2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

Name: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review
Brand: Jeep

Price Range: $18,888 - $55,998

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 80th 4dr SUV Exterior

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited X 4dr SUV Exterior

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 4dr SUV Exterior

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While the Grand Cherokee was once a class leader, its age is starting to show. It's still sturdy and very capable off-road, but we recommend upgrading from the standard V6 engine to one of the available V8 powertrains for a bit more gusto. The most appealing value can be found in the the middle of the JGC's lineup with the Limited and the Trailhawk.

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2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

byKurt Niebuhr^{Senior Vehicle Test Editor
Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of Edmunds' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.}

Pros

Plush interior with plentiful luxury and technology
Enough off-road ability to conquer practically any trail
Available V8 engines offer substantial power
Impressive tow ratings for the class

Cons

Firm ride quality may disappoint, even with air suspension
Underwhelming acceleration with base V6

What's new

80th Anniversary Edition package for Limited trim level
Part of the fourth Grand Cherokee generation introduced for 2011

Overview

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers one of the most diverse lineups around for a midsize SUV. There's a wide array of trim levels suited for on- and off-road performance. From the basic Laredo to the go-nearly-anywhere Trailhawk to the insane 707-horsepower Trackhawk, the Grand Cherokee should have your needs covered. Luxury and tech options are plentiful, and its towing power, especially when equipped with the optional 5.7-liter V8, is impressive for the class.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo E 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.95 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$166/mo

$172/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

But also know that the Grand Cherokee has gone 10 years without a major redesign. Jeep has done an admirable job of keeping its stalwart SUV modern and fairly competitive, but there are some obvious flaws, including a cramped interior, subpar comfort and lethargic handling. Rivals such as the Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have significantly more modern and spacious interiors, even if they can't match the Grand Cherokee's expansive mix of models. You can read more about our take on the Grand Cherokee in our Expert Rating below.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7/10

How does the Grand Cherokee drive? The standard V6 in the Grand Cherokee isn't very exciting. In our testing, 0-60 mph took 8.0 seconds, which is slow for a five-passenger midsize SUV. We'd suggest getting the optional V8. The brakes, however, are strong. In Edmunds testing, a stop from 60 mph took 124 feet — a reasonably short distance for a rig this size.

A downside is the Grand Cherokee's significant weight, which affects acceleration, handling and overall drivability. Another negative is the steering, which feels disconnected from the road. This combo makes the Grand Cherokee overly heavy and lethargic to pilot around turns. For off-roading, though, the GC does well thanks to several available off-road-ready options.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the Grand Cherokee? The Grand Cherokee provides an isolated feel in the cabin. The V6 is nicely muted most of the time. At full throttle, there's a bit of a rumble from under the hood that is neither annoying nor particularly satisfying. Otherwise, it's quiet to the point that it's almost serene. The seats are very supportive and the air conditioning works quickly. The heated and ventilated seats, however, aren't very effective.

Our test vehicle came equipped with the optional air suspension. We weren't impressed. It provides a somewhat floaty ride quality on the highway and struggles to soak up smaller pavement ripples, allowing significant vibration to enter the cabin. Big bumps are absorbed to a point, but hit one midcorner and the JGC loses its handling composure. The standard suspension might be a better choice.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? The Grand Cherokee has plenty of interior space with generous headroom and legroom in all four major seating positions. It also has a commanding driving position, good visibility and relatively simple controls. Despite that high seating position, everything is within the driver's reach thanks to an impressive range of seat and steering-wheel adjustability.

The Uconnect infotainment interface is a bit dated, but it's still easy to use thanks to large, grippy knobs for the stereo and fan speed. So the only real shortcomings are the thick windshield pillars that partially obscure your view through turns.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? The Grand Cherokee Uconnect interface features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. There are plenty of charging options for front and rear passengers. The voice controls are pretty apt at understanding commands, from setting a nav destination to changing climate settings. Audio quality from the optional 19-speaker Harman Kardon system is good, if a bit bass-heavy.

The operation of some of the advanced driving aids is lackluster. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning, for example, are both a little too sensitive for our tastes.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? While the Grand Cherokee is certainly utilitarian in nature, its 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats isn't class-leading. It trails behind smaller vehicles such as the Honda CR-V. This smaller space is mostly due to the full-size spare under the rear floor. On the flip side, hey, there's a full-size spare! That's something you'll want if you go off-road or tow — two things the Grand Cherokee does very well.

