2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK Still Earns Value

Your eyes do not deceive you. The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee WK is the previous-generation version of this SUV, which the automaker is selling alongside the new, completely redesigned Grand Cherokee. By carrying the old Grand Cherokee forward, Jeep is able to keep the Grand Cherokee supply lines full while offering its customers a more affordable way to buy the SUV. The "WK" refers to an internal code designation Jeep uses for the vehicle.

The Grand Cherokee WK, though, is a mere shadow of its former self. Jeep has cut the luxurious trim levels from the roster, the Trailhawk off-roader also gets the old heave-ho, and the V8 engine option is history. It comes in only two trim levels, each equipped with the standard V6 engine and rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Only four paint colors are available, and seating comes with cloth, artificial suede or leather upholstery.

Still, though the Grand Cherokee WK is advanced in age, its appeal endures. From a design that has aged remarkably well to its impressive off-roading capability, 6,200-pound towing capacity and overall utility, the Grand Cherokee WK remains attractive to people who want a Jeep. It also carries a base price thousands less than the redesigned fifth-generation Grand Cherokee. In addition, it includes Jeep Wave Customer Care, which provides complimentary scheduled maintenance and other perks for the first three years of ownership. So value is part of the equation here.

Potential downsides include a dated technology stack that can't match the all-new Grand Cherokee for sophistication, along with less-than-stellar safety ratings by today's standards. But if you're on a tight budget, need a talented off-roader that cleans up well enough for nights out, or want to tow a heavier trailer than most midsize SUVs can, the Grand Cherokee WK might be the right SUV for the job.