The Grand Cherokee L is loaded with tech features that, again, wouldn't look out of place in a luxury SUV. All the typical creature comforts are here plus available massaging front seats, ventilated second-row seats and an imitation suede headliner included on the Summit's Reserve package. The Grand Cherokee L also offers configurable ambient lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, a backseat camera system so you can keep an eye on the kids, and a whopping 12 USB ports (six standard USB ports, six USB-C) sprinkled throughout the cabin.
A 10.1-inch center touchscreen runs the newest version of Jeep's infotainment system, dubbed Uconnect 5. The new system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you don't have to tether your phone to the car if you just want to jump in and enjoy a podcast or navigate with Google Maps. The graphics are as crisp and clear as anything you'll get from Mercedes or Audi these days, and the response times from the touchscreen are just as fast. Uconnect 5 can also download over-the-air updates, so you don't have to bring your car to a dealer whenever a virtual bug is squashed or features are added.
While we're sure the standard six-speaker and optional nine-speaker Alpine audio systems sufficiently fill the cabin with sound, the new halo setup is what we're after. High-end manufacturer McIntosh is back in the car audio game in a big way with a 19-speaker system available on upper Grand Cherokee L trim levels. While volume levels won't exactly melt your face off, the quality of the audio provided will make audiophiles swoon. A 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, digital rearview camera and head-up display round out the available tech toys.
As we'd expect of any new vehicle, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is loaded with advanced driving aids. All the usual suspects are here, including standard adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear automatic braking, and lane-centering assist. On the highway, these systems worked extremely well during our drive, keeping a close-but-not-too-close distance to cars ahead, maintaining a relatively centered lane position, and adequately warning of lurking hatchbacks hiding in the L's blind spots.
Of course, there are a few surprises that are — you guessed it — typically reserved for luxury vehicles. There's a night vision camera that can detect pedestrians and animals up to 219 yards away. An Intersection Collision Assist feature will automatically hit the brakes if it detects a vehicle coming across your path in an intersection, helping reduce the severity of a side impact.