Small-item storage is limited to a small center console, can-size cupholders in both the front and rear seats, and slim door pockets. The rear car-seat anchors are well marked and easy to find, and there's a good amount of space for most child seats. A properly equipped Grand Cherokee with the V8 has a maximum tow rating of 7,200 pounds.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? With the base V6 and the eight-speed automatic, the Grand Cherokee is good for 21 mpg in combined city/highway driving for both the rear- and four-wheel-drive models. Not outstanding perhaps, but it trounces the 4Runner, its main V6 SUV competitor with similar off-road abilities.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Grand Cherokee a good value? Build quality is top-notch in the Grand Cherokee. You'll find tight panel gaps and impressive leather. But decked-out versions such as the Summit get quite expensive, and at that point some luxury rivals start to look more attractive. You'll find the most value with the Trailhawk and the Limited. The Grand Cherokee's warranty is typical. Roadside assistance is good for the class with five years/60,000 miles of coverage.

Wildcard

7/10

The Grand Cherokee's optional air suspension isn't something we'd recommend to lead-footed drivers. We're also not enamored with the base V6. But other choices are available, including the impressive V8 and the absolutely bonkers 707-horsepower Trackhawk. And of course, the available Quadra-Trac II 4WD system means you can get pretty far in off-road or snowy conditions. This Jeep is a midsize SUV with a wide range of appeal.

Which Grand Cherokee does Edmunds recommend?

With seven available trim levels to choose from, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is easy to tailor to your preferences. We think the midlevel Trailhawk offers the best mix of maximum off-road capability and sufficient creature comforts. As a bonus, the beefy 5.7-liter V8 engine is available should you also want to tow the occasional trailer.

Compare 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee models

The five-passenger 2021 Grand Cherokee is available in seven trim levels: Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, SRT and Trackhawk. Most Grand Cherokees are available with either rear- or four-wheel drive, with the exception of the SRT and the Trailhawk. Those trims come standard with performance-oriented all-wheel-drive systems. All Grand Cherokees have an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine lineup includes:

A standard 3.6-liter V6 (295 horsepower, 260 lb-ft)
An optional 5.7-liter V8 (360 hp, 390 lb-ft) for Trailhawk, Overland and Summit
A 6.4-liter V8 (470 hp, 475 lb-ft) standard on the SRT
A supercharged 6.2-liter V8 (707 hp, 645 lb-ft) standard on the Trackhawk

Laredo
Starts you off with features such as:

18-inch wheels
Rear parking sensors (alerts you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Keyless ignition and entry
Dual-zone automatic climate control
7-inch infotainment touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Six-speaker audio system
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)

Limited
Dresses up the Laredo by adding:

Sunroof
4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen
Auto-dimming mirrors
Heated front seats and steering wheel
Leather upholstery
Power liftgate
Power-adjustable front seats with driver memory settings

Trailhawk
Adds off-road capability and extra features, such as:

Unique 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
Electronically controlled limited-slip differential
Underbody skid plates
Heavy-duty engine cooling
Off-road-tuned air suspension
Enhanced 4WD system
Upgraded audio system
All-terrain drive modes
Special leather and simulated suede seating surfaces
Ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats

Overland
Adds luxury touches with:

20-inch wheels
Xenon headlights
Upgraded leather seating
Power-adjustable steering column
Combination wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel

Summit
Maxes out luxury with:

19-speaker audio system
Chrome exterior trim
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Jeep and the car in front)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Upgraded leather seating surfaces
Parallel parking assist (aids the driver in parallel parking situations)

SRT
Has the 470-hp V8 plus enhancements for on-road performance such as:

Special 20-inch aluminum wheels with performance tires
High-performance braking system
Sport-tuned adaptive suspension
Sport front seats

Trackhawk
One-ups the SRT with the 707-hp V8 plus:

20-inch black-painted aluminum wheels
Black exterior trim
Ultra high-performance braking system
Sport exhaust with quad exhaust tips
Ultra high-performance suspension
Heavy-duty eight-speed transmission

Note that many of the features found on the upper trim levels can be added to other trims through option packages.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#32 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee from 2008-2022.}

$566/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.54x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

16.1%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Jeep Grand Cherokee Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.7

69 reviews

5(54%)

4(8%)

3(11%)

2(10%)

