.

V6 engine

Under the hood of the new Grand Cherokee L range lies a 3.6-litre, naturally-aspirated, V6 petrol engine – the same one as in the smaller Wrangler SUV and double-cab Gladiator bakkie.

Via an eight-speed automatic transmission the all-aluminium motor directs 210kW and 344Nm to the Jeep’s four wheels, resulting in a combined fuel consumption of 10.6l/100km and a maximum towing capacity of 2,813kg.

Depending on the model, the Cherokee also gets a standard or more advanced 4×4 system with a rear limited-slip diff, alongside an integrated off-road camera and the “Selec-Terrain” traction management programme, the latter of which brings five drive modes comprising Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Mud/Sand.

For the first time in the history of the Grand Cherokee, the Overland and Summit Reserve also comes with air suspension with electronic active damping resulting in a “best-in-class ground clearance, at 277mm, while also adjusting height automatically based on road conditions and speed to reduce drag and for better fuel economy,” said Jeep.