1(17%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Not-So-Grand Cherokee

Frustrated Jeep Owner, 05/17/2021

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

I purchased a 2021 Grand Cherokee Limited in Oct. '20 to replace my wife's 100k+ Outback because I wanted to have a reliable car. Big mistake. Upon delivery it had a transmission fluid leak the dealer repaired under warranty. At just under 13,000 miles the fuel gauge went out. It's been at the dealership for 11 days and I have no idea when it will be repaired. They had to remove the … gas tank to get to the sending unit. That required dropping the drive shaft. When the did that they learned that when the vehicle was made bolts holding the driveshaft were over-tightened and stripped the threads. The sending unit and bolt assembly were not in stock. Upon arrival and installation they learned that the mother board that controls the dash was also fried. Had to wait for parts again. Once that arrived and it was put together they learned some other part of the gas gauge system was also bad. That part is back ordered for about a month. They had me come pick up the car and drop off the loaner and said to drive it without a gas gauge. While driving home I noticed a strong vibration I could feel in the steering wheel and could hear that wasn't there before. I turned around and returned it and picked up the loaner again. I have no idea when it will be fixed and at this point I have very little confidence in this vehicle or the dealership. I regret buying it and wished I'd kept our 2014 Subaru Outback which ran flawlessly for over 100,000 miles. Update: I got one of those standard surveys from the dealership asking if I was completely satisfied with the service. I responded that I absolutely was not and the reason why. I was contacted by the Service Manager two hours later who provided a lot more information. Turns out when they tried to disconnect the driveshaft from the differential a bolt broke off in the differential and it couldn't be removed. That had to order a new differential which will take about a week to get shipped and installed. He apologized for the poor communication and seemed very sincere in wanting to make it right. We will see. It has now been just over a year and 25,000 miles since we accepted delivery of the Grand Cherokee. I'm happy to report that the back-ordered part finally arrived and the fuel gauge was repaired in July. There have been no problems since them and the Grand Cherokee is no longer the Not-So-Grand Cherokee. I've driven out of state several times and it's a great road car and averages about 24 mph which is good for a vehicle its size. Hopefully its problems are behind it and will provide several years of good service. It's now been over 2 years and almost 50,000 miles. There have been no more gremlins. It has been reliable and I'm pleased with the car. Three years and 68,000 miles. Had a repeat of the transmission fluid leak which was repaired under the extended warranty. Otherwise, it's been a reliable vehicle. Just turned 80,000 and still running good. Only complaint beyond the initial problems is for a car its size the back seat legroom is short. I need to put the seat all the way back and it's pretty tight. Minor problem for me since I don't sit in the back seat!

Great, but

John, 07/02/2021

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

This is the second Grand Cherokee we have owned and it was a great vehicle until the “radio” as the service department prefers to refer to it stopped working. The problem is that this is not just the radio, but the interface to the entire vehicle. Without it the navigation does not work, nor does the back up camera, you cannot adjust the climate control, change any of the vehicle …

Shut off while driving 2021 Grand Cherokee

Pg , 07/02/2021

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

I just bought a brand new 2021 Jeep Gand Cherokee about a month ago and have experienced shut off while driving twice. My car is currently at the mechanics dealership. This problem is dangerous and I’m not pleased with this purchase.

Constant Problems

Michelle R, 09/20/2021

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X 4dr SUV 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)

I have had my Grand Cherokee since April 2021 and have taken it to the dealer I purchased it from several times and left it for a week at another dealership. Because it doesn't "pop a code" I'm told they cant find anything wrong with it. The did reset the "learning" on the transmission and my problems still exist. The problem started about a month after I purchased it. It hesitates every …

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2021 Grand Cherokee Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

Laredo E

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$34,970
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$166/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	36.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Grand Cherokee models:

Blind-Spot Monitoring: Warns you about vehicles in your blind spots.
Forward Collision Mitigation: Detects objects, or cars that have stopped short, in your path and applies emergency braking.
Lane Departure Warning: Warns you when you're drifting out of your lane and prompts you to correct your heading.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover3 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover20.4%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

Price & Payment

For sale nearby

2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo X 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeLimited 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Certified 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee80th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo E 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.95 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Grand Cherokee does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Jeep Grand Cherokee Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Not-So-Grand Cherokee

Great, but

Shut off while driving 2021 Grand Cherokee

Constant Problems

2021 Grand Cherokee Highlights

Safety

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2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Laredo X 4dr SUV

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Limited 4dr SUV

Certified 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
80th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo E 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.95 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}